This day comes to an end, and then each year flies by faster than the previous one. On each new day, a married couple celebrates their wedding anniversary. Every year spent with each other brings spouses even more wisdom, love and understanding.
The more “mature” the family is, the stronger it is.
Each anniversary has its own name, one way or another, symbolically or more clearly explaining why the anniversary is named that way.
Why are stone and strawberry symbols of the holiday?
Guests who are invited to the celebration often wonder what kind of wedding is being celebrated 33 years after the wedding and what to give to the celebrants. A beautiful date has 2 symbols - strawberry and stone, and both of them are not random.
The stone symbolizes the strength of marriage bonds. Over a long time, the relationship between the spouses has become so strong that they are not afraid of any troubles, and common concerns or difficulties make the family even more united. Many unions do not live up to this date, falling apart under the influence of external or internal reasons, therefore 33 years of marriage symbolize the inviolability of marriage bonds, which only grow stronger from year to year.
It is no coincidence that strawberries have become a symbol of the holiday. Over many years of living together, the relationship between the spouses was cleared of jealousy, misunderstandings, petty grievances, understatement and became trusting and tender. At this time, husband and wife were able to truly experience the sweetness and aroma of family life, in which peace and love reign.
When choosing gifts for anniversaries, first of all, you should pay attention to things whose design contains a hint of stone or strawberry. Then the gift will be not only symbolic, but also memorable.
Cute bedding with strawberries
History and traditions of the thirty-third wedding anniversary
The number 33 has long been considered mystical; it is one of the main anniversaries in the life of every person. This is a time of summing up, a kind of step when, looking back, you can see your achievements, and there is still a lot of time ahead to do things.
A strawberry wedding of 33 years together is an equally important anniversary; it is also often called a stone wedding. The stone is a symbol of the fortress and it gave its name to the day when the couple celebrates such an important anniversary of their life together.
After all, if you think about it, not every couple can live together for 33 years from their wedding day, and even with great love, building a long-term relationship is possible only with great patience, respect and mutual understanding. Year after year, the couple moved towards the stone wedding day, and for them it is not just the name of the day from which they count how many years they have lived together. A stone or strawberry wedding is 33 years of patience and understanding, because with every year of marriage, love transforms into a new unknown and deeper feeling.
In different countries of the world, the 33rd stone wedding is celebrated in different ways. But one thing in common can be found among the marriage anniversary traditions, both in the East and in America. Only a couple who has been able to carry their love through many years can go such a long way together from the day of marriage. When the couple have lived together for 33 years since their wedding, they will be interested to know what kind of wedding it is and how to celebrate it in order to observe all the interesting customs of this holiday.
- China
The tradition of magnificently celebrating the 33rd wedding anniversary can be traced back to ancient Chinese treatises. China was closed to the rest of the world for a very long time, so the bright holidays of this country became known to us not so long ago. Life expectancy here, even in the Middle Ages, was high, so spouses usually celebrated together not only their 33rd wedding anniversary, but also other, more significant dates.
The pomp of the celebration from the moment of marriage was simply stunning, if the 33rd anniversary of the wedding was celebrated in the imperial palace. Guests were invited, and preparations for this date took several months. The luxurious table was laden with food, the dancers prepared the best numbers and sent the best circus performers from all over the country to the imperial palace especially for this day. All day long, a huge paper dragon hovered over the royal palace, as a symbol of the couple’s longevity and love, and even in some ancient documents the name 33 years since the wedding was called “the day of the fire dragon.” This mystical animal was endowed with truly great power, and according to legend, in order for the spouses to live many more years in harmony, they need to present 33 offerings to the dragon on this day. 33 baskets of fruits, vegetables, excellent wines and other dishes were brought with great honor to the dragon statue installed in the royal palace. And what Chinese wedding would be complete without the traditional release of paper lanterns!
It’s not surprising how many of them there are, because everyone remembers what this marriage anniversary is called and how many years the spouses celebrate from the date after the wedding. Exactly 33 red paper lanterns rise into the night sky and end the celebration of this day.
- USA
Even the Indians, the indigenous inhabitants of this country, celebrated the dates from the wedding day, and after an equal number of moons, as the Indians count the passing of time, they mark the day, which wedding has arrived and which holiday to celebrate. It was they who came up with the name for 33 years of marriage, and to celebrate this holiday, smoke with incense was lit over each wigwam from early morning. In the evening after the hunt, the men brought the prey, and the whole tribe celebrated this day.
Modern traditions also remember which wedding occurs 33 years from the date of marriage. Many people like the name “stone”, because stone is a symbol of fortress. It was believed that on this day, spouses should prepare bracelets for each other made of 33 stones, each of which symbolizes a year of marriage. And the second name of the wedding for 33 years is strawberry, it’s just a beautiful addition to the main holiday. Of course, a traditional barbecue, guests, and a lot of beer on this day are not excluded!
- Europe
European traditions also include the name of the wedding for 33 years as strawberry. A nice garden and vegetable garden with beds laid out and strawberries, wild strawberries, onions and other garden crops growing on them - isn’t this happiness. After all, what else do you need at that age than a quiet house by the river with a garden and vegetable garden. That’s why the wedding is called a strawberry wedding, because the garden beds are a symbol of quiet maturity. This day is celebrated from the day of marriage with family and friends.
Symbolic gifts
When choosing gifts for your 33rd wedding anniversary, it is important not to forget what kind of wedding it is, and based on this, decide what exactly to give to the celebrants. It is worth remembering not only beauty, but also functionality: an interesting, but bulky painting or figurine is unlikely to greatly please the heroes of the occasion. It is better to give preference to small and neutral gifts:
- Edible bouquet
. It can be made entirely from strawberries or you can diversify the composition with other berries and fruits that the newlyweds love. A product in which red berries are combined with contrasting colors will look interesting. The bouquet should not be large, the main thing is the neatness and unusual design of the finished gift. - Handmade cosmetics
. Spouses can be given soap in the shape of a strawberry, which contains the juice or extract of this sweet berry, or a stone containing medicinal salts or colored clay. The present is universal; it should be packaged in a beautiful box and provided with an elegant themed card. - Alcohol aged 33 years
. Such a gift can hardly be called budget, but it will make an indelible impression on the newlyweds, because the drink was made in the year of their wedding.
Exquisite cognac Lheraud Extra – 33 years old
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- Stone paintings
. The gift doesn't have to be big. A composition depicting a river or forest will look interesting. It is best if you can buy a painting made of semi-precious stones. - Strawberry tea and jam
. A simple and cute gift will not leave indifferent those with a sweet tooth and lovers of delicious tea. Such a gift is also good because it can be easily bought when an invitation to a holiday arrives unexpectedly and there is no time for a long search.
If you can’t find symbolic gifts at an affordable price or an interesting design, then you can choose a figurine with symbols of love and family life
– rings, hearts, a pair of swans.
For a husband - anything!
Some men don't really like both giving and receiving gifts. But this does not mean that you will not try and give him what he has long dreamed of:
- Flask with stone decoration for strong drinks. Those who like to relax with good alcohol after work will like it.
- An ashtray made of stone can be useful both at home and at work. It’s unlikely that anyone will refuse such a solid gift.
- The strawberry pie that you prepare and place on the table with treats on a holiday will definitely please your spouse. If he has a sweet tooth, then you shouldn’t skimp on the berries during the cooking process!
- A watch with an exclusive engraving in a gift box will help your husband who is always late to be more punctual. If you are not sure that your gift will fit into the traditions of the holiday, then remember that the main thing is that you like the gift. After all, it is much better to guess the dream of a loved one than to hand over an unnecessary accessory.
Any of your surprises can be complemented with strawberry wine or liqueur, then the gift will definitely be in the best anniversary traditions!
When planning a celebration, consider an important point - the decoration of an apartment or house. It is desirable that guests who come to the celebration immediately have an idea of the traditions of the thirty-third anniversary. You can achieve this effect by hanging strawberry-shaped balls and red ribbons throughout your apartment. If the time of year allows, be sure to display strawberries and dishes made from them as a treat. And most importantly, be sincere and joyful, then all the guests will not soon forget this day.
Practical gifts
When the invitees can’t decide what to give the celebrants at a stone wedding, it’s worth remembering the practical things that any family will need:
- Towels
with images of stones or strawberries. These can be either large bath or waffle kitchen accessories. - Small electrical appliances are red or gray. It is unlikely that the celebrants of the day will refuse a new kettle
with an interesting design,
a toaster
or
a mixer
, which will help make the preparation of many dishes easier.
Toaster – useful for preparing fresh and tasty toast in the morning
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- Stone pots
. Depending on where the couple lives and how much space they have, you can give both small and impressive accessories for any plants. - Dishes. These could be funny cups
or
plates
depicting wedding symbols. If desired, the required design can be made to order, decorating the dishes with photographs of the newlyweds and the number “33”.
Since the date is not round, you should not specifically select expensive gifts. It's better to save them until your 40th anniversary of marriage.
Small addition
To make the anniversary memorable for a long time and complement the happiness in the marital union, be sure to eat one strawberry for two. Just split the berry in half and eat. This must be done in private, not in the presence of guests and family.
In the evening, when the guests have left, launch three red lanterns into the sky for good luck. 33 lanterns are being launched in China, but this will be too expensive. Three flashlights are also enough for happiness and a long life.
Strawberry liqueur is what the hostess can make for this celebration. If you have no experience in preparing alcoholic drinks, you can buy tincture or liqueur in the store. Strawberry liqueur can be replaced with dessert red wine.
