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Anniversary Gifts By Year
Customary Anniversary Gift Themes
Customary gift giving is a big tradition in many marriages. According to Wikipedia you can look all the way back to the middle ages for the origins of this practice. The modern incarnation of customary gift giving for each year dates back to 1937 when the Jewelers Association laid out customary gift ideas for each of the first 25 years, and then 5 year increments after that.
Here at GiftTable, our experts have meticulously explored each of the gift themes for the major anniversary years, to help construct comprehensive gift guides. Each is packed full of awesome anniversary gift ideas to help you find the perfect item for your significant other! Anniversaries are a special time, and the perfect opportunity to show them how much you care with a thoughtful gift they will love!
Here is our list of Traditional Anniversary Gift Themes By Year:
- AnniversaryTraditionalModernJewelryColorGuide
- Year 1PaperClocksGoldGold
- Year 2CottonChinaGarnetRed
- Year 3LeatherCrystalPearlWhite
- Year 4Fruit & FlowersAppliancesTopazBlue
- Year 5WoodSilverwareSapphireBlue
- Year 6IronWoodAmethystPurple
- Year 7CopperBrassOnyxYellow
- Year 8BronzeLinen & LaceTourmalineBronze
- Year 9Pottery | WillowLeatherLapis LazuliTerracotta
- Year 10AluminumDiamond JewelryDiamondSilver
- Year 25SilverSilverSilverSilver
- Year 50GoldGoldGoldGold
Detailed Anniversary Gifts By Year
First Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Paper
For those looking to go the traditional route, Paper themed gifts are the 1st anniversary gift of choice. Consider items like art prints, books, love notes, journals, and similar gifts for your loved partner.
Modern Gift: Clocks
For those looking to go the traditional route, Paper themed gifts are the 1st anniversary gift of choice. Consider items like art prints, books, love notes, journals, and similar gifts for your loved partner.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Gold
Another great option is to go with jewelry or other items made from the customary first anniversary metal - Gold. This could include everything from Gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets, to gold plated watches (also fits the modern gift theme), cufflinks, or belt buckles.
Second Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Cotton
Cotton is the customary gift for the second year anniversary, and a versatile choice if you’re thinking about going this route. Some great cotton themed gifts include things like clothing, sheets, robes, bags, and more!
Modern Gift: China
China is the more modern 2nd anniversary gift if you’re looking to go with something customary, but not finding anything in cotton. This can be a good opportunity to pick up additional place settings of your Wedding China if needed, or round it out with things like serving bowls or other accessories. Figurines, vases, and other options are also great if you don’t need anything in the kitchen.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Garnet
Jewelry and other luxury items featuring garnet stones are the thematic 2 year anniversary gift. These beautiful red gems look great set in rings, necklaces, cufflinks, and other items for those fancy nights on the town.
Third Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Leather
Leather is the traditional 3rd anniversary gift, and it’s an extremely versatile choice! With everything from leather shoes, to belts, to handbags, there are so many great options to choose from for every person (and every budget). We love leather as an anniversary present, and hope you’ll give it a strong consideration.
Modern Gift: Crystal
Crystal is the modern version of the 3rd anniversary present, and it’s another great material that presents a ton of options. You’ll typically find ideas like champagne flutes, vases, or figurines in this category. Swarovski and Waterford are some big names in crystal if you’re browsing around.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Pearl
You can’t go wrong with jewelry or other fancy accessories, and the traditional gemstone for year 3 is peal. Every woman should have a strand of pearls in her collection, so if your wife doesn’t yet, we definitely suggest you take a look at the options here. You don’t have to break the bank to find an attractive piece she’ll love.
Fourth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Fruit & Flowers
Fruit and Flowers are the traditional 4th anniversary gift according to custom. This is a unique theme among all the different ones through the years, which tend to focus more on a particular type of material like cotton or wood. This is a great opportunity to do a bit of creative cooking, or flower arrangement, and there are plenty of cool gifts that fall into this theme below!
Modern Gift: Appliances
Home appliances are the modern 4th anniversary gift, and there’s never been a better time than now to find the perfect item to help aid in the day to day tasks like cooking and cleaning. Whether it’s a 7-in-1 instant pot for cooking, or an instant brew coffee maker for that caffeine fix, we’ve got some great options listed down below.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Topaz
Topaz is a beautiful stone, and if your partner’s favorite color is blue, we strongly recommend considering some themed jewelry this anniversary. There are great options to choose from for both men and women alike, so take the opportunity to spoil them a bit with a nice luxurious item featuring topaz!
Fifth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Wood
Wood is the traditional 5th anniversary gift, and it’s such a versatile material you almost can’t help but find a great present for your spouse along this theme From wooden signs, to cutting boards, to accessories like watches and sunglasses, there’s something for everyone. As a bonus, if you’re feeling crafty, it’s simple to find a great homemade or DIY wood gift you can make for them too!
Modern Gift: Silverware
Silverware isn’t quite as broad a category as wood, but there are still some great items along this theme that you should consider. Especially if you didn’t get a nice flatware set as a wedding gift, this can be a good opportunity to step up your entertaining game with a nice 12 person set.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Sapphire
Sapphire is a beautiful stone, and if your partner’s favorite color is blue, we strongly recommend considering some themed jewelry this anniversary. If the last piece of jewelry you bought them was on your wedding day, it’s high time to give this some thought!
Sixth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Iron
Iron is the customary gift for a 6th wedding anniversary, symbolizing strength and commitment. Great gifts in this theme include things like cookware (e.g. cast-iron), sculptures and art, and even jewelry.
Modern Gift: Wood
Wood is the more modern 6th anniversary gift if you’re looking to go with something customary, but not finding anything in iron. The 5th anniversary gift is also wood, so be sure to check out our 5th Anniversary Gift Guide if you want more inspiration on this theme!
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Amethyst
Jewelry and other luxury items featuring Amethyst are the sixth years gemstone. These beautiful purple gems look great set in rings, necklaces, cufflinks, and other items for those fancy nights on the town.
Seventh Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Copper
Copper is the traditional 7th anniversary gift, symbolizing warmth and an ability to be flexible in your relationship and life. It’s also an extremely versatile gift choice! With everything from barware, to jewelry, to kitchen items, there’s something for everyone (and every budget). We love Copper as an anniversary present, and hope you’ll give it a strong consideration!
Modern Gift: Brass
Brass is the modern version of the 7th anniversary present, and it’s another material that presents (no pun intended) a ton of options. You’ll typically find ideas like pens, picture frames, or lamps in this category.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Onyx
You can’t go wrong with jewelry or other fancy accessories, and the traditional gemstone for year 7 is Onyx. Every woman should have a bit of Onyx in her collection, so if your wife doesn’t yet, we definitely suggest you take a look at the options here. Black is versatile and can go with many different outfits. Also, you don’t have to break the bank to find an attractive piece she’ll love.
Eigth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Bronze
Bronze is the traditional 8th anniversary gift, and it’s a pretty versatile material that lends itself to some excellent gift ideas. Perhaps they’d love a bronze sculpture or bookends? Jewelry featuring the metal? A nice wall hanging? Check out some ideas below!
Modern Gift: Linen & Lace
Linens and lace are the modern 8th anniversary gift. We focus mostly on lace options in our guide, because it’s elegant and perfect for intimate gifts. If you’re looking for linen ideas, new bedsheets are a classic option you might want to consider!
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a beautiful stone, and if your partner’s favorite color is pink, we strongly recommend considering some themed jewelry this anniversary. There are great options to choose from for both men and women alike, so take the opportunity to spoil them a bit with a nice luxurious item featuring Tourmaline!
Ninth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Pottery | Willow
Pottery is the traditional 9th anniversary gift, and it’s such a versatile material you almost can’t help but find a great present for your spouse along this theme. From pots, to vases, for cooking and barware, there’s something for everyone. As a bonus, if you’re feeling crafty, you could always try to hand-throw a bit of pottery and make something yourself!
Modern Gift: Leather
Leather is the modern 9th anniversary gift, and it’s an easy choice! With everything from leather shoes, to belts, to handbags, there are so many options to choose from for every person (and every budget). We love leather as an anniversary present, and hope you’ll give it a strong consideration.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful stone, and if your partner’s favorite color is blue, we strongly recommend considering some themed jewelry this anniversary. If the last piece of jewelry you bought them was on your wedding day, it’s high time to give this some thought!
Tenth Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Aluminum
Aluminum is the customary traditional 10th anniversary gift in the USA (Tin is the U.K. version, and is often given in the United States as well). Great options include things like aluminum appliances, metal artwork for the walls, or drink mixing kits for the home bar. Some great options can be found down below if you read on!
Modern Gift: Diamond Jewelry
If the last Diamond you gave her was 10 years ago in her wedding ring, then you should definitely consider going with the customary modern 10th anniversary gift of Diamond Jewelry! Whether it’s a necklace, a nice pair of earrings, or a new bracelet, diamonds are a classic and timeless stone that will help you show the world your love!
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Diamond
Not only the modern customary gift, Diamonds are also the themed jewelry and precious stone gift of the 10 year anniversary. As mentioned above, there are so many great diamond items for just about every budget. You can’t go wrong with a diamond, who symbolizes undying love that will last as long as your marriage!
25th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Silver
Silver is a great material, because there are tons of awesome items that feature this metal. This is especially true when it comes to traditional anniversary gifts. Things like tea and coffee sets, clocks, and commemorative plates are all great options in this category
Modern Gift: Silver
Modern gifts also frequently incorporate silver due to its classic beauty and sleek and sophisticated appearance. Some of our favorite gifts in this category are things like wall hangings / art, small appliances, items for the bar, and practical items like watches or bottle openers.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Silver
There’s a good silver gold can be found in so many high end pieces of jewelry in one form or another - because it’s both beautiful and elegant. As mentioned above, there are so many great silver items for just about every budget, and as many fine pieces to choose from as you can imagine. Spend some time browsing this category to see if there’s something that catches your eye!
50th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Gold
Gold makes an excellent traditional gift, because it’s timeless and elegant. It’s incorporated into all sorts of traditional items, like tea sets, porcelain plates, clocks, and more. If your recipient would love something vintage and traditional, we’ve got you covered!
Modern Gift: Gold
Modern gifts also frequently incorporate gold due to its beauty and projection of elegance and wealth. Some of our favorite gifts in this category are things like wall hangings / art, items for the bar, and practical items like watches or bottle openers.
Jewelry & Gemstone Gift: Gold
There’s a good reason gold can be found in just about every high end piece of jewelry in one form or another - because it’s both beautiful and associated with wealth and opulence. As mentioned above, there are so many great gold items for just about every budget, and as many fine pieces to choose from as you can imagine. Spend some time browsing this category to see if there’s something that catches your eye!