You know how to tell when you can really count on someone? When you’ve been married for 40 years. It’s safe to assume that you’ve been through the ups and downs and all-arounds with that person, and came out unscathed. Or perhaps just a little worse for the wear. Especially if your spouse is a Chicago Bears fan. God bless you, you’re a saint. 40 years of that torment? (Go Pack Go!)

My in-laws have made it to that mark. They’ve spent 40 years of their lives married to each other. I don’t know how, since they don’t look a day over 50 (brownie points?). But regardless, it’s a major milestone. One that deserves lots of gifts and plenty of celebration. Or at least one gift and some champagne. Okay lots of champagne. After all, they’ve been married for forty years people!

I’m sure you’d agree with me that you can find an idea for almost everything on Pinterest. Seriously. What can you not find there? I’m pretty sure if you’re feeling hungover (there’s a pin for that) from drinking too many mimosa’s (there’s a pin for that) at your parent’s Hello Kitty themed anniversary party (there’s a pin for that too), Pinterest will save you.

Until you actually need an idea. Then Pinterest fails you. And here I thought I could count on Pinterest forever. When Pinterest and I took vows five years ago, I really thought it would be forever. I thought we’d be celebrating our 40 year anniversary some day. But do you know why we can’t? Because Pinterest has no original ideas for a 40th Anniversary. None. I’d have to come up with my own ideas? Preposterous! Clearly I’m being left out to dry.

Of course, my husband and his siblings wanted to do something extra special for their parents (cue the gifts and champagne), not just any little thing, so I really had to think. The traditional 40th Wedding Anniversary gift is a ruby. Light-bulb moment: since a ruby is a jewel, I decided to make a “40 Precious Jewels” garland for their mantle. What is more precious to parents than their children? (Cheeseburgers are not an option)

What You’ll Need:

40 three inch wooden tags

4-5 different sheets of colored/textured red paper

40 Ruby Jewel Beads

Photos

Red Ribbon/Garland/String

1. Trace a wooden tag onto the red paper (40x), then cut out.
2. Write out each tag with favorite memories, stories, or things you’ve learned from the couple.
3. Print desired number of photos (we did 10) on a regular colored printer, with white cardstock.
4. Paint the back of each wooden tag red.
5. Use Mod Podge to adhere each red paper tag to a wooden tag.
6. When it’s dry, use the MP again over the paper tag, to seal it.
7. Use a thick piece of yarn or string to measure out the length you want your garland to be (mine was 6 ft long).
8. Lay the tags out along your yarn, giving adequate spacing.
9. Use 4/5″ strips of ribbon/garland to tie knots throughout your tags.
10. String your ruby jewels on with yarn (or fishing line if you have it), and/or hot glue some to a few tags.

When you’re done, you’ll have a ruby garland filled with 40 Precious Jewels of memories, stories, and love. There just may be something more precious than children after all. Now, can someone please bring me the champagne? And a cheeseburger.

Caution: When the recipient opens this gift, be sure to have LOTS of Kleenex on hand. It’s a real tear jerker.