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  • Anniversary Gifts By Year: A Gift for Every Year of Marriage

    by Melissa Bajda March 08, 2023

    Anniversary Gifts by Year are a great way to celebrate each milestone of your marriage. Every year of marriage is special and deserves a unique gift to celebrate the journey.

    Whether you are celebrating your first wedding anniversary or your 25th, we have a gift idea that will make your partner swoon.

    Read on to learn more unique anniversary gifts by year that will make your spouse smile.

    Anniversary Gifts By Year: The Perfect Gift for Every Year of Marriage

    Anniversary Gifts by Year

    1st Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Paper
      • Modern Gift: Clocks
      • Flower: Carnation
      • Gemstone: Gold
      • Color: Gold or Yellow

    The first anniversary is a special milestone in a couple's relationship, and a traditional gift is a paper.

    Paper anniversary gifts are a great way to show your love and appreciation for your partner. These wedding anniversary gifts can be as simple as a love letter or grand as a custom-made scrapbook.

    Some other paper gift ideas include a framed photo of the two of you together, an art print of your favorite quote, a framed certificate of your wedding day, or even tickets to a show or concert.

    2nd Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Cotton 
      • Modern Gift: China
      • Flower: Cosmos
      • Gemstone: Garnet
      • Color: Red

    For couples celebrating their second anniversary, cotton is a great second-anniversary gift to give.

    These traditional anniversary gifts are a symbol of resilience and comfort associated with the second year of marriage.

    Whether you give something made out of cotton or incorporate it into modern themes, it is a timeless way to commemorate two years of love and commitment. 

    3rd Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Leather
      • Modern Gift: Crystal or Glass
      • Flower: Sunflower
      • Gemstone: Pearl
      • Color: Jade or White

    Leather is a classic and timeless gift for the third anniversary.

    It symbolizes durability, strength, and protection, making them the perfect reminder of your three years of marriage.

    A great third wedding anniversary gift would be a leather briefcase, handbag, or wallet that the two of you can use for years to come.

    4th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Fruit or Flowers
      • Modern Gift: Appliances
      • Flower: Geranium
      • Gemstone: Blue Topaz
      • Color: Blue or Green

    Fruits and flowers are traditional anniversary gifts that are perfect for the fourth wedding anniversary.

    When gifting fruit for the fourth anniversary, choosing something special that they enjoy is important. You could try making an edible bouquet with a variety of their favorite fruits placed in a decorative basket or vase.

    A beautiful arrangement of roses, lilies, and other colorful blooms is always appreciated for flowers.

    5th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Wood
      • Modern Gift: Silverware
      • Flower: Daisy
      • Gemstone: Sapphire
      • Color: Blue, Pink, or Turquoise

    The fifth anniversary is unique as it marks the halfway point in a couple's marriage.

    Wood has long been associated with strength, resilience, and longevity, making it the perfect symbol for a fifth anniversary year.

    Whether you choose a handmade wooden item like an engraved cutting board or an item of furniture, there are many options for the fifth anniversary year.

    6th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Iron
      • Modern Gift: Wood Objects
      • Flower: Calla Lily
      • Gemstone: Amethyst
      • Color: Purple, White or Turquoise

    Celebrating a sixth wedding anniversary is an important milestone for any couple and deserves to be celebrated with the perfect gift.

    Candy is a timeless anniversary gift that both partners can share and enjoy. Choose a box of luxurious chocolates or your partner's favorite sweets as a thoughtful way to show your love and appreciation.

    Iron symbolizes strength and resilience in a marriage, making it an appropriate sixth wedding anniversary gift.

    For a more romantic gesture, consider gifting a cast-iron heart to remind your partner of your unconditional love.

    7th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Copper or Wool
      • Modern Gift: Desk Sets
      • Flower: Freesia
      • Gemstone: Yellow or Off-white
      • Color: Onyx

    For a seventh wedding anniversary, couples can give wool or copper gifts.

    Wool is a traditional symbol of comfort, warmth, and love. A woolen blanket, throw, or scarf are all excellent seventh-wedding anniversary gifts.

    Copper is an enduring metal that signifies strength and resilience in relationships. Copper jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, wedding rings, and bracelets make unique milestone anniversary gifts.

    8th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Bronze or Pottery
      • Modern Gift: Linen or Lace
      • Flower: Clematis
      • Gemstone: Tourmaline
      • Color: Bronze

    Your eighth anniversary is a special occasion that calls for a special gift.

    Bronze and pottery significantly represent the strength and beauty of a lasting relationship. These bronze wedding anniversary gifts can be as simple as an ornate vase or as unique as a sculpture or wall decor.

    Pottery gifts are also an excellent choice for your eighth anniversary. Whether it is an elegant platter or plate, an exquisite vase, or a fun cookie jar, pottery is a thoughtful gift that will last.

    9th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Willow or Pottery
      • Modern Gift: Leather
      • Flower: Poppy
      • Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli
      • Color: Terracotta

    The ninth anniversary is a significant milestone in any marriage and deserves to be celebrated with a special gift.

    Willow is an attractive, lightweight wood that symbolizes strength, flexibility, and resilience, perfect for the ninth wedding anniversary.

    For a more whimsical and decorative approach, pottery makes an ideal choice.

    10th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Aluminum or Tin
      • Modern Gift: Diamond Jewelry
      • Flower: Daffodil
      • Gemstone: Diamond
      • Color: Silver or Blue

    The tenth anniversary is a notable milestone for any couple, so ensuring you get the perfect anniversary gift is essential. A great way to commemorate this occasion is with tin or aluminum.

    Both materials represent flexibility and strength in relationships and make excellent traditional wedding anniversary gifts. Tin and aluminum have been used to create fashion jewelry, kitchen accessories, wall art, and more.

    11th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Steel
      • Modern Gift: Fashion Jewelry
      • Flower: Morning Glory
      • Gemstone: Turquoise 
      • Color: Turquoise

    Steel is a robust and durable material that perfectly represents the bond between you and your partner.

    Steel wedding anniversary gifts can range from a sculpture to a toolset. An excellent option for an eleventh-anniversary gift would be a steel windchime, it is both decorative and musical, and its beautiful ringing tones will remind you of all the wonderful memories you have shared over the past decade.

    12th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Silk or Linen
      • Modern Gift: Pearl
      • Flower: Peony
      • Gemstone: Jade
      • Color: Oyster White

    On your twelfth anniversary, it is time to think about something unique and luxurious to give your significant other.

    Silk is one of the most luxurious fabrics available. It is soft and lightweight, ideal for clothing and accessories like scarves, ties, and shawls.

    Linen is another luxurious fabric that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is durable, breathable, and incredibly comfortable, making it an excellent choice for clothing, bedding, and other items.

    13th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Lace
      • Modern Gift: Textiles or Faux Furs
      • Flower: Chrysanthemum 
      • Gemstone: Citrine
      • Color: White

    When celebrating 13 years of marriage, lace is the perfect way to honor this momentous milestone.

    Lace is a timeless fabric that will never go out of style, and you can use it in various ways to create unique and memorable traditional wedding anniversary gifts.

    For those who like to give something more traditional, lace-trimmed table linens or lace-accented clothing are always appropriate.

    14th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Ivory
      • Modern Gift: Gold Jewelry
      • Flower: Dahlia
      • Gemstone: Opal
      • Color: Ivory

    For the fourteenth anniversary, couples may consider gifting each other ivory.

    The traditional gift of ivory has been said to symbolize strength and durability, perfect for any couple that has been married for this long!

    For unique gift ideas, consider a handmade ivory figurine or statue. Alternatively, a piece of jewelry with an ivory pendant or a pair of ivory cufflinks would make an excellent 14th-anniversary gift.

    15th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Crystal
      • Modern Gift: Watches
      • Flower: Rose
      • Gemstone: Ruby 
      • Color: Red

    Crystal has been a long-standing tradition for this important milestone anniversary, as it is believed to represent the beauty and clarity of the relationship.

    If you want unique and modern gifts, why not consider a custom-engraved crystal vase or bowl? This will surely be a keepsake that will be cherished for years.

    Alternatively, if you are after something a little more traditional, why choose a beautiful crystal favorite wedding photo frame, decanter set, or gold jewelry box? These traditional gifts will add a touch of sparkle and sophistication to your home.

    16th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Wax
      • Modern Gift: Silver Holloware 
      • Flower: Statice
      • Gemstone: Peridot
      • Color: Silver or Emerald Green

    One traditional anniversary gift for the 16th year of marriage is wax.

    Wax symbolizes the strength and lastingness of your relationship, making it a meaningful and romantic gift for your spouse.

    When shopping for this anniversary gift, think outside the box. For example, give your spouse a beautiful beeswax candle or a scented wax melt in a favorite scent.

    17th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Furniture
      • Modern Gift: Furniture
      • Flower: Red Carnation
      • Gemstone: Carnelian
      • Color: Yellow

    Regarding the seventeenth anniversary, one of the traditional gifts is furniture.

    Furniture symbolizes the stability and comfort of your relationship and is a perfect way to show your partner how much you care.

    Whether you choose a classic piece, like a solid wood armchair or an antique dresser, or something more modern, like an ergonomic office chair, these traditional anniversary gifts by year will surely bring a smile to your partner's face.

    18th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Porcelain
      • Modern Gift: Porcelain
      • Flower: N/A
      • Gemstone: Cat's Eye
      • Color: Blue

    The eighteenth anniversary is a notable milestone for married couples and calls for a special gift. Porcelain is the traditional gift for the 18th wedding anniversaries.

    This traditional wedding anniversary gift can be found in various forms, from beautiful vases to unique plates and sculptures.

    19th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Bronze
      • Modern Gift: Bronze
      • Flower: Chrysanthemum
      • Gemstone: Aquamarine 
      • Color: Bronze

    Bronze is a classic and timeless material that will last many years.

    Bronze gifts symbolize strength, resilience, and endurance, perfect for a marriage that has stood the test of time.

    You can find many beautiful pieces of bronze jewelry or decor to give as a nineteenth-anniversary gift.

    For example, you could choose a classic bronze bracelet with a heartfelt message engraved. Or, if you want to go for something more practical, there are plenty of beautiful bronze vases, picture frames, and candle holders to choose from.

    20th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: China
      • Modern Gift: Platinum
      • Flower: Aster
      • Gemstone: Emerald
      • Color: Emerald Green

    For the twentieth anniversary, china is the perfect wedding anniversary gift for a couple.

    China is associated with the classic anniversary gifts of pottery and glass. It is also associated with luxury and elegance, making it an ideal way to show appreciation and love to your partner on this special occasion.

    For centuries, China has been used to make dinnerware, vases, platters, and other decorative pieces.

    21st Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Brass or Nickel
      • Modern Gift: Brass or Nickel
      • Flower: Iris
      • Gemstone: Cordierite
      • Color: Orange

    The traditional and modern gifts to celebrate the 21st wedding anniversary are brass or nickel.

    Brass is an incredibly versatile metal, which makes it ideal for any number of special occasions. It has a rich, golden color that will bring a sense of warmth and class to any space.

    For those looking for something more subtle, nickel is an excellent choice for a 21st-anniversary gift. Nickel has a beautiful silver luster that makes it great for various uses.

    22nd Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Copper
      • Modern Gift: Copper
      • Flower: Mixed Floral Bouquet
      • Gemstone: Spinel
      • Color: Green

    Celebrating 22 years of marriage is a special milestone that deserves to be marked with a unique and meaningful gift.

    The traditional and modern gifts for the 22nd anniversary are copper. It is a great way to symbolize the strength, durability, and beauty of a marriage that has lasted two decades.

    For something small but meaningful, consider giving a piece of jewelry such as a bracelet, necklace, or earrings. Or, choose a decorative item like a vase, wind chime, or sculpture for the home.

    For a more practical wedding anniversary gift, consider giving kitchenware made from copper.

    23rd Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Silver Plate
      • Modern Gift: Silver Plate
      • Flower: N/A
      • Gemstone: Imperial Topaz or Sapphire
      • Color: Silver

    Silver plate is one of the traditional and modern gifts for couples celebrating their 23rd anniversary.

    A silver plate item such as a serving tray or dish can commemorate the wedding anniversary and be a lasting reminder of the special day.

    24th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Opal
      • Modern Gift: Musical Instruments
      • Flower: Lavender
      • Gemstone: Tanzanite
      • Color: Lavender

    When celebrating a 24th wedding anniversary, opal is the traditional gift.

    Opal has been used as an adornment since ancient times and has been associated with luck and prosperity. It also brings out the wearer's inner beauty and strength.

    For a 24th wedding anniversary gift, consider giving your partner an opal ring or necklace. A necklace with a single opal or several small stones arranged in a pattern will make for a beautiful piece of jewelry.

    25th Anniversary Themes

      • Traditional Gift: Sterling Silver
      • Modern Gift: Sterling Silver
      • Flower: Iris
      • Gemstone: Silver 
      • Color: Silver

    Celebrate your 25th silver anniversary with the beautiful and classic gift of silver.

    Silver is the perfect choice to symbolize your commitment to each other and will surely be treasured for years to come.

    For a unique twist on traditional and modern gifts, consider giving a gift of silver personalized for your special day, for example, a set of silver engraved glasses with your name and wedding date, or even a sterling silver locket with photos from over the years.

    Melissa Bajda

    About the Author

    Melissa Bajda is an gift-giving expert with a decade-long track record of curating gifts that create lasting memories. Her insight into the art of gifting and staying on top of trends by her consistent presence at major gifting trade shows, including her annual participation in NY Now trade show in New York City. With a passion for thoughtful, personalized gifts that truly make an impact, Melissa has built a reputation as a go-to source for unique and meaningful present ideas.


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