Our handcrafted wooden banks are far from the piggy bank image that may come to mind!  Here's our story.

The Anniversary Bank Story

I designed and built a unique wooden bank for my wife, Sarah, as a fifth wedding anniversary gift (the wood anniversary). She kept it on the counter in the kitchen, and whenever we had loose silver change, it went into the bank. A year later, on our anniversary, we emptied the change. Surprisingly, it was nearly $200, which we used to celebrate our day!

Twenty-one years later, our Anniversary Bank story continued when my daughter Amanda and I formed an Anniversary Banks business. Together, we made banks during her college breaks. She earned her spending money for college this way and developed her passion for woodworking.  We had a lot of great times working in my shop.

Amanda is now off to other adventures with a great husband and a beautiful little girl of her own. Thirty-three years after making the original, I'm still creating Anniversary Banks.

Each of Our Wooden Banks Has Its Own Story

Every bank is unique. I have a photo of everyone, and it's fun to look back at the many designs. Although I do use some favorites for inspiration, there is always variation in the final product.

Most of the wood I use comes from local trees that had to be taken down for various reasons. Several were very old and dying. Some had become large and were dangerously close to houses.  A few had been uprooted and came down in high winds. Our area is gifted with fantastic hardwoods like black walnut, maple, cherry, red elm, oak, hickory, and ash. Every bank becomes part of the history of each of these trees.

Shortly before heading out to dinner with my wife Sarah on one of our wedding anniversaries, I stood at the front door watching a serious-looking storm front heading across the open field toward our house.  As the winds and rain reached our property, I witnessed a large portion of an old maple tree crashing onto the lawn.  I have incorporated that maple into many Anniversary banks.

Anniversary Banks Make the Perfect Gift

Besides giving an Anniversary Bank for a 5th wedding anniversary gift, it can be given for many other occasions.

Many people have given our wooden banks as wedding gifts. One happy bride wrote to us saying, “I received one of your amazing anniversary banks for my wedding. We named this girl our BEST GIFT! It’s so beautiful and would please others I know getting married soon.”  Some have even put a stash of cash in to help the lucky couple get started on saving for their first anniversary.

Grandparents have purchased banks to celebrate the arrival of their new grandbaby. They told us they would add to it for each of the child's birthdays and other special occasions.

Still, others have purchased our anniversary banks for graduations, retirements, birthdays, and holiday gifts.

Some people bought one for themselves as a way to save for annual vacations!

So, if you live nearby, check out our banks in person; if not, visit Lalondestudios.com.

I hope you'll appreciate the high level of craftsmanship I strive for in my effort to bring out the beauty of wood.

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Beautiful art for life well lived,

Moe