Wedding Anniversaries Part 3. Handmade, Irish Gifts for the 6th Year.

This is the third instalment of a 4-part series on handmade gifts for Wedding Anniversaries. We’ve reached the 6th year, a surprisingly interesting one, associated with sugar, iron and wood. I’ve dug up some unusual, appropriate gifts from the Crafty Ireland team on Etsy.

In this corner of the world, the 6th wedding anniversary is celebrated with sugary gifts. Like many of the ‘in between years’ the meaning seems to be left open to interpretation. You’re sweet as Candy? Life is sweet? Sweet hearts forever?

Traditionally, this would imply confectionary, but I came across a couple of interesting ways to mark this mid-milestone year.


A lump o sugar ring by Made for an Angel (Louise O'Dwyer) will surely please your sweetheart.

There’s nothing sweeter than scented candles to create a romantic atmosphere. I can almost smell these cute little cupcake candles by Bluebell Eco Candles from here.

In the US the 6th anniversary is associated with iron and wood. Both symbolise strength and solidity in the marriage.


Steering away from traditional iron goods, how about this evocative photographic print of an Irish smithy by Cherry Blossom Tattoo?

The mineral hematite is in fact, iron ore. It looks like a stone possessing a metalic sheen and is much used in jewellery. Sometimes it is magnetised. Metaphysically it is associated with intuition and improving and growing relationships so I thought it highly appropriate.


These unusual handmade earrings by Balanced show how beautiful iron ore can be.


In latter years, wood has become associated with the 6th anniversary. It symbolises strength and firm friendship. You might like to get crafty and make a meaningful gift yourself. This collection of Irish driftwood from Celtic Sea Treasures may spark your imagination.

Mooliki offers a range of original ink drawings , beautifully depicting wood at its source, the tree.


Turquoise and amethyst and are the stones associated with the sixth year of marriage. This purse or handbag charm comes from my own Etsy shop. Turquoise is also the birthstone for December.

I’ll be back with a look at the 7th anniversary before the winter is out. It is associated with wool, a much loved, natural material in Ireland. That will be where I hang my (hand-knitted) hat as far as this series is concerned ...mayhaps I’ve got the 7 year itch to write about something else.


Previous posts in this series:
Wedding Anniversaries 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Wedding Anniversaries 4th, 5th

Wedding Anniversary Gifts, The Early Years

Hi Anne-Marie from Handmade by Amor here. Summer time is a great time to list bridal items in your shop. So it follows that it’s also a good time to consider wedding anniversaries too.

Though unhitched (yet still open to the idea...do ya heeeear me Prince Charming?), I find symbolic wedding anniversary gifts a little intriguing. It can do no harm to know what represents each year of wedlock, even if only for tagging purposes. So I thought I’d do a series of articles around the subject and see what related goodies are on offer from the Crafty Ireland Team.


The origin of symbolic wedding anniversary gifts dates back to the middle ages. Apparently the tradition began in the Germanic region of mediaeval Europe. Up until the 1930s, only the early years of marriage and the big milestones were represented. Over the last 80 years the ‘official’ anniversary gift lists have expanded to include the years in between. This is, admittedly, largely due to the retail industry.

Naturally, customs vary from culture to culture. I am basing this series principally (and loosely) on traditions in this corner of the world and the USA. I will not, however, be exploring each and every anniversary year or I will die an old maid at my keyboard.

In the USA, paper is traditionally associated with the first anniversary and cotton is given on the second. It is the other way round in the UK and Ireland, cotton being first. However, there seems to be leeway to follow either list in this country.


A search for cotton items turned up this unique wedding pillow from Barbara Murray.

Cotton is a natural fibre derived from the cotton shrub. It was first cultivated in the Indian subcontinent circa 7000 years ago. Spun into a thread or yarn, today it is the widest used natural fibre around the world. Cotton was first woven in Ireland in the late 18th century.

Seemingly this material represents durability and versatility, qualities said to help cement the marriage.


Well, your beloved wont be sprinting away if you give him this ‘running man’ t-shirt from Green works.

And listen up men folk, though pearls are well established as the gift for the 30th anniversary, they are also the gem for the 1st one. This post on types of pearls may be of use.

Modern gifts for the first anniversary now also include all sorts of domestic appliances and clocks.


The word ‘paper’ comes via the Egyptians who made a writing material from papyrus leaves. However, it is the Chinese who are credited with truly inventing the first paper as we know it.
Paper is said to represent growing strength in the relationship. I gather it has something to do with interwoven fibres.


It was hard to choose from all the fabulous paper items on offer, but this collage from Iris O’Connor caught my eye.


If your beloved is a dog lover, this oh-so-cute painting by Diana Marshall may appeal.

If you are taking the jewellery route, red Garnet is the gem for the second anniversary.
Modern gifts for year two lean towards china or porcelain such as these tasteful porcelain coasters by Living Ginger Designs.


Finally, I found lots of beautiful handmade cards and wrapping paper from the team. This vintage card from Mariposa Vintage made me chuckle.

If you are celebrating, then all that remains is to bid you a Happy Anniversary!