Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional & Modern Guide
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Every wedding anniversary has a gift theme: paper for the 1st, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th, and diamond for the 60th. Below you'll find the complete traditional and modern anniversary gift lists for every year from 1 to 60, what each theme represents, and thoughtful gift ideas for every milestone.
Updated July 2026.
|
Year |
Traditional Gift |
Modern Gift |
|
1st |
Paper |
Clock |
|
2nd |
Cotton |
China |
|
3rd |
Leather |
Crystal or glass |
|
4th |
Fruit or flowers |
Appliances |
|
5th |
Wood |
Silverware |
|
6th |
Iron or candy |
Wood |
|
7th |
Wool or copper |
Desk sets |
|
8th |
Bronze or pottery |
Linen or lace |
|
9th |
Pottery or willow |
Leather |
|
10th |
Tin or aluminum |
Diamond jewelry |
|
11th |
Steel |
Fashion jewelry |
|
12th |
Silk or linen |
Pearls |
|
13th |
Lace |
Textiles or furs |
|
14th |
Ivory (symbolic) |
Gold jewelry |
|
15th |
Crystal |
Watches |
|
16th |
Wax |
Silver hollowware |
|
17th |
Furniture |
Watches |
|
18th |
Porcelain |
Appliances |
|
19th |
Bronze |
Jewelry |
|
20th |
China |
Platinum |
|
21st |
Brass or nickel |
Brass |
|
22nd |
Copper |
Copper |
|
23rd |
Silver plate |
Silver plate |
|
24th |
Opal |
Musical instruments |
|
25th |
Silver |
Silver |
|
26th |
Pictures |
Original artwork |
|
27th |
Sculpture |
Sculpture |
|
28th |
Orchids |
Orchids |
|
29th |
Furniture |
Furniture |
|
30th |
Pearl |
Diamond |
|
35th |
Coral |
Jade |
|
40th |
Ruby |
Ruby |
|
45th |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
|
50th |
Gold |
Gold |
|
55th |
Emerald |
Emerald |
|
60th |
Diamond |
Diamond |
Year 1: Paper Anniversary
Symbolism: Paper represents a blank page. The first chapter of your marriage has been written, and the rest of your story is still to come.
Traditional idea: Frame your wedding vows, create a photo book of your first year together, or give an original newspaper from the exact date of your wedding.
Modern idea: A beautifully crafted clock marks the beginning of your time together and becomes a lasting reminder of your first anniversary.
The original paper gift
An original newspaper from the exact date of their wedding, carefully preserved by our archivists and presented in a gift box with a certificate of authenticity. The front page from the day they said "I do."
Year 2: Cotton Anniversary
Symbolism: Cotton represents comfort, strength and the way two lives become more closely woven together over time.
Traditional idea: Personalized cotton bedding, embroidered pillowcases or a cozy throw make thoughtful gifts that can be enjoyed every day.
Modern idea: A fine china dinner set or serving platter creates a keepsake for future celebrations together.
Year 3: Leather Anniversary
Symbolism: Leather symbolizes resilience, protection and a marriage that grows stronger through shared experiences.
Traditional idea: A personalized leather journal, travel bag or wallet is both practical and meaningful for the years ahead.
Modern idea: Crystal or glassware engraved with your wedding date offers an elegant way to celebrate three years together.
Year 4: Fruit and Flowers Anniversary
Symbolism: Fruit and flowers represent growth, happiness and a relationship that continues to flourish with care and attention.
Traditional idea: A fruit tree for the garden, a seasonal flower subscription or a beautifully arranged bouquet makes a thoughtful anniversary gift.
Modern idea: Upgrade the home with a quality kitchen appliance you'll both enjoy using for years to come.
Year 5: Wood Anniversary
Symbolism: Wood represents deep roots, strength and lasting growth. Five years of marriage have created a strong foundation that will continue to flourish.
Traditional idea: Fill a handcrafted wooden keepsake box with photographs, letters and treasured mementos, or choose a personalised wooden photo frame.
Modern idea: A quality silverware set is a timeless gift that becomes part of everyday family life and future celebrations.
Five years of memories deserve a lasting keepsake
Celebrate your fifth anniversary with an original newspaper from your wedding date — the front page your marriage began on. A unique gift that captures history alongside your own story.
Year 6: Iron Anniversary
Symbolism: Iron represents strength, resilience and the ability to withstand life's challenges together.
Traditional idea: Choose handcrafted iron wall art, a decorative fire pit or elegant wrought-iron garden decor that will last for years.
Modern idea: A wooden serving board, handcrafted furniture piece or engraved wooden keepsake reflects the modern anniversary theme.
Year 7: Wool Anniversary
Symbolism: Wool symbolizes warmth, comfort and the security that comes from building a life together.
Traditional idea: A luxury wool blanket, cashmere scarf or handcrafted wool throw offers comfort while celebrating seven years of marriage.
Modern idea: A personalized desk set makes a practical gift for a home office while marking this anniversary.
Year 8: Bronze Anniversary
Symbolism: Bronze represents strength and durability, created by combining different elements into something even stronger.
Traditional idea: A bronze sculpture, personalized plaque or decorative home accessory makes a lasting reminder of your eighth anniversary.
Modern idea: Fine linen bedding or lace table linens add everyday luxury to your home together.
Year 9: Pottery Anniversary
Symbolism: Pottery reflects a marriage carefully shaped over time, becoming stronger and more beautiful through patience and care.
Traditional idea: A handcrafted ceramic vase, personalized mug or pottery-making experience creates memories as well as a keepsake.
Modern idea: A leather handbag, briefcase or travel accessory offers a stylish modern interpretation of the anniversary theme.
Year 10: Tin Anniversary
Symbolism: Tin represents durability and flexibility, qualities that have helped your marriage adapt and thrive over the past decade. Ten years together deserve a celebration that honors both the journey so far and the years still to come.
Traditional idea: A personalized tin keepsake box filled with photographs, letters and anniversary mementos creates a lasting reminder of your first decade together. Decorative metal artwork also makes a meaningful gift.
Modern idea: Diamond jewelry marks this milestone beautifully, whether you choose earrings, a pendant or a ring that can be treasured for years to come.
Year 11: Steel Anniversary
Symbolism: Steel represents strength, resilience and a marriage that has been forged through more than a decade of shared experiences.
Traditional idea: A personalized steel keepsake, engraved metal artwork or a stainless-steel accessory makes a durable reminder of eleven years together.
Modern idea: Fashion jewelry offers a stylish way to celebrate this milestone, from a meaningful bracelet to a piece chosen to match your partner's style.
Year 12: Silk and Linen Anniversary
Symbolism: Silk and linen represent elegance, comfort and the care that goes into creating a life together.
Traditional idea: Luxurious silk scarves, linen bedding or personalized linen cushions bring softness and beauty into your shared home.
Modern idea: Pearls make a timeless anniversary gift, whether as a necklace, earrings or another piece of jewelry chosen to last. An original newspaper from your wedding date makes a fitting traditional pairing too.
Year 13: Lace Anniversary
Symbolism: Lace represents beauty, intricate details and the many moments woven together throughout thirteen years of marriage.
Traditional idea: A lace tablecloth, handmade lace artwork or a delicate lace accessory makes a thoughtful traditional gift.
Modern idea: Textiles or a carefully chosen textile piece, such as a handcrafted throw or decorative fabric artwork, provide a modern interpretation of the theme.
Year 14: Ivory Anniversary
Symbolism: Ivory has traditionally represented protection and lasting commitment. Today, the theme is celebrated through ivory-colored or symbolic gifts only, never through real ivory.
Traditional idea: Choose an ivory-colored keepsake, such as a decorative piece, artwork or home accessory inspired by the traditional theme.
Modern idea: Gold jewelry offers a luxurious way to mark fourteen years together, from a personalized pendant to a meaningful pair of earrings.
Year 15: Crystal Anniversary
Symbolism: Crystal represents clarity, sparkle and the beauty of a relationship that has been refined over fifteen years together.
Traditional idea: A crystal vase, engraved glassware or a decorative crystal keepsake makes an elegant traditional anniversary gift.
Modern idea: A quality watch is a practical and meaningful gift, marking the time you have shared and the years still ahead.
Year 16: Wax Anniversary
Symbolism: Wax represents adaptability and the ability of a marriage to change shape while remaining strong through different seasons of life.
Traditional idea: A handcrafted candle set, personalized wax seal stationery or a decorative candle holder reflects the traditional theme.
Modern idea: Silver hollowware, such as a serving dish, tray or decorative silver piece, creates a timeless addition to the home.
Year 17: Furniture Anniversary
Symbolism: Furniture represents comfort, stability and the home you have built together over seventeen years of marriage.
Traditional idea: A handcrafted piece of furniture, such as a wooden chair, side table or statement piece for your home, celebrates the life you share.
Modern idea: A classic watch provides a lasting reminder of the time spent together and the memories still to come.
Year 18: Porcelain Anniversary
Symbolism: Porcelain represents elegance, delicacy and the care needed to preserve something valuable over time.
Traditional idea: A porcelain vase, decorative figurine or beautifully crafted porcelain dinnerware makes a refined anniversary gift.
Modern idea: A useful appliance, such as a premium coffee machine or kitchen upgrade, brings a practical touch to the modern theme.
Year 19: Bronze Anniversary
Symbolism: Bronze represents durability and the strength created by combining years of shared experiences into something lasting.
Traditional idea: A bronze sculpture, personalized plaque or bronze home accessory makes a meaningful nineteenth anniversary gift.
Modern idea: Jewelry chosen with personal meaning, such as a necklace, bracelet or engraved piece, offers a contemporary celebration of your marriage.
Year 20: China Anniversary
Symbolism: China represents elegance, beauty and the lasting value of a marriage that has reached two decades together. Like fine porcelain, a relationship built over twenty years becomes something to treasure.
Traditional idea: Celebrate twenty years with a fine china dinner set, personalized porcelain plates or a handcrafted china keepsake that can become part of future family traditions.
Modern idea: Platinum represents rarity and enduring value, making it ideal for a milestone gift such as a platinum ring, pendant or other piece of jewelry.
Twenty years together deserves a gift that captures every chapter
An anniversary newspaper book brings together the front page from your wedding day and the headlines that followed, while the original newspaper preserves the moment it all began.
Explore our China anniversary newspaper books
Year 21: Brass or Nickel Anniversary
Symbolism: Brass and nickel represent resilience, warmth and the strength that comes from more than two decades of shared memories and experiences.
Traditional idea: A brass candleholder, engraved brass keepsake or nickel accessory makes a thoughtful traditional gift that celebrates your journey together.
Modern idea: A brass home accent, decorative piece or personalized brass item offers a modern way to mark twenty-one years of marriage.
Year 22: Copper Anniversary
Symbolism: Copper represents beauty, warmth and the ability of a marriage to conduct and carry the experiences of life together.
Traditional idea: A copper vase, handcrafted cookware or copper garden sculpture creates a lasting gift with a timeless appeal.
Modern idea: A copper accessory, from a decorative piece to a practical home item, celebrates the same enduring theme in a contemporary way.
Year 23: Silver Plate Anniversary
Symbolism: Silver plate represents refinement, appreciation and the many layers of memories built throughout twenty-three years together.
Traditional idea: An engraved silver plate, serving tray or decorative silver-plated piece makes a meaningful traditional gift.
Modern idea: A silver plate keepsake or personalized silver-plated home item provides a modern interpretation of this anniversary theme.
Year 24: Opal Anniversary
Symbolism: Opal represents hope, passion and the unique beauty found in a relationship shaped by many years together.
Traditional idea: An opal pendant, ring or decorative opal piece offers a meaningful way to celebrate twenty-four years of marriage.
Modern idea: A musical instrument, such as a guitar, piano accessory or another item connected to a shared hobby, creates a memorable modern gift.
Year 25: Silver Anniversary
Symbolism: Silver represents strength, brilliance and the lasting value of a marriage that has reached a quarter of a century. After twenty-five years, a relationship has been polished by time and strengthened by shared experiences.
Traditional idea: A silver photo frame filled with family memories, engraved silver jewelry or a silver keepsake makes a meaningful way to celebrate this milestone.
Modern idea: A silver gift remains a perfect modern choice too, from elegant silver jewelry to a personalized silver accessory that can become a family heirloom.
Twenty-five years, twenty-five front pages.
An anniversary newspaper book brings together the front page from your wedding day and every year since, while the [original newspaper from the date itself](wedding anniversary newspapers) is the paper your marriage began on.
Year 26: Pictures Anniversary
Symbolism: Pictures represent the memories, moments and milestones that create the story of a marriage over time.
Traditional idea: Create a personalized photo album, framed collection of wedding memories or a gallery wall celebrating your years together.
Modern idea: Original artwork adds a personal touch to your home, whether it reflects a meaningful place, moment or shared interest.
Year 27: Sculpture Anniversary
Symbolism: Sculpture represents creativity, patience and the way a marriage is shaped through years of love and commitment.
Traditional idea: A handcrafted sculpture, personalized figurine or meaningful artistic piece makes a lasting traditional gift.
Modern idea: A sculpture created by an artist or chosen for its personal significance offers a contemporary take on this anniversary theme.
Year 28: Orchids Anniversary
Symbolism: Orchids represent beauty, strength and the care required for something special to continue growing.
Traditional idea: A flowering orchid plant, orchid arrangement or botanical artwork brings the traditional theme into the home.
Modern idea: Orchids remain the modern gift as well, with an elegant orchid plant or floral display offering a lasting reminder of twenty-eight years together.
Year 29: Furniture Anniversary
Symbolism: Furniture represents comfort, stability and the home a couple has built together over nearly three decades.
Traditional idea: A handcrafted chair, statement table or meaningful furniture piece can become part of the home you share.
Modern idea: A new furniture item, chosen together for your space, combines practicality with the celebration of your twenty-ninth anniversary.
Year 30: Pearl Anniversary
Symbolism: Pearls represent wisdom, patience and the beauty created over thirty years of marriage. Like a pearl formed over time, a lasting relationship becomes more valuable with each passing year.
Traditional idea: Pearl jewelry, a pearl keepsake or a personalized piece featuring pearls makes an elegant thirtieth anniversary gift.
Modern idea: A diamond gift offers a brilliant modern alternative, from diamond jewelry to a meaningful piece designed to celebrate three decades together.
Year 35: Coral Anniversary
Symbolism: Coral represents protection, vitality and a marriage strengthened by decades of shared experiences.
Traditional idea: Choose coral-colored home decor, artwork inspired by the sea or a meaningful piece of coral-colored jewelry that reflects the traditional theme without using natural coral.
Modern idea: A jade sculpture, pendant or decorative keepsake symbolizes harmony and good fortune for the years ahead. An original newspaper from your wedding date is an equally fitting way to mark thirty-five years.
Year 40: Ruby Anniversary
Symbolism: Ruby symbolizes love, passion and enduring commitment. Four decades together reflect a relationship that has grown deeper, stronger and more valuable with time.
Traditional idea: Ruby jewelry, engraved cuff links featuring rubies or a ruby-inspired keepsake creates a memorable way to celebrate forty years together.
Modern idea: Ruby remains the modern anniversary gift as well, making this the perfect occasion to choose a special piece that can be treasured for generations.
Year 45: Sapphire Anniversary
Symbolism: Sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty and the trust built through forty-five years of marriage.
Traditional idea: A sapphire ring, pendant or pair of earrings offers a timeless way to celebrate this remarkable milestone.
Modern idea: Sapphire continues as the modern gift, making matching jewelry or a personalized sapphire keepsake a fitting anniversary present.
Year 50: Gold Anniversary
Symbolism: Gold represents prosperity, strength and a love that has stood the test of time. Reaching fifty years of marriage is an extraordinary milestone worthy of celebration with family and friends.
Traditional idea: Gold jewelry, a personalized gold keepsake or an engraved gold photo frame creates a lasting reminder of this golden anniversary.
Modern idea: Gold remains the modern anniversary gift, whether you choose a classic piece of jewelry or a meaningful heirloom to pass on to future generations.
Half a century of headlines
The Golden Anniversary Newspaper Book begins with the front page from your wedding day and continues with every anniversary since. Pair it with the original newspaper from the date itself for a gift that celebrates fifty remarkable years together.
Find your Gold anniversary newspaper book
Year 55: Emerald Anniversary
Symbolism: Emerald represents renewal, vitality and the enduring richness of a marriage that has lasted more than half a century.
Traditional idea: An emerald ring, pendant or pair of earrings makes a fitting tribute to fifty-five years together.
Modern idea: Emerald remains the modern gift too, whether chosen as a statement jewelry piece or a smaller emerald-accented keepsake.
Year 60: Diamond Anniversary
Symbolism: Diamond represents permanence, brilliance and exceptional strength. Sixty years of marriage is a rare achievement that reflects a lifetime of love, commitment and shared memories.
Traditional idea: Diamond jewelry, an engraved diamond keepsake or a meaningful family heirloom honors this extraordinary milestone.
Modern idea: Diamond remains the modern anniversary gift, making this the ideal occasion to celebrate with a timeless piece that can be treasured for generations.
Sixty years of history, together
Honor a Diamond Anniversary with the original newspaper from your wedding day or an anniversary newspaper book that tells the story of your marriage through the headlines of every year since. It's a unique way to celebrate a lifetime together.
Discover the Diamond anniversary newspaper book
FAQs
What are all the anniversary gifts by year?
Every wedding anniversary has a traditional gift theme, with many years also having a modern alternative. The 1st anniversary is paper, the 25th is silver, the 50th is gold, and the 60th is diamond. The full table above lists every anniversary year from 1 to 60, along with both the traditional and modern gift themes.
What is the traditional 1st anniversary gift?
The traditional 1st anniversary gift is paper, symbolizing the first page of your marriage and the story you are writing together. A thoughtful paper gift could be a framed copy of your wedding vows, a photo book of your first year, or an original newspaper from your wedding date.
Are anniversary gifts different in other countries?
Yes, anniversary gifts vary between countries. The British tradition swaps the early years, with cotton for the 1st anniversary and paper for the 2nd, while milestone anniversaries such as silver (25th), pearl (30th), ruby (40th), gold (50th), and diamond (60th) are widely recognized around the world. This guide follows the American anniversary gift lists.
What are the milestone anniversaries called?
The major wedding anniversary milestones are the Silver Anniversary (25th), Pearl Anniversary (30th), Ruby Anniversary (40th), Gold Anniversary (50th), and Diamond Anniversary (60th). These landmark anniversaries are the most widely celebrated and are traditionally marked with their corresponding gift themes.
What is the modern anniversary gift list?
The modern anniversary gift list was introduced during the 20th century as an extension of the older Victorian-inspired traditions, providing contemporary alternatives to the traditional gifts. Examples include a clock for the 1st anniversary, diamond jewelry for the 10th anniversary, and platinum for the 20th anniversary.
What do you get for a 50th wedding anniversary?
The traditional and modern gift for a 50th wedding anniversary is gold, celebrating fifty years of lasting love and commitment. A classic gift is a piece of gold jewelry or an engraved gold keepsake, while a personalized anniversary newspaper book—beginning with the front page from the couple's wedding day and continuing through every anniversary since—offers a unique way to commemorate the occasion.
Whatever the year, there's a front page for it. Every anniversary has a date, and every date has a newspaper. Give the original paper from the day they married, whatever theme the year calls for.
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