1st
First anniversary
- Traditional
- Paper
- Modern
- Clocks
Wedding anniversary gift guide
Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year
Find the traditional and modern theme for each year of marriage, from paper for the first anniversary to diamond for the 60th. Use the material as a meaningful starting point—not a rule that outranks the person you are celebrating.
Years 1–10
Traditional anniversary gifts for the early years.
The first decade moves from delicate paper to stronger natural materials and metals, while the modern list offers a more practical alternative for each year.
2nd
Second anniversary
- Traditional
- Cotton
- Modern
- China
3rd
Third anniversary
- Traditional
- Leather
- Modern
- Crystal or glass
4th
Fourth anniversary
- Traditional
- Fruit or flowers
- Modern
- Appliances
5th
Fifth anniversary
- Traditional
- Wood
- Modern
- Silverware
6th
Sixth anniversary
- Traditional
- Iron or candy
- Modern
- Wood
7th
Seventh anniversary
- Traditional
- Wool or copper
- Modern
- Desk sets
8th
Eighth anniversary
- Traditional
- Bronze
- Modern
- Linens or lace
9th
Ninth anniversary
- Traditional
- Pottery or willow
- Modern
- Leather
10th
Tenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Tin or aluminum
- Modern
- Diamond jewelry
Years 11–20
Themes for a marriage with history behind it.
These years mix durable metals, refined textiles, and lasting home pieces. Treat the material as a clue, then choose a gift that suits the life you share now.
11th
Eleventh anniversary
- Traditional
- Steel
- Modern
- Fashion jewelry
12th
Twelfth anniversary
- Traditional
- Silk or linen
- Modern
- Pearls
13th
Thirteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Lace
- Modern
- Textiles
14th
Fourteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Ivory-inspired
- Modern
- Gold jewelry
15th
Fifteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Crystal
- Modern
- Watches
16th
Sixteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Wax
- Modern
- Silver holloware
17th
Seventeenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Furniture
- Modern
- Furniture
18th
Eighteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Porcelain
- Modern
- Porcelain
19th
Nineteenth anniversary
- Traditional
- Bronze
- Modern
- Bronze
20th
Twentieth anniversary
- Traditional
- China
- Modern
- Platinum
Milestone years
The major wedding anniversary gifts after 20 years.
From the silver anniversary to the diamond anniversary, these widely recognized milestones use increasingly precious materials to mark a long marriage.
25th
Silver anniversary
- Traditional
- Silver
- Modern
- Silver
30th
Pearl anniversary
- Traditional
- Pearl
- Modern
- Diamond
35th
Coral anniversary
- Traditional
- Coral-inspired
- Modern
- Jade
40th
Ruby anniversary
- Traditional
- Ruby
- Modern
- Ruby
45th
Sapphire anniversary
- Traditional
- Sapphire
- Modern
- Sapphire
50th
Golden anniversary
- Traditional
- Gold
- Modern
- Gold
55th
Emerald anniversary
- Traditional
- Emerald
- Modern
- Emerald
60th
Diamond anniversary
- Traditional
- Diamond
- Modern
- Diamond
How to use the list
Keep the meaning. Lose the pressure.
01
Start with the year
Use the traditional or modern material to narrow the search, especially when you want the gift to acknowledge this exact anniversary.
02
Choose for real life
Match the gift to a known interest, shared ritual, useful upgrade, or memory instead of buying a literal material that will go unused.
03
Handle old themes thoughtfully
Use ethical, material-free interpretations for ivory and coral themes. Never buy real ivory or harvested coral to satisfy an anniversary list.
Anniversary gift questions
The year-by-year tradition, made simpler.
What are the traditional wedding anniversary gifts by year?
The traditional list begins with paper for the first anniversary, then cotton, leather, fruit or flowers, and wood for years two through five. It continues through materials such as silver for 25 years, pearl for 30, gold for 50, and diamond for 60.
Do I have to follow the traditional anniversary gift list?
No, the anniversary material is an optional prompt rather than a rule. Use it when it leads to a gift your spouse or the couple will genuinely enjoy, and choose the modern theme or a personal alternative when it does not.
What is the first wedding anniversary gift?
Paper is the traditional first wedding anniversary gift, and clocks are the modern alternative. A letter, book, print, tickets, or another paper-based keepsake can honor the theme without feeling novelty-led.
Which wedding anniversaries are the major milestones?
The first anniversary and the five-year marks through 30 years are commonly treated as major milestones, followed by decade marks such as the 40th, 50th, and 60th. Every year still counts, but those milestones have the most widely recognized names and materials.
What are the 25th, 50th, and 60th anniversary gifts?
Silver marks the 25th anniversary, gold marks the 50th, and diamond marks the 60th. Each material is both the traditional and modern theme for its milestone year.