Anniversary Gifts By Year

A Wedding Day is an incredibly important occasion when two people celebrate the beginning of their marriage in the presence of family and friends. Following this significant occasion, anniversary celebrations each year commemorate the continuation of each person’s love for the other.

It is generally considered important that each wedding anniversary is celebrated in a memorable and meaningful way, because the anniversary is like an annual renewal of the commitment between two people. This is one time of the year when time and effort needs to be invested into finding a suitable gift, and a gift that is romantic, unique, or symbolic in some special way for the couple.

OUR MOST POPULAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR HER

In the earlier years of a marriage, it is often simple to think of a meaningful gift when two people tend to have plenty of things on their wish lists they want to purchase someday. However, as the years go by and the assets build up, it becomes increasingly more difficult to think of an anniversary gift that will be treasured.

The tradition of giving gifts for a wedding anniversary extends back to medieval times. It is known that during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, a man would crown his wife with a silver wreath on the 25th anniversary, and a gold wreath on the 50th anniversary, however, there was little else documented in terms of themes for gift giving on other anniversaries.   

To overcome the common problem people faced as to what to give one’s spouse each year, an American author by the name of Emily Post, who wrote on the topic of etiquette, was the first to recommend a list of anniversary gift themes which was published in 1922 in her book titled 'Etiquette’. In that book, she listed suggestions for the first anniversary, followed by the fifth anniversary, and then every five years or so up until the 25th, and concluded with the 50th wedding anniversary. The American National Retail Jeweler Association expanded on this list in 1937 by filling in the missing years up to the 14th wedding anniversary, and the subsequent multiples of five up to the 50th year.

These gift suggestions for each year of marriage are today referred to as the 'Traditional' themes for each anniversary. This list was later reviewed and updated to incorporate a 'Modern' theme for each anniversary.

As time progressed, this list was broadened even further by other authors who suggested gift themes for every year from the first to the 25th, as well as every five years up to the 75th wedding anniversary.

Below we have put together a comprehensive and accurate table detailing the most recognized traditional and modern gift themes by anniversary year. You can click in the far right column to get a full overview for each year. After much research, we believe it to be the most detailed list of anniversary gift theme information available on the Internet today.

Following the table we provide further information that may assist you. 

Anniversary Gifts by Year

Anniversary Year	Traditional Gift Theme	Modern Gift Theme	Gemstone	Colour	Tranditional & Modern GIFT IDEAS
1 1st Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Paper	Clocks	Gold Jewellery (no associated stone) Alternative: Peridot; Pearl	Gold or Yellow	Click Here
2 2nd Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Cotton	China	Garnet Alternative: Rose Quartz	Red	Click Here
3 3rd Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Leather	Crystal/Glass	Pearl Alternative: Crystal; Jade; Moonstone	Jade; White	Click Here
4 4th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Fruit/Flowers (US) Linen; Silk (UK)	Appliances (electrical)	Blue Topaz Alternative: Blue Zircon; Amethyst	Blue; Green	Click Here
5 5th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Wood	Silverware	Sapphire Alternative: Turquoise;Pink Tourmaline; Rose Quartz	Blue; Pink; Turquoise	Click Here
6 6th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Iron (US) Candy (UK)	Wood	Amethyst Alternative: Garnet; Turquoise	Purple; White; Turquoise	Click Here
7 7th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Copper (US) Wool (UK)	Brass; Desk Sets	Onyx Alternative: Lapis Lazuli; Yellow Sapphire; Copper	Yellow; Off-White	Click Here
8 8th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Bronze; Pottery (US) Salt (UK)	Linen; Lace	Tourmaline Alternative: Aventurine; Tanzanite; Bronze	Bronze	Click Here
9 9th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Willow; Pottery (US) Copper (UK)	Leather	Lapis Lazuli Alternative: Tiger Eye; Andalusite	Terracotta	Click Here
10 10th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Aluminum (US); Tin (US & UK)	Diamond Jewelry	Diamond Alternative: Onyx; Crystal; Green Tourmaline	Silver; Blue	Click Here
11 11th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Steel	Fashion Jewelry; Accessories	Turquoise Alternative: Hematite	Turquoise	Click Here
12 12th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Home Décor (US) Linen; Silk (UK)	Pearls	Jade Alternative: Pearl; Agate; Tsavorite; Garnet	Oyster-White	Click Here
13 13th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Lace	Textiles; Furs	Citrine Alternative: Malachite; Moonstone; Opal	White	Click Here
14 14th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Ivory or Elephant	Gold Jewellery	Opal Alternative: Gold; Ivory; Moss Agate; Kunzite	Ivory	Click Here
15 15th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Crystal	Watches	Ruby Alternative: Rhodolite; Blue Sapphire	Red	Click Here
16 16th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Silverware	Peridot Alternative: Aquamarine; Golden Topaz	Silver	Click Here
17 17th Anniversary View Gift Ideas			Carnelian Alternative: Amethyst; Citrine; Pink Tourmaline; Watch	Yellow	Click Here
18 18th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Porcelain	Cat’s Eye Alternative: Opal; Aquamarine	Blue	Click Here
19 19th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Bronze	Aquamarine Alternative: Topaz; Golden Beryl	Bronze	Click Here
20 20th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	China	Platinum	Emerald Alternative: Platinum	Emerald- Green; White	Click Here
21 21st Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Brass; Nickel	Emerald Iolite	Orange	Click Here
22 22nd Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Copper	Spinel	Green	Click Here
23 23rd Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Silver Plate	Imperial Topaz Alternative: Sapphire	Silver	Click Here
24 24th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Silver Plate	Tanzanite	Lavender	Click Here
25 25th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Silver	Tanzanite Silver Jewelry (no associated stone)	Silver	Click Here
26 26th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Pictures	None	None	Click Here
27 27th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Sculptures	None	None	Click Here
28 28th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Orchids	None Alternative: Amethyst;Orchid Tourmaline	Lavender	Click Here
29 29th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Furniture	None	None	Click Here
30 30th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Pearl	Diamond	Pearl Alternative: Diamond; Jade	Green	Click Here
35 35th Anniversary View Gift Ideas	Coral (US & UK); Jade (US)	Jade	Emerald Alternative: Coral; Jade	Coral	Click Here
40 40th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Ruby	Ruby	Red	Click Here
45 45th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Sapphire	Sapphire Alternative: Alexandrite	Blue	Click Here
50 50th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Gold	Gold Alternative: Gold or I mperial Topaz	Gold	Click Here
55 55th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Emerald	Alexandrite Alternative: Emerald	Emerald-Green	Click Here
60 60th Anniversary View Gift Ideas		Diamond	Diamond	Diamond-White	Click Here

 ***  The traditional theme of ivory for this anniversary is now considered unethical due to the adverse impact on elephants. Therefore a gift for the 14th anniversary which contains an elephant theme as opposed to ivory per se is more appropriate.  

Traditional versus Modern Anniversary Gift ideas

Traditionally, anniversary gifts that were given or exchanged in the early years of a marriage tended to be practical household items to assist the couple in establishing their home. Luxury gifts tended to be given or exchanged in later years when the couple had already obtained the things they needed.

The traditional list features materials that were commonly available in years gone by, such as copper, wool, paper and tin, whereas the modern list features new entries such as appliances and desk sets.

From the 20th wedding anniversary onwards, traditional gift materials are not offered every year; typically only every five years or so. The modern list differs in this respect, whereby a gift material is suggested for every year, at least up until the 30th anniversary, which possibly signifies a couples’ need to continue investing as much effort as possible into sustaining the commitment and romance in the later years of marriage.

Which list is better?

Most commentators on the subject will add that neither the Traditional gift list or Modern gift list is better than the other. It all boils down to the recipient’s tastes and interests, and the sentiment the giver wishes to convey, as to which list for that particular year yields the more appealing option for them. It is the thought that counts, especially the intention to commemorate each anniversary as a unique anniversary in its own right.

It is important to note that there is some variation in traditional gift materials for specific years of marriage, due to the country in which the list was compiled. The table in this section specifies for those particular anniversaries whether the traditional gift material was derived from a US source or UK source, which are the main two sources used across the globe.

Anniversary Gemstone, Color and Flower gift ideas

In addition to the Traditional and Modern gift material lists, each wedding anniversary has also come to be denoted by a particular gemstone, color and flower.

In 1985, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) published its initial version of the Gemstone Information Manual. This manual has been adopted within the trade as the gold standard for disclosure of pearls, cultured pearls and natural gemstones. In that manual, the gemstones or precious metals that are associated with each wedding anniversary are listed for every anniversary year from the first to the 25th, and every five years thereafter up until the 60th wedding anniversary. It is interesting to note that there are some inconsistencies between this and other reputable sources as to the exact gemstone for each anniversary. This could simply reflect a difference due to the region of the world in which the list of anniversary gemstones was compiled. As such, the table in this section predominantly lists the gemstones according to the AGTA. Any variations in gemstones for a particular anniversary year as derived from other sources, are listed as alternatives for completeness, and to offer the reader a wider variety of options.  

Specific flowers and colors have also come to be associated with each wedding anniversary year. There do not appear to be any consistent sources for these themes, so the table in this section lists all key flowers from a number of reputable sources that stipulate what the flower is for each anniversary. It is possible that any variation in the nominated flower for a particular year may represent the region of the world in which that particular flower came to be endorsed. In addition to the specific flower for each anniversary, the rose, considered the floral king of romance, can be substituted for most anniversaries if so desired.

In conclusion: Which gift to choose