Anniversary gifts by year: traditional and modern list
By the Notre Livre editorial team · · 8 min read
The anniversary gift list is a tradition, not a rule. Most couples use it as a starting point: a theme that makes it easier to find something thoughtful.
Below is the list most commonly used in the United States, with the traditional material, a common modern alternative, and a simple way to make each year personal.
Traditional and modern anniversary gifts, year by year
| Year | Traditional | Modern | Personal idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Clocks | A letter or a book of your first year |
| 2nd | Cotton | China | A quilt or throw with a meaningful date |
| 3rd | Leather | Crystal or glass | A leather-bound journal for the next chapter |
| 4th | Fruit or flowers | Appliances | A tree planted for the two of you |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware | An engraved wooden keepsake box |
| 6th | Iron | Wood | A cast-iron pan and a recipe that is yours |
| 7th | Wool or copper | Desk sets | A copper print of a place you love |
| 8th | Bronze | Linens or lace | A bronze detail with your initials |
| 9th | Pottery | Leather | A pottery class together |
| 10th | Tin or aluminum | Diamond jewelry | A tin box of ten years of notes |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches | A crystal piece engraved with your date |
| 20th | China | Platinum | A dinner on the china you never use |
| 25th | Silver | Silver | The story of your 25 years, in a book |
| 30th | Pearl | Diamond | Pearls and a letter for each decade |
| 35th | Coral | Jade | A trip to the sea |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby | A ruby and a family gathering |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | A sapphire and the photos of 45 years |
| 50th | Gold | Gold | A golden anniversary book of their life together |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond | Their love story, told for the grandchildren |
Lists vary slightly from one source to another, especially for modern gifts. If your partner cares about the tradition, pick the traditional material; if not, the theme is only an invitation.
Milestone anniversaries worth planning early
The 1st, 5th, 10th, 25th, 40th and 50th anniversaries are the ones people remember. They are also the years when a gift that tells your story makes the most sense, because there is a story to tell.
For those milestones, see our dedicated guides: paper anniversary gift ideas, 10 year anniversary gift ideas, 25th anniversary gift ideas and 50th anniversary gift ideas for parents.
A gift that works for every year
Whatever the material, the gift that tends to move people most is the one that shows your shared history: how you met, what you have been through, what you built.
A personalized anniversary book turns those memories into a first-person novel of your relationship, written from a guided conversation and reviewed by you before it is printed. It fits paper on year one, silver on year twenty-five and gold on year fifty.