Anniversary
Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional & Modern (1–75)
The complete list of traditional and modern anniversary gifts for every year from 1 to 75 — plus gift ideas that aren't a cliché.
Updated May 30, 2026Reviewed by Ava Mercer, Editor-in-Chief
The full list — every year from 1 to 25
| Year | Traditional | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | Clocks |
| 2 | Cotton | China |
| 3 | Leather | Crystal / Glass |
| 4 | Fruit / Flowers | Appliances |
| 5 | Wood | Silverware |
| 6 | Candy / Iron | Wood |
| 7 | Wool / Copper | Desk sets |
| 8 | Pottery / Bronze | Linens / Lace |
| 9 | Willow / Pottery | Leather |
| 10 | Tin / Aluminum | Diamond jewelry |
| 11 | Steel | Fashion jewelry |
| 12 | Silk / Linen | Pearls |
| 13 | Lace | Textiles / Furs |
| 14 | Ivory | Gold jewelry |
| 15 | Crystal | Watches |
| 16 | — | Silver hollowware |
| 17 | — | Furniture |
| 18 | — | Porcelain |
| 19 | — | Bronze |
| 20 | China | Platinum |
| 21 | — | Brass / Nickel |
| 22 | — | Copper |
| 23 | — | Silver plate |
| 24 | — | Musical instruments |
| 25 | Silver | Silver |
Milestone years 30–75
| Year | Traditional | Modern |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Pearl | Diamond |
| 35 | Coral | Jade |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 50 | Gold | Gold |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond |
| 65 | Blue Sapphire | Blue Sapphire |
| 70 | Platinum | Platinum |
| 75 | Diamond / Gold | Diamond / Gold |
How to use these lists
The materials are starting points — not a literal mandate. For year 5 (wood), a custom cutting board, a framed wooden art piece or a weekend in a cabin all count. For year 10 (tin/aluminum), a tin of a favorite thing, a personalized aluminum print, or an experience together work.
Modern gift ideas by year (the first 10)
- Year 1 — Paper: a framed first-anniversary photo; a custom-printed book of the wedding.
- Year 2 — Cotton: matching robes or sheets.
- Year 3 — Leather: wallet, journal, or a leather weekender.
- Year 4 — Fruit/Flowers: a fruit-tree planted in your yard; a flower-of-the-month subscription.
- Year 5 — Wood: custom cutting board, dining table, cabin weekend.
- Year 6 — Candy/Iron: cast-iron skillet, chocolate experience.
- Year 7 — Wool/Copper: blanket; copper cookware.
- Year 8 — Pottery: handmade ceramics; pottery class.
- Year 9 — Willow: outdoor furniture; willow basket.
- Year 10 — Tin/Aluminum: a special tin; an aluminum-mounted photo.
Frequently asked questions
- What are traditional anniversary gifts by year?
- The traditional list assigns a material to each year of marriage — paper, cotton, leather, wood, iron, copper, silk, pottery, willow, tin and so on through diamond at year 60.
- What is the modern anniversary gift list?
- The modern list updates older materials into more practical equivalents — clocks for year 1, china for year 2, crystal for year 3, appliances for year 4, silverware for year 5.
- What's the gift for the first anniversary?
- Paper traditionally, clocks modernly. Popular ideas: a framed photo, a custom-printed wedding book, or two front-row concert tickets (printed).
- What's the 25th anniversary gift?
- Silver — both traditionally and modernly. Common gifts are silver jewelry, a silver-framed photo, or a 25th-anniversary trip.
- What is the 50th anniversary called?
- The Golden Anniversary — gold is both the traditional and modern gift.
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