Looking for a list of every traditional anniversary gift by year? We have you covered! Since medieval times, it has been traditional to honor your wedding anniversary with a symbolic gift representing how long you’ve been together. Since then, however, these traditional gifts have been updated for modern times. Whether you choose to go the traditional route or would prefer the modern alternative, these gifts will be a great way to show your love and affection for your partner.
Read on to learn about these anniversary gifts by year and to get some examples of what kinds of presents you can give your spouse to celebrate certain monumental anniversaries. They go from year one to sixty. Gift giving can be tricky, especially for wedding anniversaries, but we hope you’ll find these gift ideas helpful.
Year One
For year one, the traditional gift is paper. A simple yet memorable idea could be a handwritten card telling your spouse how much you love them. For the modern gift, it has been changed to a clock. You could present a beautiful watch to your love that they’ll treasure forever.
Year Two
Year two’s traditional gift is cotton. A fun gift idea could be a cotton t-shirt that you and your partner tie dye together! For the modern gift, it’s china. A beautiful teapot set that could be displayed in a glass sideboard would make a beautiful present.
Year Three
The traditional third anniversary gift is leather. A leather jacket, leather gloves, or leather pants would make great anniversary gifts. The modern gift is crystal or glass. A crystal jewelry piece is a no-brainer for this gift. A second idea is a beautiful wine glass.
Year Four
The traditional gift for year four is either flowers or fruit, both of which make lovely presents. You can give them on their own for the traditional gift, but they’re also something you could give alongside the modern gift option as well. The modern gift is appliances. Both men and women love receiving appliances, so this is a creative and useful alternative.
Year Five
Your fifth anniversary is the first of your milestone anniversaries. Milestone anniversaries occur every five years until year fifty, when they occur every ten years. For your fifth anniversary, the traditional gift is wood. You could create a hand-crafted sculpture or order a wooden cup online for this present. For the modern gift for the fifth anniversary, silverware, order a nice silverware set for your spouse.
Year Six
On to year six! This traditional wedding anniversary gift is candy or iron, so plenty of options there. Candy would be an easy and fun idea to give to your partner. The modern gift is wood, so you still have plenty of options if you go with that.
Year Seven
Copper is the traditional gift for your seventh wedding anniversary. Copper water bottles could work as a useful present. As for the more modern gift, it’s a desk set, which is super helpful for work-from-home parents.
Year Eight
The traditional gift for your eighth anniversary is bronze. You can get really creative with this gift, choosing things like engraved roses, photos, etc. For the more modern gift of linen/lace, go with clothes or sewing materials if your significant other sews.
Year Nine
The traditional gift for your ninth wedding anniversary is pottery. A fun date idea is to go to a pottery class together. In terms of the more modern anniversary gift, it’s once again leather. Clothes, belts, purses, and the like make great modern anniversary gifts.
Year Ten
Tin/aluminum is the traditional 10th year anniversary gift. Diamond jewelry is the more modern gift. Here at Clean Origin, we make stunning diamond rings. For lovely traditional anniversary gifts, see our full collection. We create personalized diamond bands in different sizes, styles, and metals.
Year Eleven
Steel presents are perfect for anniversary number eleven. A traditional gift can be anything from decor to trinkets and so much more. Fashion jewelry is next on the modern gift list. This can be an easy gift for women; however, you can still get your man a cool ring that he’ll appreciate.
Year Twelve
Did you know that year twelve’s traditional gift is once again silk or linen? Pearls are the modern anniversary gift and can be meaningful for either a man or a woman!
Year Thirteen
Year thirteen’s traditional gift is lace and the modern gift is textile/furs. Women love fur coats and fabrics, while men can also appreciate fur objects like luxury slippers or robes. Textiles can make lasting decor gifts, and so can lace.
Year Fourteen
Year fourteen’s traditional gift is actually animal products or even an animal! Animals make great companions and animal items are always helpful and needed. These wedding anniversary gifts will be ones to remember!
Year Fifteen
The traditional gift for this year’s wedding anniversary is crystals and the modern gift is a watch. Crystals are a fabulous wedding anniversary gifts for wives, and a watch is perfect for husbands.
Year Twenty
After year fifteen, the tradition goes for every several years rather than every year. It’s china and platinum for the traditional and modern gifts respectively. China dishware is nice for fancy occasions, while there are plenty of customizable platinum gifts you can order online.
Year Twenty-Five
Your twenty-fifth wedding anniversary is your silver anniversary. Unsurprisingly, both the traditional and modern gifts for year twenty-five are silver. There are limitless options for silver wedding anniversary gifts and plenty of personalization choices. This is also a fantastic year to upgrade your engagement ring. If you’re looking to do something fun or romantic with your partner to celebrate your silver anniversary, look here for a list of ideas.
Year Thirty
Once again, the traditional gift is the same as the modern gift for this year: pearls! Pearls make beautiful gifts for your wedding anniversary because they are a classic way to show your significant other you care.
Year Thirty-Five
From here on, the traditional and modern gift are the same. This year, it’s coral. Coral jewelry is an absolutely fantastic present!
Year Forty
For year forty, the traditional gift and modern gift are both rubies, which are elegant gifts to present to your partner.
Year Forty-Five
Sapphires are another beautiful wedding anniversary gift to give to your spouse for year 45.
Year Fifty
The 50th is a significant wedding anniversary year— it’s your golden anniversary! For this event, gold is the symbolic option. Gold rings, watches, and other gold jewelry items make a nice gift for your lover.
Year Sixty
This is your diamond anniversary, so diamonds are traditional anniversary gifts for the occasion. And whether you’re looking for a traditional gift or a modern gift, diamonds would still be your go-to option. Go ahead and celebrate your diamond anniversary with affordable lab grown diamonds.
Consider using Clean Origin’s customizable lab grown diamonds when you look for a traditional anniversary gift for your next special occasion. Wedding anniversaries are incredibly exciting, and we’d love to help you find the perfect anniversary gift for each one to make them even more special!
