Reusable BagsWe`ve gone all eco-friendly in our household as concerns about the planet`s welfare have pricked our minds. Instead of using plastic bags when we go to the supermarket we take our own type of
Reusable Bags. In the bad old days we would think nothing about cramming our groceries into tons of plastic bags. When we returned home and emptied the bags in the kitchen the chances are they would be thrown away into the bin. Talk about wasteful and this should never have happened because good quality
Reusable Bags are much better ideas. The only obstacle we had to get over was to remember to take the bags to the supermarket in the first place. This problem was soon remedied because we decided to leave the bags in the boot of our car ready to be used at the next grocery shop. If only more people could see themselves shopping with these bags there wouldn`t be millions of plastic bags on landfill sites taking ages to rot away. It`s not difficult to reach into the boot of the car to take out
Reusable Bags at the local grocery store. Even folks who don`t drive can use these bags as they are easy to carry. I`m glad we have become a little more eco-friendly in our household and have started using the
Reusable Bags.
Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that good etiquette requires us use as a guide when selecting a gift to commemorate a wedding anniversary. If you are like most people, you might find it a bit challenging to convert the materials on the list into an acceptable gift idea. There may be more choices available to you than you realize. Do you know that an updated ?modern? gift list is available which is becoming more and more popular? This article touches on the history of the traditional, highlights the differences between the modern and traditional lists, and helps you decide which is right for you.
Parts of the traditional list have existed since medieval times. Historians can trace the origins of silver and golden anniversaries to medieval Germany, where garlands made of these metals were presented as gifts for the 25th and 50th years of marriage. The rest of the list may not be as traditional as you think. I was surprised to learn that the traditional list, as we know it today, did not exist until 1937. In that year, the American National Retail Jeweler Association published a list, which associated a material for each Anniversary up to the 15th year and then each fifth year after that up to the 60th Anniversary. The following is the materials list from 1937, through the 60th year:
- First ? Paper
- Second ? Cotton
- Third ? Leather
- Fourth - Fruit/Flowers
- Fifth ? Wood
- Sixth - Candy/Iron
- Seventh - Wool/Copper
- Eighth - Bronze/Pottery
- Ninth - Pottery/Willow
- Tenth - Tin/Aluminum
- Eleventh ? Steel
- Twelfth - Silk/Linen
- Thirteenth ? Lace
- Fourteenth ? Ivory
- Fifteenth ? Crystal
- Twentieth ? China
- Twenty-Fifth ? Silver
- Thirtieth ? Pearl
- Thirty-Fifth ? Coral
- Fortieth ? Ruby
- Forty-Fifth ? Sapphire
- Fiftieth ? Gold
- Fifty-fifth ? Emerald
- Sixtieth - Diamond
The modern anniversary materials list presents us with a contemporary, easier to use alternative. The modern list has no clear beginning, but like the original, each year?s gift is more precious than the last. This arrangement is intended to honor the longevity of the commitment. The new list retains the spirit of the traditional list, but loses some of the sense of etiquette in the original. Although more convenient, the modern list sacrifices the thoughtfulness previously required to make a good gift from the more mundane materials on the old list. However, the modern list is more extravagant (expensive) than the original, which in some cases may be more appreciated than a thoughtful but humble gift from the traditional list. The following is the widely accepted modern list, through the 60th year:
- First ? Clocks
- Second ? China
- Third - Crystal/ Glass
- Fourth ? Appliances
- Fifth ? Silverware
- Sixth - Candy/Iron
- Seventh - Desk Sets
- Eighth - Bronze/Pottery
- Ninth - Linen/Lace
- Tenth ? Leather
- Eleventh ? Jewelry
- Twelfth ? Pearls
- Thirteenth - Textiles/Furs
- Fourteenth - Gold Jewelry
- Fifteenth ? Watches
- Twentieth ? Platinum
- Twenty-Fifth ? Silver
- Thirtieth ? Diamond
- Thirty-Fifth ? Jade
- Fortieth ? Ruby
- Forty-Fifth ? Sapphire
- Fiftieth ? Gold
- Fifty-fifth ? Emerald
- Sixtieth ? Diamond Jubilee
For most couples, I recommend using the modern list. When selecting a gift from the modern list you have the benefit of more specificity, for example a desk set is much more clear than copper/wool. With the modern list, you won?t risk insulting your spouse by rewarding 10 years of companionship with a pitiful tin or aluminum gift. Believe me, she won?t be satisfied with the excuse of tradition. Also, good luck finding the ivory candlesticks for year 14! Unless you really enjoy the creative challenge of using the traditional list, try the modern list this year.
