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The Ruby Anniversary
40th Anniversary Gifts
Forty years deserves ruby — deep, rich and unmistakably romantic. Say it in red: a bouquet of red roses, a bold red wine or a ruby-hued hamper to crown four glorious decades.
- Traditional gift
- Ruby
- Anniversary flower
- Gladiolus
- Delivery
- Same-day on selected gifts before 4pm
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Ruby-Red Roses
Deep red roses are the simplest way to say ruby. Choose a hundred in a tall vase, a full basket or a smaller box for the table.
Ruby-Red Wines
Red wines for the anniversary dinner, some paired with dark chocolate, snacks or a decanter.
Wine With Their Names On
Red wine in a box or crate printed with the couple's name, monogram or family crest, plus your own message.
Red Roses and Bubbly
Red roses with a bottle of bubbly tucked in, ready for a toast to forty years.
Who's Giving?
Whoever the gift is from, here is where to start.
Browse the full 40th Anniversary Gifts range
Same-day delivery available on selected gifts ordered before 4pm, with nationwide delivery across South Africa.
What the Ruby Wedding Anniversary Means
Forty years of marriage is the Ruby anniversary — one of the most treasured milestones a couple can reach. The name borrows the glow of the ruby itself, a gem long believed to hold an eternal inner flame. It is the perfect symbol for a love that, far from fading, has only grown warmer and stronger with each passing decade. A ruby is second in value only to a diamond, and ancient lore even credited it with the power to protect and bring luck to whoever wore it — fitting for a partnership that has weathered every season together.
Ruby Red — The Colour and the Symbolism
Tradition makes red the heart of every 40th anniversary, so the most thoughtful gifts lean into that rich, romantic hue. A bouquet of deep red roses is the classic gesture, but the idea runs further: a bold red wine for the toast, ruby-toned glassware, or anything carmine and celebratory. Red signals passion that has lasted — exactly what forty shared years deserve to be honoured with.
Choosing the Right 40th Anniversary Gift
Because a ruby wedding usually celebrates parents or grandparents, this is a moment to lean towards keepsake gifts that feel like more than just a present. Consider a few directions:
- A red-themed luxury hamper to crown four glorious decades
- A bottle of fine red wine, or a thoughtfully personalised wine gift marking the milestone
- A framed photograph or memento that gathers the highlights of their life together
Whatever you choose, let the colour and the meaning do the talking — a ruby-hued gift says, without a word, that their love is still the real thing.
Ruby Anniversary Questions
What is the traditional gift for 40 years of marriage?
Ruby. The traditional American and British anniversary lists both name ruby for the 40th, which is why it is called the ruby anniversary. You do not need a gemstone to honour it: red roses and red wine carry the theme.
What is the flower for 40 years of marriage?
The gladiolus is the traditional flower of the 40th anniversary. Deep red roses make a good alternative, because the colour matches the ruby theme. See our ruby-red roses above.
What do you buy someone for their 40th wedding anniversary?
Anything that says ruby works: red roses delivered on the day, a good red for the anniversary dinner, a wine crate personalised with their names, or red roses paired with bubbly for a toast.
What is a traditional 40th anniversary gift?
Ruby is the traditional 40th anniversary gift. Milestones like the 25th, 40th and 50th are often marked with a celebration, so a gift that can be shared on the day, such as flowers or a good bottle, is a natural fit.