An Elegant and Intricate Idea for Her 39th Wedding Anniversary Gift

If you’re hoping for some traditional themes for a 39 year wedding gift for her you’re once again going to be disappointed. Traditionally, it has only been the most significant years that were given the honor of an individual theme. The custom of exchanging gifts on the occasion of a wedding anniversary started way back in medieval Europe. Upon reaching twenty five years of marriage the husband would give his wife a garland made of silver. If they were lucky and healthy enough to make it to fifty years as man and wife the garland would be made of gold.

Over many subsequent years, a number of other themes were added. Such as diamond for a sixtieth anniversary, and ruby for a fortieth. It wasn’t until 1937, that a more comprehensive list was compiled, which gave far more anniversary years their own individual theme.

39th Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her

A modern theme for a 39 year wedding anniversary gift for her

The list compiled in 1937 was the dream child of the Jewelers of America. Which may explain why many of the themes are jewelry related. This year there is a change because the theme is lace. Lace is a fabric made of yarn or thread that has been made into an open weblike pattern. Originally, it was made by hand, and many people around the world still practice it today. However, modern machinery means it can now be made much cheaper, and far faster by machine.

Lace, would originally have been made using linen, silk, gold, or silver threads. Nowadays, lace is commonly made using cotton thread, but linen and silk thread can still be found. Manufactured lace can also be made using synthetic fibers, and there are a few modern day artisans who make lace using fine copper or silver thread. And if you want to give your wife a lace-themed gift, there are architectural lace fences made by Dutch designers.

There are different types of lace for her 38th wedding anniversary gift

Lace can be made in a number of different ways, which gives rise to a number of different types of lace. Let’s look at a few of them in a little more detail.

• Needle lace – This is made using a needle and thread, and is the most flexible way of making lace.
• Cutwork, or whitework – This lace is made by removing threads from a background that has been woven, with the remaining threads filled or wrapped with embroidery.
• Bobbin lace – This lace is made using bobbins and a pillow. The bobbins are made from bone, wood, or plastic, and hold threads in place that are woven together, and held in place on the pillow using pins. Chantilly lace is a well known type of bobbin lace.
• Knotted lace – This includes the art of macrame and tatting. Tatting is making lace using a shuttle or tatting needle.

The origin of lace is a hotly contested issue, but by the 16th century it was being worn and produced across Europe. It was so popular that people were setting up cottage industries solely for the production of lace. It came across the pond to America around the 1800s. When missionaries taught their lace-making skills to the Native Americans.

It is thought that lace was chosen for a 39th anniversary because it represents the intricate nature and beauty of a long lasting union. It also symbolizes the complexities of marriage, and how the individual threads of two people’s lives can be woven together to make a magnificent final product.

Choose filigree jewelry for her 38 year wedding anniversary gift

Another option for those of you still hoping for more ideas is filigree jewelry. This is a creative type of jewelry that is beautifully created with an intricate lace design.

Filigree is a very delicate type of jewelry metalwork, often made of gold or silver. And often with the addition of tiny bead, or twisted threads. Everything is soldered together or to the surface of an object made from the same metal. Although not strictly lace, it looks very lacy, and is very popular in India and Asia.

Filigree was historically part of a jewelers ordinary work, although nowadays it has become a specialist branch of jewelry making. The jewelry made by the Etruscans and Greeks was filigree, as it was made by soldering and building up the gold, rather than chiselling or engraving the metal.

For a sizzling evening, turn up the heat by giving her lace lingerie

When thinking about 39 year anniversary gift ideas, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention lace lingerie. However, you might want to set the tone of the evening, by maybe cooking her a romantic dinner, before you slap your sexy surprise on the table. After 39 years she might appreciate a little warm up before you go in for the kill.

All joking aside, lace lingerie will be a very sensual gift for her this 39th wedding anniversary, but make sure she realizes the gift is for her. Not for your own delectation.

There are only another 364 days to go before you can celebrate your fortieth wedding anniversary by giving her a ruby. But don’t let this year pass without giving her a token of your affection. However big or small it might be. And buying her a gift made from lace isn’t going to break the bank, so you can save some money for next year’s gift.