Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year
Trying to figure out the different wedding anniversary gifts by year can be a minefield; between understanding the different milestones and what they represent, to then figuring out the appropriate modern gifting alternative, it's no surprise people around the world get confused.
There's no need to panic, because we've all been there, and now we wanted to write a guide to help you understand a bit better! Below, we've collected a list of anniversary gifts by year, both traditional and a suitable modern alternative that your partner is bound to love.
List of Anniversary Gifts by Year
It can also be tricky to understand which of the year by year anniversary gifts are more important than any other. To make your life easier, we've highlighted the classic "milestone anniversaries" and important years in green to help you understand which gifts to spend a little more time on!
| Year | Traditional gift (UK) | Suggested modern gift |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Engraved clock |
| 2nd | Cotton | Personalised glass tableware for the home |
| 3rd | Leather | Engraved leather keyring |
| 4th | Fruit / Flowers | Engraved glass vase |
| 5th | Wood | Personalised wooden photo frame |
| 6th | Sugar / Iron | Luxury chocolate / confectionery hamper |
| 7th | Copper / Wool | Copper photo frame or pure wool throw |
| 8th | Bronze | Bronze / rose-gold jewellery |
| 9th | Willow / Pottery | Engraved glass or crystal vase |
| 10th | Tin | Tin or aluminium keepsake box |
| 11th | Steel | Stainless-steel tankard |
| 12th | Silk / Linen | Engraved wine glasses |
| 13th | Lace | Romantic engraved glassware / Valentine-style gift |
| 14th | Ivory (ethical alternative) | Ivory-tone jewellery or keepsake box |
| 15th | Crystal | Diamante / crystal glassware set |
| 16th | Wax | Crystal candle / tealight holder |
| 20th | China | Fine bone china dinner set / tea set |
| 25th | Silver | Silver photo frame |
| 30th | Pearl | Elegant diamante glassware (pearl-adjacent) |
| 35th | Coral | Coral-coloured jewellery or scarf |
| 40th | Ruby | Pink diamond paperweight |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire jewellery or blue-stone pendant |
| 50th | Gold | Gold jewellery / gold-plated watch |
| 55th | Emerald | Emerald jewellery |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond jewellery / diamond-set watch |
| 65th | Blue sapphire | Blue sapphire jewellery |
| 70th | Platinum | Platinum jewellery |
| 75th | Diamond (again!) | Diamond-themed luxury gift (jewellery, watch, crystal) |
| 80th | Oak | Engraved oak photo frame / oak keepsake box |
| 85th | Wine | Pair of engraved wine glasses |
| 90th | Granite / Stone | Engraved stone / crystal keepsake |
Year by Year Anniversary Gifts - Traditional & Modern Ideas
If you're interested in a little bit more of the history behind any of the anniversaries above, keep reading to find out why some of the anniversaries are called what they are, where the original wedding anniversary gifts by year came from, and anything else interesting we could find!
1st Wedding Anniversary (Paper)
1st Wedding Anniversary History
The idea of marking the first year with "paper" became popular in the 19th century, when Victorians formalised anniversary themes. Paper symbolised a marriage that is still new, delicate and full of possibilities that are yet to be written.
Traditional 1st Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally couples exchanged something made of paper - often a handwritten letter, a book or early photographs – because it was personal and affordable. The meaning sits in the sentiment and the record of the first year together, not the monetary value.
Modern 1st Wedding Anniversary Gift
Modern lists often update paper to something displayable, like an engraved clock or framed print, so the day isn’t forgotten on a shelf. It keeps the "recording our story" idea but turns it into a lasting keepsake you can see every day.
5th Wedding Anniversary (Wood)
5th Wedding Anniversary History
The 5th year is traditionally marked with wood because, by this point, a marriage is expected to feel rooted and sturdy. Victorian-era lists popularised wood as a symbol of strength, growth and the idea of two lives now firmly entwined.
Traditional 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Classic 5th anniversary gifts were simple wooden items for the home, sometimes carved or personalised. The thinking is that wood represents a relationship that has weathered a few seasons and is now reliable.
Modern 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A personalised wooden photo frame keeps the wood theme but makes it more romantic and current. Add a photo from the wedding or this year and it becomes a keepsake that actually gets displayed.
10th Wedding Anniversary (Tin)
10th Wedding Anniversary History
Reaching ten years was seen as a real milestone, so Victorian lists gave it a material that was practical and long-lasting. Tin was chosen because it doesn’t rust easily and stands for preservation and protection.
Traditional 10th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally couples would give something made of tin or pewter to show their marriage could bend without breaking. Even small, everyday tin items were meant to symbolise durability rather than luxury.
Modern 10th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A tin or aluminium keepsake box keeps the metal theme but makes it more personal, since you can fill it with mementos from the first decade. It’s a neat way to show "we've stored up ten years of memories".
15th Wedding Anniversary (Crystal)
15th Wedding Anniversary History
By 15 years the marriage is meant to be well established, so crystal was used to represent clarity, transparency and the way two people now understand each other. It also marked a step up in luxury compared with the earlier anniversaries.
Traditional 15th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally this would be fine crystal glassware or a decorative crystal piece for the home. The sparkle is part of the message – it's about celebrating how far the relationship has come.
Modern 15th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Crystal or Diamante glassware is a modern way to do the same thing, but in a set you can actually use. Choosing an engraved or decorative piece from a crystal range keeps the "clarity" symbolism while making it feel special for the occasion.
20th Wedding Anniversary (China)
20th Wedding Anniversary History
China was introduced for the 20th because it balances strength with delicacy, just like a relationship that's lasted two decades. It also reflected the idea that by 20 years, a couple had built a home worth marking with something refined.
Traditional 20th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally this would be fine china plates, tea sets or serving pieces, often chosen in a pattern that could be added to over time. The gift says "we've built something elegant together" and that it’s to be handled with care.
Modern 20th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A modern take is a quality bone china dinner set or tea set the couple will actually use. It keeps the china theme but updates it for today's homes, turning the anniversary into something you see on the table, not just in a cupboard.
25th Wedding Anniversary (Silver)
25th Wedding Anniversary History
The 25th has been celebrated as the "silver anniversary" since at least medieval Europe, when husbands would give their wives a silver wreath or token. Silver was chosen because it signals prestige and endurance after a quarter of a century together.
Traditional 25th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally you’d give something made of real silver – jewellery, a decorative piece or tableware – to honour the longevity of the marriage. It's meant to be lasting and to feel a step up from the earlier years.
Modern 25th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A personalised photo frame works well today because you can pair the metal with a meaningful photo from the wedding or from this year. It keeps the classic silver theme but makes it personal and displayable.
30th Wedding Anniversary (Pearl)
30th Wedding Anniversary History
The 30th is linked with pearls because they take time and patience to form, just like a three-decade marriage. They also symbolise something rare and treasured that's been protected over the years.
Traditional 30th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally you'd give real pearl jewellery or an item accented with pearls to mark the occasion. The smooth, finished look of a pearl reflects a relationship that's matured and settled.
Modern 30th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Elegant Diamante glassware is a good modern stand-in because it has the same refined, celebratory feel as pearl but is easier to use and display. Choosing a decorative or engraved piece makes the 30 years feel properly celebrated.
40th Wedding Anniversary (Ruby)
40th Wedding Anniversary History
Ruby was chosen for the 40th because its rich red tones stand for enduring love and energy that's still present after four decades. It's one of the big milestone years, so the material needed to feel precious and celebratory.
Traditional 40th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally you'd give ruby jewellery or a red-themed keepsake to echo that idea of love that hasn't faded. The focus is on colour and sentiment rather than size or expense.
Modern 40th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A pink crystal "diamond" paperweight is a smart modern option because it still sits in the red/pink family linked to ruby, but it's decorative and easy to engrave. It's the kind of keepsake you can leave on a desk or dresser as a daily reminder of 40 years.
50th Wedding Anniversary (Gold)
50th Wedding Anniversary History
The 50th has been the "golden anniversary" for centuries, originally marked with a gold wreath or token to show a union that had truly endured. Gold was chosen because it represents success, prosperity and something that doesn't tarnish over time.
Traditional 50th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally couples would give real gold – often jewellery – so the gift matched the importance of reaching half a century together. It's meant to be treasured, worn and passed down.
Modern 50th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A gold piece of jewellery or a gold-plated watch is an easy modern update because it still carries the "gold" message but fits today's style. It's personal, wearable and clearly celebrates 50 years without feeling ornamental only.
60th Wedding Anniversary (Diamond)
60th Wedding Anniversary History
The diamond anniversary really gained popularity after Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which made "60 years" feel like a national-level achievement. Diamonds were chosen because they are enduring, rare and seen as unbreakable – the same qualities admired in a 60-year marriage.
Traditional 60th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally this would be diamond jewellery or a piece accented with diamonds to celebrate a lifetime together. It's less about practicality now and more about honouring the commitment and the story behind it.
Modern 60th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A diamond or diamond-set watch is a good modern choice because it keeps the diamond symbolism but gives the recipient something wearable every day. It quietly says "we made it to 60" without needing anything overly ornate.
70th Wedding Anniversary (Platinum)
70th Wedding Anniversary History
Platinum was chosen for 70 years because it’s rarer and more hard-wearing than gold, which suits a marriage that's lasted seven decades. It also links to royal jubilees, so it carries a sense of honour and distinction.
Traditional 70th Wedding Anniversary Gift
The traditional approach is simply to give something made in platinum, often jewellery, to mark the exceptional length of the marriage. The metal's resistance to tarnish mirrors a relationship that has kept its shine.
Modern 70th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A platinum ring, pendant or bracelet is the most natural modern version because it's wearable and instantly signals the milestone. It feels understated but very special, which suits couples celebrating at this stage of life.
80th Wedding Anniversary (Oak)
80th Wedding Anniversary History
Oak was picked for the 80th because it's the classic symbol of long life, resilience and deep roots. After eight decades together, the marriage is seen as something that has stood through every season.
Traditional 80th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Traditionally you'd give something oak or oak-toned for the home to reflect strength and stability. It nods to the idea that the couple have built a solid family tree.
Modern 80th Wedding Anniversary Gift
An engraved oak photo frame or keepsake box keeps the oak theme but adds a personal message or date. It's practical, displayable and celebrates the history the couple have made.
90th Wedding Anniversary (Granite / Stone)
90th Wedding Anniversary History
Very few couples reach 90 years, so "stone" or "granite" was used to express permanence and something that has outlasted almost everything around it. It's about endurance rather than luxury.
Traditional 90th Wedding Anniversary Gift
A traditional-style gift would be a stone or stone-effect ornament engraved with names and dates. The message is that the marriage has become part of the family's foundations.
Modern 90th Wedding Anniversary Gift
An engraved stone or crystal keepsake is a simple modern update because it can sit on a mantel or shelf and be read by children and grandchildren. It marks the achievement without needing anything elaborate.
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