Curated gift ideas for every milestone anniversary year

anniversary gifts featured image of a candid caucasian couple in an outdoor field at sunset lovingly embracing and kissing each other.

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Anniversaries are a special celebration of love. Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, your parents, or a couple of close friends, giving a meaningful gift is a great way to commemorate the occasion. To help make it easy to find the perfect present we’ve put together gift guides and a curated selection of anniversary gifts for every major year of marriage. Read on to discover featured anniversary gift ideas:

As your anniversary draws near you may be wondering about the anniversary gift themes. What are they and what do they symbolize? Many couples follow the tradition of giving specific gifts associated with each year of marriage because it provides a helpful framework to guide gift giving.

We’ll help you discover the traditional, modern, gemstone and flower gifts for every major anniversary and learn the meanings behind each theme. Don’t just wonder what present you’re supposed to give, give a wonderful gift every time!

Anniversary Gifts by Year
Year Traditional Modern Gemstone Flower
1st Paper Clocks Gold Carnations
2nd Cotton China Garnet Cosmos
3rd Leather Crystal or Glass Pearl Sunflowers
4th Fruit & Flowers Appliances Blue Topaz Geraniums
5th Wood Silverware Sapphire Daisies
6th Candy or Iron Wood Amethyst Calla Lilies
7th Wool or Copper Desk Sets Onyx Freesias
8th Bronze Linens & Lace Tourmaline Lilacs
9th Pottery Leather Lapis Lazuli Bird of Paradise
10th Tin or Aluminum Diamond Jewelry Diamond Daffodils
11th Steel Fashion Jewelry Turquoise Morning Glories
12th Silk or Linen Pearls & Gems Jade Peonies
13th Lace Textiles Citrine Chrysanthemums
14th Ivory Gold Jewelry Opal Dahlias
15th Crystal Watches Ruby Roses
20th China Platinum Emerald Asters
25th Silver Silver Silver Irises
30th Pearl Diamond Pearl Lilies
40th Ruby Ruby Ruby Gladiolus
50th Gold Gold Gold Yellow Roses

Of course, no one knows your loved one like you do and the most important thing to remember about choosing the right gift is to give something from the heart. Our goal is to provide inspiration to help you find the perfect gift.


Close up overjoyed wife holding gift box with bow while hugging her husband in thanks for the romantic anniversary present

If you’re unsure what to get your wife for your anniversary you can always find inspiration in the traditional or modern gift theme for your year of marriage. One of the best strategies is to think about her hobbies and select a gift that will support her interests. Personalized presents are a great way celebrate her or your marriage. Be sure to take note if she’s mentioned wanting anything recently so that you can fill one of her needs with your anniversary gift.


Candid image of a smiling Black couple at home with the husband seated on the couch and the wife leaning over the back, surprising him with a wrapped anniversary gift.

It can sometimes feel like guys are the toughest people to shop for, especially if it seems like they already have everything they need. The traditional and modern gift themes can guide your gift giving and help you find something that celebrates the loving connection you share with your husband. Choose a gift that signifies the time you’ve spent together and shows him how well you know and understand his wants and needs.


Candid image of a older mixed race couple smiling in a park outdoors with the wife standing slightly behind to husband giving him a loving embrace.

When shopping for an anniversary gift for your parents or a couple of close friends it is important to consider their shared interests and hobbies and select a gift that they can enjoy together. You can also look for a personalized gift for couples that honors their relationship, or a gift that holds sentimental value for them, especially if they are celebrating a major milestone year.


The tradition of giving specific anniversary gifts by year of marriage has a long history. The practice is believed to have roots in the 18th century German custom of giving wreaths of silver and gold on the 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries.

We’ve based our guides on the list compiled by librarians at Chicago Public Library. The traditional list of anniversary gifts by year was expanded in 1937 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association when modern gifts were added for each anniversary.

In addition to the traditional and modern gift lists, each year of marriage is also associated with a specific gemstone and flower.


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