See our selection of the best traditional anniversary gifts by year!

Gifts For Him

1^st Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Paper

2^nd Year Anniversary Gifts – Cotton or Calico

3^rd Year Anniversary Gifts – Leather or Leather Synthetic

4^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Silk

5^th Year Anniversary Gifts – Wood

6^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Iron

Gifts For Her

7^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Copper or Wool

8 Year Anniversary Gifts – Bronze

9^th Anniversary Gifts – Appliances or Earthenware

10 Year Anniversary Gifts  – Tin or Aluminum, Diamonds

11^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts- Steel

12^th Anniversary Gifts– Linen

13^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts– Lace or Fine Textiles

Unique Gifts

14^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Ivory (Now Endangered)

15^th Anniversary Gifts – Crystal or Glass

20^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – China

25^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts- Silver

30^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Pearls

35^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Coral

Diamond Gifts

40^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts– Ruby

45^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Sapphire

50^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Gold or Gold Leaf

55^th Wedding Anniversary Gifts – Emerald

60^th Anniversary Gift Ideas – Diamond

65^th-75^th Anniversary Gift Ideas– Fine Jewelry

Anniversary Gifts by Year

Each year of marriage brings with it a uniquely symbolic anniversary gift.

Below is a list of traditional anniversary gifts by year. Select the year and you’ll see the best anniversary gift ideas for traditional and modern anniversary celebrations.

Anniversary Gifts by Year

According to Emily Post etiquette, it’s not important to give the exact traditional anniversary gifts by year.  Say you’re celebrating a golden anniversary (50 years). You don’t have to give gold. Give a gift inspired by the traditional anniversary gift. For example, a gold leaf picture frame or hand towels with gold embroidery.

For the paper anniversary, a ream of paper won’t do! Be creative with gifts inspired by the traditional themes. There are 1st anniversary gifts that rock and show just how much you care!

There are also many modern-day anniversary gifts by year. For example, for a ten year wedding anniversary gift, you could give something inspired by the tradition of aluminum or tin. Or you could give a diamond. Diamonds are the modern gift for either the 10th anniversary or as 30 year anniversary gifts. In addition to the traditional, you’ll see modern gift choices at the links above.

If you’re considering a diamond, you may also want to know what the different cuts of diamonds mean.

What is traditional can vary depending on whether you’re in the UK or the US. For example, with 6th anniversary gifts, gifts inspired by the egg are traditional in the UK. In the US, the iron is considered the traditional anniversary gift.

We’ve gathered romantic gift ideas and anniversary traditions for each anniversary. This makes celebrating your anniversary with romance, gifts, and traditions easy.

Every page on our site has different romantic ideas and gift giving tips. So visit more than just the anniversary you’re celebrating. That way, you’ll find the best selection of fun and romantic anniversary ideas.

The History of Traditional Anniversary Gifts By Year

Anniversary Gifts by Year

Traditional anniversary gifts have a rich history. Anniversary gifts have been given since Roman times. But it wasn’t until the age of the modern newspaper that Americans and Europeans became entranced with the idea of giving traditional wedding anniversary gifts.

What makes certain anniversary gifts traditional? They’re most popular gifts given by historic figures, queens and kings, socialites, and well-known figures. Before these gifts were recorded in American and European newspapers in the mid 1800s, they were not widely acknowledged. The historic popularity of certain gifts for particular years of marriage makes gifts traditional.

Just as everyone was interested in what was on Kate Middleton and Prince Williams bridal registry, so have people been interested in similar weddings and anniversaries throughout time. To give jewelry, china, stemware, or other gifts that others find desirable is considered a compliment and in good taste.

Historically, the most celebrated anniversaries are the 1st, 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, and 50th. Today, a long-term marriage is less common than in the past. With divorce rates rivaling 50% in America, most modern day couples celebrate each and every anniversary. And they should! Each year of marriage is something that deserves celebration and recognition.

In the past 100 years, it has become common for couples to give traditional anniversary gifts each year. In addition, couples often celebrate the 1st, 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, and 50th year with parties, dinners, and vacations.

I believe a wedding celebrates one of the most important decisions you ever get to make in your life: who will be your family. Never allow any wedding anniversary go by without honoring this significant life-changing decision!

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