Ruby wedding anniversary ideas

Forty years is ruby. By this point the couple usually have everything they need and no appetite for more ornaments, so the gifts that work are experiences, photographs and time with people.

Here is what to give, how to mark the day and what to write, without buying a ruby-coloured thing nobody wants.

Ruby gift ideas that are not jewellery

• Forty red roses, or one for each year in a smaller arrangement if forty is unmanageable.
• A photo book covering the four decades, gathered from family albums.
• A meal at the restaurant they always go to, paid for in advance so they cannot argue.
• A framed print of their wedding date, quietly done in red tones.
• A ruby-red hamper: wine, preserves, something they actually eat.

Ways to mark the day

• Sunday lunch with the whole family - the most common and often the most appreciated.
• A short break somewhere they honeymooned, or the nearest version of it.
• A surprise afternoon tea at home with the grandchildren.
• A card from every person who was at the wedding, collected and given in one box.

What to write in a ruby anniversary card

• Happy ruby anniversary. Forty years, and you still make it look easy.
• 40 years today. Congratulations to the two of you - what a run.
• Happy 40th, Mum and Dad. Thank you for the example.
• Forty years of marriage and you have not killed each other once. Well done both.

Budget guide

• Card and flowers: 10 to 35 pounds.
• Gift from a son or daughter: commonly 50 to 150 pounds.
• Family pooling for a break away: 200 to 600 pounds.
• Family meal for 12 at a pub: roughly 250 to 400 pounds.

Shop anniversary cards

How to write it so it lands

• Ask the couple whether they want a fuss before you plan one. Plenty prefer a lunch.
• Collect messages from old friends early; it takes longer than you think.

Where to shop next

• Wedding anniversary years and gifts
• First birthday party ideas
• First birthday card messages
• Silver wedding anniversary ideas
• Hen party decorations
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Party bag ideas for adults
• How much helium do you need for balloons?
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the 40th wedding anniversary?

Ruby. Red is the theme, which is why forty red roses are such a common gift.

What do you buy for a ruby wedding anniversary?

Something with red in it or something about the forty years - a photo book, a meal out, or flowers. Ruby jewellery is traditional but rarely the best value.