Traditional 1st wedding anniversary gifts are often made of paper. Gifts include engraved or fine stationary, stationary supplies, photos in frames, cook books, magazine subscriptions and the like.

But, for a little fun, let paper be the inspiration. Give a paper gift along with something he or she might really enjoy. For example, a fun paper anniversary gift could include paper beer mats along with a personalized pub set.

First Wedding Anniversary Gifts For Him

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts For Her

First Wedding Anniversary Gifts

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts are almost always given to the newlywed couple.  Husbands and wives will certainly want to make their 1st anniversary very special by exchanging a sentimental gift.

At the first anniversary, couples are often still building households. Therefore, modern first year anniversary gifts are just as popular as traditional anniversary gifts.

The tradition for Europe is cotton for the first anniversary. In the West, cotton is traditional for the second anniversary. There are several great anniversary ideas for cotton and paper on the 2 year anniversary gifts page.

Modern 1st wedding anniversary gifts include items from the couple’s bridal registry. These should, of course, be items they did not receive for their wedding.

Most department stores keep a couple’s gift registry for 1 year after the ceremony. If you purchase something from the couple’s registry, the safest bet is to purchase flatware, china, or stemware. More common items, such as toasters, may have been purchased during the year at other stores.

Handwritten love notes are some of the most cherished 1st wedding anniversary gifts. Love notes have a history that is practically as old as paper itself (and probably older). A personal love note that accompanies any purchased gift is an endearing offer.

1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts

For one of my anniversary celebrations, I wrote my husband 365 love notes. You can see a photo of this gift and read all 365 notes by following the link. From personal experience, I can say he loved the gift. It still rests on his desk to this day. Perhaps these love notes will inspire you to create your own expressive gift.

Other ideas for first year anniversary include dinner celebrations. Couples may celebrate with guests or by themselves.

One important 1st anniversary tradition is for couples to eat a slice of their wedding cake. Many couples preserve the top of their original wedding cake by freezing it.

If the cake top was not saved, couples can recreate the experience. Have the bakery that made their original cake create a small version of the cake top for the anniversary celebration.

Need gift ideas for a man? Check out my friend Dave’s
Top 10 Gifts for Your Paper Wedding Anniversary.

Return from 1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts to Anniversary Gifts by Year.