🎁 Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: The Ultimate Gift Guide
The NI Wedding Directory
May 22, 2025
Guide
Anniversary
Gifts
Steenson Film & Photography
For couples just beginning their journey together
💍 Thinking Beyond the Wedding Day
As you plan your wedding and look ahead to a beautiful life together, it’s fun (and meaningful!) to imagine the milestones you'll one day celebrate. While you're busy choosing venues, flowers, and dresses today, your future holds many joyful moments, like your first anniversary dinner, a surprise 10-year gift, or even a golden 50-year toast.
At The NI Wedding Directory, we believe in celebrating every chapter of love, not just the "I do." That’s why we’ve created this thoughtful guide to wedding anniversary gifts by year, so you can look ahead to your shared future and all the ways you'll honour it over time.
Whether you’re dreaming together about what lies ahead or creating a wedding website to kick things off, let this guide inspire both your wedding planning and your love story for years to come.
📅 Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional & Modern Options
Year | Traditional Gift | Modern Gift | Gift Meaning & Ideas |
|---|---|---|---|
1st | Paper | Clocks | New beginnings. Love letters, custom journals, or wall clocks. |
2nd | Cotton | China | Comfort and growth. Personalised linens, robes, or elegant dinnerware. |
3rd | Leather | Crystal/Glass | Durability. Leather bags, wallets, or glass keepsakes. |
4th | Fruit/Flowers | Appliances | Natural beauty. Flower bouquets, fruit baskets, or coffee makers. |
5th | Wood | Silverware | Strong roots. Carved wooden decor, personalised silverware. |
6th | Iron | Wood | Endurance. Iron cookware, custom wooden signs. |
7th | Wool/Copper | Desk Sets | Warmth and resilience. Wool throws, copper mugs, desk organisers. |
8th | Bronze | Linens/Lace | Stability. Bronze figurines, linen bedding, lace accents. |
9th | Pottery/Willow | Leather | Flexibility. Handmade pottery, willow baskets, or leather-bound books. |
10th | Tin/Aluminum | Diamond Jewellery | Preservation. Custom tins, diamond necklaces or cufflinks. |
11th | Steel | Fashion Accessories | Strength. Steel jewellery, bags, or watches. |
12th | Silk/Linen | Pearls | Elegance. Silk robes, linen sheets, pearl earrings. |
13th | Lace | Textiles/Fur | Romance. Lace tablecloths, scarves, or faux fur throws. |
14th | Ivory (faux/ethical) | Gold Jewellery | Integrity. Faux ivory decor, gold bracelets or necklaces. |
15th | Crystal | Watches | Clarity. Crystal vases, luxury watches. |
20th | China | Platinum | Delicate strength. China tea sets, platinum rings. |
25th | Silver | Silver | Radiance. Silver jewellery, frames, or keepsakes. |
30th | Pearl | Diamond | Hidden beauty. Pearl necklaces, diamond-studded gifts. |
35th | Coral (ethical) | Jade | Vitality. Coral-inspired decor, jade carvings. |
40th | Ruby | Ruby | Passion. Ruby rings, earrings, or anniversary bands. |
45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | Loyalty. Sapphire pendants, cufflinks, or rings. |
50th | Gold | Gold | Prosperity. Gold watches, framed wedding photos. |
55th | Emerald | Emerald | Renewal. Emerald rings or green-themed gifts. |
60th | Diamond | Diamond | Enduring love. Diamond earrings or legacy jewellery. |
💡 Planning Ahead: Anniversary Gift Tips
Personal touches make gifts more meaningful. Think custom engravings or handmade pieces.
Stick to the theme for a symbolic gesture that reflects your marriage's evolution.
Pair with experiences like a trip, vow renewal, or surprise date night.
Create traditions you can look forward to each year, like writing letters or planting a tree.
Karina Haslett Photography
🥂 Your Love Story Is Just Beginning
Today, you're planning the perfect wedding. Tomorrow, you'll be celebrating anniversaries, building a home, and sharing a lifetime of memories. Let this anniversary gift guide remind you of all the meaningful moments that lie ahead.
