By year
Anniversary gifts by year
The traditional and modern themes for each wedding anniversary, from paper at one year to diamond at sixty. Tap a year for what it means and gift ideas.
| Year | Traditional | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Clocks |
| 2nd | Cotton | China |
| 3rd | Leather | Crystal or glass |
| 4th | Fruit and flowers | Appliances |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware |
| 6th | Iron | Wood |
| 7th | Wool or copper | Desk sets |
| 8th | Bronze | Linens and lace |
| 9th | Pottery | Leather |
| 10th | Tin or aluminum | Diamond jewelry |
| 11th | Steel | Fashion jewelry |
| 12th | Silk or linen | Pearls |
| 13th | Lace | Textiles or furs |
| 14th | Ivory | Gold jewelry |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches |
| 20th | China | Platinum |
| 25th | Silver | Silver |
| 30th | Pearl | Diamond |
| 35th | Coral | Jade |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold | Gold |
| 55th | Emerald | Emerald |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond |
Themes as most widely published in the US. Print the chart.
Traditional or modern?
The traditional list is the older one: paper, cotton, leather and so on, with silver at 25 years and gold at 50. The modern list was added later and suggests things like clocks for the first year and china for the second. Neither is a rule. Use the theme that gives you the better idea, or ignore both and give something you know they will love.
Making the theme personal
- Paper (1st): concert tickets, a printed photo book, a framed map of where you met.
- Leather (3rd): a good wallet, a weekend bag, a watch strap.
- Wood (5th): a cutting board engraved with your names and date.
- Tin or aluminum (10th): a vintage tin filled with notes, one for each year.
The year pages have more ideas and price ranges.
For parents, friends or a couple you know
For a milestone like the 25th or 50th, a shared gift from the family (a dinner, a photo album, a short trip) often works better than many small presents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional first anniversary gift?
Paper. The modern list suggests a clock.
Which anniversaries are the big ones?
The 10th, 25th (silver), 40th (ruby), 50th (gold) and 60th (diamond) are the ones most often celebrated.