Do not worry about what should you do for your parents 40th wedding anniversary because here are two fantastic ideas that they’ll surely appreciate. We’ll even discuss the traditions and themes common when celebrating the 40th wedding anniversary.
What about anniversary ideas for couples who’ve been together for longer? If your parents have been married for half a decade, we also wrote tips on how to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary with family.
2 Best Ideas For If You Don’t Know What To Do For Your Parents 40th Wedding Anniversary
Idea #1. Recreate their wedding
Being married for 40 years is indeed an achievement worthy of praise. And what better idea than to allow your parents to recreate their wedding on their 40th anniversary of being together?
They will indeed find it even more sentimental if they can recreate their wedding 40 years later on the place where it initially happened. And best of all, it can be a fantastic photoshoot opportunity where they’ll recreate the moments and poses 40 years ago in their wedding.
Do you know married couples can also renew their vows anytime? While it’s more common for couples celebrating a wedding anniversary at 25 or 50 years to renew their vows, you can also help them do this touching event on their 40th anniversary.
Idea #2. Take a trip down memory lane
A fantastic event or gift to your parents on their 40th wedding anniversary is a trip down memory lane. This isn’t limited to them recreating their wedding day.
You can have a simple dinner or picnic where you also prepare a short movie or slideshow of their wedding pictures and other shots and clips that celebrate their love for each other.
You can also decorate the venue with their pictures, sing the songs that played during their wedding, and have people toast and give a speech about their admiration to the couple. This can be a budget-friendly option for families, and your parents will surely appreciate having their closest friends and relatives be there in this intimate celebration.
How Do You Celebrate Your Parents’ 40th Anniversary?
What you could do for your parent’s 40th wedding anniversary is throw them a ruby-themed party. Ruby is the symbol for 40 years of marriage, which can also be your central theme for your parents’ 40th wedding anniversary party.
- Use ruby as inspiration for the colors and decors on the anniversary party invitations
- Have the guests incorporate red in their party attire
- Collect your parents’ favorite photos and songs for a slideshow to present during the meal
- Prepare your parents’ favorite meals and possibly recreate their wedding cake even at a smaller size
- Use ruby red as the color on the decors such as banners, table cloths, balloons, floral centerpieces, and even foods to match the 40th wedding anniversary
- Use the anniversary party as a way to reunite your parents’ favorite friends and relatives, like an intimate reunion
- Consider recreating their wedding or have someone officiate their vow renewal
- Play games inspired by their relationship or knowledge of each other
- Give them ruby anniversary gifts
- Prepare speeches on how their marriage inspires you
- Consider giving them a trip or spa for two
What Is The Traditional Gift For A 40th Wedding Anniversary?
The symbol of the 40th wedding anniversary is ruby, which makes it and its unique red color as inspirations for the traditional gift to give. Therefore, you can consider items with the gemstone ruby if you’re unsure what gift to bring for a 40th wedding anniversary party.
Couples will also appreciate household items: kitchenware, bedroom accessories, or even house decors. Then, you can select things with the color ruby red to match the 40th wedding anniversary theme.
How Can I Make My Parents’ Anniversary Special?
Plan a surprise party
A surprise party that they don’t see coming will indeed have your parents feel extra special on their wedding anniversary. Make sure to research the anniversary symbol and use it as the party theme.
Book them a relaxing holiday
Couples married for many years rarely get the time to themselves and treat each other on a romantic holiday. Why not give them a trip for two to their favorite place, restaurant, or spa?
Surprise them with a recreation of their wedding
Unlike the first wedding, planning a recreation of your parents’ wedding will be easier because they’re already married. You only need to secure the venue, officiant, and other elements to make the ceremony look more romantic and sentimental.
One of their children can also act as the officiant, so read what to wear to officiate a wedding to prepare accordingly.
Give them personalized gifts
While the common wedding anniversary gifts are household items, personalized gifts are just extra unique. Consider portraits, wall arts, albums, engraved jewelry, or even upgraded wedding bands for your parent’s anniversary.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We learned what should you do for your parents 40th wedding anniversary: wedding recreation or a memory-filled party.
Ruby is also what immediately comes to mind when celebrating the 40th wedding anniversary. That being said, the party theme and gifts you can give can be inspired by ruby red or those with ruby gemstones.