Traditional wedding anniversary gifts vary by year, and they often have both traditional and modern interpretations. Here’s a list of traditional gifts for each of the first 15 years of marriage and beyond along with the milestone names:
- 1st Anniversary: Paper
- Customized stationery
- Tickets to a concert or show
- A framed photo or artwork
- 2nd Anniversary: Cotton
- Personalized cotton towels or robes
- Cotton bedding or throw blankets
- Matching cotton clothing items
- 3rd Anniversary: Leather
- Leather goods such as a wallet or handbag
- Leather-bound books
- A leather jacket or gloves
- 4th Anniversary: Fruit/Flowers (Linen/Silk)
- Fruit basket or a bouquet of flowers
- Linen or silk bedding
- Floral-scented candles or perfumes
- 5th Anniversary: Wood
- Customized wooden furniture
- Engraved wooden photo frame
- Wooden jewelry or accessories
- 6th Anniversary: Iron (Sugar/Candy)
- Iron sculpture or artwork
- Sugar or candy assortment
- Iron cookware or kitchen items
- 7th Anniversary: Wool/Copper
- Wool blankets or clothing
- Copper cookware or home decor
- Hand-knit wool socks or scarves
- 8th Anniversary:Bronze/Pottery
- Bronze sculptures or figurines
- Handcrafted pottery items
- Bronze jewelry or accessories
- 9th Anniversary: Pottery/Willow
- Pottery classes or a handmade pottery piece
- Willow basket or furniture
- Planting a willow tree together
- 10th Anniversary: Tin/Aluminum
- Tin or aluminum cookware
- Personalized aluminum jewelry
- Tin art or decor items
- 11th Anniversary: Steel
- Stainless steel appliances or kitchenware
- Steel jewelry or accessories
- Customized steel art or sculpture
- 12th Anniversary: Silk/Linen
- Silk or linen clothing
- Silk bedding or pillowcases
- A romantic silk or linen scarf
- 13th Anniversary: Lace
- Lace lingerie or clothing
- Framed lace artwork
- A lace parasol or handkerchief
- 14th Anniversary: Ivory (Alternative materials recommended)
- Consider alternatives like a white or off-white gift
- Ivory-colored home decor items
- A romantic getaway to a destination with white sand beaches
- 15th Anniversary: Crystal
- Crystal vases or glassware
- Crystal jewelry or accessories
- A weekend getaway to a crystal-clear lake or beach
- 20th Anniversary: China
- Fine china dinnerware or tea set
- A trip to China or a Chinese-themed gift
- China jewelry or ornaments
- 25th Anniversary: Silver
- Silver jewelry, gifts or accessories
- Silver photo frame or album
- A silver-plated keepsake
- 30th Anniversary: Pearl
- Pearl jewelry (necklace, earrings, or bracelet)
- A pearl-themed home decor item
- A trip to a destination known for its pearls
- 35th Anniversary: Coral (Alternative materials recommended)
- Consider alternatives like coral-colored gifts or tropical decor
- Coral-inspired jewelry or accessories
- A vacation to a coral reef destination
- 40th Anniversary: Ruby
- Ruby jewelry (ring, necklace, or earrings)
- A romantic ruby red-themed gift
- A getaway to a location known for its red landscapes
- 45th Anniversary: Sapphire
- Sapphire jewelry or accessories
- A sapphire-colored home decor item
- A vacation to a destination with blue waters
- 50th Anniversary: Gold
- Gold jewelry or accessories
- A golden-themed gift or decoration
- A luxury vacation or cruise
- or a Weekend Vacation Getaway
These traditional gifts provide a guideline, and many people also choose to incorporate a modern twist or personalize the gifts based on the couple’s preferences. Feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own creative interpretations based on the couple’s preferences and interests. The key is to make the gift meaningful and reflective of the couple’s journey together. Also, keep in mind that some materials, like ivory and coral, are controversial due to conservation and ethical concerns, so alternative materials are often recommended. Additionally, the names of the milestones can vary regionally and culturally.
And, if you’re planning a wedding, you may want to check out Amazon’s Wedding Registry!