On one of my recent “gift idea” posts a reader asked if I had any (non traditional & in-expensive) gift ideas for her parents upcoming 25th wedding anniversary. And I do! I hope I haven’t missed the big day. Here is my comprehensive gift giving guide (some stick to the parameters given, other branch out a little more) for milestone gifts for someone who isn’t necessarily your significant other.

Last year, in addition to getting engaged & married, my brother was married, my brother & his wife had a baby, my Mom turned 50 (and doesn’t look a day over 35) and my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. It was what some would call a big year. How do you capture those moments for your parents who probably don’t want you spending your hard earned money on them (especially if they still slip you a Benjamin here or there). My point is- oh I know all about milestones. Lets shop…

Proof coins

The best part about proof quarters & fifty cent pieces (to mark 25 or 50 year birthdays, milestones or anniversaries) is that you’ll probably end up paying more for shipping than you do the coin. A few simple searches on the internet should give you some ideas on how to frame or display the coin, and it is a unique way to mark the passage of time. My Dad has 3 brothers, and when each of them has turned 50 (there is still one in his 40′s) they’ve received 3 proof fifty-cent pieces from their brothers. The coin above is currently on sale via eBay, but you could also try asking your local bank or US mint branch for helping in finding the right one for your event. 

Champagne, scotch or fine wine

This is the option most likely to set you back a few bucks or more, and if you are hell-bent on a scotch I’d suggest you do it for a 10th or 15th anniversary and not a 50th (oy vey!). (Can you even get scotch that has been aged 50 years??) Ask your local high end liqour store for help in a wine or champagne search, they can suggest something that will be delicious after all these years- contrary to popular belief not all wines age gracefully.

Photo Montage

If you can nab a few photo albums from Mom or Dad or Grandma or Grandpa -or if you have technologically advanced family members get a disk of their scanned in snapshots- you can easily create a gorgeous piece of art commemorating the milestone of the past 25 years – marriages, births, vacations, moves, buying a new house or more. This is a truly sweet sentiment (and you needn’t shop at Pottery Barn for the frames, they just happen to have a great selection) that gives them an opportunity to reflect when they open the gift. A frame with two openings would allow for a then-and-now duo (a wedding photo & a recent snapshot) while a frame with multiple openings would let you cover more events.

Wedding Cake (sans freezer!)

Depending on how much money you want to spend, how much you like to bake and if the bakery your parents used (if they used one) is still around there a few variations on this gift. You could just find out what flavor of cake they had & bake a simple cake yourself. You could look at photos and ask a bakery (or the original bakery used!) to re-create the top tier. You could have the bakery they used make you a pretty batch of cupcakes with white frosting- no matter how you do it, it is a sweet way to remember the last part of their wedding reception. My parents had a 3-tier carrot cake so perhaps one day I’ll bake them an anniversary cake – but I’ll probably skip the tiers & columns they had on their original confection! Bring out their cake knife and use it to slice it up & they are sure to love it.

Maps

Again there are a lot of variations on this idea, but scour eBay or any local frame shop & get a map – of the world, their hometown, their home state, where they went on their honeymoon, where they met or where they’ve always dreamed of going. Do they like to travel? Have it mounted on cork board & present it with a box of push pins for them to mark everywhere they’ve been. Have the lived in the same town for all 25 years? Find a map (again- eBay!) from when the town or area was originally plotted & have it framed. Everyone identifies with geography in some way, be it from the consummate travelers or the locals who never left. Remind them you know where your roots are!

What about you, dear readers? Thoughts, suggestions, criticims or more? Let me know!