Anniversary Gifts by Year and by Recipient
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $25 to $100 and up
Good anniversary gifts follow the traditional theme for the year. Paper suits a first anniversary, leather a third, wood a fifth, crystal a fifteenth and silver a twenty-fifth, while a shared keepsake such as an anniversary journal or a shadow box works for any year, and a toast set suits adult couples.
Quick picks
- Best first anniversary: A custom map print of where it began (paper) Paper theme with a personal twist, framed or not. Idea 1
- Best splurge: A wool camp blanket (wool) A lasting blanket for the seventh year. Idea 8
- Best for parents: Golden anniversary mugs (gold) A cheerful keepsake for a fiftieth anniversary. Idea 15
- Best keepsake: An anniversary journal for every year A page for each year, to read back together. Idea 16
The traditional list of anniversary gifts by year gives each milestone a material to build on, from paper and cotton in the early years to silver, pearl, ruby and gold later on. We matched 20 ideas to those themes, so you can find a gift quickly for a first, fifth or fiftieth anniversary.
The ideas also work for parents, grandparents and any couple you want to celebrate. If you are shopping for a partner, our Gifts for Couples guide has more ideas, and the last section offers gifts that suit any year.
Ideas 1 to 6
Anniversary gifts for years 1 to 5 (traditional)
Paper, cotton, leather, linen and wood: the first five years of the traditional list.
1. A custom map print of where it began (paper)
Paper is the traditional first-anniversary gift, and a custom map of the place you met or married turns it into wall art, which suits couples celebrating their first anniversary. Add your names and the date, and check the spelling and the location before you order. Choose framed or unframed based on your wall and the time you have.
Tip: Proofread the names and date, and order early for custom items.
2. Turkish cotton towels (cotton)
Cotton marks the second anniversary, and a set of thick towels is a practical upgrade a couple uses every day, which suits a household that likes comfort. Check the number of pieces and the colors on the listing, and choose a shade that goes with their bathroom. Wash them before use to soften the fibers.
Tip: Choose colors that match their bathroom, and wash before use.
3. A refillable leather journal (leather)
Leather is the third-anniversary gift, and a refillable leather journal wears in nicely and can hold a year of notes, plans or letters, which suits a partner who likes to write things down. Check the size and the refill options on the listing. Add a good pen and write the first page yourself.
Tip: Write the first page yourself and add a good pen.
4. A leather valet tray (leather)
For a third anniversary, a leather valet tray gives keys, a wallet and a watch one tidy spot on the dresser, which suits a partner who empties their pockets at the end of the day. Check the dimensions against their dresser or nightstand, and choose a color that matches their other leather goods.
Tip: Check the size against their dresser or nightstand first.
5. A linen sheet set (linen)
Linen is one of the traditional fourth-anniversary gifts, and linen sheets feel relaxed and get softer with washing, which suits couples marking four years who care about their bedroom. Check the size, and the pocket depth for their mattress, before you order. A neutral color is the easiest to match with existing bedding.
Tip: Check the bed size and mattress depth before you order.
6. A wooden watch box (wood)
Wood is the fifth-anniversary gift, and a wooden watch box keeps a growing watch collection organized, which suits a partner who collects watches. Check the number of slots and the size of the watch faces they own. A drawer adds room for cufflinks or small accessories, and a glass lid shows off the collection.
Tip: Count their watches first so the box has enough slots.
Ideas 7 to 11
Anniversary gifts for years 6 to 20 (traditional)
7. A cast-iron pan (iron)
Iron marks the sixth anniversary, and a cast-iron pan is a sturdy kitchen tool that can last for generations, which suits couples who cook together. A 12-inch pan with two handles is easier to lift. It is heavy, so check that both cooks are comfortable with it, and add a recipe card to make it a set.
Tip: Add a recipe card so you can cook with it together.
8. A wool camp blanket (wool)
Wool is a traditional seventh-anniversary gift, and a good wool blanket is made to last for years on the couch or on a cabin weekend, which suits couples who love an outdoor getaway. Check the size and the care instructions, since wool often needs gentle washing. Choose a classic pattern that fits most living rooms.
Tip: Check the care instructions, since wool needs gentle washing.
9. A tin rose keepsake (tin)
Tin marks the tenth anniversary, and a metal rose is a keepsake that never wilts, which suits couples marking ten years together. It is a small gift that can sit on a shelf or a desk. Check the size on the listing, and add a card with a few lines about what the last ten years meant to you.
Tip: Add a short card about your favorite memory of the ten years.
10. A crystal vase (crystal)
Crystal is the fifteenth-anniversary gift, and a cut crystal vase gets used every time flowers come home, which suits couples celebrating fifteen years. A 9-inch height suits many bouquets. Pair it with fresh flowers on the day, and check care instructions before you wrap, since crystal usually needs hand washing.
Tip: Add fresh flowers on the day so the vase is used right away.
11. A china teacup and saucer (china)
China marks the twentieth anniversary, and a pretty teacup and saucer is a classic way to honor it, which suits couples who enjoy tea and tradition. A floral pattern feels timeless. Check that the set fits their taste, and add a small box of loose tea or tea bags to make it a ready-to-use gift.
Tip: Add a box of tea so they can use it on the day.
Ideas 12 to 15
Big milestones: anniversary gifts for 25, 30, 40 and 50 years
Silver, pearl, ruby and gold. These also suit parents and grandparents.
12. A silver-plated photo frame (silver)
Silver marks the twenty-fifth anniversary, and a silver-plated frame holds a wedding photo or a picture from today, which suits couples celebrating twenty-five years. Check the photo size on the listing, and print a favorite picture before you wrap it. A frame is also an easy gift to send to relatives and friends.
Tip: Print a favorite photo in the right size before you wrap it.
13. Pearl stud earrings (pearl)
Pearl is the thirtieth-anniversary gift, and simple pearl studs go with almost everything, which suits a partner who wears earrings every day. Check that they have pierced ears and prefer studs, and choose a metal that suits their other jewelry. A small box or a card makes the gift feel complete.
Tip: Check that they wear pierced earrings before choosing studs.
14. A ruby anniversary keepsake plate (ruby)
Ruby marks the fortieth anniversary, and a keepsake plate is a simple way to mark the year for parents, which suits a couple who has celebrated forty years together. Check the text and the design on the listing so it fits the couple, and add a family photo or a card. It also works for relatives sending a shared gift.
Tip: Check the text on the plate and add a family photo or card.
15. Golden anniversary mugs (gold)
Gold marks the fiftieth anniversary, and a matching pair of mugs is a cheerful, practical keepsake for grandparents, which suits a couple who has been married fifty years and drinks coffee or tea every morning. Check the print and wording on the listing. Add a box of their favorite coffee or tea.
Tip: Add their favorite coffee or tea inside the mugs.
Ideas 16 to 20
Anniversary gifts to celebrate together
Gifts that work for any year, from keepsakes to a toast for two.
16. An anniversary journal for every year
An anniversary journal has a page for each year, so a couple can record what happened and read it back on every anniversary, which suits couples who love traditions. Choose a version that has room for many years, and start it with the first entry yourself. It works as a keepsake for any year, not only milestones.
Tip: Fill in the first page yourself and plan to add one each year.
17. Champagne flutes for the toast
A set of good flutes makes the anniversary toast feel like an occasion and gets used again every year, which suits adult couples who toast every milestone. This idea is for adults 21 and over. Check that the glasses are dishwasher safe or need hand washing, and consider sparkling juice for a non-alcoholic toast.
Tip: For adults 21 and over; sparkling juice also works for a toast.
18. A whiskey decanter set
A decanter with matching glasses is a handsome anniversary gift for a partner who enjoys a drink after dinner, which suits adult couples with a bar cart or a favorite bottle. This idea is for adults 21 and over. Check the size of the decanter and the number of glasses, and keep the gift receipt in case of breakage.
Tip: For adults 21 and over; check the number of glasses in the set.
19. A shadow box for wedding keepsakes
A shadow box displays the invitation, a dried bouquet or ticket stubs, so keepsakes come out of the drawer and onto the wall, which suits a couple with a box of wedding keepsakes. Check the depth so items fit, and gather the pieces before you order. It is a thoughtful gift for any year.
Tip: Gather the keepsakes first to be sure they fit the depth.
20. Buildable flowers that last (flowers)
Flowers are a traditional fourth-anniversary gift, and a brick-built bouquet lasts for years and makes a calm project to build together, which suits couples who like building. It is a good choice for a partner who loves flowers but does not want them to wilt. Plan an evening to build it and display it on a shelf.
Tip: Plan an evening to build it together, then display it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the traditional anniversary gifts by year?
The traditional list starts with paper for year one, cotton for two, leather for three, linen for four and wood for five, then iron, wool, tin, crystal, china, silver, pearl, ruby and gold for the later milestones. This guide matches ideas to many of those years and adds gifts for any anniversary.
What is a good gift for a first anniversary?
Paper is the traditional theme, so a custom map print, a framed photo, a handwritten letter or a book of notes all fit. A personalized map of where you met or married is an easy way to follow the theme, and a keepsake book of letters also works. Add a card with your own words.
What do you give your parents for their anniversary?
Choose a gift that marks the year, such as a ruby keepsake plate for forty years, golden mugs for fifty or a silver frame for twenty-five. A family photo, a card from everyone and a favorite meal also help. Our Gifts for Parents guide has more ideas.
What are good anniversary gifts for couples who have everything?
Pick an experience or a keepsake rather than another object: an anniversary journal, a shadow box of wedding keepsakes, a toast set for adults or a buildable bouquet to make together. Our Gifts for Someone Who Has Everything guide has more ideas.
Do I have to follow the traditional anniversary gift list?
No. The list is a fun starting point, not a rule. Plenty of couples skip it and choose something personal, such as a trip, a shared project or a favorite meal. If you like the theme, use it as inspiration and add a handwritten card.
Can I give alcohol-related gifts for an anniversary?
Gifts like champagne flutes or a whiskey decanter set are for adult couples who are 21 and over. If your partner does not drink, choose sparkling juice for the toast or pick a different keepsake, such as an anniversary journal or a photo frame.
