The list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts by year goes as far back as the Middle Ages. Still very much in use today, we love the romance of these traditional markers of one of our most precious relationships. Notice that as the years go by the wedding anniversary gift gradually increases in value. The gifts can get fancy, but there’s also significance and special meaning in each gift; they symbolize the values of a couple’s marriage as time goes by.
Most are familiar with the traditional anniversary gifts, but we also made sure to mention the modern version of the milestones, where applicable. Even if the couple is not celebrating what’s considered a milestone anniversary, what better year than this one to go all out for one's spouse? For those looking for gift idea inspiration for one's spouse or an amazing couple celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, look no further.
First Wedding Anniversary: Paper
Paper is the traditional gift to celebrate the first wedding anniversary because the blank pages are said to be where the couple is beginning to write their story.
Another first anniversary tradition is to eat the (previously frozen, of course) top tier of the wedding cake, if it wasn't all eaten on the big day. For those who didn't save their cake, don’t stress, there are so many other ways to celebrate the first anniversary. The modern alternative to a paper first anniversary gift is to give a clock, which is said to symbolize the time that has passed and the time to come.
Get creative with a paper gift by giving a paper print out of reservations for a weekend getaway, which counts as paper. A more budget-friendly option for the first anniversary gift is an anniversary journal. We found this Personalized Our Anniversary Journal on Etsy from the InTheBookUS store.
Fifth Anniversary: Wood
$85
from
Uncommon Goods
Five years into a marriage, the couple has likely experienced strength, wisdom, and growth, so these powerful qualities of trees make sense to mark this anniversary. According to anniversary gift-giving guidelines, the traditional fifth-anniversary gift is crafted from wood. The modern fifth anniversary gifts are silverware and sapphire jewelry.
For a traditional gift, challenge the other half to some light-hearted competition with this beautifully crafted Personalized Hearts Four Across Game.
Tenth Anniversary: Tin
Tin doesn’t sound very romantic or celebratory after 10 years of marriage, but don’t be too disappointed. The tradition of tin as a 10th anniversary gift comes from its practical nature — tin is used to store and preserve items. It's likely the relationship is well-preserved by this point.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary, a decade of love, choose a tin gift that shows how much love there is for one's husband or wife. For those looking for an alternative to tin, the modern 10th anniversary gift is diamond jewelry.
Celebrate the roots formed as a couple over those 10 years of marriage with this personalized 10 Year Anniversary Tree with Roots on Tin artwork by Lucky Tusk. Printed on tin and customized with names and a date, this special gift is a reminder of all that has been nurtured and grown together in that life as a couple.
15th Anniversary: Crystal
It is fair to say we’re getting to the good stuff. Crystal represents a couple's clear and sparkling love. Sturdy yet delicate, like the marriage, crystal symbolizes the sparkling love the two have for each other after a decade and a half together. There is full transparency in the marriage at this point, and the people in the marriage stronger for it.
Celebrate each other with a special “cheers!” by hosting a romantic champagne tasting at home for two. Armed with crystal flutes of bubbly like these True Love Glass Flutes by Lenox, it’ll be a blissful night. Not into champagne? The modern gift for 15th wedding anniversaries is a watch, a great gift to celebrate spending the rest of time together.
20th Anniversary: Fine China
This is to celebrate two decades of marriage! Elegant and beautiful, fine china is also delicate but lasting, which makes it the perfect symbol for 20 years of marriage. Buy a beautiful set of china or get creative and plan a future trip to the country in East Asia. In the meantime, set the scene with an unforgettable Asian meal, served on a set of china like this gorgeous five-piece place setting by Noritake. The modern gift alternative, for those who really want to go all out, is platinum.
This Noritake Dinner Sonnet in Blue is an elegant and classic way to mark 20 years together.
25th Anniversary: Silver
Starting at
$120
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Cufflinks Depot
A quarter of a century together, now it’s really time to celebrate! No pressure, but the tradition of giving silver for a 25 year anniversary dates back thousands of years. The precious metal can be given as a gift of jewelry or a photo of the lovely couple in a silver frame.
These Engravable Sterling Silver Locket Cufflinks from CuffLinks Depot are a great choice for him. They can be engraved and it's possible to add a tiny picture of the couple inside.
30th Anniversary: Pearl
Hidden in the depths of the ocean, pearls are precious white gems known for their beauty, but also the considerable amount of time they require to be cultivated. Natural and beautiful — but rare — sounds exactly like a couple after 30 years of marriage. Pearls make for a stunning gift of jewelry — from a necklace or earring to a watch or cufflinks.
We love this pearl bracelet made by GLDNxLayeredAndLong on Etsy where they have over 500,000 sales and rave reviews! For those wondering, the modern 30th anniversary gift is diamonds.
35th Anniversary: Jade
$149
from
Ross-Simmons
Coral is the traditional gift for the wedding anniversary milestone of 35 years, but there’s some controversy around coral as it’s not always harvested in the most environmentally friendly way. In the United States, coral is illegal to harvest and export. Or opt for something coral-colored, or just skip to the modern gift, which is the always gorgeous jade.
In many Asian cultures, green jade is a symbol of longevity, good luck, wealth, and wisdom. So, gifting one's spouse with jade will let them know that meeting and marrying was a stroke of good luck!
Gifts for a couple celebrating their 35th anniversary could be these pretty jade drop earrings by Ross-Simmons for her, and if he’s a golfer, these tees by TheJadeMine on Etsy ($40) made from Canadian nephrite jade will guarantee that he stands out on the fairway.
40th Anniversary: Ruby
Forty years is a long time and deserving of all the gifts. What does the ruby symbolize? The red precious stone stands for the deep and unwavering love a couple has. Rubies are said to have an eternal flame for the passion burning for 40 plus years. The modern 40th anniversary gift is also ruby.
To mark this milestone, gifts to celebrate this husband and wife could be a breathtaking bunch of roses, the most luxurious bottle of red wine and this awesome idea: turn their wedding song into art with this canvas wall print. Made by CanvasVows on Etsy, the sheet music to any song can be printed in a metallic ruby color, making this a perfect 40-year anniversary for the couple to put in their home.
50th Anniversary: Gold
What an incredible commitment and achievement: 50 years of marriage is the gold standard. Gold is the traditional and modern way to mark a 50th anniversary, and this precious substance represents the strength, wisdom, prosperity, and significance of marriage.
If they’re up to it, this couple could renew their vows in an intimate ceremony and exchange new gold wedding rings like this Petite Micropavé and Classic Wedding Ring Set in 14K yellow gold from Blue Nile to commemorate the occasion.
60th Anniversary: Diamond
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from
Personal Chef
The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, which means unconquerable — as is this couple’s love for one another, and 60 years of marriage deserves this precious gem. For those who don’t already know how diamonds are made, these dazzling gems are the result of an enormous amount of pressure. Shining bright like a diamond, the marriage has stood the test of time.
Treat a couple married for 60 years to a memorable lunch at a special place. If there’s a fancy restaurant they’ve always wanted to try, send them there for a three-course lunch. It’s the perfect setting for them to reminisce about their lives together and to celebrate their everlasting love. If a restaurant isn’t an option, tap into Google and have a private chef cook for them at home. Visit PersonalChef.com, a portal for personal chefs for hire nationwide, to hire a chef for their special day.
70th Anniversary: Platinum
Not many couples are blessed enough to see this 70th anniversary milestone. For those looking to spoil this husband and wife with something more valuable than silver and gold — other than all the love — platinum is the classic symbol of prestige, luxury, and achievement, but also true love, integrity, truth and endurance. For the 70th anniversary, this precious metal is the traditional and modern gift.
Celebrate them with luxuriously comfortable customized bed linens that can be embroidered with their initials from Bella Lino, a nice lunch at home, and a momentous 70th anniversary frame for their favorite picture together, along with some amazing cake.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
