While there are traditional categories of anniversary presents associated with specific anniversaries, it is rarely followed by all but the most traditional of families. Whether a person’s anniversary present fits the traditional gift category or not is not nearly as important as the love that is shown by the gift’s selection.
If a couple is in bad need of a new microwave, it will be a welcome gift, even if they aren’t celebrating their 4th anniversary (electrical appliances). If a wife has always preferred silver over gold jewelry, a husband would be wise to not stick to a gold gift for the 14th and 50th anniversaries. A new desk set (7th anniversary) would be an awkward gift if a loved one received one recently. And leather (9th anniversary) and furs (13th anniversary) are always in poor taste when selecting gifts for a vegetarian or animal rights activist.
So long as gifts are given with the heart and with the recipient in mind, the traditional gift categories can be ignored. However, for those who have difficulty brainstorming gift ideas, the list of specific anniversaries can be a valuable guide and help prevent repeating the “same old gift” year after year.
The list of traditional gift categories for specific anniversaries is listed below. For those who like the idea of trying to find anniversary presents that match the traditional category for specific anniversaries—but worry their gifts will come off as awkward or unwelcome—we’ve also provided a list of gifts with a modern twist that match the old categories. Couples can weave tradition into their gifts in many ways. We hope these ideas get your creative juices flowing.
Traditional Gifts for Specific Anniversaries
- 1st anniversary gift: Clocks
- 2nd anniversary gift: China
- 3rd anniversary gift: Crystal, glass
- 4th anniversary gift: Electrical appliances
- 5th anniversary gift: Silverware
- 6th anniversary gift: Wood
- 7th anniversary gift: Desk sets
- 8th anniversary gift: Linen, lace
- 9th anniversary gift: Leather
- 10th anniversary gift: Diamond jewelry
- 11th anniversary gift: Fashion jewelry and accessories
- 12th anniversary gift: Pearls or colored gems
- 13th anniversary gift: Textiles, furs
- 14th anniversary gift: Gold jewelry
- 15th anniversary gift: Watches
- 16th anniversary gift: Silver hollowware
- 17th anniversary gift: Furniture
- 18th anniversary gift: Porcelain
- 19th anniversary gift: Bronze
- 20th anniversary gift: Platinum
- 25th anniversary gift: Sterling Silver Jubilee
- 30th anniversary gift: Diamond
- 35th anniversary gift: Jade
- 40th anniversary gift: Ruby
- 45th anniversary gift: Sapphire
- 50th anniversary gift: Golden Jubilee
- 55th anniversary gift: Emerald
- 60th anniversary gift: Diamond Jubilee
Anniversary Gifts ideas for 1st – 15th Anniversaries
- 1st anniversary gift: (Clocks) Calendar with photos from your first year together; “time together” set aside each week.
- 2nd anniversary gift: (China) Make pottery together; retile the bathroom or a kitchen wall; and “Chinese” takeout.
- 3rd anniversary gift: (Crystal, glass) A new pair of optical glasses, contacts, or sunglasses
- 4th anniversary gift: (Electrical appliances) This needs no “modern” twist, but for less expensive options, try a subscription to Netflix or Tivo; a warranty extension for your current appliances.
- 5th anniversary gift: (Silverware) New “silverware” for your grill (skewers, spatula, cleaning brush); for the person who enjoys potlucks or takes dishes to others’ parties—a collection of inexpensive serving dishes and serving spoons.
- 6th anniversary gift: (Wood) Trees, bushes, and flowers to plant in a yard; books (paper comes from wood); furniture.
- 7th anniversary gift: (Desk sets) A PDA or other all-in-one organizer.
- 8th anniversary gift: (Linen, lace) Clothing; drapes; and bedsheets.
- 9th anniversary gift: (Leather) Clothing; a new car—with leather interior; or a donation to the local wildlife rescue.
- 10th anniversary gift: (Diamond jewelry) Diamond jewelry; tickets to a baseball game (baseball diamond); or a collection of diamond heist movies or books.
- 11th anniversary gift: (Fashion jewelry and accessories) Accessories can include almost anything—eyeglasses, hair clips, earrings, writing pens, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
- 12th anniversary gift: (Pearls or colored gems) An oyster dinner; chocolates decorated as gems; or new jewelry.
- 13th anniversary gift: (Textiles, furs) Any clothing or cloth-related houseware item will fit in this wide category.
- 14th anniversary gift: (Gold jewelry) Rent Goldfinger, Goldmember, or other gold-related movie; serve gold-foil wrapped chocolates; or buy real gold jewelry.
- 15th anniversary gift: (Watches) For someone who doesn’t wear watches, try to pin down how they tell time—via PDA, computer, wall clock? That can steer you toward a more meaningful gift.