Published: February 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Sybil Davis
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Side Note: Do you really want to give someone one of those engraved or etched 25th anniversary tabletop items? Does anyone need another tabletop item to clean and polish?

Have you ever been invited to attend an anniversary celebration and suddenly realized that you did not have a clue as to what gifts would be appropriate? Or perhaps you and your spouse or sweetheart have a special anniversary around the corner, and you want to make it special but are in a quandary about what plans to make or what gift to give. I want to offer a few tips that may make things a little easier for you when planning for these special occasions.

Now when it comes to some of the biggies, like a 10th, 25th, or 50th anniversary, the etiquette books will tell you that your gifts should be specific to the number of years being celebrated. They even tell you what the appropriate traditional and contemporary gifts are for these occasions. The traditional and modern 50th anniversary gift is listed as gold. The traditional and modern 25th anniversary gift is silver. The traditional 10th anniversary gifts have a theme of tin and aluminum; however, the modern 10th anniversary gift has a theme of diamonds. If you are one to follow the rules, then I definitely advise you to stick with the modern theme here to ensure there will be that 11th celebration!

While there are no rules that state one should not give those engraved pieces that say Happy 10th, 25th, or 50th, we should give serious thought to how useful they will be. Will they really be used, or will they merely be something else to clean and polish as they take up space on some table or shelf?

You can’t go wrong by making a reservation at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the Greenville area and having a special dinner to celebrate an anniversary. This is a gift in itself, as what present could be better than sharing a table for two at your favorite restaurant with the one you love?

If you still are wondering what to give another couple for a special anniversary, why not give them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or to a restaurant you would like them to try? This gift allows the couple to spend some time together over a nice dinner and also to be reminded of just how thoughtful you were to think of them.

Each year together is a gift in itself. Each year is proof of a lot of love, patience and understanding. If you have a true understanding of the meaning of love, then just being together with your sweetheart is the biggest and best gift of all.