Is your wedding anniversary fast approaching? Still not sure what to get your partner? Then this is your sign not just to dash to the nearest florist, but to embrace tradition.
Couples have been giving each other gifts based on the number of years they’ve been married for centuries — since the Middle Ages in fact. Popularized in the Victorian era, the symbolic gift tradition was picked up from Germany and became a common practice.
Hundreds of years later, the symbolic gifts remain a traditional romantic gesture that many couples choose to follow, marking the years in their marriage. If you’re looking to keep the tradition alive, then use our list of unique gifts by year (up to 25 years) to give your partner something traditional yet individual.
Paper, 1st Anniversary
Symbolic of the fragility of new marriage, paper is the first anniversary gift. There are numerous routes to go down with the paper gift type. Some choose to go humorous with toilet paper, others sentimental with handmade paper items like origami cranes or personalised playing cards; the choice is yours. You could write a letter and frame it, buy them tickets to see their favorite artist or a local show, or even buy them the newspaper from the day you met (you can order them online). Sometimes, the best gestures aren’t always grand ones.
Cotton, 2nd Anniversary
Cotton symbolises the many threads that couples will weave together in their marriage. The obvious choice here is clothes (socks, a cosy jumper, some cotton pyjamas), but if your partner is crafty, you could always gift them a sewing activity kit that uses cotton and make something together. Alternatively, for a more sustainable touch, think about buying recycled cotton items or reusable cotton pads for makeup removal that they can use in their daily self-care routine? It’s the little things.
Leather, 3rd Anniversary
Leather represents the durability and flexibility of love required for a successful marriage. A new wallet, purse, or bag is always an excellent choice for this anniversary — but make sure it’s genuine leather (or vegan leather if they are plant-based) so that it lasts. Leather coasters and placemats are a good idea as a gift for your home together, as is a leather-bound journal for them to write down their thoughts and musings of how much they love you.
Fruit or Flowers, 4th Anniversary
As natural gifts, fruit and flowers represent a flourishing, blooming marriage. If you want to stay true to the theme, then a bouquet of red roses or a fruit basket would be a perfectly suitable offering and are bound to impress. However, these things don’t last forever. So, if you want a timeless gift, you could opt for a carved wooden flower or fruit sculpture, a “timeless bouquet” in a box, or one of Diplate’s many posters with a fruit or floral design.
Wood, 5th Anniversary
Wood is said to be symbolic of a married couple’s strength and wisdom. The traditional 5th anniversary gift is a tree to plant together and watch it grow over the years; however, if you don’t have a garden or outdoor space, this can be tricky. As an alternative, your favorite photograph in a wooden frame or something useful for the house like a wooden lamp or bowls is a great idea.
Candy or Iron, 6th Anniversary
What may seem like an odd choice, iron represents the toughness and reserve required for marriage, while candy is a modern alternative that’s been added in recent years (perhaps to save couples from having to buy each other axes and skillets… how romantic). If you’re going traditional, there are plenty of stunning wrought iron home accessories such as fireplace tools or even a new knocker for the front door. As for the candy option, a hamper or a homemade jar filled with their favorite chocolates and candies is a surefire way to delight.
Wool or Copper, 7th Anniversary
Another interesting choice, copper is the more traditional gift and connotes a couple’s strength and the value of marriage. For wool, you could give them sheep’s wool socks, a woolen coat or scarf, or even actual wool if they’re big on knitting. As for copper, there is plenty of beautiful hand-crafted copper jewelry available from sellers on Etsy or other online marketplaces. Alternatively, an old penny in a frame or made into a necklace is a good nod to tradition here.
Pottery or Bronze, 8th Anniversary
In recent years, the 8th anniversary gift has developed into a choice of pottery for the couple’s home or bronze to demonstrate resilience and longevity. For pottery, you could give them a new dinner set, some flowerpots if they like to garden, or a hand-thrown mug or vase to show your appreciation. Bronze, on the other hand, could extend to sculptures, pieces of abstract art, or more functional items like bronze lanterns for candles or tealights.
Pottery or Willow, 9th Anniversary
Similarly, this choice between pottery and willow is a more modern take on the tradition, with the pottery representing the shaping of a marriage over time and the willow connoting flexibility. If you wanted to think more outside the box than actual pottery, you could turn this gift into an experience with a pottery class for the pair of you. Alternatively, the willow gift offers a nice opportunity to give them a wicker wreath or decorative item, or an actual willow tree. If those aren’t your style, we have plenty of our signature metal posters with stunning willow designs.
Tin,10th Anniversary
Another symbol of strength and durability, tin (or aluminium) represents the 10th anniversary. However, modern takes on this tradition tend to opt for silver jewelry. If you are going for the traditional gift, now’s the time to think retro — vintage enamel tin mugs, an old-fashioned metal lunchbox, or even a metal biscuit tin (or cookie jar) to store their favorite snacks in.
Steel, 11th Anniversary
The ultimate symbol of strength, steel is the symbol of a steadfast marriage. Steel also happens to be the material that our Displate posters are made of. Giving your partner a modern-day stainless steel poster with their favorite art print, TV show, game, or animal on it is a fun and inventive take on the steel anniversary gift. Browse our full collection today and discover every design from florals and space to anime and maps.
Silk or Linen, 12th Anniversary
These fabrics represent the luxury of a couple’s marriage and the rich love they bring each other. The perfect 12th anniversary gift could look like a new set of linen sheets for your bed or some silk pyjamas to help them recline in style. Equally, you might want to get them a linen tablecloth for your dining room in their favorite colors, or perhaps a scarf. The choice is yours, just stay on theme.
Lace, 13th Anniversary
Lace symbolises the delicacy, beauty, and uniqueness of a couple’s relationship. For this gift, you may want to stay traditional and buy your partner some lace lingerie as husbands usually do for this anniversary. However, other takes on this gift type include new shoes (the connection being shoelaces here) or lace accessories such as hair bands and necklaces that include pretty lace elements.
Gold Jewelry, 14th Anniversary
After 14 years of marriage, the gold jewelry in question better be a medal, right? (Just kidding). This gift is pretty straightforward, so the question becomes “What type of gold jewelry?”. While necklaces with pendants are a timeless option, could 14 years be the time to renew your vows and gift an eternity ring?
Crystal, 15th Anniversary
At 15 years, crystal is given as a symbol of clarity, honesty, and enduring strength. Couples who’ve been married this long know each other through and through, and their gifts should reflect that. Traditionally, the crystal anniversary is a great opportunity to give your partner some quality crystal glasses; however, this is quite a common gift to receive from other family members celebrating your wedding. So, you may want to opt for more personalised gifts like crystal ornaments, their birthstone crystal in some jewelry, or even a Swarovski crystal if your budget will stretch.
Wax, 16th Anniversary
Like the pottery, wax represents the necessity for individuals to shape themselves to fit one another in a marriage. Your wax gift to your partner could be as straightforward as a candle in their favorite scent; you could push the boat out and get a nice crackle-wick or multi-wick candle here. Alternatively, for something more long-lasting, you could get them their own wax seal stamp for sealing letters and crafting.
Furniture, 17th Anniversary
A practical gift for 17 years, furniture represents stability, comfort, and family. With the furniture gift, you’ve got two options: sentimentality and practicality. If your partner has been going on and on about getting a new recliner, now would be the perfect time to make that wish come true. However, furniture doesn’t just have to be functional. You could buy them a new bookcase to house their overflowing TBR pile or a bar cart to tidy up their drinks area — it doesn’t have to be grand, just thoughtful.
Porcelain, 18th Anniversary
Porcelain symbolises the craftsmanship required to make a beautiful marriage, but also the fragility of relationships. For porcelain, there are plenty of great options – from a mug with their favorite tea or coffee to a striking new vase for the dining room table. Alternatively, sellers on sites like Etsy make porcelain ornaments just for anniversary occasions that can often be engraved with personal touches like names and wedding dates.
Bronze, 19th Anniversary
Oddly back to bronze again, the 19th anniversary gift is the same as the 8th anniversary. But, a word of warning, if you want to stay on their good side, don’t re-gift the same item from 10 years previously! This time, why not try bronze jewelry or a water feature/ fire pit for your outdoor space?
China, 20th Anniversary
Like porcelain, china represents beauty and skill — the latter needed in spades to maintain a successful marriage for two decades. A china teapot or cup and saucer is a dainty, delicate gift ideal for the tea drinker, or — if you’re a couple that loves all things vintage — you could hunt down some china plates in a thrift shop to add to your collection.
Fire, 21st Anniversary
Before you go ahead and gift your partner a brand new fireplace, the next few gift types are “themes” or symbols rather than actual objects. So, consider gifts that bring the idea of fire to life as a symbol of passion, warmth, and love. This might look like a set of candlesticks, a heated blanket, a poster with a fire-design, some novelty matches or an ornamental lighter, or even a set of hot sauces!
Water, 22nd Anniversary
Water symbolises a couple’s fluidity and depth of experiences together. Quite poetic if you ask us. Your water gift to your partner could be as small as their favorite perfume or as extravagant as a boat trip or a day out to the beach, on the river, or to an aquarium. You know them best!
Air, 23rd Anniversary
Again, as with fire, this gift is symbolic and you should by no means use this as an excuse to get your partner a “box of air” (not unless you don’t want to make it past 23 years of marriage, that is!). This could be plane tickets to a destination you’ve always wanted to travel to (air travel), something fun like a hot air balloon ride, or a more practical gift like the new hairdryer they’ve been wanting. For more budget gifts, a silk fan or windchimes offer a nice touch.
Stone, 24th Anniversary
Albeit humble, stone is the ultimate symbol of strength and sturdiness. If you’ve ever said, “They’re my rock” then you’ll know what we mean here. Your stone gift could be a statue for the garden or a fun mosaic or stone-painting kit. Of course, this theme could also include precious stones, in which case gemstone jewelry will always go down well.
Silver, 25th Anniversary
Last, but not least, we have silver, the perfect precious metal to symbolise a solid, precious marriage that’s lasted a quarter of a century. This one’s the big one, so don’t be afraid to make a gesture with personalised jewelry or a custom set of cufflinks as an example.
Gift With Love, Gift Displate
If you want to embrace tradition while maintaining a modern style, why not gift with Displate? Our collection of metal posters has every design imaginable — from origami (for paper) to fire designs for your 21st Anniversary. Browse our collections today and get inspired to give your partner something memorable, durable, and gifted with love.
