Nickel wedding (12 years): what kind of wedding is it and what to give?

Among all the steel wedding anniversaries, the nickel wedding occupies a special place. And there are a number of good reasons for this. First of all, the date of the solemn event does not coincide with the wedding day itself, that is, it is celebrated not 12 years from the wedding day, but 12 and a half years later. And, believe me, this is not the only feature of this holiday. For those who are excited about family weddings, the Zatusim resource has found out how to celebrate 12 years of marriage and what kind of wedding is being celebrated.

What is a 12 year wedding called: silk, pearl or nickel

It is not without reason that a married couple is interested, 12 years from the wedding day, in what kind of wedding is being celebrated. After all, the information associated with this date is quite contradictory and different.

Since for many people wedding anniversaries are more symbolic, often the decision to celebrate a nickel wedding weighs in favor of just 12 years.

Even more confusion arises when the newlyweds find out that the nickel wedding is their 28th wedding anniversary.

And there is a logical answer here - according to many signs, it is not customary to celebrate this anniversary.

So after all, 12 years of marriage – what kind of wedding? Let's try to find answers in wedding calendars of other countries.

12th Anniversary – Silk

It is this kind of anniversary of 12 years of marriage that is usually celebrated in many countries in Europe and Asia. The twelfth anniversary received such a gentle and light name as the personification of the reverent and attentive attitude of the spouses. In addition, silk thread is not inferior in strength to steel wire. It was used to make not only luxurious fabrics, but also for bow strings and even armor.

Silk, like the most touching feelings, will warm you in the cold and cool you in the heat.

The silk thread is in fact so strong that it is as strong as steel wire of the same thickness. At one time, armor for soldiers and bow strings were made from silk thread; it is also successfully used in medicine. In cold weather, silk warms, and in hot weather it provides coolness.

And if you decide to celebrate your 12th wedding anniversary, you can take advantage of those beautiful traditions that are associated in the east with the silk anniversary.

Prepare original compliment gifts for your guests. Let it be multi-colored silk ribbons. According to tradition, the spouses tie such ribbons on the wrists of all those invited to the celebration, sharing with them a little of their happiness.

Silk should be present everywhere on this day. We cover the tables with silk tablecloths and lay out the same napkins, and hang silk curtains on the windows.

And the “newlyweds” themselves should be in silk robes. The husband can wear a beautiful bright shirt, and the wife an original skirt or silk dress.

They give each other silk scarves, which they must wear throughout the entire holiday dedicated to the 12th anniversary. By the way, they wear such scarves even after the holiday. According to the superstition, the couple will have as many grandchildren as the number of years they carry these wedding gifts.

The spouses also have a wonderful “wedding” night, which is called “Scheherazade’s night.” Of course, the main attribute here will be red silk bed linen. Lighted candles and pleasant music will add a romantic mood.

12 years, what a wedding – pearly, precious

The 12th wedding anniversary of Americans is dedicated to pearls and colored precious stones. This is a beautiful, deeply symbolic holiday that exalts family life as a real treasure.

Depending on the family income, American spouses give pearl jewelry and multi-colored stones to their friend on their 12th anniversary. And they do not part with them throughout the entire holiday, carrying them as close to their hearts as possible.

Why not give your 12th wedding anniversary a colorful touch of precious stones?

They will sparkle and highlight the tenderness of pearls that the couple was able to cultivate thanks to a reverent relationship and strong love.

12th anniversary according to ancient traditions

But if you adhere to ancient traditions and rituals, then it is better to postpone the wedding anniversary celebration for six months. It is at the age of 12.5 that it is customary for Slavic peoples to celebrate a special date, which is called the nickel wedding.

This is a symbolic date, which means exactly halfway to that cherished “silver” wedding. Therefore, you should not deny yourself an original wedding celebration, which is rich in various rituals and is actually a kind of repetition of the green wedding and a rehearsal of the golden one.

But since you have already decided to celebrate the 12th anniversary, think about whether it is worth following other people’s traditions and introducing unfamiliar rituals into the family. After all, you can simply congratulate each other on such a date or arrange a holiday, focusing on the symbolism of the number “12” itself.

12 months of the year, 12 numbers on the dial, 12 - the symbol of the philosopher's stone, 12 horoscope signs, 12 Olympian gods, 12 apostles, 12 labors of Hercules.

Therefore, you can organize a beautiful holiday dedicated to this particular symbolic and harmonious date by tying it not to the name of the anniversary, but precisely to the meaning of the number “12” itself.

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Nickel wedding: how many years, what wedding anniversary

In a series of wedding anniversaries, nickel is not the first metal that became the prototype for the name of the wedding.

The couple remembers their metal holidays well: a good 6-year cast iron anniversary and a magical copper holiday for 7 years of marriage, a relationship-renewing tin anniversary and an anniversary tin wedding, and literally yesterday’s holiday - a steel wedding for 11 years of marriage.

And among such harsh and harsh names, there was a place for a metal that has precious notes.

It is probably not without reason that the nickel wedding is celebrated as a wedding anniversary, exactly 12.5 years later. After all, this is exactly the halfway point until the real anniversary - the silver wedding.

So those very precious relationships appeared in family life, which were carefully built and polished, cherished and polished. They now have that shine and gloss that you can be proud of and even show off. After all, such nickel relations shine, silver and are especially durable.

Wait, someone will tell you what other precious metal we are talking about. Nickel is quite ordinary, banal. Far from it. In those distant times, when the name 12 year wedding anniversary probably appeared, this material was considered mystical and enchanted.

Nickel was first discovered in a meteorite fragment. Accordingly, it was considered rare and unique. Talismans and “enchanted” weapons were made from it.

It was credited with magical qualities, since nickel never rusted. Neither nickel, nor the relationship of a couple who has lived more than 12 years since their wedding day, nor water, nor air, nor minor quarrels, nor major troubles are afraid. They have long been covered with a thin oxide film, which protects them from life’s adversities.

But if you crush the metal into powder, it will burst into flames upon contact with ordinary air. Likewise, family relationships, not fully tempered by time, can ignite from a simple breath, an incorrectly spoken word, or indifference, since by this date they have not remained a single monolith, but have been broken, split by years of quarrels and scandals.

But since the couple managed to mint their family life like the best nickel coins, it will remain for many decades with a clear display of the stampings that the young couple were able to lay down over the course of 12 years of marriage.

How to celebrate your twelfth wedding anniversary

A date such as 12 years together certainly cannot go unnoticed. But since this is not a round anniversary, it’s probably not worth organizing a celebration no worse than a wedding. A walk together, a trip to a restaurant, a movie theater, or just a picnic – all this has one factor in common, namely spending time together. No matter how the spouses decide to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, the main thing is to do it together, and not to forget about traditions.

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Gifts from spouses to each other

The husband and wife will not only have to celebrate a joint date, but also take care of gifts for each other. These can be not only material values, but also spiritual surprises. For example, you can spend this day together, ending the holiday with an incredible night. The anniversary of 12 years is called silk, that is, the name itself tells us to purchase new silk linen for the family bed and test it for strength.

Fragrant flowers and candles, soft romantic music - that's all you need to create a special atmosphere. Feel free to try something new, open up to each other from unknown sides. There is a chance that this particular night will change life for the better, marking the beginning of a new happy stage.

The husband traditionally gives flowers as a gift to his wife. The most relevant for this anniversary are, of course, peonies. The airy bouquet looks very elegant and symbolic. It’s worth finding out what the shade of peony means and creating your own original bouquet with subtext:

pink speaks of respect in the family and promises material well-being;
red expresses love, passion and devotion;
purple is a symbol of protection and constancy;
white is the color of stability, sincerity and tender affection;
yellow – harmony and goodness in relationships.

The main gift can be nickel jewelry in the form of earrings, a ring or a bracelet. A personalized pendant or pendant with engraving on a chain is an ideal gift for the 12th wedding anniversary.

If your wife likes to grow flowers, peony seeds will come in handy. But gardening tools should not be given as a gift on such a significant day. It is better to hint to your loved one about caring differently. For example, by presenting a subscription to a beauty salon or inviting you to dinner at your favorite restaurant. Going on a weekend trip is also a great holiday option.

No less beneficial will be a joint walk through the park on horseback, or a trip to an amusement park, where swings and carousels will allow you to temporarily forget all adult problems and relax your soul. Two movie tickets to a touching melodrama followed by a visit to a cafe with ice cream and dessert will sweeten the celebration. You can experiment as you want, because on this holiday only the spouses decide how to spend the day.

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The husband should also not feel deprived of attention and surprises. Men's nickel products amaze the imagination with various variations. Choosing something special for your life partner will not be difficult. The most traditional gifts are trivial, but pleasant:

ring with nickel-plated shine;
cupronickel silver tea glass stand;
a shiny flask with a dedicatory inscription;
T-shirt recognizing the best qualities of your loved one;
a frame for joint photos with a finished common photo in the center;
personalized metal mug for hiking and hot drinks;
thermos for coffee on the go;
briefcase or comfortable backpack;
fashionable accessories;
modern gadgets.

If your spouse falls asleep at the ballet and cannot stand tearful films about love, you should not go to watch them together. It is better to devote this day to joint hobbies.

What to give for a silk celebration?

When choosing gifts for a silk wedding of friends or relatives, you need to take into account that they should be made of silk. It is worth paying attention to such things.

Bed linen, tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads.

A picture embroidered with silk threads.
Silk robes for husband and wife.

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Close people can give a silk scarf or handkerchief.

An excellent addition to any gift are verbal congratulations, in which you need to wish the spouses everything that they still lack in life. You can find suitable poems and memorize them so that you don’t have to read from a piece of paper during the holiday.

What can parents choose?

Children also usually contribute to the congratulations process. Of course, they are not earning money yet, but they are quite capable of saving from their pocket money or doing something with their own hands. Postcards decorated with silk ribbons look very touching. Parents will also be touched by a homemade flower vase and a poster with words of wishes. Older children can bake a simple pie or prepare salads. You can pamper your parents with breakfast or hang balloons with the numbers 12 everywhere. What is done from the heart is always valued above all else.

What is customary to give for the twelfth wedding anniversary?

Isn’t 12 years together a reason to give your other half what she has long dreamed of? Of course, silk items will be trendy on this day. But spouses must take into account each other’s specific wishes and the financial capabilities of their family. They can buy a gift together for their family - something that they have long wanted to have, but did not find the opportunity. On this day, spouses have the right to give themselves something truly desired! Guests can also choose a gift for the anniversary, based both on the symbol of the 12th wedding anniversary - silk, and on the wishes of the spouses

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Anniversary scenario with guests

Each couple has many friends and acquaintances who, one way or another, will agree to share this significant event with the couple. The 12th wedding anniversary is an occasion for friends to show their eloquence and congratulate the couple with the warmest compliments and congratulations. You can recreate the ancient tradition with a samovar and family tea. The fact is that samovars and teapots traditionally contain nickel. Food can also be served from cutlery containing the element. In ancient times, it was believed that dishes that were polished to a shine were the basis for peace and harmony in the family.

If the couple still does not have children, then you can take them with you for identity. Since ancient times, people have believed that children's laughter brings the firstborn into the home, even for couples with infertility. Children are especially happy with sweets and chocolate dishes. Just do not take children with you if the couple deliberately refuses offspring or for some reason simply does not like children.

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In Europe, the 12th wedding anniversary is celebrated as a silk wedding, and this fact gives spouses the opportunity to celebrate the occasion in different ways or combine both.

According to tradition, on this holiday, spouses visit important, personally memorable places for them (a church, if they got married, a favorite park or a cafe of their first dates).

They return home as young people to a set table. Cupronickel silver items, polished to a shine, are used on tables when serving. For newlyweds you need to put metal cups or wine glasses.

There are no restrictions on the holiday meal.

As a rule, they prepare the favorite dishes of the whole family; according to tradition, their number corresponds to the years of married life:

light salads;
cold cuts;
fish platter;
baked meat is served on a metal tray.

Nickel is a component of many metals, and therefore the table is decorated with a variety of beautiful metal bowls and flower vases. There should be at least twelve different dishes on the table.

The anniversary is celebrated cheerfully, because the heroes of the occasion are still young people. Their children, as a rule, have already grown up and will happily take part in the decoration of the holiday, surprises for the young and various competitions.

If the celebration is decided to take place outdoors, various sports competitions are perfect. In cafes and restaurants it is:

a competition for young people based on the dates of their past family life, which everyone remembers differently;
karaoke;
find an object blindfolded;
Who can name more positive qualities of a spouse?

A nickel wedding is not an anniversary, and spouses can celebrate it for two. Have a romantic evening with candles, good wine and silk linen. It will be remembered no less than the gala dinner.

It will allow you to be alone in a pleasant environment and revive feelings that have been a little muted for many years in the constant care of children and the family budget. The best option would be to go away for the weekend or simply rent a room for the newlyweds in a good hotel.

How to celebrate an anniversary?

A nickel wedding is celebrated 12 or 12.5 years after the date of marriage. So even if you didn’t have time to celebrate your anniversary on the same day, you still have a few months left. In the West there is a tradition called “Retie the knot”, i.e. to be united in marriage again, or to renew vows. A married couple goes on a romantic trip (together or with children) to some paradise. And organizes a symbolic wedding ceremony. In our realities, on the 12th anniversary of the wedding, the Svadbaholik.ru portal offers to visit places that are significant for the couple and take a couple of photographs in them. For example, the place of acquaintance, the first date, the place where the future spouse proposed marriage, the registry office, the place of the wedding walk, etc. Another alternative is a wedding, if it has not yet taken place.

It is customary to celebrate a nickel wedding within the family circle. There should be shining, polished dishes on the table. For the 12th wedding anniversary, it is advisable to include items made of nickel or cupronickel in the table setting: candlesticks, napkin rings, cutlery, etc. At the end of the evening, there is always a tea party in the old style. A shiny samovar or a pot-bellied nickel teapot is placed in the center of the table as a symbol of family happiness and unity. Coffee lovers brew the aromatic drink in special nickel pots.

Although the 12th wedding anniversary is called nickel, another option for lovers of romance is to have a candlelit dinner for two. If you are tired of everyday hustle and bustle, if you barely find time to be alone, this holiday option will be ideal. You can finally enjoy some time that is just the two of you and give each other a proper date night.

So, what kind of wedding is it when a couple is about to celebrate 12 years of marriage? Correct answer: nickel. She reminds spouses of the strength of feelings. It also gives a reason to add a little tenderness, romance, and warmth to life.

Festive feast at the Nickel wedding

Have you decided to have a real wedding feast or just a friendly tea party in honor of your family holiday? In any case, pay attention to table setting.

Let it be a delicate wedding theme in white and silver shades. There is a place here for snowy white tablecloths and silver or cupronickel cutlery with monograms, linen napkins with shiny rings and shiny candlesticks with white candles, salad bowls and stainless steel dishes, and even cool silver balls as decor.

Are you thinking about how to surprise your guests? Create a fondue that fits perfectly with the sparkly theme or order a chocolate fountain. Let sweet notes be present both in the lives of the “young” and at the holiday itself.

Don't forget about another great nickel wedding tradition. Place cupronickel or silver glasses on the tables.

It is customary to pour champagne in them. Moreover, it is the spouses who are the first to treat themselves, literally taking a sip from their glasses. And the couple pours the remains of the intoxicating drink into the guests’ glasses to share their joy with those invited.

Traditionally, spouses put out all the best nickelware on the tables. By that anniversary, they managed to acquire beautiful and expensive tableware and sets.

But pay attention to the cleanliness of such dishes. After all, it is on this basis that it is customary to judge how successful family relationships are.

You can also organize a tea party beautifully. A shiny, smoking samovar in the middle of the festive table, fragrant pastries on shiny plates, silver sets are the main accents of the tea ceremony. For coffee lovers, prepare delicious Turkish coffee in the sand and serve it in shiny coffee pots.

Don't be afraid to go overboard with glitter, silver, and gloss. It will be perfectly balanced by white, which remains an unchanged wedding shade.