Whether you’ve been married for one year, a decade, or half a century, every wedding anniversary is worth celebrating. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a thoughtful gift?
In this complete guide to wedding anniversary gift years, you’ll find traditional and modern anniversary gifts, symbolic gemstones and flowers for every year – all with meaningful explanations and fun gift ideas.
Wedding Anniversary Gift Years at a Glance
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| Year | Traditional | Modern | Gemstone | Flower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Clocks | Gold | Carnation |
| 2nd | Cotton | China | Garnet | Lily of the Valley |
| 3rd | Leather | Glass or Crystal | Pearl | Sunflower |
| 4th | Fruit or Flowers | Appliances | Topaz | Hydrangea |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware | Sapphire | Daisy |
| 10th | Tin or Aluminium | Diamond | Diamond | Daffodil |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches | Ruby | Rose |
| 20th | China | Platinum | Emerald | Aster |
| 25th | Silver | Silver | Silver | Iris |
| 30th | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl | Lily |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Nasturtium |
| 50th | Gold | Gold | Gold | Violet |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond | N/A |
| 75th | Diamond | Diamond | Sapphire | N/A |
| 80th | Oak | Oak | Ruby | N/A |
| 90th | Granite or Diamond | Granite or Diamond | Diamond | N/A |
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Why Celebrate Wedding Anniversaries?
Marriage is one of the biggest milestones in your life. It changes the way you live, love and grow. Whether you prefer grand gestures or quiet nights in, every anniversary is a chance to celebrate the commitment and memories you’ve built together in a way that’s meaningful to you and your partner.
There’s no pressure to make it big, or even to celebrate every year. Some couples love to splash out, while others keep things simple. As long as you and your partner are on the same page, there’s no wrong way to mark the day.
What Are Wedding Anniversary Gifts?
Wedding anniversary gifts are like the gifts given to mark other significant moments of someone’s life, such as a birthday, Christmas, marriage or any other special occasion. But it counts double for an anniversary, because you’re not the only one celebrating something. Both you and your partner have reached an incredible milestone in your marriage, whether it’s one or one 90 years.
Couples love to give each other gifts on their anniversary because it marks such an important time they share. It’s a symbolic gesture that shows your continued love and commitment to your partner and how much you appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive and you shouldn’t feel pressured to give them a gift if your budget doesn’t allow it – it all depends on your personal preferences and circumstances, and what feels right to you as a couple.
Milestone Wedding Anniversary Years
While every year matters, these are the big wedding anniversaries that many couples celebrate with extra flair:
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1st Anniversary: The first year of shared memories – symbolic of new beginnings.
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10th Anniversary: A full decade together! Often celebrated with diamond or tin anniversary gifts.
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25th Anniversary: Silver Anniversary. Quarter of a century, with major party potential!
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40th Anniversary: Ruby Anniversary. Deep love and strength.
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50th Anniversary: Golden Anniversary. Celebrate together with glamour.
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60th & 75th: Diamond Anniversaries. Very rare, and so very special.
Traditional and Modern Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year
Below are the classic gifts for the major anniversary years. Click to expand each section and explore gift ideas, symbolic meanings and more.
If you’d like to mark your next wedding anniversary with a symbolic and thoughtful gift, there are traditional and modern options you can consider. Which you choose is up to you – you might even decide not to go with either.
The creator of the traditional gifts, Emily Post, only wrote about the gifts couples should exchange for their 1st to 15th anniversaries, then every fifth anniversary after that. But thankfully, as with most traditions, they’ve evolved over time – so we’ve filled in the blanks to include the new traditions couples have adopted.
So, if you’d like to give your other half something with symbolic meaning, here are a few ideas, including the anniversary gemstones and flowers.
1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Paper (symbolises a fresh start)
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Modern: Clocks (representing the time spent together)
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Gemstone: Gold
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Flower: Carnation
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Gift ideas: A custom print, gold watch, framed wedding photo
2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Cotton (symbolises strength through flexibility)
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Modern: China
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Gemstone: Garnet
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Flower: Lily of the valley
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Gift ideas: Matching robes, embroidered cushions, a fine tea set
3rd Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Leather
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Modern: Glass or crystal
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Gemstone: Pearl
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Flower: Sunflower
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Gift ideas: Leather wallet or handbag, glass or crystal champagne flutes
4th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Fruit or flowers
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Modern: Appliances
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Gemstone: Topaz
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Flower: Hydrangea
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Gift ideas: Fruit basket, floral arrangement, coffee machine
5th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Wood
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Modern: Silverware
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Gemstone: Sapphire
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Flower: Daisy
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Gift ideas: Carved wooden ornament, personalised silver cutlery
Sugar symbolises sweetness while amethyst adds a regal touch. A box of luxury sweets or an amethyst necklace fits perfectly.
7th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Wool and copper reflect warmth and durability throughout your marriage. Think cosy throws or a copper photo frame.
8th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Bronze shows resilience; tourmaline brings balance. Try a bronze ornament or tourmaline jewellery as a thoughtful anniversary gift.
9th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Pottery and willow represent adaptability throughout your marriage. A handmade pottery piece or willow basket works well.
10th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Tin or aluminium
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Modern: Diamond
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Gemstone: Diamond
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Flower: Daffodil
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Gift ideas: Custom tin keepsake, diamond pendant, daffodil bouquet
11th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Steel is a strong, unbreakable metal, just like your marriage. A sleek watch or steel jewellery makes a smart gift.
12th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Silk is smooth and luxurious. Consider a silk robe or jade earrings for a touch of elegance with which to treat your partner.
13th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Lace and citrine are both delicate and meaningful. A lace accessory or citrine ring feels just right as a wedding anniversary gift.
14th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Ivory (now only symbolically used) and opal represent purity and hope. Opt for ethical ivory-toned decor or opal jewellery.
15th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Crystal and rose speak to beauty and love. Go for a crystal vase or a romantic rose bouquet to delight your other half.
16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Wax and peridot represent light and growth. A beautiful candle set or green gemstone gift suits the theme.
17th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Watches symbolise the time you’ve shared with your partner. A stylish watch or carnelian pendant makes a thoughtful present.
18th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Porcelain is refined and lasting, just like your marriage. A porcelain dinner set or cat’s eye stone gift adds charm.
19th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Bronze and aquamarine evoke depth and resilience. Think nautical jewellery or a bronze keepsake box.
20th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: China
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Modern: Platinum
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Gemstone: Emerald
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Flower: Aster
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Gift ideas: China tea set, platinum ring, emerald cufflinks, aster bouquet
25th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Silver
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Modern: Silver
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Gemstone: Silver
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Flower: Iris
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Gift ideas: Engraved silver jewellery, framed photo in silver, iris bouquet
The traditional and modern 25th wedding anniversary gifts
30th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Pearl
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Modern: Diamond
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Gemstone: Pearl
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Flower: Lily
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Gift ideas: Pearl necklace, diamond-studded frame, lily centrepiece
35th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Coral and emerald symbolise protection and longevity. Celebrate with coral-toned flowers or emerald jewellery.
40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Ruby
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Modern: Ruby
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Gemstone: Ruby
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Flower: Nasturtium
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Gift ideas: Ruby ring, ruby-toned glassware, nasturtium seeds or bouquet
45th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Sapphire stands for loyalty and truth. A sapphire ring or a gift in deep blue says it beautifully on your 45th wedding anniversary.
50th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Gold
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Modern: Gold
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Gemstone: Gold
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Flower: Violet (optional)
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Gift ideas: Gold bracelet, personalised gold frame, violet-inspired decor
55th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Emerald represents a deep, steady love, acquired over years of marriage. Opt for emerald earrings or something meaningful in rich green.
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Traditional: Diamond
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Modern: Diamond
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Gemstone: Diamond
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Flower: N/A
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Gift ideas: Diamond earrings, custom diamond anniversary plaque
65th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Sapphire returns for this rare milestone. Honour it with an heirloom piece or lovely sapphire-accented keepsake.
70th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Platinum
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Modern: Platinum
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Gemstone: Platinum
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Flower: N/A
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Gift ideas: Platinum jewellery, engraved platinum photo frame
75th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Diamond is the ultimate symbol of lasting love. Mark this moment in your marriage with something sparkly and unforgettable.
80th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Oak
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Modern: Oak
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Gemstone: Ruby
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Flower: N/A
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Gift ideas: Oak tree planting, ruby pendant
85th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Wine symbolises richness and celebration. A vintage bottle or luxury wine experience is perfect for toasting a lifetime of marriage together.
90th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
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Traditional: Granite or diamond
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Modern: Granite or diamond
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Gemstone: Diamond
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Flower: N/A
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Gift ideas: Diamond keepsake, granite sculpture or ornament
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Do I have to give a gift for every anniversary?
Nope, not at all. Some couples prefer quality time or small gestures. It’s about what feels right for you and your partner. You might want to especially mark the first anniversary (one whole year since your wedding); your 10th anniversary (a whole decade together); and every five years after that (so your 15th, 20th, 25th, and so on). After that, the 25th and 50th anniversaries are huge occasions, which should definitely be shouted about from the rooftops.
2) What if we don’t like the gift for our year?
Feel free to adapt or skip it! Traditions are just ideas – you can easily personalise them to your taste and priorities. Different gifts have different symbolic meanings and might have a unique meaning or nostalgic element for the two of you. Some gifts might also have actual uses and a lot more flexibility about them. As you might expect, modern anniversary gifts are a little easier to work with, but even some of those are a little outdated by 21st-century standards.
3) Are these UK-specific traditions?
Yes, the list is based on UK traditions, but there’s lots of overlap with US and European customs as well. For example, couples in the UK, USA, Germany, Japan and beyond mark the 25th (silver) and 50th (gold) anniversaries with special gifts, parties and other celebrations.
4) Can I mix traditional and modern gifts?
Absolutely. Many couples alternate or combine them. Go with what feels meaningful to your and your partner.
Year-by-year Anniversary Gifts Guide
See below for a quick reference guide to all the traditional anniversary gifts by year. Remember that whether you should give your partner a traditionalo or modern gift is entirely up to you – there’s no right or wrong answer. Speak to your partner about what you might like to do and if you want to stick to a theme.
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Wedding Anniversary Gemstones Guide
Check out the below specific gemstones are associated with each anniversary year. There are a few repeated gemstones, so you can mix it up if you like. If all else fails, a piece of jewellery that contains a gemstone is guaranteed to bring a smile to your other half’s face thanks to the symbolic meaning behind it.
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| Anniversary Year | Gemstone |
|---|---|
| 1st | Gold |
| 2nd | Garnet |
| 3rd | Pearl |
| 4th | Topaz |
| 5th | Sapphire |
| 6th | Amethyst |
| 7th | Onyx |
| 8th | Tourmaline |
| 9th | Lapis Lazuli |
| 10th | Diamond |
| 11th | Turquoise |
| 12th | Jade |
| 13th | Citrine |
| 14th | Opal |
| 15th | Ruby |
| 16th | Peridot |
| 17th | Carnelian |
| 18th | Cat’s Eye |
| 19th | Aquamarine |
| 20th | Emerald |
| 21st | Iolite |
| 22nd | Spinel |
| 23rd | Topaz |
| 24th | Tanzanite |
| 25th | Silver |
| 30th | Pearl |
| 35th | Emerald |
| 40th | Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold |
| 55th | Emerald |
| 60th | Diamond |
| 65th | Sapphire |
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Wedding Anniversary Flowers Guide
Here are the flowers traditionally given on each wedding anniversary. After all, flowers are an international symbol of love, and many lovebirds love to give flowers to the person they love (that’s a lot of love!).
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| Anniversary Year | Flower |
|---|---|
| 1st | Carnation |
| 2nd | Lily of the valley |
| 3rd | Sunflower |
| 4th | Hydrangea |
| 5th | Daisy |
| 6th | Calla lily |
| 7th | Freesia |
| 8th | Lilac |
| 9th | Bird of paradise |
| 10th | Daffodil |
| 11th | Tulip |
| 12th | Peony |
| 13th | Chrysanthemum |
| 14th | Orchid |
| 15th | Rose |
| 16th | Statice |
| 17th | Red carnation |
| 18th | Sunflower |
| 19th | Chrysanthemum |
| 20th | Aster |
| 21st | Iris |
| 22nd | There isn’t one |
| 23rd | Nil |
| 24th | Lavender |
| 25th | Iris |
| 30th | Lily |
| 35th | Coral rose |
| 40th | Nasturtium |
| 45th | There isn’t one |
| 50th | Violet |
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