Modern and Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year
Congratulations! You've made it through one, ten, maybe even fifty years of marriage, and that is definitely cause for celebration. You've made happily ever after work for you, and regardless of the ups and downs and twists and turns that have brought you here, you're here. For decades, couples have used a traditional list of materials associated with each milestone to guide gift giving. A more modern one has come about to increase sales in certain industries and to fill in the blanks. Whichever list you follow, you partner will be thrilled that you put thought, effort, and love into celebrating yet another 365 days devoted to one another.
Are you looking for small gifts to give out at your wedding or next get-together? Check out our collection, 62 Unforgettable and Unexpected DIY Party Favors.
Whether you decide to purchase your gift or DIY it, it's the act of giving that shows you care. Remember that actions speak louder than words, and presents louder than actions. There's a bit of extra love put into a homemade gift, which makes DIY anniversary gifts for him and her a bit more special. If you feel as though handmaking a gift doesn't constitute spending enough, pair a purchased present with a complementary craft. For example, gifting the Basket of Firsts with a set of crystal wine glasses or an electronic wine opener (an appliance!) creates an incredibly thoughtful present that your significant other will treasure.
Gifts don't have to be tangible, either. Sometimes the best present can be spending the day together in a meaningful location. Recreate your first date, revisit the spot where you proposed, or go somewhere that "fits" the material for that year. The more creative you get, the more fun you'll have. Instead of giving China, go there! When the material is ivory, take a trip to the zoo instead of buying ivory. The options are endless when you let your imagination run wild, and with this list of wedding anniversary gifts by year, you have everything you need to start planning.
This list of wedding anniversary gifts by year will help get your wheels turning, but for more specific ideas for each year, click "More Anniversary Ideas."
Do you need the perfect floral centerpiece for your anniversary party? Check out of free eBook, 11 DIY Wedding Centerpieces That'll Drop Jaws for tons of ideas!
Anniversary |
Traditional |
Modern |
Ideas |
1st | Paper | Clocks/Plastic | Paper- Free Spirit dinner for two, Why I Love You Mason Jar Gift, DIY Instagram Photobook Clocks-Steampunk Cuff Links Plastic-Laptop More First Anniversary Gift Ideas |
2nd | Cotton | China | Cotton- You & Me DIY Pillows China- A monogrammed dish |
3rd | Leather | Crystal/Glass | Leather-Clutch Purse, iPhone Case, Leather Wallet Crystal-Decanter Glass-His and Hers Champagne Flutes, Homemade Etched Wine Glasses |
4th | Fruit, Flowers | Appliances | Fruit- Edible fruit bouquet, vineyard vacation, Basket of Firsts, Fruit Cake Flowers-Flower-scented perfume, Rose gold watch, Steal My Heart DIY Wreath Click Here for More Flower Crafts |
5th | Wood | Silverware | Wood-A Carved Trunk, Firewood Carrier, Wooden Family Name Sign Silverware-3-tiered Serving Tray, Silver cuff links |
6th | Candy/ Iron | Wood/Candy/Amethyst | Candy-Scrumptious Chocolate Boxes, Personalized M&Ms, Mustache Pops, Chocolate Bouquet Iron-Golf clubs, fondue set, grill, Metal Monogram Letter, Wine Box |
7th | Wool/ Copper | Desk Sets | Wool-New York Knit Scarf, Wrapped In Love Blanket, Cashmere Sweater, Camper Cooking Set Copper- Timeless Tie Clips, Jewelry Box, Copper Bucket for Bar |
8th | Bronze/ Pottery | Linens/Lace | Bronze- Bed Frame, Door Knocker Lace- Lace Vases, Special-Occasion Tablecloth, Crochet Lace Shawl |
9th | Pottery/ Willow | Leather | Pottery- Cake Plate with His/Her Favorite Cake, A Pottery Class, Jewelry Dish Willow- Picnic Basket (picnic included), Date under a willow tree, Sun Room Furniture Leather-Laptop Case, Journal, Shoes |
10th | Tin/Aluminum | Diamond Jewelry | Tin- Tea Tin with Breakfast in Bed, Martini Shakers, Poker Set, Tin Can Luminaries Aluminum- Bicycle, iPod, Country Concert (complete with beer cans) |
11th | Steel | Fashion/Turquoise Jewelry | Steel-Cookware, Fire Pit, Tool Belt, Car Turquoise- Turquoise and Gold Earrings |
12th | Silk/ Linen | Pearls |
Silk- Lingerie, Silk Scarf, Robe |
13th | Lace | Textiles/Furs | Lace- Lingerie, Lace Parasol, Oatmeal Lace Cookies (bake together) Furs- Faux Fur Caplet, Fur and Ribbon Scarf |
14th | Ivory | Gold Jewelry/Opal | Ivory- Night out at a bar with dueling pianists, Trip to Africa, Floral arrangement featuring ivory flowers, VIP zoo passes, his/her favorite food supersized |
15th | Crystal | Watches | Crystal- Chandelier, Monogrammed wine glasses, Dinner underneath a candelabra, Rose Gold Romance Necklace Watches- WATCH his/her favorite movie privately in a movie theatre, complete with waiters and waitresses, Fancy workout watch with personal training lessons, Vintage Timepiece Cufflinks |
16th | Silver Hollowware/Peridot | Peridot necklace and earrings, mongrammed or specially designed hollowware | |
17th | Furniture | Outdoor Rustic Tables | |
18th | Porcelain/Cat's Eye Jewelry | Clay Ring Plates (use porcelain clay) | |
19th | Bronze/Aquamarine | Gemstone Slice Coasters | |
20th | China | Platinum/Emerald | China- Trip to its namesake, Tiffany's China, Hand-Painted Plate, Vintage Cupcake Stand complete with favorite cupcakes Platinum- Engraved rings, Cuff links Emerald-Tickets to see The Wiz, Wicked, or The Wizard of Oz, Emerald dress with reservations at a fancy restaurant |
21st | Brass/Nickel | Musical Instrument, Outing to see a jazz performance | |
22nd | Copper | Copper jewelry or cookware | |
23rd | Silver plate | Silver serving platter | |
24th | Musical instruments | Outing to the ballet, orchestrea, or favorite band/musician's show | |
25th | Silver | Sterling silver | Silver- Pocketwatch, Engraved pen with a handwritten love note, Monogrammed serving tray with breakfast in bed, Tickets to the country that won the most silver medals in the most recent Olympics |
26th | Original pictures | Instagram Photobook | |
27th | Sculpture | Take an art class together, go sculpture-shopping for your home, buy a beautiful outdoor sculpture for your lawn | |
28th | Orchids | Special deliver the orchids to her office or workplace | |
29th | New furniture | Go furniture shopping together or handcraft a special table or chair | |
30th | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl- Trip to Hawaii, Pearl Earrings, Pretty Pearl Headpiece complete with a vow renewal ceremony, Watch with mother of pearl face Diamond- Signed baseball bat, Season tickets to his favorite baseball team, her engagement ring reset, a trip to New Orleans complete with Diamond Beignets |
31st | Time Pieces | His/Hers wrist watches, a special monogrammed wall clock | |
32nd | Conveyances (e.g., automobiles, bicycles etc) | Ride a tandem bicycle together, go dirt-biking for a cool adventure, take a vacation and go jetskiing | |
33rd | Amethyst | Amethyst rings, necklaces, or earrings | |
34th | Opal | Opal cufflinks and jewelry | |
35th | Coral | Jade | Coral- Trip to Australia to see The Great Barrier Reef, Fancy seafood dinner, Homecooked, candlight dinner with Coral Candlesticks, Chess set made of coral fossil stone |
36th | Bone china | An antiqued set of bone china dishes | |
37th | Alabaster | An abalaster statuette or brooch | |
38th | Beryl/Tourmaline | Jewelry or Cufflinks | |
39th | Lace | Wedding dress restoration, antiqued lace items | |
40th | Ruby | Ruby/Garnet | Ruby- Trip to DC with a stop at the Smithsonian to see Dorothy's slippers, Picnic complete with ruby red wine, Personalized wine box |
41st | Land | Buy a cottage or a timeshare together for future vacations | |
42nd | Improved real estate | Renovate one room to reflect each of your dream home improvement ideas | |
43rd | Travel | Take a trip to one place you have both always wanted to go, take photos and create a photo book. | |
44th | Groceries | Go apple, strawberry, or fruit picking together. Bake or make dinner with whatever you pick. | |
45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire- Attend a concert at The House of Blues, buy his/her favorite blues record and a record player, Sapphire tie tack, jewlery |
46th | Original poetry | Re-write your vows and read the new ones to each other. | |
47th | Books | Give each other a photo book with your favorite photos through the years in them. | |
48th | Optical goods (e.g. telescope, sunglasses, etc.) | Go stargazing at your planetarium, such as the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. | |
49th | Luxuries, any kind | Spa day, vacation, giftcards. | |
50th | Gold | Gold | Gold jewelry and cufflinks |
55th | Emerald | Emerald/Turquoise | Emerald-Tickets to see The Wiz, Wicked, or The Wizard of Oz, Emerald earrings with reservations at a fancy restaurant |
60th | Diamond | Gold/Diamond | Diamond- Signed baseball bat, Season tickets to his favorite baseball team, her engagement ring reset, a trip to New Orleans complete with Diamond Beignets |
75th | Diamond | Diamondlike Stones/Gold | Jewelry |
80th | Diamond/Pearl | Jewelry | |
85th | Diamond/Sapphire | Jewelry | |
90th | Diamond,/Emerald | Jewelry | |
95th | Diamond/Ruby | Jewelry | |
100th | 10 Carat Diamond | Jewelry |
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