Traditional wedding gifts: couple happily looking at each other while holding a bouquet of roses

Celebrating love is special, and nothing captures the essence of a couple’s journey quite like the time-honored tradition of anniversary gifts. Each year of marriage brings its own unique symbolism, transforming a simple present into a profound expression of commitment, growth, and shared experiences.

Whether you’re a newlywed seeking the perfect first-anniversary surprise or a friend searching for a meaningful gift that speaks volumes, this gift guide offers traditional ways to commemorate love’s biggest milestones. From delicate paper representations of a relationship’s beginning to robust materials symbolizing enduring strength, these gifts provide carefully crafted narratives of a couple’s evolving love.

Learn more about traditional wedding gifts for each year of an anniversary with this handy guide. We’ve included gift inspiration for each milestone so you can find the perfect present to celebrate your special day — or find a gift to celebrate the anniversary of close friends and family members.

26 Traditional Wedding Gifts by Year

Traditional wedding gifts: woman giving a gift to her partner

Here, we’ve put together a list of traditional wedding gifts by year, from paper to gold. Whether you’re shopping for your partner or looking for a gift to celebrate a couple that’s in love, you’ll find the perfect idea. 

1st Anniversary Wedding Gift: Paper 

The first year of marriage is a huge milestone. It’s the first time you’ll celebrate an anniversary of being married, even if you’ve been together for years. The traditional wedding gift for this year is paper, which signifies the delicate beginning of your union and represents a love story just unfolding, with much of it still unwritten. 

Choose a paper-based gift like a journal, tickets to a show, or a book.

Gift inspiration: Where it All Began Map

2nd Anniversary Wedding Gift: Cotton

For a second anniversary, couples are joining closer together and blending their lives into one union. Traditionally, cotton gifts are used to represent the joining of two separate beings into one. 

Look for cotton textiles like bedding, table linens, and bath sets. These anniversary present ideas will help you cozy up together as you deepen your connection. 

Gift inspiration: Personalized Mark & Graham Luxe Cotton Throw

3rd Anniversary Wedding Gift: Leather

By your third anniversary, you’ve been through ups and downs and your union is stronger than ever. Like the traditional gift of leather, your relationship is tough and protective while still exuding soft, sweet charm. 

Consider buying your partner leather shoes, a watch with a leather strap, or a leather travel bag.

Gift inspiration: Leather photo album

4th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Flowers

Traditional wedding gifts: Painted Blooms Invitation

Design: Laura Bolter Design | Painted Blooms Invitation

Known for their symbolism of love and gratitude, flowers are the perfect gift for a fourth anniversary. Follow tradition and buy a bouquet of sweet roses or fragrant lavender for your significant other or a married couple you want to celebrate. 

Flowers are a great option for any anniversary year, and you can choose different blooms based on the number of years you’ve been together. 

Gift inspiration: Anniversary Flower Bouquet

5th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Wood

For a traditional anniversary gift after five years of marriage, look no further than wood. Representing durability and the process of putting down roots together, wood gifts reflect on the strength of your love and the blossoming possibilities to come. 

Choose from wood desk sets, engraved cheese boards, and wooden picture frames for this milestone anniversary. You can also give the gift of adventure with five-year wedding anniversary ideas like go camping in the woods or visiting a national park.

Gift inspiration: Personalized Olive Wood Charcuterie Board

6th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Candy

Traditional wedding gifts: person holding a piece of chocolate

Married life is sweet and celebrating a sixth anniversary is a real treat! Show your honey or a happy couple how decadent their love is with an anniversary gift like a box of chocolates or a miniature wedding cake replica.

Gift inspiration: Let’s Celebrate Gift Box

7th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Copper

As you celebrate your seventh anniversary, your soul fills with warmth and joy. Copper, known as a conductor of heat, helps reflect this feeling of warmth, making it the traditional wedding anniversary gift of choice. 

Select a fancy copper silverware set, copper Moscow mule mugs, or copper jewelry to celebrate.

Gift inspiration: Boska Copper Fondue Set

8th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Bronze

Bronze is a traditional gift for celebrating eight years together. As an alloy, it’s made up of a blend of copper and materials like tin. This represents the blending of two souls together in one stunning union. 

Choose a bronze frame featuring a photo of your wedding day, bronze artwork, or bronze home decor to celebrate. 

Gift inspiration: Personalized Bronze and Cast Iron Pan

9th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Pottery

After nine years together, you’ve molded your relationship into a beautiful piece of art. Reflect on the work you’ve put it and the joyous union you’ve created with the traditional gift of pottery. 

Join a pottery class and make something together, or pick out a handmade terracotta piece that symbolizes your love.

Gift inspiration: The Kissing Mugs

10th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Aluminum

Traditional wedding gifts: Champagne Tower Cheers Invitation

Design: Stellax Creative | Champagne Tower Cheers Invitation

After a decade of marriage, your union is built to last. Celebrate with aluminum, which symbolizes the strength of your love. An aluminum jewelry tray, artwork, or sculpture are great options for this anniversary. You can also try out some of these 10th anniversary ideas to spend more time together.

Gift inspiration: 10-Year Aluminum Map

11th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Steel

After 11 years together, your love is as strong as steel, which is the traditional gift for this milestone. Made of a mix of iron and carbon, steel is the strongest metal, and it’s resistant to corrosion — just like your love.

Outdoorsy couples will love a steel firepit as an anniversary gift, while creative couples will enjoy steel artwork.

Gift inspiration: Material Trio of Knives

12th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Silk

Known for its opulence, silk is a wonderful way to celebrate the beauty of 12 years together. A soft, silk robe and slippers is one of the best gifts, but you can also choose silk bedding, silk tapestries, and silk jewelry for a thoughtful gift.

Gift inspiration: Gold Silk Necklace

13th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Lace

Lace lingerie with small flowers in a box

Your marriage is steady and strong after 13 wonderful years together. Celebrate in traditional style with lace gifts that reflect the delicate and beautiful nature of your connection.

Lace lingerie, throw blankets, coasters, and picture frames all make lovely gift ideas.

Gift inspiration: Lace Jewelry

14th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Ivory

Historically, gifts of ivory were presented to married couples on their 14th anniversary. In modern times, with the concerns associated with sourcing ivory, this gift idea is less common. While you can choose an anniversary gift in an ivory color, you can also lean into the tradition by selecting items that have animal motifs for a cruelty-free approach. 

Consider more modern anniversary gifts like buying tickets to visit the zoo, planning a horseback riding excursion, or purchasing ivory-hued dishes and homewares. Jewelry made of tagua nuts is also called vegetable ivory, making it another sustainable choice for this anniversary.

Gift inspiration: Tagua Jewelry

15th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Crystal

Cheers! You’ve been happily married for 15 years now and celebrating is easier than ever thanks to the traditional gift for this milestone: crystal. Choose from crystal goblets, wine glasses, and champagne glasses for a memorable gift.

Gift inspiration: Vera Wang Crystal Vase

16th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Wax

Whether you’re celebrating 16 years together or know a couple that has spent 16 years in wedded bliss, wax is the perfect traditional gift. A representation of love and a strong union, choose from wax candles and wax sculptures, or opt for something sweet with honey and beeswax products.

Gift inspiration: Personalized Log Candle

17th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Furniture

After 17 years together, you’ve built a beautiful home and life. For your anniversary, the traditional gift of furniture is a great way to freshen things up and add some stunning pieces. 

Consider purchasing a new sofa you can cozy up on together or a gorgeous dining table where you can gather and create memories with loved ones.

Gift inspiration: Lovesac Sactional

18th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Porcelain

Porcelain cup and saucer, flowers, books, and a hat on a table

On your 18th wedding anniversary, celebrate with the traditional wedding gift of porcelain. Like these delicate items, your love has been through the fire and emerged as beautiful as ever. For this gift theme, choose items like porcelain dinnerware or porcelain vases. 

Gift inspiration: LladrĂł Porcelain Sculptures

19th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Bronze

Bronze, the sturdy metal alloy, makes another appearance as the traditional gift for a 19th wedding anniversary. Consider what bronze item you gave your spouse on your eighth anniversary and see if you can find something that pairs with that item for an extra special gift. 

A new bronze picture frame with a photo of you two today or bronze kitchen decor can elevate the item you gifted your spouse years ago.

Gift inspiration: Dasar Bronze Serving Set

20th Anniversary Wedding Gift: China

Two decades of love, romance, and strength. Your union certainly deserves a celebration! Plan an anniversary party featuring fine china as the dinnerware and centerpieces — and ask guests to attend using matching digital invitations. 

Alternatively, give your spouse a stunning set of fine china dishes or an elegant tea set to celebrate this milestone.

Gift inspiration: London Teacup Collection Set

25th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Silver

Twenty-five years has gone by in a flash, and you’re still standing strong and madly in love. Traditionally, couples exchange gifts of silver for this special milestone. If you’re celebrating 25 years together or looking for an anniversary gift for parents, choose silver serveware, silver jewelry, or silver artwork.

Gift inspiration: Tiffany Interlocking Circles Pendant

30th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Pearl

After 30 years of love and marriage, there’s cause for celebration! The traditional gift of pearls means you can have fun with gift giving this year. Choose classic pearl jewelry or cuff links for a gift your spouse will love opening. 

If you really want to wow your significant other, consider planning a romantic getaway to the Brittany Coast of France where you can eat Breton oysters and sip wine while enjoying each other’s company.

Gift inspiration: Angara Freshwater Pearl Pendant

35th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Coral

Quintessential Coral Thank You Note

Design: See That There | Quintessential Coral Thank You Note

Vibrant like your union, coral takes centerstage as the go-to present for couples celebrating a 35th wedding anniversary. Choose from coral-colored objects like scarves, dresses, and ties, or opt for a sculptural piece featuring ocean corals. 

Take things up a notch by planning an exotic vacation to snorkel coral reefs in places like Australia or Belize.

Gift inspiration: TRIWA Ocean Plastic Coral Watch

40th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Ruby

Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but rubies are king when it comes to honoring a 40th wedding anniversary. This traditional gemstone gift reflects the color of love and passion. 

Pick out a beautiful piece of fine ruby jewelry for your spouse. They’ll be thrilled when they open the box, and the item can be a keepsake for future generations. For other gift ideas, consider giving ruby red roses or ruby-colored linens.

Gift inspiration: Ruby Red Murano Glass Cuff Links

45th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Sapphire

You and your longtime love have been together for almost half a century. What a wonderful reason to celebrate with a traditional gift of sapphires. Choose vivid blue gifts, or opt for stunning jewelry featuring the vibrant gemstone.

Gift inspiration: Five Stone Blue Sapphire Ring

50th Anniversary Wedding Gift: Gold

Sophisticated Milestone Invitation

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, llc | Sophisticated Milestone Invitation

Known as the Golden Anniversary, 50 years together is something to be immensely proud of. Pay tribute to your eternal love with 50th anniversary gifts made of gold. As expected, gold jewelry is a top choice, but you can also choose gold-plated cookware and artwork to mix things up.

Gift inspiration: 24K Gold Rose

Celebrate a Wedding Anniversary in Style

Senior couple hugging while holding a bouquet of flowers

With these wedding anniversary gift ideas, you’ll know what to give your significant other or a happy couple for each year of their nuptials. From simple items like journals and picture frames to fine jewelry and furniture, there’s a traditional idea that’s perfect for all personalities and styles.

Want to say thank you for a thoughtful wedding gift on your anniversary? Use Greenvelope to send digital wedding gift thank you cards. You can choose from dozens of curated designs that reflect the traditional item of the year or opt for one that reflects your personality.

For more ways to celebrate an anniversary, continue browsing our Stationers blog. You’ll find ideas for ways to spend your anniversary plus inspiration for gifts for different wedding anniversaries.