Wonder what are the wedding anniversary gifts by year? We have come a long way from tradition… our world is becoming more and more modern by the minute.
Although we love how much our world has progressed, there is something so romantic about following the marriage traditions that have been around for centuries.
If you have a soft spot for long-established, classic gifts, our guide below will appeal to you.
Year 1 : Paper (Traditional) Clock (Modern)
Knock Knock What I Love About Us By Me
Paper is fragile and inexpensive, which is why it has traditionally been given for first anniversaries.
The early years of anniversaries start simple like this, and get more luxurious as time goes on.
The reason for this is for symbolizing modest beginnings.
Marriage grows, after all, which is why paper (traditional) or a clock (modern) is a wonderful way to symbolize the new beginnings of a marriage.
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Year 2 Cotton (Traditional) China (Modern)
Cotton anniversary gifts are a symbol for comfort, meaning the couple is generally more comfortable with each other and their marriage by now.
Like a well-loved cotton shirt, the relationship has settled in. China, in comparison, can be broken if not treated carefully.
A porcelain gift symbolizes the care the two of you put into your marriage.
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Year 3 Leather (Traditional) Crystal/Glass (Modern)
Personalized Photo On Real Leather
Leather is durable and warm, just like your marriage by its third year. The bond between you has grown stronger and more supportive.
If leather doesn’t suit you, crystal and glass is a modern alternative to leather while still remaining traditional.
This gift is great for reflecting the sparkle between the two of you.
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Year 4 Fruit/Flowers (Traditional) Appliances (Modern)
Sterling Silver Pressed Flower Teardrop Earrings
Fruit and flowers are symbolic of the blossoming nature of your relationship by its fourth year.
Flowers have always been an extremely sweet way to tell your loved one how special they are to you, but if this doesn’t suit your relationship, opt for appliances instead!
Appliances are often purchased to make the functionality of married life easier.
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Year 5 Wood (Traditional) Silverware (Modern)
Wood Resin Ring Soul of The Forest
Keep the spark alive with a wooden gift, symbolizing the strength and warmth of marriage’s 5th year.
The modern alternative to wood is silver. Due to its precious value, silver is representative of the value of your relationship.
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Year 6 Candy/Iron (Traditional) Wood (Modern)
Handmade Intertwined Horseshoe Hearts
Even though iron and candy seem to be a strange combination, the dual actually make perfect sense as a 6th anniversary gift.
Iron is given to symbolize the strength and stability of marriage, and candy symbolizes the sweetness. Wood is the modern choice, symbolizing reliability and heat.
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Year 7 Copper (Traditional) Desk Set (Modern)
Personalized First Dance Song Copper Print
By the 7th year of marriage there has bound to have been some changes to your relationship and lifestyle.
Since copper can be shaped and hammered into any shape, a gift of this sort is used to symbolize the strength of a couple during these changes.
A desk set is also a popular choice for this year, as these items can be taken by your loved one to work as a constant reminder of you.
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Year 8 Bronze (Traditional) Linens/Lace (Modern)
Soulmates Lovers Kissing Sculpture
Bronze is strong, reliable, and extremely durable. By your 8th year of marriage, your relationship can be symbolized by the properties of this precious metal.
Lace or linens, in comparison, is a more modern take on the 8th year, and represents delicate attention and care.
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Year 9 Pottery (Traditional) Leather (Modern)
King & Queen Ceramic Marble Mug
Pottery is the perfect way to commemorate your 9th year together, as it is a beautiful piece of art like your marriage.
Pottery takes time, patience, and creativity, just like a valuable and functional relationship.
The modern choice for this year is leather which, similar to your fourth year, is symbolic of strength and warmth.
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Year 10 Tin/Aluminium (Traditional) Diamond Jewelry (Modern)
Solid 100% Tin Heavy Rock Gift
Your 10th year together is a big one and deserves to be celebrated properly. Tin, a traditional gift, has been used historically to symbolize purity.
While tin is resistant to corrosion and very pliable, it is representative of the flexibility needed in a marriage to reach 10 years.
Diamonds are the modern choice, as they are celebratory gems and symbolize great value.
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Year 11 Steel (Traditional) Fashion Jewelry (Modern)
Steel has been used traditionally to symbolize everlasting strength, which is the reason why it is the gift of choice for 11th year anniversaries.
Jewelry is also a popular choice and is used to symbolize something similar to steel- strong bonds. Both are highly cherished gifts.
Be sure to check out Azuro for more beautiful jewelry for men.
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Year 12 Silk/Linen (Traditional) Pearls (Modern)
Personalized 12 Year Anniversary Wedding Gift
Silk and linen are representative of protection and security.
As a married couple of 12 years, you have relied on each other for the same sort of security, making silk and linen a wonderful and traditional gift for this anniversary.
If you prefer pearls, this choice is also symbolic of the sophisticated nature of your long lasting relationship.
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Year 13 Lace (Traditional) Textile/Furs (Modern)
Message In A Bottle "CUPID" Personalized Gift
Both of these gifts are symbolic for similar reasons, making them perfect whether you are more traditional or modern.
Both lace and textiles are created from interlacing fibres, and are therefore used to represent the interconnectedness of your lives, as well as the closeness of your bond.
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Year 14 Animal/Animal Items (Traditional) Gold Jewelry (Modern)
Silver Giraffes Heart Shaped Figurines
Animals are a meaningful way to showcase the love and affection you have for each other as a couple of 14 years.
Just like humans, a lot of animals have a strong and pure bond with their mates.
The modern gift of choice for this year is gold, which is associated with the luxury you feel while living life together.
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Year 15 Crystals (Traditional) Watches (Modern)
Natural Amethyst Quartz Crystal Cluster
Crystals make a dazzling anniversary gift for your 15th year together.
This precious gift is known for the love and attention you must put into caring for it, reflective of the love and attention you must put into your marriage for it to thrive after 15 years.
Watches, a modern gift for this year, are a way to represent how much you cherish one another.
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Year 20 China (Traditional) Platinum (Modern)
Oriental Furniture Dragon Gong
China is fragile, precious, but also generally well loved, making it the perfect traditional gift for your big 20th anniversary.
Platinum, the modern choice for this year, is a rare material that is extremely durable.
This is symbolic of 20 years for the strength of your marriage as well as its value.
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Year 25 Silver (Traditional & Modern)
Soulmates Universal Symbol of Love Sculpture
25 years is special because you have made it as a married couple for a quarter of a century.
Celebrate this big year with silver- a timeless, classic, and beautiful material that is suitable for both husband and wife.
Symbolize the sparkle in your relationship by choosing a silver gift.
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Year 30 Pearl (Traditional & Modern)
Swarovski 1120198 Shell with Pearl Figurine
There is no better way to commemorate a 30th anniversary than with pearls.
Being both the traditional and modern gift of choice, pearls are classic and sophisticated- just like your marriage.
Pearls are a way to celebrate your 30th year in luxury.
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Year 35 Coral (Traditional & Modern)
Green Coral Sculpture with Crystal Bases
Coral organically grows in warm seas and takes a long time to grow, but always forms the most unique and beautiful shapes.
After 35 years of commitment, your marriage has gone through a lot of growth to become the beautiful form it is today.
The parallel between coral and your relationship makes it a perfect gift for a 35th anniversary.
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Year 40 Ruby (Traditional & Modern)
Personalized Anniversary Sundial Gift
Ruby’s are the traditional 40th anniversary gift due to the fact that they represent enthusiasm and strength.
This precious gem comes in varieties of red and pink- a colour symbolic of everlasting love.
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Year 45 Sapphire (Traditional & Modern)
45 Years Married Together Porcelain Plate
Sapphires are stunning stones that come in a variety of colours, but are traditionally blue.
The gem is said to be a representation of serenity and truth. After 45 years of successful partnership, serenity and truth are virtues the two of you have mastered.
Congratulate yourselves with this traditional choice.
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Year 50 Gold (Traditional & Modern)
Gold Plated Crystal Studded Guardian Angel Ornament
Congratulations for half a century! 50 is an incredible milestone and a rare celebration of pure love.
Gold is traditionally given for this year due to the fact that it is a rare and extremely precious metal with high value.
Commemorate 50 in luxury with gifts of gold.
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Year 55: Emerald (Traditional & Modern)
Green Simulated Emerald 18K Yellow Gold Plated Ring
Emerald, the favourite stone of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is known for its vibrant green hue that captures the hearts of all.
Because emerald represents goodness and fidelity it has been given as a traditional gift to celebrate 55 years of love.
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Year 60 Diamond (Traditional & Modern)
Sterling Silver Diamond 3 Stone Heart Pendant Necklace
60 is an incredible milestone in the Institute of marriage and deserves to be celebrated in style.
This is why diamonds are the traditional and modern gift choice for this anniversary.
Diamonds symbolize beauty, elegance, and value, which is a perfect reflection of your long lasting marriage.
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