Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: Celebrate Milestones with Meaningful Memories

It’s always a favorite thing of ours to celebrate wedding anniversaries. Not only is it a beautiful tradition that allows you to reflect on your wedding day year after year, but you also get to celebrate looking forward to the adventures you haven’t had yet! While wedding anniversary gifts during this time may seem cliche, there are always some pretty awesome ways to stick to traditions while putting a twist that’s uniquely you! Whether you’re marking your first year of marriage or celebrating a significant milestone like your 20th anniversary, this guide is here to help you explore gift traditions and spark new ideas.

Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year

The First Year – Paper

Your one-year anniversary is a big one so it may surprise you to learn it’s referred to as the “paper anniversary”. It may seem laughable that something so simple and “cheap” is actually a traditional anniversary gift, but paper symbolizes the blank canvas of your new life together. How beautiful is that? Consider gifting your partner a personalized journal where you can document your favorite memories, bonus points if it’s filled with beautiful handmade paper. For a touch of romance, a handwritten love letter can be a cherished keepsake. A favorite surprise is to treat yourself to a boudoir (or dude-ior) session and gift your spouse a Little Black Book filled with steamy pictures of you!

The Second Year – Cotton

While the first year of marriage tends to be referred to as the hardest, the second year is where every married couple’s relationship “settles in” to comfort and strengthens the growing bond between you. Just like a soft cotton plant, hence the second anniversary being the cotton anniversary! When you’re choosing a wedding anniversary gift in the cotton category, consider cozy gifts like personalized bathrobes or luxurious bedding that can enhance your shared space. Fun couples may choose to gift each other some matching MeUndies, or a blanket with your favorite wedding photo on it. The possibilities here are endless… and soft.

The Third Year – Leather

Leather, symbolizing durability and flexibility, is the traditional gift for the third anniversary. Personally, I ordered a beautiful custom wallet for Jake as a third wedding anniversary gift. Consider printing all your favorite photos of the two of you, and filling a leather-bound photo album, bonus points if you can sneak favorites from your spouse’s phone. (Consider having a shared album on your iPhone for everyone’s favorite images!) Another awesome gift is a leather-bound travel journal, a place where you can document new experiences and destinations together. Mark a few pages with adventurous dates you’ve planned, maybe for another wedding anniversary!

The Fourth Year – Fruit and Flowers

The fourth year brings renewal and growth! Fruit and flowers best represent this, many varieties coming back year after year. Consider a subscription to a monthly flower delivery service can bring joy and beauty into your home year-round. Or build a custom planter box, where you can fill it with your favorite plants and flowers (and maybe a few veggies) alongside your partner. For those with a serious sweet tooth, snag a charcutarie board filled with delicious fruits and cheese, or a box of chocolate covered fruit.

The Fifth Year – Wood

The second big milestone anniversary is officially my favorite. Traditionally the fifth wedding anniversary gifts are made of wood. Wood symbolizes strength and stability, which is exactly where most couples find themselves during the fifth year. Personally, I’d recommend a beautiful wood cutting board with your last name and wedding date engraved in it. A wooden photo frame showcasing a special moment from your wedding day can also be a thoughtful gift. For couples who enjoy the outdoors, a weekend getaway to a cozy cabin in the woods can provide a peaceful retreat to celebrate your milestone.

The Tenth Year – Tin or Aluminum

Reaching a decade together is a significant achievement, and traditional wedding anniversary gifts include tin or aluminum. These materials symbolize resilience and the ability to bend without breaking. Whether you’re renewing your vows or just want a cherished reminder of your original ones, this is the perfect anniversary to pull out your vows and have them printed on a beautiful custom metal sign from Etsy. Top it off with a romantic dinner at the Tin Room Bar in Burien, where you can toast to your continued journey together.

The Fifteenth Year – Crystal

By the time the fifteenth anniversary rolls around, you two are peas in a pod reveling in clarity and transparency in your relationship. These are all the things we love about crystal, making it ideal wedding anniversary gifts for year fifteen. Traditionally, a crystal vase or set of wine glasses would be gifted to add elegance to your celebrations (even if it’s just Friday night dinner). For something more personal, consider a custom paperweight or sculpture featuring your wedding date or even a custom engraved photo of the two of you. You could even pack up and head to Fiji, where you’ll be greeted by crystal clear waters.

The Twentieth Year – China

Then there’s the twentieth wedding anniversary gift of china. Your relationship has taken on a delicate yet enduring nature, making this the perfect gift of the year. You can choose a fine china dinner set that will become a cherished heirloom, whether used for everyday dining or the finest of family gatherings. If fine dinnerware seems too “normal”, consider a pottery night where you two can paint your “china” together. Or get a little “out of the box” with make it at home Chinese to go.

Celebrating wedding anniversaries with thoughtful gifts is like adding new chapters to your love story—honoring the past while making new memories for the future. Whether you’re toasting to year one or hitting a major milestone, picking a gift that reflects your journey together makes it all the more special. Hopefully, this guide gave you some inspiration to find the perfect gift to make each anniversary unforgettable. Cheers to many more years of love, laughter, and adventure!