23 years of marriage is such an incredible milestone to reach! In some cultures, the number 23 is said to be lucky and bring happiness and growth, which means it’s absolutely something that deserves to be celebrated. Not many couples make it to this stage, so it shows just how much the two of you love and care for each other – a real testament to how much you’ve worked on your marriage.
But, what sort of gift should you give your partner to mark your 23rd wedding anniversary? You’re only a couple of years away from your silver wedding anniversary, but that’s not to say you can’t give your other half something that’s filled with just as much symbolism and meaning as you may in two years’ time.
Just as silver is synonymous with your 25th anniversary, there are also traditional and modern gifts associated with your 23rd wedding anniversary. So, if you want to give your partner something that lets them know exactly how important they are to you, you can do just that. There’s also a traditional flower and gemstone, which means you have plenty to choose from to make a real statement on the big day.
But, what exactly are the traditional and modern gifts to give on your 23rd anniversary? In this article, we’re going to dive into all the gift-giving rules surrounding this special time, and let you know exactly what they mean. That way, you can elevate your gift and make your anniversary one your partner won’t forget any time soon.
We’ll also give you 50 gift suggestions related to the traditional and modern gifts, as well as the traditional gemstone and flower, to help you make your 23rd anniversary as memorable as possible.
To learn more about the different traditional and modern wedding anniversary traditions from 1 to 90 years, read our complete year-by-year wedding anniversary gift guide.
What are traditional and modern gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary?
The traditional and modern 23rd anniversary gifts have been given for more than a century. There wasn’t originally a traditional 23rd anniversary gif, as after hitting 20 years the traditional gifts only went up every five years. So, once the modern anniversary gifts were created, these were unofficially adopted by the traditional gifts too. That means there’s a little less choice than there are with most earlier anniversaries, but the meaning behind them is no less special.
Traditional 23rd anniversary gift – Silver plate
The traditional 23rd anniversary gift is silver plate. When something is silver-plated it usually means it’s a cheaper metal, such as copper or brass, which has been coated in a thin layer of silver. This turns something ordinary into something extraordinary.
In a unique way, this can symbolise your marriage. On your own, you and your partner are of course wonderful as individuals, but together, you become something extra special. This also represents the strength and resilience of your marriage, as silver plating helps with the longevity of an item.
Plus, coating something in silver makes it rather luxurious, so it makes for a brilliant choice of gift to mark 23 years and offers you lots of options.
Modern 23rd anniversary gift – Silver plate
The original 23rd anniversary gift was the modern choice and is again silver plate. It’s a similar theme to what will come as part of your 25th wedding anniversary, but silver-plated gifts can be rather different from other types of silver gifts. This is also the only anniversary where silver plate is a gift theme, so now’s your only opportunity to give your partner something silver-plated if sticking to the anniversary themes is important to you.
23rd anniversary gemstone – Topaz
The traditional gemstone for celebrating 23 years of marriage is topaz, specifically imperial topaz, which is a fairly rare and fairly expensive stone. While topaz comes in a variety of colours, imperial topaz is a warm, autumnal shade of reddish-orange, which means it looks rather striking when set in jewellery or accessories.
Imperial topaz symbolises creativity and manifestation, which means it’s a lucky stone to give someone who’s trying to achieve something. Because it’s expensive, it isn’t ideal for smaller budgets, but there are still ways to choose something featuring a more affordable type of topaz instead.
23rd anniversary flower – Nil (aka morning glory)
The traditional 23rd anniversary is nil, also known as morning glory. This lovely purplish-blue flower grows within luscious green plants with big leaves. Because it’s more bush-like than bouquet-like, it doesn’t really feature in floral arrangements, but makes for a wonderful addition to a garden or planted in a pot.
Nil symbolises beauty and spirituality, and in Japan, is a commonly used funeral flower, as it also represents rebirth. But, it looks gorgeous and makes for a touching gift to mark your anniversary.
How do you choose a gift for a 23rd wedding anniversary?
You may not have realised that there are traditional and modern gifts associated with your 23rd anniversary, so maybe you’re holding off until your 25th in a couple of years. That means you might have been in two minds about the sort of gift to get your partner other than something classic and reliable like a bouquet of roses or a box of chocolates. Well, before you make your decision, there are a few things to bear in mind:
- Is giving your partner a gift linked to one of the themes important? If it is, there are three 23rd anniversary themes to choose from, two of which haven’t made an appearance before as an anniversary theme.
- Have you got a set budget? Silver plate and imperial topaz can be rather pricey, which might mean they don’t align with your budget.
- Is personalisation important to you? It’s popular for couples to give each other personalised gifts on their anniversary, and that’s not always possible with every theme – including silver-plated gifts.
- Has your other half asked for a specific gift? They might have given some hints or asked for something outright, which means you may struggle to give them something that fits with the traditional or modern themes.
Is a couple close to you about to celebrate 23 years of happily married life? If they are, then you might be on the hunt for something to mark the occasion, which means considering a gift that fits with one of the traditional or modern themes. Thankfully, if you are keen to give them something linked to a 23rd anniversary theme, then you’re more than welcome to. The rules aren’t exclusive to the couple themselves, so if you’ve got an idea for a gift, you’re free to give them whatever you like.
50 ideas for a 23rd wedding anniversary gift
If it’s not long until you and your partner celebrate your 23rd wedding anniversary, you might be in the middle of searching for the perfect gift to let them know exactly how you feel. You by no means have to stick to one of the traditional or modern themes, but it can show just how much thought and effort has gone into it. It also means you think outside the box and don’t rely on tried and tested gifts and give them something they won’t see coming.
So, to make your 23rd anniversary a memorable one, here are 50 gift ideas that fit the traditional and modern themes.
20 traditional and modern gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary
The traditional and modern gift for celebrating 23 years of marriage is the same, which is the luxurious and sometimes slightly extravagant silver plate. Silver plate adds a touch of class to your gift, which means it can sometimes be a little expensive. But, the meaning behind it is touching, so if it fits with what you’re looking for, we think you should go for it. If you’re not sure where to start, here are 20 ideas for silver-plated gifts you can give to celebrate your 23rd anniversary.
1. A silver-plated necklace
For something cute, dainty and thoughtful, you can’t go wrong with a silver-plated necklace. They look every bit as beautiful as sterling silver necklaces, but are actually far more affordable – which is a huge bonus!
2. A silver-plated photo frame
Your wedding may have been 23 years ago, but we bet you have amazing memories of that wonderful day. You could print off one of your favourite wedding snaps and put it in a silver-plated photo frame, which your partner can display proudly.
3. A compact silver plated-pocket mirror
Pocket mirrors are a little old-fashioned by today’s standards, but we think it’s about time they made a comeback. So, a silver-plated pocket mirror is on theme and will help your partner be a trendsetter!
4. A silver-plated watch
Watches look great in silver, and the neutral colour means a silver-plated watch goes well with any kind of outfit and suits all types of occasions.
5. A silver-plated ballpoint pen
If your partner uses a pen for work or occasionally has to sign important documents, you can make sure they do it in style with a silver-plated ballpoint pen.
6. A silver-plated rhino figurine
Is your partner’s favourite animal the majestic rhinoceros? If so, they’ll absolutely love this silver-plated rhino figurine, which is small and sweet and makes for a lovely gift.
7. A silver-plated condiment set
Perfect for making meal times a little more grandiose whenever you’re entertaining. Instead of cracking out the ketchup or bringing out the brown sauce, your partner can serve up your sauces in this silver-plated condiment set.
8. A personalised silver-plated carousel money box
For something cute, useful and on theme, a personalised silver-plated carousel money box makes for the ideal 23rd anniversary present.
9. A silver-plated charm
If your partner has a charm bracelet or similar and loves filling it with unique and fun charms personal to them, a silver-plated charm offers you the perfect way to give them a gift they’ll really appreciate.
10. A silver-plated bracelet
Give your partner a gift with a touch of sparkle, with a silver-plated bracelet. There are plenty of styles and designs available so you should easily find something that suits your partner’s tastes.
11. A silver-plated tea caddy
There’s no finer way to keep tea to hand than with a silver-plated tea caddy. It’s perfect for any lover of loose-leaf tea.
12. A personalised silver-plated rose
Roses are known the world over as a symbol of love. Combine that with silver, and a personalised silver-plated rose might just be everything you need for the best anniversary gift ever.
13. A silver-plated tea set
Help your partner feel like royalty every time they make a cuppa with a silver-plated tea set. Either that or they’ll love it too much to ever want to use it!
14. A pair of silver-plated earrings
Silver-plated earrings are a brilliant choice of gift. They’re small and affordable and come in a huge range of styles, so you’re bound to find something your partner will always want to wear.
15. Vera Wang silver-plated toasting flutes
Plan on raising a glass on your anniversary with a cheeky bottle of bubbles? Then there’s no better way to do it than with a pair of Vera Wang silver-plated toasting flutes – romantic and luxurious.
16. A silver-plated trinket box
To help your partner keep all their jewellery and accessories safe in one place, a silver-plated trinket box has intricate details and would sit nicely on any dresser.
17. A silver-plated wall mirror
With a modern design, this silver-plated wall mirror will add a touch of character to a bedroom or bathroom.
18. An antique silver plated tray
Do you often entertain or have family over? For a real talking point, give your partner an antique silver-plated tray so they can serve up tea and biscuits in real style.
19. A pair of personalised silver plated cufflinks
Cufflinks always make for a thoughtful and useful gift, especially if your other half frequently wears a suit. So, this pair of personalised silver-plated cufflinks could just be the gift you’re after.
20. A silver plated bangle
Make sure your partner makes a real statement with a silver-plated bangle. It has a unique melting design and will really complement almost any type of outfit.
5 affordable gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary
Silver-plated gifts aren’t necessarily going to be everyone’s cup of tea. If this is your partner, or you’re not sure they’d be hugely into something silver-plated, then it might be a bit of a risk. As a result, you may not want to spend much money, and instead choose to give them something linked to the theme that’s cheap and more of a token gesture. But where do you start? Thankfully, there are some very affordable silvery gifts that are pretty much perfect. So, here are five affordable gifts for celebrating your 23rd wedding anniversary.
1. A personalised silver keyring
For an anniversary gift that your partner can carry with them wherever they go, you could give them a personalised silver keyring, which is small, thoughtful and – most importantly – affordable.
2. A silver candle and diffuser plate
If your partner loves to fill your home with the sweet and floral scents produced by diffusers and candles, then this silver candle and diffuser plate keeps them neat and catches any spills.
3. Silver star stud earrings
If you know where to look, you can find silver jewellery that will suit all kinds of budgets – including these silver star stud earrings, which are super cute and super affordable.
4. A sterling silver ring
For a thoughtful and affordable token gift, you really can’t go wrong with this sterling silver ring.
5. A sterling silver heart bracelet
Treat your partner to something romantic and oh-so-delicate with a sterling silver heart bracelet, which is just lovely and will definitely go with loads of different styles and outfits.
5 DIY gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary
One way to show your partner how much you love them and give them a gift like no other is by making it yourself. This extra personal touch is thoughtful and fun and can be an exciting project to take on during the build-up to your anniversary. But, what kind of thing can you make linked to one of the themes? Unless you have the tools and know-how, silversmithing is likely not an option… unless you use a bit of creativity. So, here are five DIY gift ideas for your 23rd anniversary.
1. DIY silver jewellery with a jewellery-making kit
No one knows your partner as well as you, including the types of jewellery they love to wear. So, why not get a silver jewellery-making kit and make them the most incredible piece of bespoke jewellery ever?
2. A silver wire DIY heart pendant
Silver wire is pretty cheap to buy and is incredibly versatile. And one thing you can make using silver is a DIY heart pendant, which you can have a go at even if you don’t have much crafting experience. Watch a video tutorial for tips on how to make one for your other half.
3. Silver wire earrings
Another great way to use silver wire is by making silver wire earrings. You’ll need one or two jewellery-making tools, but they’re not very expensive (and also have multiple other uses). Check out a video tutorial for the info on everything you need.
4. Silver wire snowman decoration
If your anniversary takes place around the festive period, a wire snowman is surprisingly simple to make! And of course, a video tutorial tells you how to make one.
5. A silver wire Celtic knot bracelet
One last suggestion for using silver wire. If you have experience making intricate things before, you might like to take on the challenge of a silver wire Celtic knot bracelet, which really is beautiful. If you fancy being brave and trying it, here’s a video tutorial for you.
5 experience or activity gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary
Your anniversary is all about you and your partner, so it’s likely that spending quality time together is high on your list of priorities. Sure, you could go to a nice restaurant or a romantic walk, but why not tie your anniversary into one of the themes and make it truly unique? If that sounds good, but you’re not quite sure how to do that, we have five more suggestions here.
1. A silver mountain experience
You could pay a visit to the Silver Mountain Experience, a silver-lead mine full of Welsh myths and fantasies, which offers you a truly adventurous anniversary.
2. A trip to Silver Glen
To the east of Stirling, in Scotland, is the Silver Glen, which once held the richest deposit of silver in the UK. You won’t find much there now, of course, but it’s a beautiful part of the UK in which to mark your anniversary.
3. A silver Merlin annual pass
Do you and your other half have a roller coaster relationship? And by that, we mean literally! A silver Merlin Annual Pass gives you year-round access to thrills and spills at theme parks and attractions up and down the country.
4. A silversmithing experience
For a chance to do something truly different on your anniversary, you and your partner could go on a silversmithing experience, and learn how to make your own items out of real silver.
5. A silver West End experience voucher
Does your idea of a great date night involve catching a musical? If so, then a silver West End experience voucher lets you grab tickets to a variety of shows and have a night to remember.
10 23rd anniversary gifts that contain topaz
Imperial topaz is a gorgeously warm stone with an absolutely lovely meaning. It’s quite rare, so can be rather expensive, but there are loads of options out there, which makes it a fabulous choice as an anniversary gift. There are also other types of topaz that come in different colours if the autumnal shades aren’t really your partner’s thing. Here are 10 suggestions for gifts containing the mighty topaz:
- Earrings
- A ring
- A necklace
- A bracelet
- A broach
- A locket
- A watch
- An anklet
- A hairpin
- Cufflinks
Topaz is a very popular stone, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find jewellery and accessories that are set with one. Imperial topaz, on the other hand, can be rare, but it’s still not impossible. Check out your local high-street and independent jewellers to see what they have available. Alternatively, here at Bridebook, we work closely with a range of fabulous jewellers, and many have beautiful topaz jewellery. You’ll no doubt find something your partner will adore.
5 floral-inspired gifts for a 23rd wedding anniversary
For a sure-fire hit of a gift, you could always give your partner flowers to mark your anniversary. The traditional flower for your 23rd anniversary is nil, otherwise known as morning glory, a luscious green bushy plant with vivid purplish-blue flowers. It’s not really a flower that appears in floral arrangements, but there are still loads of gifts to consider. Here are five suggestions for your petal-loving partner.
1. A morning glory plant
Morning glory thrives in pots and gardens in the UK, so a morning glory plant is ideal if your partner has an affinity for filling your garden with life and colour.
2. Morning glory heavenly blue seeds
For a lovely token floral gift, a packet of morning glory heavenly blue seeds lets your partner have a go at growing their own!
3. Dangly morning glory earrings
If your partner loves earrings that dangle and have some real personality, then they’ll love a pair of dangly morning glory earrings.
4. Morning glory artwork
Add a touch of character and culture to a room with this striking Japanese morning glory artwork.
5. A morning glory dangle charm
Charm bracelets are perfect because there’s almost an endless variety of charms you give on special occasions like this. That includes this morning glory dangle charm, which gives you a romantic and thoughtful way to mark your big day.
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Browse other similar articles…
- The Ultimate Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
- 1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 50 Anniversary Gift Ideas
- 2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 50 Anniversary Gift Ideas
- 22nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 50 Anniversary Gift Ideas
Happy Planning!
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