Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional and Modern List, 1 to 60

Every wedding anniversary has a traditional theme, and most also have a modern one. Paper for the first year, silver for the twenty-fifth, gold for the fiftieth: the big ones are famous, but the years in between are where most people get stuck.

Below is the full chart from year 1 to year 60, followed by a gift idea for each of the first fifteen years and every milestone after that. Use the theme as a starting point, not a rule. The best anniversary gifts nod to the tradition and then make it about the two of you.

The anniversary gift chart

Traditional themes date back to old European customs and were collected into lists in the early 1900s. Modern themes were added in the 1930s, largely by the jewelry and retail trade, to give each year a more shoppable option. You will see small differences between sources, especially for years 4, 6 and 7, so we note the common alternatives.

Ideas for the first 15 years

1st anniversary: paper

Paper stands for a new marriage that is still being written. It is also the easiest theme to make personal. Ideas: a letter you write by hand and seal for them to open on your tenth anniversary, a framed print of the map of the place you married, tickets to a show for a date you plan together, or a printed photo book of your first year. Modern couples who prefer the clock theme often pick a watch or a nice desk clock.

2nd anniversary: cotton

Cotton is soft but strong, which is the point at year two. Try good cotton bedsheets you would never buy for yourselves, a pair of matching robes, a custom embroidered pillowcase with your wedding date, or a picnic blanket and an afternoon to use it.

3rd anniversary: leather

Leather is durable and gets better with wear. A leather journal for writing down date ideas, a wallet or bag, a watch strap, or a leather-bound copy of a book that matters to you both. If you want an experience instead, book a weekend somewhere with leather on the seats of a classic car rental.

4th anniversary: fruit or flowers

This one is meant to show the relationship growing. Flowers are the obvious answer, so go a step further: plant a fruit tree together, sign up for a monthly flower delivery, take a day trip to an orchard, or give a fruit-of-the-month box. The modern theme, appliances, is practical but rarely romantic unless the appliance is something they have wanted for a long time, like an espresso machine.

5th anniversary: wood

Wood stands for strong roots. Five years is the first big milestone, so many couples mark it with something lasting: an engraved wooden keepsake box, a custom cutting board with your initials, a wooden watch, or a cabin weekend in the woods.

6th anniversary: sugar or iron

Sugar is sweet and iron is strong, so you get a choice. Sweet ideas include a dessert-making class, a box from a favorite bakery or a candy shop tour. Iron ideas include a cast iron skillet with a recipe you cook together, wrought iron garden decor or a small iron sculpture. The modern theme repeats wood.

7th anniversary: wool or copper

Both suggest warmth and comfort. A wool blanket for movie nights, a cozy sweater, copper mugs for a home cocktail night or a copper bracelet. Some lists name only wool, others only copper, and you can pick whichever suits your partner.

8th anniversary: bronze

Bronze is an alloy, two metals made stronger together, which makes a nice note to write in a card. Bronze bookends, a small bronze sculpture, bronze-toned jewelry, or a trip to a sculpture garden.

9th anniversary: pottery or willow

Pottery is shaped by both hands, so a pottery class where you each make something is the classic pick. Willow ideas include a willow picnic basket or a woven willow planter.

10th anniversary: tin or aluminum

Ten years is a big one, and tin stands for flexibility and keeping things preserved. Fill a vintage tin with ten notes, one for each year. Or go modern with diamond jewelry, which is the most common ten-year gift by far. A middle path: a tin box holding a small diamond pendant, so the gift covers both lists.

11th anniversary: steel

Steel is strength. Stainless steel watch, quality kitchen knives, a steel fire pit for the backyard, or engraved steel dog tags with a private message.

12th anniversary: silk or linen

Silk pillowcases, a silk scarf or tie, linen napkins for a dinner party, or linen bedding. The modern pick is pearls.

13th anniversary: lace

Lace is delicate and detailed. Lace lingerie is the common choice. For something to share, lace table linens or a framed piece of lace from a wedding dress or veil.

14th anniversary: ivory

Use ivory-colored gifts: ivory candles, cream cashmere, an ivory-toned ceramic vase. Or go modern with gold jewelry.

15th anniversary: crystal

Crystal is clear and lasting. Crystal wine glasses with a bottle from your wedding year, a crystal vase, or a crystal pendant. The modern theme is watches, which makes this a common year for a quality watch.

Milestone anniversaries

20th: china

Replace or add to the dishes you got as wedding gifts, or book a dinner where someone else does the dishes. Modern couples choose platinum jewelry.

25th: silver

The silver anniversary is the first that most families celebrate with a party. Silver jewelry, a silver photo frame with a wedding photo, an engraved silver keepsake, or a trip back to where you honeymooned.

30th: pearl

Pearls form slowly, layer by layer. A strand of pearls or pearl cufflinks is traditional. The modern theme is diamond.

35th: coral

Coral jewelry, or better, a trip to see a reef together. The modern list says jade.

40th: ruby

Ruby stands for passion that lasts. Ruby jewelry, a bottle of ruby port, or a vow renewal with red flowers.

45th: sapphire

Sapphire jewelry is the clear choice, or a sapphire-blue keepsake for those who do not wear jewelry.

50th: gold

The golden anniversary often becomes a family celebration. Gold jewelry, a gold-framed family portrait, or a party with family flying in.

55th and 60th: emerald and diamond

Emerald at 55 and diamond at 60. At this stage many couples prefer experiences and family time over things, so a family trip or a memory book with letters from children and grandchildren often means more than jewelry.

How to choose between traditional and modern

• Pick traditional if you like a theme with a story behind it and want to be creative. Paper, cotton and leather are easy to personalize.
• Pick modern if your partner prefers something practical or jewelry they will wear every day.
• Combine them: a modern gift wrapped in the traditional theme. A watch for year one, wrapped in a hand-written letter, covers both.
• Ignore both if neither fits. The themes are tradition, not etiquette. Nobody will mind a great gift that is off theme.