ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BY YEAR – THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

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What is the perfect anniversary gift

Choosing anniversary gifts for your partner, parent, friend or other loved one can sometimes be a challenge. With the pressure on to find something creative and exciting, it’s no wonder that inspiration often fails to come. Faced with the prospect of choosing yet another dull and generic present, it can be difficult to know what to do. Luckily, our helpful list of anniversary gifts by year can save the day, and our guide to choosing the right anniversary gift to perfectly suit each recipient will make the task of present-buying a breeze.

While most people are aware that there are certain marital years that have recognisable themes, such as silver for the 25th anniversary and gold for the 50th, the idea that almost every single year of marriage has its own symbols associated with it often comes as a surprise. From traditional materials with symbolic meaning to contemporary alternatives, and from flowers to gemstones, each year has its own themes that can be mixed and matched to create a unique and creative gift that is sure to impress. Here, you can find a definitive anniversary gifts by year list outlining not just all of the traditional and modern gifts associated with every year of marriage, but also the colours, gemstones and flowers linked with each one. This is the only tool you’ll ever need to surprise your nearest and dearest with a present that has the deep significance and personal meaning that is so important.

The key to finding just the right gift lies in thinking about the personality and preferences of the person that you’re buying for. No matter how luxurious or expensive the present, if it isn’t something that is to their taste you’re wasting your time and money. One of the biggest mistakes in gift-giving is to present the recipient with something that you would like to receive rather than something that has been given with them in mind. So, let’s take a look at some suggestions:

Pleasing a Traditionalist

If the person that you are buying for has classic tastes, a traditional gift is the perfect choice. Someone who values the tried and tested way of doing things, with an interest in historical significance and heritage will appreciate receiving a gift that has been linked to a specific anniversary year for generations. Respecting these traditions and helping them to live on will make receiving this type of gift even more meaningful. Many anniversary years have a traditional gift associated with them, reflecting the sentiments behind the year of marriage and symbolising specific elements of married life. From the tightly woven threads that represent the close-knit union of the couple when giving cotton gifts to the strength of iron that captures the essence of the pair’s marital bond, these traditional gifts are a perfect choice for a traditionalist loved one.

Gifts for practical and modern recipients

Although traditional gifts are meaningful and symbolic, they’re not to everyone’s taste. Some people would much rather receive a present that is practical and useful – something suited to modern life. It is for this reason that a new list of anniversary gifts for each year was recently created, linking more contemporary suggestions with every year of marriage to complement and stand alongside the existing traditional list. With ideas such as household electricals and desk sets, these modern alternatives are a much more suitable suggestion for those with a more practical and up to date state of mind.

Ideas for keen gardeners

Many marital years are associated with a particular type of plant, each of which has its own significant meaning in the language of flowers. During the 19th century, these meanings were well known, and lovers put a lot of effort into selecting blossoms for bouquets that spoke volumes about their affections without ever uttering a word. Today, many of those meanings have been forgotten, however you can find out more in our list and can choose the perfect floral gift to match your loved one’s anniversary year – the ideal token of esteem for a keen gardener.

Do they love to travel?

If your loved one likes nothing more than jetting off to explore new places and exotic destinations, the perfect anniversary gift is one with a travel theme. While the ideal present would be a trip or holiday to an exciting new location, not every budget can stretch so far. Some alternative ideas may be a night in a B&B close to home or a gift that would be useful while travelling such as a suitcase set, a guidebook to their dream destination or a personalised luggage tag.

Is your loved one a thrill seeker?

Are you looking for an unusual anniversary gift for someone who is always on the lookout for new experiences and thrills? An experience day could be the perfect solution. There are countless options available to choose from, including white knuckle activities like skydiving, bungee jumping or racing car driving, as well as less adrenaline-filled options like trips to the theatre, gourmet cookery classes or wine tasting workshops. There is sure to be something that your loved one will appreciate, and the memories that they create will last a lifetime.

Presents with a Personal Touch

If you are buying a wedding anniversary present for someone who would appreciate a unique touch tailored completely to them, you should go for a personalized gift. There are so many different options available to choose from that there is sure to be something that your loved one will cherish. Engraved photograph frames, paperweights or vases will decorate their home, while they will be able to remember their happy day every time they use a personalised pen, wine glass or mug.

Home Decor Anniversary Gifts

Does the recipient of your gift love nothing more than making their house look beautiful? If you’re buying a present for a house-proud relative or friend, you should consider giving them something to decorate their home. A sculpture, figurine or ornament would be a lasting memento of the happy event, or a piece of artwork to adorn their walls would be another appropriate token. For something a little more personal, why not create a photographic gift featuring images of the couple throughout their marriage, from their wedding day to the present? A collage, canvas, or even a printed cushion would be the perfect way to show a home décor enthusiast how much they are loved.

The History of Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year

The tradition of giving particular gifts to represent a specific marital year dates back centuries. Some of the earliest mentions of giving anniversary tokens are from Medieval Germany where a husband would present his wife with a silver wreath to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary and a gold one on the occasion of their 50th. Those symbols are still firmly in place today and there are very few people who are unaware of the silver and golden wedding anniversary years.

It was many more centuries, however, before materials were linked to any further anniversary years. During the 19th century in the reign of Queen Victoria there was a particular interest in ancient customs, and when this was combined with the interest at that time in classifying and cataloguing, a list began to be created that linked symbols and themes with some years of marriage. It is certainly known that the first reference to wood being linked to the 5th anniversary appeared at this time, and when Queen Victoria reached her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the 60th wedding anniversary was named as the diamond anniversary in honour of the occasion.

The first list of anniversary gifts as we know it today appeared in 1922 in Emily Post’s book entitled “Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home”. Here she listed only 8 anniversaries that were already linked with a theme (the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 50th and 75th) and then went on to outline symbolic gifts for the first 15 years, thus creating the basis of today’s lists.

An even more comprehensive list was drawn up a few years later in 1937, when the American National Retail Jeweler Association recognised the potential to increase their profits from cashing in on the anniversary gift market, and issued a list which matched materials with every year from 1 to 20, followed by every 5th year after that right up to 75. In more recent times, a further list of contemporary gifts has been added to provide a more modern alternative to the traditional offerings designed to appeal to couples with more forward thinking ideas.

Anniversary Gifts by Year List – traditional and modern

Year	Traditional		Modern		Color	Gift Suggestion
1st	Paper		Clock		yellow	1st Anniversary Gifts
2nd	Cotton		China		linen white	2nd Anniversary Gifts
3rd	Leather		Crystal or Glass		light brown	3rd Anniversary Gifts
4th	Flowers, Fruits, Books		Silk or Linen		green	4th Anniversary Gifts
5th	Wood		Silverware		turquoise	5th Anniversary Gifts
6th	Candy or Iron		Wood		white	6th Anniversary Gifts
7th	Copper		Desk Set		yellow sapphire	7th Anniversary Gifts
8th	Pottery or Bronze		Linen and Lace		bronze	8th Anniversary Gifts
9th	Pottery and Willow		Leather		terracotta	9th Anniversary Gifts
10th	Aluminum		Diamond jewelry		silver	10th Anniversary Gifts
11th	Steel		Fashion jewelry		turquoise	11th Anniversary Gifts
12th	Silk and Linen		Colored Gems or Pearls		oyster white	12th Anniversary Gifts
13th	Lace		Faux Fur		white	13th Anniversary Gifts
14th	Ivory		Gold Jewelry		ivory	14th Anniversary Gifts
15th	Crystal		Watches		ruby red	15th Anniversary Gifts
16th	–			Silver Holloware		silver	16th Anniversary Gifts
17th	–			Furniture		yellow	17th Anniversary Gifts
18th	–			Porcelain		Blue	18th Anniversary Gifts
19th	–			Bronze		bronze	19th Anniversary Gifts
20th	China		Platinum		emerald green	20th Anniversary Gifts
21st	–			Brass or Nickel		orange	21st Anniversary Gifts
22nd	–			Copper		green	22nd Anniversary Gifts
23rd	–			Silver Plate		silver	23rd Anniversary Gifts
24th	–			Musical Instruments		lavender	24th Anniversary Gifts
25th	Silver		Silver		silver	25th Anniversary Gifts
26th	–			Original Pictures		–	26th Anniversary Gifts
27th	–			Sculptures		–	27th Anniversary Gifts
28th	–			Orchids		lavender	28th Anniversary Gifts
29th	–			Furniture		–	29th Anniversary Gifts
30th	Pearl		Diamond		green	30th Anniversary Gifts
31st	–			Time Pieces		–	31st Anniversary Gifts
32nd	–			Conveyances		–	32nd Anniversary Gifts
33rd	–			Amethyst		–	33rd Anniversary Gifts
34th	–			Opal		–	34th Anniversary Gifts
35th	Coral		Jade		coral	35th Anniversary Gifts
36th	–			Bone China		–	36th Anniversary Gifts
37th	–			Alabaster		–	37th Anniversary Gifts
38th	–			Beryl or Tourmaline		–	38th Anniversary Gifts
39th	–			Lace		–	39th Anniversary Gifts
40th	Ruby		Ruby		ruby red	40th Anniversary Gifts
41st	–			Land		–	41st Anniversary Gifts
42nd	–			Improved Real Estate		–	42nd Anniversary Gifts
43rd	–			Travel		–	43rd Anniversary Gifts
44th	–			Groceries		–	44th Anniversary Gifts
45th	Sapphire		Sapphire		sapphire red	45th Anniversary Gifts
46th	–			Original Poetry		–	46th Anniversary Gifts
47th	–			Books		–	47th Anniversary Gifts
48th	–			Optical		–	48th Anniversary Gifts
49th	–			Luxuries		–	49th Anniversary Gifts
50th	Gold		Gold		gold	50th Anniversary Gifts
51st	–			Blue sapphires		–	51st Anniversary Gifts
52nd	–			Ruby		ruby red	52nd Anniversary Gifts
53rd	–			Romantic Getaway		–	53rd Anniversary Gifts
54th	–			Glass		–	54th Anniversary Gifts
55th	Emerald		Emerald		emerald green	55th Anniversary Gifts
56th	–			Trip		–	56th Anniversary Gifts
57th	–			Mirror		–	57th Anniversary Gifts
58th	–			Golf game		–	58th Anniversary Gifts
59th	–			Family Tree		–	59th Anniversary Gifts
60th	Diamond		Diamond		white	60th Anniversary Gifts

The custom of giving anniversary gifts to family members and friends is found around the world, and in some cases the themes remain the same wherever you go. Gold, for example, appears to be universally acknowledged as the symbol of the 50th wedding anniversary. However, there are sometimes differences. In the UK and America, for example, the themes start out simply, with paper being the first anniversary token. Over the years, the symbols increase in value and extravagance, as a representation of the investment that the pair have put into their marriage over all of those long years, until you finally reach diamonds at 75 years of marriage, representing the cherished and dear nature of such a long successful union. In some other countries, for example Germany, the gifts represent the increasing strength of the couple’s partnership.

Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Tough Times

Finding the right anniversary gift is fairly easy in the beginning, but as the years pass and your material needs change, it will become increasingly difficult to come up with ideas for unique anniversary gifts. Both traditional and modern lists provide you with a whole host of gift ideas, but which list is the best?

The First 20 Years Of Marriage

For the first 20 years of married life, both lists contain ideas for every year. On the whole each list has different suggestions, but there are a few that are the same. Materials that were more commonly found in days gone by, such as tin and copper, feature in the traditional list. Whereas newer items such as fashion jewellery and optical goods, are featured in the modern anniversary gift list.

20 To 50 Years Of Married Life

During this period in your married life, traditional gift suggestions are forthcoming for every five years of celebration. The modern list however, is slightly different, in that it still offers up a gift for every passing year. This may be to recognise the importance of keeping romance alive in your relationship, and making every effort possible to keep your love alive. Key anniversaries are the same, but the modern list interjects some interesting suggestions such as new furniture, cars and musical instruments.

50 Years Of Married Life

If you’re one of the fortunate few that have made it to 50 years, then gold is the one and only choice. And after that it’s something precious all the way to the end.

There really is no right and wrong answer to your question. Some would in fact say that anything is better than nothing at all. It’s up to you whether you decide to go with traditional or modern, but convention dictates that you should mark the occasion in whatever way you feel fits.

Ways of Making Your Anniversary Special

Of course, one of the best ways to make your anniversary special is to surprise your husband or wife with a thoughtful and romantic gift from the heart, however there are many other ways to add a memorable touch to your day.

Why not recreate some of the special elements of your wedding day? You could arrange for a replica of your wedding cake to be made, dust off your original wedding outfits (if they still fit!) and get together all of your friends and family for a special party.

Alternatively, make the day all about reconnecting with each other as a couple and rekindling some of the excitement of the early days of your marriage. Spend the day together, revisiting some old haunts and enjoying activities that you haven’t tried for a while. Round off the evening by having a candlelit meal in a favourite restaurant where you can recapture some romance.

If you’re just starting out on your married life together and are approaching your first anniversary, consider beginning your own special anniversary traditions. Some ideas include taking a photo of yourself on the big day each year at the same time and in the same place, playing the same board game on every anniversary, or going to the same special place.

Using our Anniversary Gifts by Year List

We know how important it is to find a gift that your loved one will truly appreciate, however when you use our list of wedding anniversary gifts by year, you’ll find it quicker and easier than ever before to choose something special. Our helpful ideas and suggestions will give you all the inspiration you need to surprise your partner, friends or family members with a gift that has a deep and significant meaning and which speaks volumes about your love and appreciation.