Whether you’ve just received a wedding anniversary party invitation in the mail or are looking for gift ideas for your significant other, choosing the right anniversary gift makes all the difference. Luckily there are a set of guidelines to follow that will lead you to the most meaningful present.
Each year has a different gift that is associated with it. The years of marriage can be celebrated with a traditional anniversary gift or with a more modern present that might fit your partner better. Whichever direction you go in, tailor and personalize your anniversary gift to reflect your loved one and remind them that you ‘still do’.
We’ve created a helpful list of anniversary gifts by year below for inspiration. Click on the year that applies to you and find what gift will be best suited for the occasion.
Jump To
- 1st Year: Paper/Clocks
- 2nd Year: Cotton/China
- 3rd Year: Leather/Crystal or Glass
- 4th Year: Fruit or Flowers/Appliances
- 5th Year: Wood/Silverware
- 6th Year: Candy/Wood
- 7th Year: Wool or Copper/Desk Sets
- 8th Year: Pottery or Bronze/Linen or Lace
- 9th Year: Pottery or Willow/Leather
- 10th Year: Tin or Aluminum/Diamond Jewelry
- 11th Year: Steel/Fashion Jewelry
- 12th Year: Silk or Linen/Pearls
- 13th Year: Lace/Textiles or Fur
- 14th Year: Ivory/Gold Jewelry
- 15th Year: Crystal/Watches
- 16th Year: Silverware
- 17th Year: Furniture
- 18th Year: Garnet/Porcelain
- 19th Year: Bronze
- 20th Year: China/Platinum
- 25th Year: Silver/Silver
- 30th Year: Pearl/Diamond
- 35th Year: Coral/Jade
- 40th Year: Ruby/Ruby
- 45th Year: Sapphire/Sapphire
- 50th Year: Gold/Gold
- 55th Year: Emerald/Emerald
- 60th Year: Yellow Diamond/Yellow Diamond
1st Wedding Anniversary Gift
Celebrate year one of marriage with a special gift that speaks to your newlywed status. The first wedding anniversary is traditionally celebrated by giving a gift that involves paper.
Traditional
PaperModern
ClocksGift Ideas: Personalized stationery, tickets to the recipient’s favorite show or sports game, a framed photo print, a cookbook, a travel scratch map or a custom wedding photo book.
2nd Wedding Anniversary Gift
The second wedding anniversary is all about comfort with the traditional anniversary gift being cotton. Consider gifting everything from bedding and nice towels to garments and bathrobes. You and your love will be ready for a relaxing evening snuggled up in your new cotton attire.
Traditional
CottonModern
ChinaGift Ideas: Cotton bathroom towels, cotton “his and hers” bathrobes, custom t-shirts, a cotton porch hammock or Egyptian cotton sheets.
3rd Wedding Anniversary Gift
Stronger than paper and cotton but still flexible, the traditional gift for the third wedding anniversary is leather. The modern gift for the third wedding anniversary is crystal or glass.
Traditional
LeatherModern
Crystal or GlassGift Ideas: Leather accessories, leather journal, leather bag/briefcase, leather scented candle, custom glass plate or custom wine glasses.
4th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Fourth-year wedding anniversary gifts traditionally consist of flowers and fruit, the first representing a blossoming marriage and the latter representing the ripening of the relationship.
Traditional
Fruit or FlowersModern
AppliancesGift Ideas: Fruit basket, flower bouquet, plants, a floral or fruit-patterned phone case or floral-printed linens.
5th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional anniversary gift for year five is wood, symbolizing the growing strength and wisdom of the marriage. You can stick to traditional wooden items or consider making a gallery wall with wood frames that feature some of your favorite photos.
Traditional
WoodModern
SilverwareGift Ideas: Wooden sculpture, kitchenware, wood framed print, wooden beer caddy or wooden home decor.
6th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional anniversary gift for year six is candy and formerly iron. Candy is considered romantic and sweet while in older times, iron was considered a gift that brought married couples good luck.
Traditional
CandyModern
WoodGift Ideas: Gourmet candy or chocolates, candy dish, cast iron skillet or iron home decor items.
7th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gifts for a seventh wedding anniversary are wool and copper, which both represent warmth and stability. Consider giving your love a beautiful wool sweater or some copper cooking utensils that will bring character to your kitchen.
Traditional
Wool or CopperModern
Desk SetsGift Ideas: Copper vases or mugs, copper kitchenware or cookware, Moscow mule mugs or bedding and clothing made of wool.
8th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Stronger than iron and copper, bronze is the traditional anniversary gift for eight years of marriage. Pottery is also considered a traditional eighth anniversary gift.
Traditional
Pottery or BronzeModern
Linen or LaceGift Ideas: Bronze home decor items, bronze figurines, a voucher for a pottery class, custom ceramic tile or pottery home decor items.
9th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional ninth wedding anniversary gift usually consists of pottery, representing the molding of a relationship into something more sturdy and formed.
Traditional
Pottery or WillowModern
LeatherGift Ideas: Pottery home decor items, pottery figurines, willow baskets, hand painted coasters, a willow bag or willow furniture.
10th Wedding Anniversary Gift
While tin is the original anniversary gift for the 10-year mark, diamonds have become the more popular present for this anniversary because they symbolize love and commitment.
Traditional
Tin or AluminumModern
Diamond JewelryGift Ideas: Tin or aluminum ornaments or figurines, aluminum grilling utensils, diamond anniversary ring, bracelets, pendant or cufflinks.
11th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gift for the 11th wedding anniversary is steel, symbolizing immense strength and durability. You can also gift some unique metallic jewelry to make a bold fashion statement.
Traditional
SteelModern
Fashion JewelryGift Ideas: Stainless steel kitchenware, cookware items or stainless steel accessories.
12th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gift for the 12th wedding anniversary is silk. The material represents luxury and comfort and is symbolic of the couple's easy and smooth ability to weather the storms that come.
Traditional
Silk or LinenModern
PearlsGift Ideas: Silk or linen bedding, linen tablecloths, linen napkins or silk garments.
13th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gift for the 13th wedding anniversary is lace, symbolizing how delicate and beautiful marriage can be. You can also gift faux fur for a more modern approach.
Traditional
LaceModern
Textiles or FurGift Ideas: Lace clothing, lace accessories, curtains, floral arrangement with lace, lace tablecloths or a faux fur jacket or vest.
14th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gift for the 14th wedding anniversary is ivory, symbolizing loyalty and purity. However, this gift is no longer recommended or encouraged in efforts to protect elephants. If you do gift the couple with ivory, opt for imitation ivory or the modern gift option of gold jewelry.
Traditional
IvoryModern
Gold JewelryGift Ideas: Elephant figurine, decor gift with imitation ivory, gold jewelry or a gold figurine.
15th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Symbolizing a clear love, the traditional 15th wedding anniversary gift is crystal. Gifts for this anniversary are often given as either crystal or glass.
Traditional
CrystalModern
WatchesGift Ideas: Crystal bowl, jewelry, figurines, decanters or crystal wine glasses.
16th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Symbolizing purity and strength, the 16th wedding anniversary gift is typically silverware. There is no traditional gift for this anniversary but silverware has become the ideal option over the years.
Modern
SilverwareGift Ideas: Silverware, silver tea sets, silver serving dishes, silver champagne glasses or silver jewelry.
17th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Furniture is usually given as a 17th wedding anniversary gift. Before purchasing an item, it is completely acceptable to ask the married couple what their home decor or furniture needs are. After 17 years of marriage, they'll appreciate gifts that they don't already have.
Modern
FurnitureGift Ideas: Unique chair(s), a new mattress, a new dining table set or an antique table.
18th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional gift for the 18th wedding anniversary is garnet. However, the modern gift of porcelain has become the more popular 18th anniversary gift over the years.
Traditional
GarnetModern
PorcelainGift Ideas: Ceramic bowl, porcelain figurines, vases, plates or garnet jewelry.
19th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 19th wedding anniversary has never had a traditional gift but over the years, bronze has become the go-to choice. Bronze is related to strength and symbolizes good health and wellness.
Modern
BronzeGift Ideas: Bronze figurine, chess set, sculpture or sundial.
20th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 20th wedding anniversary is a time to celebrate all that you've built together. With two decades officially under your belt, the traditional wedding anniversary gift is China which symbolizes love's fragile yet lasting nature. The modern gift is platinum which symbolizes the strength of your marriage.
Traditional
ChinaModern
PlatinumGift Ideas: China tea set, custom china plates, vases, a trip to China or platinum rings.
21st Wedding Anniversary Gift
There aren't any traditional gifts for the 21st wedding anniversary but the suggested modern gift is brass or nickel. Brass can be found in many musical instruments, so consider gifting tickets to a jazz performance.
Modern
Brass or NickelGift Ideas: Brass instrument ornament, figurine, candlesticks or tickets to a jazz concert.
22nd Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional and modern gift for the 22nd wedding anniversary is copper, which represents durability, good fortune and beauty. Congratulate the happy couple with a set of copper mugs for Moscow mules.
Traditional
CopperModern
CopperGift Ideas: Copper vases, mugs, kitchenware, custom engraved flask or cookware.
23rd Wedding Anniversary Gift
The gift for the 23rd anniversary is a silver plate, symbolizing the need for continued family time and shared moments. There is no traditional gift for this anniversary.
Modern
Silver PlateGift Ideas: Silver plates, silverware, clocks, platters or silver jewelry.
24th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Although your 25th anniversary may be near, there are plenty of ways to make your 24th anniversary gift just as special. There's no traditional gift for this year but the suggested modern gift is a musical instrument. If the recipient doesn't play an instrument, consider giving them an antique instrument or tickets to their favorite show.
Modern
Musical InstrumentsGift Ideas: Musical instrument, tickets to a concert, musical jewelry box or figurine.
25th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 25th wedding anniversary is the momentous halfway mark to your 50th anniversary. Silver serves as both the traditional and the modern gift for this milestone anniversary.
Traditional
SilverModern
SilverGift Ideas: Silver jewelry, silverware, silver accessories, silver plates or a picture frame.
26th Wedding Anniversary Gift
There's no traditional gift for the 26th wedding anniversary but the modern gift is an original picture, which gives you plenty of freedom to plan out your gift idea. A personalized photo gift or a framed print that showcases a special moment in your marriage is the perfect option.
Modern
Original PicturesGift Ideas: Gallery wall, custom canvas print, framed photo print or a photo book.
27th Wedding Anniversary Gift
There's no traditional gift for the 27th wedding anniversary but the modern gift is a sculpture. You can search for a beautiful sculpture to add to the home or head to a historical destination with plenty of sculptures in real life.
Modern
SculptureGift Ideas: Sculptures, a vacation to a historical city or a trip to the museum.
28th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Although there's no traditional gift for the 28th wedding anniversary orchids have become a beautiful gift option for this anniversary. Orchids are delicate and exotic, symbolizing grace, beauty and love.
Modern
OrchidsGift Ideas: Orchids, jewelry with an orchid shape or symbol or a trip to an exotic destination.
29th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Their 30th anniversary is right around the corner, but you can still find unique gift ideas for the couple's 29th wedding anniversary. While there is no traditional gift for year 29, you can go by the suggested modern gift of furniture. This is a broad category so don't be afraid to ask the couple if they have any specific furniture needs.
Modern
FurnitureGift Ideas: Unique chair(s), a new mattress, a new dining table set or an antique table.
30th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 30th wedding anniversary is a very momentous occasion for the honorees, their children and their grandchildren. You'll want to give the couple a gift that is timeless since they've likely accumulated plenty of items over the last 30 years. The traditional gift for a 30th wedding anniversary is pearl, symbolizing the beauty within, wisdom, generosity and loyalty.
Traditional
PearlModern
DiamondGift Ideas: Pearl necklace, pearl bracelet or pearl cufflinks.
35th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Coral is the traditional gift option for 35th wedding anniversaries due to its beauty and the lengthy time it takes to form. Its beautiful colors and variations make it the perfect gift for celebrating year 35. The couple will be reminded of the dedication and commitment they've shown each other over the years every time they see your gift.
Traditional
CoralModern
JadeGift Ideas: Coral jewelry, coral figurines or jade jewelry.
40th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 40th wedding anniversary is another major milestone in a marriage that deserves a one of a kind gift. For the 40th anniversary, the traditional and modern gifts are both rubies. Rubies are the second hardest gemstone after diamonds, referred to as the stone of love, vitality and energy.
Traditional
RubyModern
RubyGift Ideas: Ruby jewelry, cufflinks, brooch, red wine, ruby-colored garments or ruby-colored acrylic print.
45th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Making it to year 45 is just as special as year 50. For your 45th wedding anniversary gift, the traditional and modern gifts are both sapphires. Sapphire is a unique gemstone that represents faithfulness, sincerity, wisdom and virtue.
Traditional
SapphireModern
SapphireGift Ideas: Sapphire jewelry, sapphire tie clip or a sapphire bowl or vase.
50th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 50th wedding anniversary is known as the golden anniversary, honoring the rare feat of making it to half a century of marriage. The traditional and modern gift for the 50th wedding anniversary gift is gold, representing optimism, wealth and strength.
Traditional
GoldModern
GoldGift Ideas: Gold jewelry, gold-framed photo or figurine.
55th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Making it to the 55th wedding anniversary is an extraordinary achievement in married life. For this anniversary, the traditional and modern gifts are both emeralds, representing love, faith and hope.
Traditional
EmeraldModern
EmeraldGift Ideas: Emerald jewelry, plants, green figurines, green garments or green ornaments.
60th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The 60th wedding anniversary is truly a special and rare one. The modern and traditional 60th wedding anniversary gifts are both yellow diamonds. Known as one of the rarest diamonds, the yellow diamond represents love, commitment, inner strength, joy and happiness.
Traditional
Yellow DiamondModern
Yellow DiamondGift Ideas: Jewelry or a plaque.
Combining these anniversary gifts by year with your own creative spin will make for an unforgettable present. Consider personalizing your gifts with meaningful anniversary quotes for him or heartfelt anniversary quotes for her. If you’re looking for ideas for your parents, our list of anniversary quotes for parents can either elevate your personalized gift or add a sentimental touch to your anniversary card or anniversary invitation.
Finding the right anniversary gift may seem confusing but with a bit of guidance, you can choose something truly special for your loved one, family member or friend. When it comes to anniversaries, each year is special so don’t be afraid to celebrate the years that aren’t as popular in tradition. If you’re planning an anniversary party, you can reference our simple guide on how to plan an anniversary party for all of your anniversary needs.
