Pearl is the official stone of the third-year wedding anniversary.
An old adage states that good things come in threes, so even though a third-wedding anniversary isn't usually considered a milestone, it should be celebrated as an achievement. Offering a gift of encouragement or throwing a party in honor of the wedding couple are ideal ways to announce not just how good things come in threes, but your hopes that the good continues for many years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Any Weather Leather
The actual wedding three years ago may have been a sedate and formal affair, but there's no reason that the third-year anniversary party has to be. In fact, both the "traditional" and "modern" gifts for the third-year anniversary include leather, which means that couples can plan an all-out biker-themed affair. Alternatively, consider couple's themes such as "leather and lace" or give a gift of a sturdy leather briefcase, wallet or pair of leather items so the couple can match. Animal-friendly couples and gift-givers need not miss out on traditional third anniversary gifts and themes. Organizations such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals endorse the use of faux-leather materials, including "pleather," plastic leather that looks and sometimes even smells just like the real thing but consists of no animal skins.
Fortune Telling
To perk up a third-year anniversary party, consider adding a fortune teller to the invitee list. As the alternative gift suggestions for third-year anniversaries include crystal and glass, put a spin on the idea and add a crystal ball (and its reader) to the party guest list. While there is no way to verify a fortune teller's credentials, having one in the spirit of fun may be a way to entertain guests. A member of the party may even serve as the fortune teller by simply draping herself in light fabrics and using a large fishbowl or plastic ball to guess guests' fortunes. As crystal and glass are alternative gift suggestions for the third year, gifters may also take the opportunity to review the couple's old registry and purchase any items in these categories that were never received.
Pretty in Pink
While often considered a color, fuchsia is actually the name of a flowering plant (fuchsia x hybrid) and serves as the official flower of the third anniversary. Give the couple a potted fuchsia as a gift for a third anniversary; their blooming season extends from May through October, according to the University of Illinois. Although some fuchsias bear their namesake colors, others bloom in red, white and multi-color. Another option is to use fuchsia as the theme for a party by using blank fuchsia stock paper for invitations, as well as colored streamers, plates and dinnerware all in the vivid pink shade.
Putting on the Pearls
As the official stone of the third anniversary, the pearl is one of the only gemstones on the year-by-year list that anniversary couples can actually procure themselves from the source. While pearl diving is a complicated activity and takes place in such areas as Bahrain, it is possible to book a pearl-diving tour or excursion and return with a custom anniversary gift. Of course, pearl jewelry, inlaid glassware and wall artwork are available from jewelry stores and vendors for couples who don't wish to work so hard, journey far from home or go diving for their anniversary gifts.
Tags: third anniversary, fortune teller, third-year anniversary, alternative gift, alternative gift suggestions, anniversary gifts
