Anniversary Gifts By Year

Every wedding day is a special event; it is the joining of two people in love. It is the time when the happy couple share their love for each other in front of friends and family. Anniversary celebrations are often less public, but still should capture the magic of the wedding itself.

Each anniversary gives the couple a day to reaffirm their love for one another, endorsing the commitment. And giving your spouse a unique, romantic, or even symbolic gift makes for a special anniversary celebration.

During the first few years of married life, you know your spouse has a lengthy wish list. Buying gifts is easy when you know what one needs or desires. As years pass, your material possessions grow with your love for each other. As your anniversary approaches, you are again wondering what to give your loved one. This is where anniversary 'themed' gift lists come in handy.

OUR MOST POPULAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR HER

Traditional Themes: Where Gift Lists Originated

There is little documentation to show exactly when themed lists started. However, it is believed that during medieval times, men would give their wives a silver wreath crown for their 25th wedding anniversary. On their 50th anniversary he gave her a gold wreath crown. These silver and gold traditions continue to this day for these two anniversaries.

Other themed gifts for an anniversary began in 1922. Emily Post, a popular American author at the time, wrote a book titled Etiquette. In her book, she suggested special gifts for the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th... up to the 50th anniversary.

In 1937, The American National Retail Jeweler Association decided to expand the list by assigning every year up to 15 a theme. These themes are called the 'Traditional Themes'.

Modern Themes

Today there are additional themed suggestions to the traditional, for just about every single anniversary up to the 30th, and suggestions for every 5 years thereafter, up to the 75th anniversary. These are now known as 'Modern Themes'.

Our table below listing gifts by anniversary year is as accurate and comprehensive as we can possibly achieve. We feel it is more detailed than any other list on the internet. 

 ***  The traditional theme for the 14th anniversary is ivory, however, this is an unacceptable choice today given the unethical impact on elephants  populations. A more suitable gift theme in keeping with the tradtitional concept is one which contains an elephant theme.

Traditional vs Modern

Traditional anniversary gifts were more often than not something very practical that the couple could use to contribute to their home. Tin, copper, wood, paper and wool were often seen as wonderful gifts during the early years of these marriages. Luxury gifts were reserved for later in life, when the family had acquired most of the creature comforts.

Modern gifts are just as practical and needed. The only difference is that modern gifts are usually pre-made items using whatever the theme is for the year. For example, some gifts may include desk sets or other types of wooden furniture, appliances, and clothes.

Traditional or Modern, these anniversary suggestions help couples remain committed to the love and joy they have continued to nurture throughout their years together. No gift list rises above another. Choose whichever list strikes your fancy, and buy a gift that conveys your heartfelt love now, and forever. The gift itself may not be particularly ‘romantic’ in the literal sense (eg, a household appliance). However, by mere fact of investing thought into commemorating the anniversary with a gift specific to the number of years you have been married, symbolizes your appreciation for that specific number of years you have been joined in matrimony. This is romantic! Your ultimate goal afterall is to celebrate your anniversary in a unique way each year that cannot be replaced or replicated on another anniversary occasion.

One thing to remember is that different countries have their own lists. What might be on the suggested anniversary gift list in the United States may not be on a list in the United Kingdom. This is mainly due to different cultures and traditions in each country. The tables on our page specifies if the list is from the US or the UK.

Beyond the Gift Lists: Colors, Flowers and Gemstones

In 1985, the 'Gemstone Information Manual' was published by the American Gem Trade Association. In this manual, the AGTA lists which precious metals or gemstones correspond to each anniversary. They started with the 1st anniversary, covering every year up until the 25^th. From the 25th until the 60th, they designated a gemstone or precious metal for every 5th year. Not all charts or tables will list the same gemstones for each year. Some stones and metals are only found in certain areas of the world, and would more easily be on those charts than others.

Certain colors and flowers have also long been associated with certain anniversaries. There is no known 'original' list of these themes, they have just evolved over the years and are often different across the globe. Colors may be constant around the world, but different regions of the world are known for growing exotic flowers that are not grown elsewhere. As far as flowers go, the rose is the flower most often associated with love - especially the red rose. Giving a single red rose or bouquet of red roses on any anniversary is appropriate.

Choosing the Perfect Gift

Most tables today will list gift ideas for every anniversary up to the 30th. Our table outlines both Traditional and Modern gift suggestions up to the 60^th anniversary, as well as colors, flowers and gemstones. We also include a range of specific items that exemplify each theme to help you think about something relevant to that theme.

So please feel free to choose from either list if you are looking for gift ideas or inspiration. If you have a particularly creative streak, or enjoy crafting things yourself, you can check out our section on Handmade Gifts for an Anniversary, and you can tailor your crafted gift to the theme for the anniversary in question. 

At the end of the day, you know your spouse better than anyone else in the world, so give them an anniversary gift that they will most treasure, and express your thoughtfulness by going along with a theme that cannot be replicated the following year. Your themed gift alone shows that you are appreciating the specific number of years you have been married.