We often think of gift giving traditions for weddings, but what about anniversary gift traditions?
Couples everywhere have their own take. In fact, my husband and I give each other no gifts at all! Instead, he gets odd years, I get even years, and we plan a surprise outing for the other. Sometimes it’s a weekend excursion, other years it’s a day trip to somewhere we’ve never been. For our 10th anniversary, I surprised him with dinner at a high-end restaurant where suits were required, it took 3 hours for the entire 21-course meal, and cost more than our mortgage (I regret nothing; it took me months to save for and was totally worth it).
Anniversary gifts rooted in tradition
But where does the tradition of anniversary gifting begin? According to this article from TIME, there are strong roots in anniversary gift traditions in Germany, and they made a much stronger appearance in England in the 19th century, especially in the Victorian era. As time has passed, couples everywhere celebrate anniversaries in ways that best represent their union, sometimes following these long-rooted traditions.
Traditional or modern…something for every couple
Below is a list of the traditional, modern, gemstone, and floral gift themes that correspond with each anniversary year. Use them as a starting point and get creative! For example, for paper, consider personalized stationery or a book (that’s made from paper) that has special meaning (I have one friend who personalized a book for her hubby for their first anniversary).
Depending on your partner, you may go either the practical or indulgent route, or even switch it up year to year. And if you’re looking to point your spouse in a direction, you can create a special anniversary wish list with gift ideas for them to choose from.
Whether it’s your first anniversary, your fifteenth, your fiftieth, or somewhere in between, these gift ideas are a great starting point for celebrating you and your sweetie.
1st Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Paper
Modern Gift: Clocks
Gemstone: Gold Jewelry
Flower: Carnation
2nd Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Cotton
Modern Gift: China
Gemstone: Garnet
Flower: Lily of the Valley
3rd Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Leather
Modern Gift: Crystal / Glass
Gemstone: Pearl
Flower: Sunflower
4th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Fruit / Flowers; UK: Linen / Silk
Modern Gift: Electrical Appliances
Gemstone: Blue Topaz
Flower: Hydrangea
5th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Wood
Modern Gift: Silverware
Gemstone: Sapphire
Flower: Daisy
6th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Iron; UK: Candy
Modern Gift: Wood
Gemstone: Amethyst
Flower: Calla Lilies
7th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Copper; UK: Wool
Modern Gift: Brass Desk Sets
Gemstone: Onyx
Flower: Freesia
8th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Bronze / Pottery; UK: Salt
Modern Gift: Linen / Lace
Gemstone: Tourmaline
Flower: Lilac
9th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Willow / Pottery; UK: Copper
Modern Gift: Leather
Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli
Flower: Bird of Paradise
10th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Aluminum / Tin; UK: Tin
Modern Gift: Diamonds / Jewelry
Gemstone: Diamond
Flower: Daffodil
11th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Steel
Modern Gift: Fashion Jewelry / Accessories
Gemstone: Turquoise
Flower: Tulip
12th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Home Décor; UK: Linen / Silk
Modern Gift: Pearls / Colored Gems
Gemstone: Jade
Flower: Peony
13th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Lace
Modern Gift: Textiles / Furs
Gemstone: Citrine
Flower: Chrysanthemum
14th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Ivory
Modern Gift: Gold / Jewelry
Gemstone: Opal
Flower: Orchid
15th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Crystal
Modern Gift: Watches
Gemstone: Ruby
Flower: Rose
16th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Silver Holloware
Gemstone: Peridot
17th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Furniture
Gemstone: Watches
18th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Porcelain
Gemstone: Cat’s Eye
19th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Bronze
Gemstone: Aquamarine
20th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: China
Modern Gift: Platinum
Gemstone: Emerald
Flower: Aster
21st Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Brass / Nickel
Gemstone: Emerald / Iolite
22nd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Copper
Gemstone: Spinel
23rd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Silver Plate
Gemstone: Imperial Topaz
24th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Musical Instruments
Gemstone: Tanzanite
25th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Silver
Modern Gift: Sterling Silver
Gemstone: Silver Jubilee
Flower: Iris
26th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Original Pictures
27th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Sculpture
28th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Orchids
29th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: New Furniture
30th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Pearl
Modern Gift: Diamond
Gemstone: Pearl
Flower: Lily
31st Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Timepieces
32nd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Conveyances
33rd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Amethyst
34th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Opal
35th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: US: Coral / Jade; UK: Coral
Modern Gift: Jade
Gemstone: Emerald
36th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Bone China
37th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Alabaster
38th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Beryl / Tourmaline
39th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Lacy
40th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Ruby
Gemstone: Ruby
Flower: Gladiolus
41st Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Land
42nd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Improved Real Estate
43rd Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Travel
44th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Groceries
45th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Sapphire
Gemstone: Sapphire
46th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Original Poetry Tribute
47th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Books
48th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Optical Goods
49th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Luxury Items
50th Anniversary Gifts
Traditional Gift: Gold
Modern Gift: Gold
Gemstone: Gold
Flower: Yellow Rose & Violets
55th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Emerald
Gemstone: Alexandrite
60th Anniversary Gifts
Modern Gift: Diamond
Gemstone: Diamond
70th Anniversary Gifts
Gemstone: Platinum
75th Anniversary Gifts
Gemstone: Sapphire
80th Anniversary Gifts
Gemstone: Ruby
85th Anniversary Gifts
Gemstone: Moonstone
Log into your Giftster account today to add anniversary gifts that align with these themes or the traditions you’ve built with your sweetie.
Happy gifting!
Featured photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
