Anniversary Theme Gifts to Give
I know that I’m not alone in being stumped about which anniversary theme goes with which year of marriage.
I mean, the first few years after your wedding, the gift choices are easy.
Most people know that the gift for your first year of marriage is paper.
But, then it gets tricky from there.
Another snafu you might find yourself dealing with when selecting gifts for different anniversary years: do you choose a gift based on a traditional theme or a modern theme?
For example, when I said above that most people know that the theme for your first year of marriage is to give the gift of paper.
But, it turns out, that’s the traditional theme for a first year.
The modern theme for a first year is clocks.
Why write about anniversary theme year gifts
Gets pretty confusing pretty quickly, doesn’t it? Well, since I’ve had tons of readers write to ask me to address anniversary themes to give based on year, I’ve written this article.
Save this article and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, we’ll send you more great links each week.
You probably know that I’ve covered anniversary gift ideas in general. However, I wrote two different blog posts that outlined the themes, symbols and more for modern gifts by year and traditional gifts by year. They focused mostly on the themes, symbols, colors, flowers, etc.
Now I’m just going to focus on gift ideas for each year of marriage by theme. It’s all gifts, all the time, in list format, to make your reading and shopping easier.
How themes play in wedding anniversary gift ideas by year
For each year if marriage, I’ve tried to give you two to three themed ideas each. In each year I’ve tried to offer gift ideas for him and for her.
With a handful of suggestions to choose from, if you don’t like my present proposal that fall under the traditional theme, maybe you’ll like something for the modern gift theme. Or vice versa.
Keep in mind that sometimes the modern and traditional gift themes overlap. This happens a lot after you get through 15 years of marriage.
For example, the 16th wedding celebration gift theme is coffee and/or tea for both modern and traditional gifts. The same happens the next year with the 17th year. Then pretty much every year after that, there is an overlapping theme.
Where to buy themed gifts
In addition, I love giving gifts that are easy to buy. In my mind two of the easiest places to buy gifts are Amazon and Etsy. So don’t be surprised if many of suggestions are available on either site–or both.
Finally, I believe in giving gifts for any occasion that are reflective of a person’s hobbies. Therefore, since I’m Peloton obsessed, I’ve included a few ideas for Peloton lovers, whenever possible. (Not so subtle hint to my husband to read this post for some ideas.)
This list can help you with UK Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year.
One of my favorite places to buy personalized gifts is Etsy, whether it be for dog lovers or Peloton aficianados.
From time to time, Etsy offers coupon codes for savings. So, when that happens, I’ll post information right here.
Year by year list of wedding anniversary theme gifts ideas
Here is my year-by-year list of gifts ideas to give. I’ve tried to include ideas for him and for her. These go from a first to a 60th wedding anniversary.
Years 1-10 Themes
1st anniversary Modern: clocks
Echo Dot Clock and Smart Speaker from Amazon
1st anniversary Traditional: paper
Origami clock made from paper wedding vows on Etsy (combines both paper and clock themes)
2nd anniversary Modern: china or porcelain
Check Replacements.com for something from the china pattern
2nd anniversary Traditional: cotton
3rd year theme Modern: crystal or glass
Crystal martini glasses on Etsy
Waterford crystal bowl on Amazon
3rd year theme Traditional: leather
Great idea for him or her: leather desk desk tray from Amazon. Would also work for a 7th anniversary modern theme gift of desk sets.
Another idea? Leather messenger bags for men and women.
4th anniversary Modern: appliances
Mini Keurig coffee maker for the office
4th anniversary Traditional: fruit or flowers
Pressed flower wall art on Etsy
If your honey loves bluebells, this article explains the Bluebell flower meaning.
Fruit of the Month Club from Harry and David
5th anniversary Modern: silverware
Jewelry made from silverware and flatware
5th anniversary Traditional: wood
World map made of wood to track your travels together
Wood shelf to hold your Peloton and exercise gear, available on Etsy
6th years of marriage Modern: wood
See the ideas, above, for 5th anniversary wood-themed gifts that could work for a modern 6th wedding anniversary gift.
6th years of marriage Traditional: candy or iron
Fireplace andirons. Some are shaped like dogs on Etsy.
7th anniversary Modern gifts: desk sets
Rose gold desk sets and accessories, available on Amazon
7th anniversary Traditional theme gifts: wool or copper
Wool socks–his and her or matching
8 years Modern gift theme: linens or lace
8 years Traditional gift theme: bronze or pottery
Sign up for a class on Wondrium with master potter and designer Jonathan Adler
9th anniversary Modern theme: leather
Check Nordstrom for leather shoes, leather belts or a leather handbag
9th anniversary Traditional theme: pottery or willow
See pottery gift idea from 8 years of marriage.
Or, check Etsy for pottery ideas
10th year suggestions for Modern theme: diamond jewelry
Your choice is simple and straightforward: diamond jewelry
10th year suggestions for Traditional theme: aluminum or tin
Aluminum stove cover for electric cooktop (I love this idea!)
Years 11-20
11th anniversary Modern theme: fashion jewelry
Fashion jewelry available on Amazon
11th anniversary Traditional theme: steel
Anything stainless steel, such as a new car or even new cookware from All-Clad; it has a lifetime warranty
12 years married Modern theme: pearls
12 years married Traditional theme: linen or silk
13th anniversary Modern theme: textiles
Turn old, favorite t-shirts into a custom quilt
13th anniversary Traditional theme: lace
14 years Modern theme : gold jewelry
Look to well-known stores like Nordstrom for gold jewelry gift ideas for him or her.
Or, have some fun with a frugal idea like Cartier love bracelet dupes.
14 years Traditional theme: fake ivory
For him, shaving kit with fake ivory handle from Etsy
15th anniversary Modern theme: watches
How about surprising him or her with an Apple Watch
15th anniversary Traditional theme: crystal
Crystal martini glasses on Etsy
Waterford crystal bowl on Amazon
16 years married Modern and traditional theme: coffee or tea
Keurig machine and coffee or tea pods
17 years married Modern and traditional theme: wine and spirits
Subscription for Splash wines from around the world
18 years married Modern and traditional theme: appliances
Vintage looking convection oven on Amazon
Air fryer from Target (we love ours)
Beverage refrigerator from The Home Depot
19 years married Modern and traditional theme: jade
Etsy has so many great gift ideas made of jade
20th anniversary Modern theme: platinum
Nordstrom has tons of platinum gifts, from bags and jewelry to clothing in a platinum shade
20th anniversary Traditional theme: china
Check Replacements.com for something from the china pattern
Gift a class subscription on Wondrium about Tai Chi
Years 21-30
21 years married Modern and traditional theme: fire
Fireplace andirons. Some are shaped like dogs on Etsy.
22 years married Modern and traditional theme: water
Book a beach vacation at Sandals or Beaches in the Caribbean
23 years married Modern and traditional theme: air
Hot air balloon ride or related gifts
24 years married Modern and traditional theme: stone
New granite countertops for the kitchen
25th anniversary Modern and traditional theme: silver
Zales has tons of silver jewelry for him or her for a silver anniversary gift
26 years married Modern and traditional theme: art
Tickets to a museum or art show in your favorite city
27 years married Modern and traditional theme: music
Tickets to a concert in your favorite city
28 years married Modern and traditional theme: linen
29 years married Modern and traditional theme: tools
Home Depot gift card for tools
30th anniversary Modern theme: diamond
Diamond jewelry. Plus, these days you can choose a more affordable option in lab-grown diamonds.
30th anniversary Traditional theme: pearl
Years 31-40
31 years married Modern and traditional theme: travel
New luggage from Away Suitcases
32 years married Modern and traditional theme: bronze
33 years married Modern and traditional theme: iron
34 years married Modern and traditional theme: food
Here are restaurants that will give you free food or drink on your anniversary.
35th anniversary Modern theme: jade
Etsy has so many great gift ideas made of jade
35th anniversary Traditional theme: coral
Check out coral options on Etsy
36 years married Modern and traditional theme: antiques
37 years married Modern and traditional theme: books
Support small bookstores by shopping for a book-related gift on Bookshop.org
38 years married Modern and traditional theme: luck
Try your luck during a trip to Las Vegas
39 years married Modern and traditional theme: laughter
Tickets to a comedy show or even to see the NPR news quiz show Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me live.
40 years married Modern and traditional theme: ruby
Years 41-50
41 years married Modern and traditional theme: office
42 years married Modern and traditional theme: clocks or watches
How about an Apple Watch or Echo Dot Clock and Smart Speaker from Amazon
43 years married Modern and traditional theme: entertainment
44 years married Modern and traditional theme: electronics
45 years married Modern and traditional theme: sapphire
Sapphire jewelry and accessories for him or her
46 years married Modern and traditional theme: games
Or, you can plan an anniversary date that focuses on couples trivia questions.
47 years married Modern and traditional theme: gardens or plants
48 years married Modern and traditional theme: home improvement
Reach out to Home Advisor for a home improvement project
49 years married Modern and traditional theme: copper
50th anniversary Modern and traditional theme: gold
Look to well-known stores like Nordstrom for gold jewelry gift ideas for him or her
Years 51-60
51 years married Modern and traditional theme: photos or camera
52 years married Modern and traditional theme: bath or spa
Did you know that Nordstrom has a spa?
53 years married Modern and traditional theme: plastic
Gift from Etsy made of recycled plastic
54 years married Modern and traditional theme: glass
Crystal martini glasses on Etsy
55 years married Modern and traditional theme: emerald
Book a trip to Ireland, the Emerlad Isle
56 years married Modern and traditional theme: day
Tickets from StubHub to a matinee
57 years married Modern and traditional theme: night
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
58 years married Modern and traditional theme: faith or hope
59 years married Modern and traditional theme: charity
Make a donation in someone’s honor
60th anniversary Modern and traditional theme: diamond
75th wedding anniversary
It is the exceptional couple that makes it to 75 years of marriage. The modern and traditional gift themes are the same as 60 years of marriage–diamond.
Planning an anniversary party
If you happen to be planning an anniversary party, here is a fun thing to do: make a favorites list. That is, you’ll ask the happy couple the same questions about each other.
For example, “What is their spouse’s favorite song to sing in the shower?” or “What is their favorite dessert?” And then you can quiz them. Hopefully, they’ll get the answers about each other right!