The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-24
THE ANNIVERSARIES

tITSI-Faper.
| Fifth-Wood.
Tenth-Tin.
acknowledgement.
Twentfeth-China.
Twenty fifth-Silver.
Fiftieth-Golden.
Seventy fifth-Diamond
Only a very few of us ever have
the opportunity of either living or
seeing others live together long
enough to celebrate the golden or
diamond anniversaries. However, it
is comforting to know how one would
celebrate them if the occasion should
arise. These anniversaries, as all the
others, may be celebrated in many
ways, the only difference being in the
1 type and kind of gifts presented.
Although by the occasion, this does
not hold good in the matter of the
| golden or the diamond anniversary
On these occasions, unless one is a
lifelong friend or near relative, it is
sufficient to observe the color only.
One may send flowers of golden hue
or give any trinket edged or made
to be in some way significant of the
day.
/ In some parts of the world wedding
I anniversaries are exceedingly impor-
tant events, and very general celebra-
tions are made of them, but in Amer
4 lea it is not considered good form to
4 invite any but ones family and init
mate friends, because it is customary
for those invited to send gifts.
These need not be valuable, partic-
ularly in the case of the paper. wood
or tin anniversaries, where gifts are
given more or less in fun, but even
then they are gifts and one does not
wish or expect them from other than
close friends and relatives. In fact.
wedding anniversary gifts do not take
on any special significance until the
fifteenth or crystal anniversary is
celebrated.
There is no set rule as to the man
ner of celebrating wedding ami
versary, but dinner and an after
noon or evening reception probably
| the most popular forms of entertain
ment The reception with dancing is
mostly for those celebrating paper
wood, tin or crystal anniversaries.
1t is an old custom, and I think a
very pretty one, for the bride on this
occasion to wear at least one thing
that she wore at her wedding. 1t is
also a nice bit of sentiment for the
man to do likewise, although this
rarely happens unless the wife has
| seen to it that something was saved.
Although all wedding anniversaries
are charming, the silver and golden
are the most impressive. This is
particularly true when the celebrat-
ing couple can surround themselves
with their children, grandchildren
and, In the event of the golden we'd
ding, perhaps a great grandchild.
One of the most delightful anniver-
saries / recall was given by friend
of mine last year on her tenth or
tin anniversary. Her entire house
was suitably decorated for the oc-
casion in that nearly every ornament
that was movable was substituted by
a tin one. She even had the footman
who opened the door for the arriving
guests dressed in a tin suit of armor.
The living room where she and her
husband were receiving had been
\ stripped of all its ornaments and dec
orations, which were replaced by tin
plates, candlestlcks with tin shades
lined with colored materials, and tin
vases of various sizes filled with all
kinds of flowers.
At one end of the room stood a
small chair and table, made of tin,
which had been given by hostess in
honor of the occasion. 1t was at this
table that the host and hostess later
played bridge, and the hostess sat on
the tin chair.
The most novel of all were the
table decorations and service. The
table was long and set to accommo-
date rs persons. In the center stood
a large glas saquarium in which
swan tin fish Of all kinds. This rest
ed on an oblong patch of green moss
out of which grew dainty soft green
ferns, and here and there among
them nestled tiny tin birds.
The service plates, knives, forks
and spoons were of old pewter which
my friend was fortunate enough to
have had in her family for many
generations. At each place stood a
tiny tin soldier holding the place
card and the butler and his assis-
tants were dressed in imitation of
these. The whole effect can well be
imagined. 1t was SO delightfully."-
novel that another friend who hap
pened to be present asked the hos
tess permission to reproduce the idea
at her own wooden anniversary, and
later l was invited to a similar paper
wedding.
1t would be very difficult indeed
| for me to say which of the three l
| liked best, for they Were all quite
distinctive and delightful, but 1 have
often thought that this might be a
lovely idea for silver wedding an
niversary. slightly modified of course.
| Invitations for wedding anniver-
saries may read as follows:
"Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Reed re-
quest the pleasure of (name of guest)
company at dinner on Wednesday,
the sixteenth of February, at s
o'clock. Silver wedding. (Address)"
Or they may read:
| "1S9S-1925. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
Reed request the pleasure of Quests
name) company on Wednesday, Feb
ruary sixteenth, at 10 o'clock. Silver
wedding. (Address.)"
The at-home card is another form
| of invitation quite often used for aft
! ernoon or evening receptions.
| The entertainment for a silver
wedding, to be perfect, should occur
at precisely the hour when the mar
riage took place, but since this is not
! - .