What Are Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional & Modern Ideas
Twenty years of traditional and modern anniversary gift ideas.
As per tradition, anniversary gifts are given on the same day annually to commemorate another year together. Whether you opt for traditional or modern gifts, here is a list of anniversary gifts by year for the first two decades of your new lives with one another.
Anniversary Gifts by Year
Anniversary gifts are given as a way to celebrate that important date of your union and reward yourselves for another year together. Whether you choose from the traditional anniversary gifts, their modern counterparts, or a combination of the two, be sure to select something you know your partner will love and cherish. To help you find the perfect anniversary present we have compiled a list of anniversary gift ideas for your first 20 years of wedded bliss.
1st Anniversary: Paper or Clock
Traditional: The beginning of your journey together as a couple is a blank page in the next chapter of your lives, which is why the first traditional anniversary gift is paper. Choose a printed artwork or even a canvas with a print from your special day.
Modern: The modern anniversary gift is a clock, symbolizing your eternal love that will weather all storms and grow stronger with each passing year. Select something special from our large timekeeping range that speaks to your love.
Traditional:The traditional second wedding anniversary gift is cotton – a symbol of how your love has grown and intertwined to create continued love. Why not choose crisp Egyptian-quality cotton bedding for those morning lie-ins or 100% cotton bath towels to wrap up in?
Modern: The modern equivalent is china – a strong-yet-breakable material that will withstand many years as long as you take care of it. You can choose timeless bone china dinnerware or for something a little less formal like a pair of lovely ceramic mugs to drink your daily coffee or tea from.
Traditional: The third traditional gift is leather – representative of the strength of your enduring love. Choose a rich leather ottoman and pouf to remind yourselves of how far you have come.
Modern: If you prefer the modern gift, crystal or glass is the way to go – another fragile material that will see you through many years if looked after well. Reward your success with a set of crystal glassware or champagne glasses to toast your celebration.
Traditional: Whether you choose real or faux fruit or flowers for your fourth traditional anniversary gift, they both represent the blossoming and ripening of your bond. For something fun, why not choose a wreath or artwork together to represent your four years of marriage?
Modern: When it comes to the modern gift – appliances are it. This practical present gives you the chance to upgrade any older gadgets and appliances to make household chores just that much easier.
Traditional: Your fifth year together is halfway to a decade and the traditional gift is wood. In nature, trees put their roots down and grow stronger and taller – just like your love. For something romantic, choose a matching set of rocking chairs or a porch swing to spend evenings outside together as you watch the world go by.
Modern: For a modern approach, silverware is ideal for your shared meals and memories at the table together.
Traditional: The sixth year gift is iron or candy for the traditional side. Iron is a symbol of the strength of your marriage, while candy is a reminder of all the sweet stuff that makes up love. Choose an iron fire pit to gather around or a candy jar to keep sweets for your sweetie.
Modern: The modern anniversary present is wood, which can take the form of a serving tray or charcuterie board for entertaining your guests as they gather to celebrate your enduring love.
Traditional: For your seventh year you can choose from wool or copper. These are both durable substances that hold or conduct warmth and heat, just like your love. Choose a cozy wool throw to snuggle under or a set of brand-new copper pans or a tea kettle to spice things up in the kitchen.
Modern: The more functional modern anniversary gift is a desk set, which offers a way to encourage ambition and hard work.
Traditional: The eighth anniversary yearly gift is bronze – a symbol of strength. This metal is formed through the blending of other materials such as copper and tin – becoming stronger when together vs. being apart. Choose bronze bathroom hardware sets for a durable and symbolic upgrade.
Modern: The modern anniversary gift is linen or lace, a representation of refinement and beauty that is like your love over the years.
Traditional: For your ninth year, choose pottery in the form of vases, planters, or jars. Pottery is created from the careful and skillful molding of clay which then undergoes high temperatures in a kiln to come out stronger – an apt allegory for marriage.
Modern: If you prefer to go modern, then invest in a leather loveseat to curl up on or a sectional for your family to enjoy together.
Traditional: Tin and aluminum represent anniversary gifts 10 years in the making. These metals depict the resilience and strength of a decade of marriage. Add a little pizazz to your home with pressed tin ceiling tiles or an aluminum gazebo.
Modern: For the modern gift, diamonds are the option – but you could choose to change things up with a glam chandelier that looks and sparkles just like these luxurious stones and your love.
Traditional: After 11 years together, you know for sure that your relationship is steadfast – just like steel is one of the strongest metals as it is forged in fire. For the traditional anniversary gift, choose steel napkin rings to grace your dinner table.
Modern: If you prefer the modern option of fashion jewelry, be sure to add a lovely jewelry box to display your treasures in.
Traditional: For the 12th traditional anniversary gift, you get to enjoy opulence and luxury with silk or linen. Just as pure silk takes hours to create, so have the years you've put into your marriage to create a beautiful relationship that is woven together strand by strand. Buy silk pillow cases and sheets to upgrade your bedroom and sleep in style.
Modern: The modern choice is pearl, another lavish material that nature takes time to create. Try something unique like pearl or shell floor and wall tiles to keep the shimmer in your home.
Traditional: The 13th traditional wedding anniversary gift is lace – representing the finer things in life. The dainty and delicate weave of lace should still be treated with care, just like your marriage. Pick a lace curtain to add that romantic cottagecore feel to your table. (To learn more about cottagecore, read our guide What is Cottagecore?)
Modern: Or for the modern choice, you can pick from fur or other textiles. Faux fur throws or pillows are a great way to add texture to your space.
14th Anniversary: Ivory or Gold Jewelry
Traditional: For your 14th anniversary, you might want to choose something other than the traditional gift of ivory. Instead, pick a decorative elephant item such as a print or figurine.
Modern: The modern present is gold, which could be represented in a gold picture frame to symbolize your cherished memories.
Traditional: At 15 years, the clarity and sparkle of your relationship is as clear and multifaceted as crystal. A chandelier is a great representation of the light of your love.
Modern: The modern anniversary gift is a watch to mark the past, present, and future of your marriage. Choose a stunning watch box to display your new timepiece in.
Traditional: Celebrate sweet 16 with wax and the flame your love ignites in one another – pick from our extensive range of candles and candle holders to light up your life.
Modern: For a modern approach, choose silver hollowware items like silver-hued candle
holders for those romantic candlelit dinners together.
Traditional & Modern: The 17th wedding anniversary gift – both modern and traditional – is furniture, so you can select comfortable pieces together. Replace those older items and upgrade to a larger bed or a bigger sofa to make your sanctuary just right. A pair of recliners will also allow you to kick back and relax side-by-side while watching your favorite movies.
Traditional & Modern: A marriage that is 18 years strong is aptly represented by ceramic anniversary gifts for both traditional and modern options. This fire-forged material is symbolic of walking through fire for your loved one, making it through all trials and tribulations, and coming out stronger and more beautiful in the end. Buy porcelain serveware so you can gather your family and friends to celebrate your love.
Traditional & Modern: Year 19 is represented by bronze gifts. The bronze age was a significant epoch in history, just as is this date in your life. A bronze mirror is not just beautiful but gives the chance to reflect on your time together and appreciate just how far you have come. A new set of bronze countertop and bath accessories will also give your space a fresh new look and feel.
Traditional: Two decades of marriage is a major milestone worthy of a large celebration. For a traditional anniversary gift, choose fine china to update your old set or add to your homeware.
Modern: For the modern option, platinum is the metal of choice. Should you choose to purchase platinum jewelry, you might want to invest in a safe to protect your precious goods.
