Every wedding anniversary is associated with both traditional and modern gifts, a custom dating back to medieval times. These gifts were believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to a marriage, symbolizing the strength and growth of the relationship with each passing year. The concept gained popularity during the Victorian era and was later complemented by modern anniversary gifts in 1937, adapting to changing times.
For those who appreciate the beauty of traditions, this list is tailored to couples who prefer the classic route. Whether you're newlyweds or have celebrated numerous anniversaries, consider embracing the tradition by selecting a traditional anniversary gift for your partner. Explore the list below of traditional wedding anniversary gifts for each year.
1st Anniversary: Paper
The 1st year of wedded bliss is celebrated by paper, which is the traditional gift. Just like threads come together to create a piece of paper, connection, and togetherness are what blossoms a new relationship. Paper also means a fresh new slate and represents beginning a new life together. You can get each other a beautiful canvas of your wedding photo, favorite book, or even tickets to the latest play.
2nd Anniversary: Cotton
The 2nd-anniversary traditional gift is cotton, which represents two people coming together like each fiber is interwoven in cotton. You can gift each other luxurious beddings, tableware, a classic sweatshirt, or even bathrobes.
3rd Anniversary: Leather
Three years together and your relationship is strong, durable, and rugged like leather. You have seen some ups and downs by now but are going stronger together and that’s exactly what leather represents. Surprise your partner with a leather journal, handbag, wallet, or briefcase.
4th Anniversary: Flowers or Fruit
By the time you reach your 4th anniversary, it is considered that your relationship is past the initial fragile stages and has bloomed completely. That’s exactly why the 4th-anniversary gift is fruit or flower. A bouquet of fresh flowers is never too old-fashioned and always manages to win hearts!
5th Anniversary: Wood
Strength, wisdom, and time, wood represents all of these and that’s why it is the traditional 5th-anniversary gift. After 5 years the roots of your marriage are firmly in place and just like a tree that can withstand wind and yet stand firm, your marriage is now strong enough to handle life’s curveballs! You can gift your partner a wooden jewelry box, wooden kitchenware, music box, or even a sculpture.
6th Anniversary: Sugar or Iron
Celebrate 6 years of togetherness with sugar or iron. Two very contrasting things are the traditional anniversary gifts for this year. Sugar represents the sweet love you have for each other and iron symbolizes how strong and durable your marriage is. Show your love to each other with a box of gourmet candies, a mini version of your wedding cake, or go for iron with a lovely sculpture.
7th Anniversary: Wool or Copper
By the 7th year, your relationship is stronger than ever. The traditional gift is either wool or copper. Although two completely opposite elements, they both represent warmth and that’s exactly how your relationship is now - warm and fuzzy. Celebrate this special year by getting each other a woolen glove, sweater, a copper mug, or vase.
8th Anniversary: Bronze
Just like your 8 years of marriage, bronze represents the resilient and strong bond you share. You can get each other bronze figurines, ornaments, or home decor.
9th Anniversary: Pottery
One year to go for a decade. Wow!! That’s something worth celebrating and the traditional 9th wedding anniversary gift to celebrate is pottery. Just like in pottery, you use clay that is carefully molded and shaped to create something beautiful, you two have molded and shaped your lives together to create this beautiful relationship. Celebrate it by gifting each other a clay centerpiece for the dinner table, figurine, or any other pottery item.
10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum
A decade together! That is something worth celebrating!! The traditional gift to celebrate this milestone is tin or aluminum, both symbolizing flexibility, resilience, and strength just like your marriage. You can gift either an aluminum candle holder, a vase, or a jewelry box.
11th Anniversary: Steel
The strongest metal to celebrate a strong marriage! Steel represents resilience and strength. Surprise your partner with something like a stainless steel watch or a wine chiller to celebrate this milestone.
12th Anniversary: Silk or Linen
Reaching the dozen mark needs to be celebrated with something luxurious. That’s exactly why the 12th-anniversary traditional gift is silk or linen. Strong, durable, and expensive - silk and linen represent how strong your marriage has become. Gift your spouse linen beddings, linen throw pillows, or a silk scarf.
13th Anniversary Gift: Lace
Lace represents intricate details and a delicate, lovely fabric just like a marriage - complex, full of love and hard work. Lace makes the perfect gift for the 13th wedding anniversary to show the elegance and beauty of marriage. You can give your wife a lovely lace top, purse, or scarf.
14th Anniversary Gift: Ivory
Originating from Hindu mythology, Ivory represents luck and protection. The traditional 14th-anniversary gift is ivory or anything related to animals. You can maybe gift a pet, or take horse riding lessons together.
15th Anniversary Gift: Crystal
Celebrate the transparency and clarity of your marriage with crystal on your 15th anniversary. Crystal also represents sturdiness, just like your marriage. Gift your spouse a crystal necklace, a centerpiece, or a pair of crystal cufflinks.
16th Anniversary Gift: Wax
Wax represents the everlasting spark of a lit candle in your marriage. A perfect way to symbolize your 16th anniversary. The most obvious gift would be a scented candle and if you want to make it special then go for the luxurious ones that come with gorgeous jars or pick a scented candle whose fragrance you can personalize.
17th Anniversary Gift: Furniture
Furniture as a traditional 17th anniversary represents the comfort and familiarity you have built over the years together. This is one anniversary where you can go out and get something for your home together or maybe surprise your spouse with a new bookshelf he/she always wanted!
18th Anniversary Gift: Porcelain
A perfect way to remind each other that although it has been 18 years, you still need to handle your relationship with care. Porcelain is delicate yet refined and needs to be cared for to last just like your marriage. You can get each other matching porcelain mugs or an elegant vase or jug for the dinner table.
19th Anniversary Gift: Bronze
Reaching the 19th year milestone needs to be represented by something strong and durable just like your marriage. That’s why bronze is the traditional anniversary gift for a marriage that has lasted the ups and downs through the years. You can get a bronze wind chime, a figurine, or even a photo frame with your wedding picture.
20th Anniversary Gift: China
Celebrate being together for two decades with something expensive and lovely. China is delicate and fragile but at the same time simply beautiful and elegant. That’s why China is the traditional 20th wedding anniversary gift representing your marriage that is beautiful but can break when taken for granted or mishandled.
25th Anniversary Gift: Sterling Silver
The silver anniversary traditional gift is obviously silver. One of the precious metals, silver represents the value of your marriage after 25 years and signifies you need to continue shining together. Get each other a silver figurine, silver earrings, or even a silver candle holder.
30th Anniversary Gift: Pearl
Hidden deep in the sea, pearls take years to form their many layers. The longer they take to form, the more beautiful they are. That’s exactly how marriage is, the longer you are together, the love for each other grows deeper. To mark this major milestone, pearls are the traditional wedding anniversary gift. When it comes to pearls, the gifting options are endless!
35th Anniversary Gift: Coral
Believed to have magical healing powers, coral is found at the bottom of the sea. This beautiful stone is the traditional 35th-anniversary gift as it represents deep love, longevity, and strength.
40th Anniversary Gift: Ruby
Celebrating 40 years together calls for a special gift! And what can be better than the beautiful and glamorous gemstone, ruby? A symbol of love and passion, the ruby represents your undying love for each other. Get a diamond-studded ruby ring if you want to go all out or maybe a pair of ruby earrings or cufflinks for the husband.
45th Anniversary Gift: Sapphire
This gemstone holds a special legend, it is said that if the wearer’s love begins to fade over the years then the color of the stone will slowly change from blue to green. But sapphire is also considered the stone of royalty and that’s why it makes a beautiful present to celebrate 45 years of togetherness.
50th Anniversary Gift: Gold
50 years! Now that’s the most special milestone in any marriage. Celebrate this golden anniversary with the most precious stone on the planet, gold. A representation of wisdom, prosperity, and strength of your marriage. Gift your spouse a classic gold chain, a delicate gold bracelet, or dangle earrings.
55th Anniversary Gift: Emerald
Emeralds signify true love and devotion. This beautiful green gemstone is the traditional 55th-anniversary gift and a perfect choice to celebrate this milestone.
60th Anniversary Gift: Diamond
The Diamond anniversary! Celebrating 60 years of being together is just magical. And to celebrate this magical occasion, the traditional anniversary gift is a diamond. This dazzling gem makes the perfect gift because it symbolizes strength, undying love, and the test of time your marriage stands for.
In conclusion, the tradition of assigning gifts to wedding anniversaries, both traditional and modern, reflects the growth and strength of a relationship over time. The idea is that as your investment in the relationship grows, so does the significance and value of the gift.
Whether you're celebrating a specific year or simply cherishing the timeless tradition, we invite you to share this article with others who might find joy and inspiration in these meaningful gestures. May your shared journey be filled with love and ever-growing significance.
