Milestone anniversaries celebrate the special years a couple shares together and honor their journey of love and commitment. Each year carries a unique meaning that reflects growth, trust, and togetherness. This guide explains milestone anniversary gifts by year in an easy and clear way. It helps you choose thoughtful and meaningful presents for every important celebration.
From the first anniversary to many decades of marriage, gift traditions evolve over time. This complete guide covers both traditional anniversary gifts and modern ideas for today’s couples. It makes finding the perfect present simple and stress-free. Celebrate lasting love with meaningful anniversary gift ideas by year that truly matter.
What are the Milestone Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year?
Milestone wedding anniversary gifts by year are special gifts linked to each year of marriage. These gifts are chosen based on wedding anniversary years and their traditional meanings. Each year represents love, growth, and a stronger bond between a couple.
Following gift traditions for different wedding anniversary years makes celebrations more meaningful. From early years to major milestones, each gift tells a unique story. It is a simple way to honor love and commitment year after year.
| Anniversary Gifts by Year | |||
| Year | Traditional Gift | Modern Gift | Gemstone |
| 1st | Paper | Clocks | Gold Jewelry |
| 2nd | Cotton | China | Garnet |
| 3rd | Leather | Crystal/Glass | Pearls |
| 4th | Fruit/Flowers | Appliances | Blue Topaz |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware | Sapphire |
| 6th | Candy/Iron | Wood | Amethyst |
| 7th | Wool/Copper | Desk Sets | Onyx |
| 8th | Bronze | Linens/Lace | Tourmaline |
| 9th | Pottery | Leather | Lapis Lazuli |
| 10th | Tin/Aluminum | Diamond Jewelry | Diamond |
| 11th | Steel | Fashion Jewelry | Turquoise |
| 12th | Silk/Linen | Pearls | Jade |
| 13th | Lace | Textiles/Furs | Citrine |
| 14th | Ivory | Gold Jewelry | Opal |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches | Ruby |
| 16th | Wax | Silver Holloware | Peridot |
| 17th | Furniture | Furniture | Carnelian |
| 18th | Porcelain | Porcelain | Cat’s Eye |
| 19th | Bronze | Bronze | Aquamarine |
| 20th | China | Platinum | Emerald |
| 25th | Silver | Silver | Silver |
| 30th | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl |
| 35th | Coral | Jade | Coral/Jade |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| 55th | Emerald | Emerald | Emerald |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond |
What are the Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year?
Traditional anniversary gifts follow a charming custom where each year has its own special material or theme. The early years start simple with paper for year one, cotton for year two, and leather for year three, gradually building to stronger materials like wood and iron. These gifts symbolize how marriages grow stronger and more resilient with time.
As couples reach later anniversaries, the traditional gifts become increasingly precious and rare. Silver celebrates 25 years together, while gold marks the incredible achievement of 50 years of marriage. This progression from humble beginnings to valuable treasures perfectly mirrors the deepening love and commitment that develops through decades of partnership.
1st Anniversary: Paper
- Traditional Gift: Paper
- Modern Gift: Clocks
The first anniversary gift of paper symbolizes the blank pages of your new life together as a married couple. Traditionally, couples exchange handwritten love letters, personalized stationery, or framed wedding photos to commemorate this delicate yet precious first year.
Modern interpretations of the first anniversary gift include clocks, representing the time you’ll spend together throughout your lives. Contemporary couples often give concert tickets, custom photo books, or meaningful keepsakes that celebrate their important first year of marriage.
2nd Anniversary: Cotton
- Traditional Gift: Cotton
- Modern Gift: China
Cotton anniversary gifts symbolize the comfort and strength of your bond after two years of marriage. Traditionally, couples exchange soft cotton blankets, cozy bathrobes, or luxurious bed linens that represent the warmth and security their relationship provides.
Modern interpretations focus on china, representing the delicate care needed to maintain a beautiful relationship. Contemporary couples often give fine china dinnerware sets or personalized ceramic pieces that celebrate the deepening connection they’ve built together.
3rd Anniversary: Leather
- Traditional Gift: Leather
- Modern Gift: Crystal or Glass
Leather anniversary gifts symbolize durability and protection, representing how your marriage has grown resilient and strong after three years together, with traditional gifts including leather wallets, belts, journals, or handbags.
Modern third anniversary gifts focus on crystal or glass, symbolizing clarity and transparency in your relationship, with couples exchanging crystal vases, glassware sets, or decorative pieces that reflect light beautifully.
4th Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers
- Traditional Gift: Fruit or Flowers
- Modern Gift: Appliances
Fruit and flowers anniversary gifts represent the blossoming beauty of your four-year marriage, with traditional presents including fresh fruit baskets, flowering plants, or botanical artwork that symbolizes growth and nourishment.
Modern fourth anniversary gifts center on appliances, emphasizing the practical aspects of building a home together, with couples giving kitchen gadgets, coffee makers, or useful household items that make daily life easier.
5th Anniversary: Wood
- Traditional Gift: Wood
- Modern Gift: Silverware
Wood anniversary gifts symbolize the strong roots and solid foundation your marriage has established after five years, with traditional presents including wooden furniture, carved keepsakes, or handcrafted wooden items.
Modern fifth anniversary gifts feature silverware, representing refined elegance and lasting value, with couples exchanging silver cutlery sets, serving pieces, or personalized silver jewelry that they’ll treasure forever.
6th Anniversary: Iron or Candy
- Traditional Gift: Iron or Candy
- Modern Gift: Wood Objects
Candy and iron anniversary gifts represent the sweet moments and strength of your six-year marriage, with traditional options including gourmet chocolates, artisan candies, or decorative iron pieces for the home.
Modern sixth anniversary gifts focus on wood, emphasizing natural beauty and endurance, with couples giving wooden furniture, picture frames, or handcrafted wooden accessories that add warmth to their shared space.
7th Anniversary: Wool or Copper
- Traditional Gift: Wool or Copper
- Modern Gift: Desk Sets
Wool and copper anniversary gifts symbolize warmth and conductivity after seven years together, with traditional presents including cozy wool blankets, copper cookware, or handmade woolen items that provide comfort.
Modern seventh anniversary gifts center on desk sets, representing partnership in work and life, with couples exchanging elegant office accessories, personalized desk organizers, or matching stationery that supports their shared goals.
8th Anniversary: Bronze or Pottery
- Traditional Gift: Bronze or Pottery
- Modern Gift: Linen or Lace
Bronze anniversary gifts by year 8 symbolize strength and resilience, representing how your marriage has become durable and lasting after eight years, with traditional presents including bronze sculptures, home décor items, or jewelry that showcases this timeless metal.
Modern eighth anniversary gifts focus on linens and lace, emphasizing comfort and delicate beauty in your relationship, with couples exchanging luxury bedding sets, table linens, or lace accessories that add elegance to their home.
9th Anniversary: Pottery or Willow
- Traditional Gift: Pottery or Willow
- Modern Gift: Leather
The 9th anniversary gift of pottery or willow symbolizes the molding and shaping of your relationship over nine years together, with traditional presents including handcrafted ceramic vases, pottery dishes, or artisan clay pieces that represent your carefully crafted bond.
Modern ninth anniversary gifts focus on leather, emphasizing durability and protection in your marriage, with couples exchanging leather accessories, bags, or personalized leather items that will last for years to come.
10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum
- Traditional Gift: Tin or Aluminium
- Modern Gift: Diamond Jewelry
The 10 year anniversary gift of tin or aluminum symbolizes flexibility and durability after a decade of marriage, with traditional presents including aluminum cookware, decorative tin items, or personalized metal keepsakes that represent your resilient bond.
Modern tenth anniversary gifts focus on diamond jewelry, celebrating the strength and brilliance of your relationship, with couples exchanging diamond rings, earrings, or necklaces that sparkle as brightly as their enduring love.
11th Anniversary: Steel
- Traditional Gift: Steel
- Modern Gift: Fashion Jewelry
Steel anniversary gifts symbolize the unbreakable strength and hardness of your eleven-year marriage, with traditional presents including stainless steel jewelry, kitchen tools, or home accessories that represent your solid foundation.
Modern eleventh anniversary gifts focus on fashion jewelry, emphasizing style and personal expression, with couples exchanging trendy accessories, watches, or decorative pieces that reflect their evolving tastes together.
12th Anniversary: Silk or Linen
- Traditional Gift: Silk or Linen
- Modern Gift: Pearl
Silk and linen anniversary gifts represent luxury and comfort after twelve years of marriage, with traditional presents including silk scarves, linen bedding, or fine fabric items that symbolize the smooth and refined nature of your relationship.
Modern twelfth anniversary gifts center on pearls, celebrating natural beauty and elegance, with couples exchanging pearl necklaces, earrings, or jewelry pieces that represent the precious layers of love built over time.
13th Anniversary: Lace
- Traditional Gift: Lace
- Modern Gift: Textiles or (Faux) Furs
Lace anniversary gifts symbolize the intricate and delicate beauty of thirteen years together, with traditional presents including lace tablecloths, decorative lace items, or handmade lacework that represents the complex patterns woven into your marriage.
Modern thirteenth anniversary gifts focus on textiles and furs, emphasizing warmth and comfort, with couples exchanging luxury throws, cozy blankets, or soft fabric accessories that add richness to their shared life.
14th Anniversary: Ivory
- Traditional Gift: Ivory
- Modern Gift: Gold Jewelry
Ivory anniversary gifts traditionally symbolize patience and wisdom gained over fourteen years, though modern celebrations use alternative materials like bone china or cream-colored items to honor ethical concerns while representing refined elegance.
Modern fourteenth anniversary gifts center on gold jewelry, celebrating enduring value and warmth, with couples exchanging gold rings, bracelets, or personalized pieces that shine as brightly as their long-lasting love.
15th Anniversary: Crystal
- Traditional Gift: Crystal
- Modern Gift: Watches
Crystal anniversary gifts represent the clear, sparkling nature of fifteen years of marriage, with traditional presents including crystal vases, glassware, or decorative pieces that reflect light beautifully and symbolize transparency in your relationship.
Modern fifteenth anniversary gifts focus on watches, emphasizing the precious time you’ve spent together, with couples exchanging elegant timepieces or matching watches that mark this significant milestone in their journey.
16th Anniversary: Wax
- Traditional Gift: Wax
- Modern Gift: Silver Holloware
Wax anniversary gifts symbolize the warmth and light of sixteen years together, with traditional presents including scented candles, wax sculptures, or beeswax items that represent the glowing warmth your relationship brings.
Modern sixteenth anniversary gifts focus on silver holloware, emphasizing elegance and refinement, with couples exchanging silver bowls, trays, or decorative serving pieces that add sophistication to their home.
17th Anniversary: Furniture
- Traditional Gift: Furniture
- Modern Gift: Furniture
Furniture anniversary gifts represent the solid foundation and comfort of seventeen years of marriage, with traditional presents including new chairs, tables, or custom-made pieces that enhance your shared living space.
Modern seventeenth anniversary gifts center on decorative accessories, emphasizing personal style, with couples exchanging artwork, sculptures, or home décor items that reflect their tastes and memories together.
18th Anniversary: Porcelain
- Traditional Gift: Porcelain
- Modern Gift: Porcelain
Porcelain anniversary gifts symbolize the delicate beauty and strength of eighteen years together, with traditional presents including fine porcelain dinnerware, vases, or decorative figurines that represent refined elegance.
Modern eighteenth anniversary gifts focus on porcelain as well, maintaining the same theme, with couples exchanging contemporary porcelain pieces, designer ceramics, or artistic pottery that celebrates their enduring bond.
19th Anniversary: Bronze
- Traditional Gift: Bronze
- Modern Gift: Bronze
Bronze anniversary gifts represent resilience and lasting strength after nineteen years of marriage, with traditional presents including bronze sculptures, decorative bronze tables, home accents, or jewelry that showcase this durable and timeless metal.
Modern nineteenth anniversary gifts center on bronze as well, keeping the traditional theme, with couples exchanging modern bronze artwork, contemporary metal pieces, bronze table accessories, or personalized bronze items that honor their journey.
20th Anniversary: China
- Traditional Gift: China
- Modern Gift: Platinum
The 20th anniversary gift of china symbolizes the beautiful and delicate nature of twenty years together, with traditional presents including fine china sets, porcelain collectibles, or elegant dinnerware that represents the care you’ve nurtured in your marriage.
Modern twentieth anniversary gifts focus on platinum, celebrating rarity and enduring value, with couples exchanging platinum jewelry, watches, or accessories that shine as brilliantly as two decades of love.
25th Anniversary: Silver
- Traditional Gift: Sterling Silver
- Modern Gift: Sterling Silver
Silver anniversary gifts celebrate the precious milestone of twenty-five years together, with traditional presents including silver jewelry, flatware, or decorative items that represent the radiance and value of a quarter-century of marriage.
Modern twenty-fifth anniversary gifts also feature silver, maintaining this cherished tradition, with couples exchanging contemporary silver pieces, designer jewelry, or personalized silver keepsakes that honor this remarkable achievement.
30th Anniversary: Pearl
- Traditional Gift: Pearl
- Modern Gift: Diamond
Pearl anniversary gifts symbolize the beauty and wisdom gained over thirty years of marriage, with traditional presents including pearl necklaces, earrings, or jewelry that represent the precious layers of love built over three decades.
Modern thirtieth anniversary gifts focus on diamond jewelry, celebrating brilliance and strength, with couples exchanging diamond pieces, diamond rings, luxury watches, or elegant accessories that sparkle as brightly as their enduring commitment.
35th Anniversary: Coral
- Traditional Gift: Coral
- Modern Gift: Jade
Coral anniversary gifts represent organic growth and natural beauty after thirty-five years together, with traditional presents including coral-colored glasses, ocean-themed décor, or jewelry featuring coral tones that symbolize life’s vibrant journey.
Modern thirty-fifth anniversary gifts center on jade, emphasizing harmony and balance, with couples exchanging jade jewelry, carved jade pieces, Jade rosary or decorative items that represent the peaceful strength of their relationship.
40th Anniversary: Ruby
- Traditional Gift: Ruby
- Modern Gift: Ruby
Ruby anniversary gifts celebrate the passionate fire of forty years of marriage, with traditional presents including ruby jewelry, gemstone pieces, or ruby-red items that represent deep love and unwavering devotion.
Modern fortieth anniversary gifts also feature ruby, honoring this significant milestone, with couples exchanging contemporary ruby rings, earrings, or personalized gemstone pieces that commemorate four decades of partnership.
45th Anniversary: Sapphire
- Traditional Gift: Sapphire
- Modern Gift: Sapphire
Sapphire anniversary gifts symbolize loyalty and wisdom after forty-five years together, with traditional presents including sapphire jewelry, blue gemstone pieces, or sapphire-toned items that represent the depth and clarity of enduring love.
Modern forty-fifth anniversary gifts also center on sapphire, maintaining this precious tradition, with couples exchanging contemporary sapphire rings, necklaces, or elegant gemstone accessories that honor their remarkable journey.
50th Anniversary: Gold
- Traditional Gift: Gold
- Modern Gift: Gold
Gold anniversary gifts celebrate the incredible achievement of fifty years of marriage, with traditional presents including gold jewelry, coins, or decorative items that represent the timeless value and warmth of half a century together.
Modern fiftieth anniversary gifts also feature gold, honoring this extraordinary milestone, with couples exchanging contemporary gold pieces, luxury watches, or personalized golden keepsakes that commemorate their golden years.
55th Anniversary: Emerald
- Traditional Gift: Emerald
- Modern Gift: Emerald
Emerald anniversary gifts symbolize growth, renewal, and enduring love after fifty-five years of marriage, with traditional presents including emerald jewelry, green gemstone pieces, or emerald-toned items that represent life’s continuous journey.
Modern fifty-fifth anniversary gifts also center on emerald, celebrating this rare achievement, with couples exchanging contemporary emerald rings, necklaces, earrings, or elegant gemstone accessories that honor their remarkable devotion.
60th Anniversary: Diamond
- Traditional Gift: Diamond
- Modern Gift: Diamond
Diamond anniversary gifts celebrate the unbreakable strength and brilliance of sixty years together, with traditional presents including diamond jewelry, luxury pieces, or sparkling accessories that represent the ultimate endurance and beauty of love.
Modern sixtieth anniversary gifts also feature diamond, honoring this exceptional milestone, with couples exchanging contemporary diamond pieces, heirloom-quality jewelry, or personalized keepsakes that commemorate six decades of unwavering commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an anniversary gift by year?
It’s a gift chosen according to traditional or modern themes for each year of marriage.
What to buy for an iron anniversary?
For an iron anniversary, you can buy iron‑themed gifts like decorative iron home items, iron jewelry, or an iron sculpture to symbolize strength in your relationship.
How is the 7th anniversary called?
The 7th anniversary is called the Wool or Copper Anniversary, representing warmth, strength, and durability in the relationship.
What is the iron Man anniversary gift?
An Iron Man anniversary gift can be themed merchandise like a collectible figure, comic, or personalized item inspired by the superhero.
Is 6th anniversary iron?
No, the 6th anniversary is traditionally Candy or Iron, so iron is one of the traditional options for the 6th year.
Why follow anniversary gifts by year?
It helps make every year special and easier to choose meaningful gifts.
What are the best anniversary gifts by year 1-100?
Gifts range from paper for the 1st year to diamond for the 60th, and gold for the 50th, with modern options for each year.
Can modern and traditional gifts be combined?
Yes, you can combine tradition and creativity to make a personalized gift.
Are experiences good for anniversary gifts by year?
Yes, trips, spa days, or activities make memorable gifts for any anniversary year.
What is the difference between modern and traditional anniversary gifts?
Traditional gifts follow old materials for each year, while modern gifts focus on personal, creative, or luxury items.
Conclusion
Celebrating anniversaries is a special way to honor love and commitment. Choosing milestone anniversary gifts by year makes each celebration meaningful. Whether you follow traditional themes or modern ideas, every gift shows thought and care. These gifts help couples cherish their journey together.
From the first year to major milestones, each anniversary is unique. Traditional anniversary gifts connect couples to meaningful customs, while modern gifts add creativity and personal touch. Using this guide, you can pick the perfect gift for every year. Celebrate lasting love with anniversary gift ideas by year that truly matter.
