Is it appropriate to give anniversary gifts to sisters and their spouse? Isn't an anniversary more for the couple? I can understand if it is a big one, 20 or 50yrs, and there is a party, but every year, to give a gift? Is that normal?
It makes me uncomfortable to get gifts from my sister, and when I told her she got upset.
2006-10-31 02:53:17 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It is not necessary to give anniversary gifts to couples. Couples may celebrate their own anniversaries and not involve other people, so others need not give them gifts. If they celebrate it on a large scale like in a restaurant and many guests are invited, then gifts may be given.
If your sister insist on giving you anniversary gifts, then accept them, however, she cannot fault you for not giving her anniversary gifts if you don't want to give any to her. Everybody has their own policies and beliefs.
2006-10-31 18:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not common to receive a gift from somebody other that your spouse on your wedding anniversary. Cards are very nice, but honestly most people don't even send those.
I don't know if it was right to mention it to your sister or not. Looking a gift horse in the mouth and all... However, you'll be having a lot of anniversaries down the road (hopefully) so if it really bothered you, it was probably okay to tell her.
2006-10-31 07:19:40 · answer #2 · answered by ez_cheez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you should be gracious, and accept the gifts, and help her celebrate. But that is a new one on me. Some families do something on the parents anniversary every year, but most couples celebrate on their own, and some people have a big deal on the 1st anniversary, but most people do not. Around here, a card is not even expected.
Here, it is an opportunity to get a sitter for the kids, and go have a nice dinner at a restaurant. You and spouse!
It is becoming a tradition to renew wedding vows on the tenth anniversary, and of course, the 25th, 35th and 50th have special celebrations. It would be a nice gesture for the wedding party to remember, and send a card, but not required.
My question is, is she and the husband celebrating? Is she filling the void left by a husband who does not recognize the day? She's your sister, ask. "Hey, sis, what and you and my brother- in -law doing this year for your anniversary? You mean he doesn't do anything for it?" Or, "Hey brother- in -law, what are you getting my sister for her anniversary this year? Hey, this is my sister, get her something. She wants perfume, I know."
Hope this helps.
2006-10-31 06:28:19 · answer #3 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, but different groups view this differently. In my family, when I was growing up, Anniversarys were huge events and the whole family went over for dinner and to give gifts to the married couple. Since moving to Arizona, we do not celebrate anniversarys or give gifts. A card or verbal wishes are okay. I believe the anniversary is for the couple and may be extended to the couple's children. But, I am not married and so willnot be recognized for an anniversary. And, who is to say that a wedding anniversary is more important than the anniversary of your college graduation day (which in most cases is more lasting than a wedding anniversary.) My mom still gives anniversay gifts to her brothers and sisters (even though they are on their 3rd and 4th marriages.)
2006-10-31 03:55:52 · answer #4 · answered by katieszcz 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you on this one. I have a big family. When my brothers and sister first married, I sent anniversary cards, that's about it. I couldn't afford gifts and they didn't expect them.
Perhaps your sister likes buying gifts? Is she married? If so, do you give to her and brother-in-law?
Maybe for the coming year, discuss this with your sister. Perhaps you can come to an agreement about anniversaries? Like maybe going out to dinner and paying for the anniversary couple's meal?
It's rather nice to have someone remember your anniversary, though! (for me a card is fine!)
2006-10-31 03:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by Malika 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can't give him the actual gift of time, maybe you can give him something fun from the heart when he does have time. Here's something creative that will be appreciated and you will have fun doing: Make up a crossword puzzle and have all the hints be personal inside moments and jokes that only you two would know about. And of course about your newborn! Put it on a poster board and add some clipart and some pictures to it! The crossword puzzle could be time consuming and a bit frustrating ... you could do the same idea with a WORDSEARCH or WORDFIND puzzle. Put your computer skills to work! Use Excel, get clipart from Yahoo Images Search, copy them, and reformat them, use a gluestick to put on posterboard. Use graph paper, and pictures from magazines if you are not as good on the computer, and it will give it a homemade feeling.
2016-03-28 02:40:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cards are typical. Gifts are typically more for the "monument years". However I know some people that give gift cards or small trinkets for gifts, I guess it just depend on the gift giver.
2006-10-31 03:02:39 · answer #7 · answered by nanners040477 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's standard practice to get gifts from others on your anniversary. But, girll you better take that gift...since your sis is in such a giving mood!
2006-10-31 03:01:56 · answer #8 · answered by Barak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a card makes sense, but not a gift. I guess it depends what she gives you, though, and if she expects to get something for her annivesary.
2006-10-31 02:57:24 · answer #9 · answered by Merti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see anything wrong with it, and I am sure they would enjoy receiving a gift, as this lets them know that you care and are happy for them.
2006-10-31 02:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by ravishingly_low 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋