The Year-by-Year Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide

Each wedding anniversary is a moment in time where a couple celebrates their union in holy matrimony. It is the day where couples declared their love officially to the world, on and off paper. For a long time now (literally for centuries), couples have cemented their wedding date as a reminder of their bond and love and to celebrate they give each other gifts to show appreciation, love and just say thank you for sticking around and putting up with them for another year.

If you are worried about what to buy for your big anniversary, have no fear as we have come prepared with all the answers. Today we are here to help you get out of the sticky moment where you realise you don’t know what gift to give your significant other.

Each year is important as it signifies the strength of your relationship. Traditionally, for decades, there have been a series of themes for each year of wedding anniversaries gifts. We are going to take tradition and add some creativity, love and a bit of modernisation to bring the old traditions into the 21st century by creating the perfect gifts for each wedding anniversaries by year.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide – Let’s get started!

1st Wedding Anniversary

First off, Congratulations for making it through your first year together as a married couple! May the odds be ever in your favor. As stated above, on your first wedding anniversary, the traditional gift to give your partner is Paper. Now this may sound not as special of a gift to give to your loved one for your 1^st wedding anniversary but you would be amazed what a paper could do… or mean. Buying concert/theatre tickets or a romantic dinner for 2 gift card may be classified under the paper gift category. Enjoy a creational session by creating a hand-made paper card, or creating a photo collage using printed photos from all your special moments you had together. Or you could simply go with the good old coupon card and create a fun collection of coupons your partner can use for a massage, dinner or a fun bonding time together. Do not be afraid to get creative and pull out the superglue!

2^nd Wedding Anniversary

the traditional gift for this anniversary is Cotton. Nothing declares we made it another year more than gifting your partner cotton. Don’t worry you won’t have to go gather cotton from a field, you could simply go to your local furniture store and buy some new bed sheets, or a soft cotton pillow that will not only be a cute gift but will also give your partner the softest dreams. Nothing says ‘Happy 2nd Anniversary’, more than twinning in robes (You can find some on Amazon ) . You can go and buy matching Mr and Mrs Cotton robes that will also add a more personal touch to your gift and it is something you will both enjoy!

 

3^nd Wedding Anniversary

The traditional gift for this anniversary is Cotton. Nothing declares we made it another year more than gifting your partner cotton. Don’t worry you won’t have to go gather cotton from a field, you could simply go to your local furniture store and buy some new bedsheets, or a soft cotton pillow that will not only be a cute gift but will also give your partner the softest dreams. Nothing says ‘Happy 2nd Anniversary’, more than twinning in robes (You can find some on Amazon ). You can go and buy matching Mr. and Mrs. Cotton robes that will also add a more personal touch to your gift and it is something you will both enjoy!

As the years go, each wedding anniversary symbolises the strength your relationship builds through time. Leather is the object that will showcase the strength of your 3^rd Wedding Anniversary. Go out and buy your wife a nice leather bag or boots, or by your husband a nice leather phone case of wallet.

4^th Wedding Anniversary (Fruits and Flowers) and 5^th Wedding Anniversary (Wood),

we see a combination of nature and love. The flowers and fruits symbolize the growth of your relationship as wood symbolizes the wisdom you have gained the past 5 years. Therefore this is the perfect time to give your partner a lovely flower bouquet or better yet, go to a local farm and pick out some fresh fruits and create a lovely fruit basket. Also if your first instinct was to get picnic-ready, pack your backpack and head out to the fields or mountains, then you are on a good track. Nothing says happy anniversary more than a romantic trip for 2 and for an adventure in nature.

6^th Wedding Anniversary

Has the sweetest theme with Sugar. Baking a nice cake to surprise your partner or a nice batch of cupcakes would mean the world to them. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to some freshly made pancakes?

For the 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th wedding anniversaries

We see a small shift in the theme. For the 7th Anniversary, we have a Copper and Wool theme, where you could gift a lovely and handy copper mug or use wool to create a nice warm scarf for your loved one. On your 8th wedding anniversary, we have the Bronze theme, which you could turn your gift radar towards fashion and buy a bronze belt for your partner or some bronze Jewelry. On your 9th wedding anniversary, we have a beautiful pottery theme anniversary, which I would highly recommend a nice pottery class with you and your partner or make a vase and add some colorful flowers to surprise them with.

On your 10^th (Tin/Aluminum) and 11^th (Steel) wedding anniversaries

We have a combination of metal-type gifts in mind. The metals symbolize the stability and strength that it took to mark your decade-long wedding that has stood strong through good and bad. A nice custom-made watch for your husband or an anniversary ring, with a symbol representing the wedding anniversary date, would make the perfect gift for your big day.

Bringing the sexy back with the 12^th (Silk) and 13^{th (}Lace) wedding anniversaries.

Being married for 12-13 years cannot be easy and every relationship needs a spice up now and then. What better than purchasing some silk or lace lingerie. Also, a nice pair of silk pajamas can never go unappreciated.

As the years pass by, the more expensive the gifts become.

Entering the 14^th and 15^th wedding anniversary

The gift collection is Ivory and Crystal. The modern alternative to ivory is Gold. If Ivory and Gold may be too over your budget fear not, as you could also buy ivory-colored gifts that fit with the theme. Buying a nice set of matching necklace and earrings both can come at a high price but you can also find some on a more affordable level. Plus you cannot put a price on love.

For your 16th wedding anniversary

The wedding community has made it easy for you by choosing Wax as the theme. The best way to say I love you is by making a bubble bath and decorating the entire bathroom with candles.

On the 20^th wedding anniversary

We have China. It is beautiful, shiny and with love and care, becomes timeless. Just like being married for 20 years.

On to the last part of the Wedding Anniversary gift guide, this is the most exclusive and expensive. I like to call it the golden hour section.

• The 25^th  (Silver)
• 30^th  (Pearl)
• 35^th (Coral)
• 40^th (Ruby)
• 45^th(Sapphire)
• 50^th (Gold)
• 55^th (Emerald)
• 60^th (Diamond)
• 65^th(Sapphire)
• 70^th (Platinum)
• 75^th (Diamond)

Wedding anniversaries are by far the most expensive but most worthy of celebration. It is very rare to be married for over 25 years and still want to gift your partner on your wedding anniversary.

Love is a beautiful union that connects two people, it should be celebrated daily. But a wedding anniversary happens once a year and it is to celebrate the day you and your loved one officially become one and the same. Celebrate, love and enjoy… but most importantly don’t forget to keep with traditions.

I hope you enjoyed this gift guideline, Happy Anniversary to all. May love be celebrated.