What Does Wood Symbolize in Marriage?
Wood and weddings hold a particularly special meaning for me—my husband and I launched Words with Boards in celebration of our fifth anniversary.
This venture has truly tested our strength and resilience, and we’re thrilled to say that our relationship—and our business—is still going strong!
Celebrating a wedding anniversary isn’t just about counting the years; it’s about honoring the love, partnership, and shared journey that have strengthened your bond. Each anniversary is a milestone—a testament to the commitment that has carried you through half a decade together.
Let us help you celebrate with both traditional and modern gift ideas centered around wood.
Wooden gifts are among the most popular choices for a fifth anniversary. A personalized wooden cutting board, for example, offers a unique way to honor the wood anniversary tradition. It’s a meaningful and lasting gesture that shows your partner how much you care.
The Symbolism of the 5-Year Anniversary
The fifth wedding anniversary is a meaningful milestone. Five years—half a decade—filled with shared memories, experiences, laughter, disagreements, compromises, and above all, love. It reflects the enduring bond you and your partner have built, deserving of a gift that embodies the spirit of your relationship.
Wood is an ideal symbol for the fifth anniversary for many reasons. Trees represent strength and wisdom—qualities a marriage often embodies by this stage. Just as trees grow and flourish over time, a five-year marriage has likely weathered challenges and developed deep, resilient roots.
The resilience of wood mirrors the durability of a love that has stood firm through time. Moreover, wood signifies continued growth and stability, echoing the promise of a future built together.
Gifting something made of wood on your fifth anniversary is not only traditional—it’s a symbolic nod to the sturdy, nurtured, and wise love you’ve cultivated together.
Imagine a personalized cutting board with your wedding date engraved discreetly on the bottom. Pair it with a set of cheese knives, and you have a beautiful and functional fifth-anniversary gift.
What Is the Meaning Behind the 5-Year Wood Anniversary Gift?
We owe the tradition of wood gifts to etiquette expert Emily Post. In her 1922 book, Etiquette, she assigned “traditional gifts” to specific anniversary years—with wood designated for the fifth.
While her exact reasoning is lost to history, many believe she chose wood for its strength, durability, and the way it grows more beautiful with age—much like a successful marriage. And, just like wood, a marriage becomes more vibrant when cared for with love and attention.
Wood Anniversary Gifts
At Words with Boards, we believe the best fifth-anniversary gifts are special, unique, and crafted with meaning. Modern wood gifts offer a perfect way to celebrate the contemporary couple.
As a special touch, we include a laser-engraved wedding date on the bottom of any cutting board—at no extra cost.
You’ll never forget your anniversary! No coupon code needed—just enter your date in the “Special Instructions” section at checkout.
Engraving your names and wedding date onto a wooden cutting board makes for a perfect fifth-anniversary gift. Try it on our Large Personalized Cutting Board or the Wedding Bells Cutting Board, both featuring elegantly cut-out dates.
5-Year Anniversary Gift FAQs
What makes a perfect anniversary gift?
It’s not about the price or extravagance—it’s the thought and personalization that count. A thoughtful gift reflects your partner’s tastes and creates memories that last a lifetime.
What is a traditional 5-year anniversary gift?
Any of our wooden products—cutting boards, pizza peels, trays, and more—make excellent fifth-anniversary gifts. They symbolize the strength and durability of your marriage. Personalize with names, dates, or special locations for an extra meaningful touch.
What are some other wood anniversary gift ideas?
In addition to cutting boards, consider wooden utensils like pie servers, jelly spoons, or nut butter spreaders. They’re perfect for creating charcuterie boards and making cooking together more fun.
You could also pair a custom board with a cooking or charcuterie class for a shared experience. Wooden jewelry or silverware are also thoughtful options.
No matter what you choose, let it come from the heart. The fifth anniversary is a significant milestone—celebrate five years of love, commitment, and shared dreams in a way that truly counts.
What color represents 5 years of marriage?
Turquoise, blue, and pink are the traditional colors symbolizing five years of marriage. Consider incorporating them into your gift. For example, our turquoise-inlay cutting board with a personalized initial offers a beautiful way to include this symbolic hue.
Not a fan of initials? We can also inlay other shapes—such as a wedding logo or hobby symbol—just let us know via the “Special Instructions” section.
Which flower symbolizes the fifth anniversary?
The daisy—a white flower with a yellow center (though it comes in other colors too)—is the traditional fifth-anniversary flower. It symbolizes the perfect union of two entities, much like marriage.
Pairing a wooden cutting board with a bouquet of daisies is sure to touch your partner’s heart.