Wedding anniversaries
- What original gift to give to friends for an opal wedding anniversary?
- What can spouses give each other on their 21st wedding anniversary?
- What to give parents for their 21st opal wedding anniversary
- Original DIY gifts for the 21st opal wedding anniversary
Family relationships have the peculiarity of filling our lives day after day with love and tenderness, everyday problems and troubles, raising and growing children, happy moments, and maybe sad ones - well, what would we do without them? That's how the years go by. It would seem that just recently the family celebrated the twenty-year anniversary of their marriage, and now a new date has arrived an opal wedding - 21 years of marriage . Why does this anniversary have such a beautiful name, what to give to a married couple for an opal wedding, what traditions and customs are worth remembering on this day?
Twenty-one years is a significant amount of experience for any married couple. The spouses have been married for a long time and they have experienced a lot together, and not always pleasant ones. Strong, like a long union of two people, opal is considered a misanthropic stone with its own negative energy , capable of bringing discord and misfortune. But it has one feature, for which it was named this significant day for family relationships: in certain situations, opal can change the direction of energy from negative to positive. Spouses should feel each other, be more tolerant of each other, not give rise to conflicts, and learn to resolve everyday quarrels calmly and politely.
It is customary to give this stone to a married couple for an opal wedding.
As a rule, after a round anniversary of 20 years, the family stops celebrating anniversaries of their life together on a grand scale. But an opal wedding is still a pleasant occasion for the newlyweds, friends and relatives to gather around a cozy table and give the family symbolic gifts.
Legends and symbolism of opal stone
Opal gave rise to many beliefs and legends around it due to its unusualness. One of them is most popular in India and nearby eastern countries. The beautiful appearance of the Rainbow Goddess was so attractive that many men tried to earn her attention and affection. Due to the annoying attention of fans, the goddess one day decided to flee. But, realizing at one moment that they could soon catch up with her, so as not to fall into the hands of her boyfriend, she took it and, with a blow to the ground, turned into the now famous opal stone.
It is because of the popularity of this legend that the stone in many Eastern countries is considered a symbol of trust, love and strength of relationships. But the legend became the reason for some people’s wary attitude towards the stone, namely they believed that the mineral attracts false goals and dreams into life, and also believed that a partner could become amorous under its influence.
Opal has a very powerful energy, which is so strong for people that psychologically unbalanced individuals fall into deep depression under its influence. Therefore, unstable natures, for example, pronounced choleric people, are not recommended to wear such an amulet unless absolutely necessary.
Opal is often used in such areas of medicine as lithotherapy. It is closely connected with almost all internal human organs. This is possible due to the fact that on the physical plane it contains all the colors of the rainbow spectrum. It is especially often used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
In addition, the mineral can bring order and balance to the physical and psychological aspects of human health. Opal helps cope with sudden epidemics and is a good remedy against headaches and toothaches. The mineral is useful for people with an unstable nervous system, as well as frequent mood swings. The mineral helps reduce the influence of melancholy on personality, making a person more vibrant and noticeable. With some effort, the stone helps to reveal the hidden capabilities of a person, and also helps to achieve success in a planned business. The mineral is useful for people with disturbances in sleep and rest patterns, and restores biorhythms.
Opal on the subtle plane helps clear the mind of heavy and stuck memories and balances the psychological state. If a person has difficulty communicating with other people, opal will help him cope with such a problem. Opal also stabilizes the timbre and tempo of speech, helps eliminate gaps and misunderstandings in relationships with others, and adjusts behavior patterns in the right direction on an individual basis. In love relationships, the mineral helps strengthen relationships, balance the contributions of partners, and gives a feeling of reciprocity and calm. It helps overly aggressive people become more tolerant.
As a talisman, it is able to support any endeavors of its owners, both with good and evil intentions. Moreover, the mineral affects different people differently. One will be warned against dangerous adventures, and another will be helped to feel the desired adrenaline from a number of dubious enterprises.
Some doctors advise people who have vision problems to peer into opal. It is believed that the mineral, with its rainbow tint, restores visual acuity lost over the years, and also relieves internal tension from the eyes and restores confidence in one’s eyes.
Opal wedding traditions
In ancient times, there were a large number of beliefs associated with an opal wedding. After all, this mineral used to frighten rather than attract. Ancestors also paid attention to the ability of the mineral to lose its shine over time, and attached mystical significance to this property.
With so much time spent together, the spouses should have already understood the importance of a number of symbolic actions that will help strengthen the relationship in the future. For example, in the numerological tradition, 21 is considered the “crown” number; some consider it sacred, since it consists of multiplying 3 by 7. This number is associated, first of all, with the mystical side of life, magical rites and rituals, as well as “divine providence” . This is why the main sacred texts, in most traditions, are recited at least 7 times. It is interesting that if you add 2+1, you get 3, as the number of balance, Universal wisdom and constancy.
Also, the number 21 consists, in turn, of 3 7s or 7 3s. This number harmoniously contains the spiritual and physical principles. Namely, three, according to many religions, is a theological principle. In Orthodoxy, this is a symbol of the Son, Father and Holy Spirit. The number 7 symbolizes urgency, as well as certain cycles, for example, the 7 days of the cyclical phases of the Moon.
Interestingly, the Persian prophets or priests had exactly 21 Holy Scriptures. In the tarot arcana system, 21 means soaring and a feeling of carefree, lightness. Another interesting fact: in alchemy, it took just 21 days to turn base raw materials into noble silver.
That is why the opal wedding is considered a very important and even mystical date. Thanks to the years lived together, spouses learn to understand each other and become wiser. Such acquired qualities as true mutual understanding and sincere love are also valued.
A special ritual has been preserved that allows you to make a wish with the help of opal on such an important day. To do this, it is recommended to hold the mineral in your left hand, to detach yourself from thoughts and pressing problems. Looking at him intently, I mentally needed to formulate my basic desires. Thus, the mineral was endowed with strong positive properties. If he could do harm in such a ritual, it would be more likely by mirroring the negative hidden sides of the bearer’s personality. Hinting at the need to work, first of all, on yourself. The ancestors believed that the mineral was capable of strengthening the sincere feelings of a couple, but it easily brought insincerity and betrayal to the surface. The ritual of wish fulfillment should not be performed in a bad or tired mood. First you need to calm down and tune in to a positive mood. Only then will the mineral attract into life everything positive that it can. Including the fulfillment of a cherished dream.
The second ritual of the couple is joint and closely related to jewelry, preferably made of gold or silver. You need to find old and unnecessary jewelry in the house, take it to the jewelers and order special rings with opal. If you wish, you can order an individual set instead of rings, for example, earrings for your wife and cufflinks for your husband. With the help of such a ritual, opal takes away all the bad and all the negativity accumulated by the spouses over the years they have lived together.
Modern society also has a number of its own interesting traditions associated with opal weddings. For example, using a mutually established anniversary status, you can notify friends and acquaintances about the upcoming holiday, as well as share a warm and joyful mood with your subscribers.
Celebration
Traditionally, an opal wedding is celebrated by two people. A romantic dinner by candlelight or a trip to a restaurant has its own charm. But you can celebrate the event much more vividly. For example, become a magician for your husband (or wife) and make his dream come true. Usually, loving spouses, over the course of 21 years of marriage, manage to study their significant other down to the smallest detail. Therefore, choosing a gift should not be a particular problem. Naturally, not every family can afford the costs of expensive cars and travel. But you can show your imagination and give a gift that does not cost money, but is dear to the spouses’ relationship.
- Remember the first meeting and try to recreate the circumstances.
- Take a walk through places of love.
- Have a country picnic for two.
- Take an excursion to some symbolic place.
Opal Wedding Celebration
According to established traditions, the 21st wedding anniversary is usually not celebrated on a grand scale. This is just a reason for the couple to retire or gather around only their closest relatives and friends.
21st wedding anniversary theme
Holding the event in private makes the task of choosing a topic much easier. An ideal option would be a joint walk through memorable places. Memorable places of the first declaration of love or receiving a marriage proposal have always attracted attention. A more interesting holiday option would be horseback riding or active swimming in the company of dolphins.
A romantic dinner is the optimal pastime for couples who want privacy. Food can be ordered from your favorite place or cooked together. Partial preparation of dishes yourself and partial delivery are allowed to save effort and time, but at the same time to show care and attention to the date and partner. A meeting with friends and relatives can take place in one of the following options:
- a trip to nature with barbecue and an active recreation program;
- ordering a banquet at the restaurant where the wedding took place 21 years ago;
- home themed party.
In any case, the choice of holiday theme for an opal wedding is limited only by the level of the couple’s imagination, as well as time and financial capabilities in a number of individual cases.
Wedding outfits
Celebrating such an event can be carried out in any comfortable way, depending on the situation. For example, a woman can wear a dress and a man a suit. It is important that the image has elements of opal color as a symbol of celebration. An excellent combination would be red, blue, green and brown colors in suitable proportions.
Men with a more relaxed sense of style can wear a suit-colored jacket and black jeans. A wonderful addition to a man's look would be a cufflink or butterfly with an opal as a symbol of the upcoming date.
Wedding menu
It is worth immediately noting that there are no strict regulations regarding the wedding menu for the opal date. With a classic approach to the holiday, you can choose several of the most popular options for treats for such events, namely:
- snacks in the form of a cheese or sausage plate;
- hot, represented by baked chicken or meat in French;
- As a dessert, you can serve cake or pastries.
Signs advise paying special attention to the design of the birthday cake. After all, it is this sweetness that can and should become the highlight of the celebration.
What to give your husband for an opal wedding
Symbolic gifts for your beloved spouse include:
- cufflinks with opal;
- ring;
- Tie clip with initials;
- writing instrument;
- bracelet with engraving.
Among non-thematic original gifts, the following would be appropriate:
- money clip;
- personalized thermos;
- Oscar statuette;
- Frame;
- unusual handle;
- engraved watch;
- tickets to a concert of your favorite band;
- snuffbox;
- expensive cigarette case;
- personalized flash card;
- cartoon painting;
- eBook.
For your wedding anniversary, your husband needs to choose a special gift - one that will definitely be used. Therefore, when buying a gift for your beloved man, take into account his interests, hobbies and hobbies.
Gifts for 21st wedding anniversary
Any congratulation, according to etiquette, should be accompanied by an additional gift. It is especially important on such a date to remind the spouses of the years they lived together with a gift. And also about undiminished feelings and sincerity for each other. Due to the fact that a large number of guests are not expected to attend the celebration, the couple should especially carefully consider gift options for each other. Despite the fact that subconsciously the couple understands that their closest friends and family members will not be able to ignore such an event.
Gifts for wife for opal wedding
Due to the love of most women for jewelry, the choice of a gift for a man on his 21st wedding anniversary increases significantly and becomes easier. Thanks to the variety of choices, you can choose a gift even for a picky person. Due to the fact that opal can be different in color, the choice should be made based on the taste preferences of the spouse. Useful gifts for an opal wedding include:
- foot baths with a massage effect;
- manicure set;
- personal care products.
A woman will appreciate such a sign of attention as a handbag, hobby and handicraft kits, a place to store cosmetics, as well as items that will serve as additional decor for the family hearth.
Women are fickle and picky by nature. If a man has doubts about a gift, it is better to go with his wife to the center and she will choose a suitable gift for herself. It is also important to remember that on this day you should not skimp, and then the woman will definitely thank you for your generosity.
Gifts for husband
When choosing gifts for your spouse, it is important to consider whether he wears jewelry or prefers to do without it. If the answer is positive, you can choose a cufflink or signet with opal flowers.
It is worth remembering that men are less picky when it comes to gifts; attention is important to them. If a girl, for example, does not understand football or games, you should not give him anything just to support his hobby. With a careful approach and study of his habits, you can present your spouse with a truly unexpected gift.
Gifts from relatives and friends
On such dates, you should expect, first of all, practical gifts from relatives. As a symbolic and practical gift, a set of pens with inlaid opal is suitable. Among the usual gifts that are always useful in the household are the following options:
- bed linen;
- high quality bedspread and blanket;
- table linen or a set of tablecloths with napkins;
- household appliances and other necessary household items.
Travel lovers can be gifted trips to Australia, to the local opal underground museum. This will be both a significant and unusual gift that the couple will remember for a long time with positive emotions and purchased souvenirs.
The main nuance of this day is to show care and devotion to your soulmate. Today you can not find fault over trifles, not make a scene, but just be alone together. talking through positive points to each other, and also calmly discussing possible stumbling blocks in family life so that they can be avoided in the future. After all, if you say what worries you in a calm manner, opal will help you take away the negativity and neutralize it, thereby strengthening the already established family union.
Due to the fact that opal is considered the main symbol of the celebration, it should be decorated in the palette of this mineral. Thanks to the rich and saturated color palette, you can choose any shade you like from those presented earlier. For example, as the basis of the holiday, you can choose green as the base and complement it with violet, silver or purple, depending on the individual preferences and characteristics of the couple. When combined, the colors of this spectrum are somewhat reminiscent of the natural color of opal.
How to congratulate spouses for friends and relatives - tips
It’s rare that people celebrate something other than a special anniversary, and if they do, it’s only with loved ones. Therefore, when receiving an invitation to an opal wedding, the question immediately arises of what gift to choose to please your friends. If you lack imagination, then the easiest way is to limit yourself to traditional gifts that are given for 21 years of marriage.
Traditions
Most often, opal jewelry or trinkets with this stone are given as gifts. But if there is no desire or opportunity to choose suitable jewelry, then you can order a beautiful painting depicting the newlyweds. But the simplest and almost win-win option would be the alcohol that was produced in the year of their wedding.
Expensive wine, cognac or whiskey - it all depends on the preferences of the spouses.
Congratulations in prose and poetry
Each of the guests decides for himself how to congratulate the spouses on their opal wedding, but there are two main ways - orally and in writing.
For the first, a prose style of presentation is most often chosen to make the words sound more sincere.
But if guests are not sure that they can express everything they want themselves, then they attach a postcard to the gift.
Most often, poems are placed on the reverse side. You can find such lines, write them yourself, or order them from a professional poet.
The main thing is that they are appropriate.
An example of congratulations in prose:
“Today is the 21st birthday of your union, in many countries this is the age of majority. Looking at how harmonious your relationship is, I understand why this particular number is considered key in the life of every person. Congratulations on your opal wedding, and may, like the stone, your family attract only love, and may all your hopes be fulfilled.”
It is best not to recite poems out loud if the congratulator has no experience in speaking. Otherwise, they may sound insincere or too faded.
