It is commonly known that 25th wedding anniversary gifts are represented by silver, but why is this? Good question. Prepare yourself for a (short!) history lesson!

The tradition of the silver wedding anniversary started back in Medieval Germany. Back then it was considered quite a big deal for a couple to reach 25 years of marriage (people didn't live as long back then - remember?). When a couple had been married for 25 years, the wife was presented with a silver wreath to honor the couples 25 years together. The silver was used to represent the harmony needed to stay married this long!

OK! History lesson is over folks. Down to business. Here are some great silver anniversary gift ideas to take away with you.

A great gift idea for the couple. Give the happy anniversary couple a gift certificate for a couple of months of ballroom dancing lessons. You never know they might find their dancing feet! (This can be adapted to suit the couple, maybe kite surfing lessons for the more adventurous couple...)

For a slightly more pricey gift is the gift of a watch. A well made silver watch is a fitting memory of this wedding anniversary. You can even get it engraved with a special message! This works for both the husband and/or wife.

For your parents on their 25th wedding anniversary you may want to give them a memory book. This can be either made yourself, or you could get someone to do it for you. Decorate the cover with silver to show the 25th wedding anniversary. Included photos of your parents years together - maybe even have one of each of them as children in the beginning.

Now that you know why silver is used to represent the 25th anniversary, let it help you to choose a significant gift.