• The 55th anniversary wedding is a major accomplishment.Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  When selecting a 55th wedding anniversary gift for your spouse or a special couple, let the traditional wedding gift for that milestone be your inspiration. The traditional gift for a 55th anniversary is emerald, with turquoise as the modern alternative. If emerald and turquoise don't strike the necessary chord, there are other possibilities.
  
  

Emerald

• Give your bride an emerald ring to celebrate your 55th wedding anniversary.emerald ring image by studio vision1 from Fotolia.com
  
  The emerald might be a gemstone, the color or a destination. Emerald jewelry possibilities include earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, cuff links, a tie clip or a watch decorated with emeralds. Instead of jewelry, look for other personal gifts embellished with emeralds, such as key chains or money clips. If emeralds are not on your budget, look for less expensive emerald-colored stones. An emerald-colored gift might be something for the home, such as emerald-colored glassware or a vase. Consider the recipients' age and lifestyle before selecting your gift. Couples celebrating their 55th anniversary may be at a point in their lives where collecting additional knickknacks or trinkets is not desired. If the couple are in good health, consider sending them on a romantic getaway, perhaps to Florida's Emerald Coast.
  
  

Turquoise

• Turquoise jewelry is typically set in sterling silver.turquoise jewelry image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
  
  The modern alternative to the traditional emerald is the turquoise, which is a popular stone used in American Indian jewelry. The turquoise is a stone worn casually, and used to decorate bolo ties, belt buckles, clothing, purses and pieces of silver jewelry. Turquoise is also the name for a blue-green color. Instead of a gift featuring the stone, look for a gift that is turquoise in color, such as a personal item or home accessory.
  
  

Flowers

• Carnations are a first anniversary flower.Pink Carnation image by cat from Fotolia.com
  
  There are traditional flowers for many specific wedding anniversary years, but not one specifically for the 55th anniversary. This doesn't mean you shouldn't send flowers as a gift. Nor does it mean your floral gift can't be traditional. Send a dramatic gift of 55 carnations, as carnations are the traditional flower for the first anniversary. Instead of carnations, send a bouquet comprised of yellow roses, violets and daisies. Yellow roses and violets are the traditional flowers for the 50th anniversary, while daisies are the traditional flower for the fifth wedding anniversary. Make up your own arrangement such that the total anniversary years of the combined flower types add up to 55 years.