Three years might not sound like much, but the fact that you’ve made it to your third wedding anniversary is incredible. All the trials and tribulations you’ve been through, and you still love each other more than ever. We think that definitely means you should treat each other if you can.
But what should you give your partner to mark your 3rd anniversary? Chances are you’ve thought about one or two things you might like to give them, but did you know there are traditional and modern gifts that many people like to give and have done for over 100 years? There’s also a traditional gemstone and flower, so if your thoughts revolve around flowers and jewellery, you might want to include the traditions there to give your gift a little more symbolic meaning.
In this guide, we’re going to explore all the gift-giving traditions and the meanings behind them when it comes to celebrating your 3rd anniversary. That way you’ll have all the information you need to make the best choice for you and your partner to make your anniversary extra special.
For more information about the different gift-giving traditions associated with anniversaries from 1 through to 90 years, read our complete year-by-year wedding anniversary gift guide.
What are traditional and modern gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary?
Ever since they were made official in the early 1900s (not that you have to stick to them by any means), lots of couples have had fun giving their partners traditional or modern anniversary gifts, as well as gifts linked to the traditional gemstone or flower.
Traditional 3rd anniversary gift – Leather
Leather is a really durable, hardy and flexible material that can withstand almost anything – which is also true of your marriage as you celebrate three years together. In fact, a leather shoe was found that was over 5,500 years old. Your marriage probably won’t last that long, but we bet it could! Leather represents strength and resilience – and for those looking for an alternative, vegan or faux leather is also just as strong and still absolutely on-theme.
Modern 3rd anniversary gift – Glass or crystal
The exact opposite of leather, glass or crystal is very delicate and fragile. This is also true of marriage, because if you don’t look after it then there’s a risk it could break. But, the fact that you’ve got to three years is evidence of how you look after your relationship. And a glass or crystal gift is a lovely way to show that.
3rd anniversary gemstone – Pearl
Pearls are incredible iridescent stones that come from saltwater and freshwater mollusks. They represent purity and beauty, and what’s more beautiful than you celebrating three years as a married couple? You can also get vegan-friendly pearls, so there’s plenty of choice for everyone if you’re looking to give your partner pearl jewellery.
3rd anniversary flower – Sunflower
The sunflower is one of the most recognisable flowers in the world with its huge open head packed full of nutritious seeds. It’s one of the symbols of summer, and represents happiness and long life – so could there really be a more appropriate flower for celebrating your anniversary?
How do you choose a gift for a 3rd wedding anniversary?
No one else in this world knows your other half quite as well as you do, and you might already have a few ideas about what you want to give them to mark your third anniversary. But, before you dive in and start adding things to your shopping basket, there are a few things to think about to make sure you choose the perfect pressie.
- Do you or don’t you follow the ‘rules’? Traditional and modern gifts don’t suit everyone’s tastes, so decide whether it’s something you want to include in your celebrations.
- Have you established your budget? When it comes to gift giving, it’s easy to get carried away, so make sure you set your budget and don’t be tempted to sway from it.
- Are you looking for a super personalised gift? Personalised gifts are thoughtful and unique and make for something extra special.
- Have you considered your partner’s tastes? You might want to give your partner something leather- or glass-related, but would they love something else more?
If you’re looking for a gift for a friend or family member who’s celebrating their third anniversary, you’re also free to be as involved in the rules as you like. Joining in by giving them a traditional or modern gift can be a lot of fun and shows that you’ve put a lot of thought into it.
50 ideas for a 3rd wedding anniversary gift
If you’re excited to give your partner a symbolic and thoughtful gift to mark your 3rd anniversary but don’t know where to start, we’ve put together this helpful list featuring 50 ideas to get your started.
10 traditional gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
The traditional anniversary gift for three years is leather, and thankfully there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a brilliant and thoughtful present. So, here are 10 leather anniversary presents, which include a mix of cow leather and vegan leather options.
1. A personalised leather keyring
If you’re not sure your partner would love a leather gift but you’re keen to give them something traditional and symbolic, a personalised leather keyring is a cute way to give them something that’s totally on theme. It’s something your partner can carry with them wherever they go, and if you order one through Pedal and Brass you can personalise it, too.
2. A leather wallet or purse
Wallets and purses go through a lot of wear and tear, being pulled in and out of pockets and bags at least a couple of times a day. That’s why nothing beats a high-quality wallet or purse, and it’s something your partner will love and get a lot of use out of. There are great leather wallets available at Wallet King and a huge selection of purses at Lakeland Leather.
3. A leather photo album
Physical photo albums have fallen out of fashion over the last decade or so, and it’s about time that changed – there’s nothing quite as lovely as cracking out old photos to look back on and reminisce. A leather photo album, like those at Noble Macmillan, are great for storing those precious photographs. Or, for something a little different, a leather scrapbook gives you a place to personalise your memories and add a little character.
4. A leather laptop bag
If your partner spends hours of their day glued to their laptop for work, you’ll know just how precious it is to them. You could incorporate that into your choice of gift, by giving them a smart leather laptop bag. Knomo has a great range of extra special leather laptop bags to keep your other half’s work safe and secure.
5. Personalised leather coasters
You can never have too many coasters at home, and personalised leather coasters are stylish, durable and totally fit the theme of a traditional 3rd anniversary gift. Leather coasters from Your Surprise allow you to choose from various options and personalise them with a custom message.
6. A vegan leather notebook
Your partner might write a lot of notes, maybe for work or if they study. Or they could write a journal or like to keep paper close by to write things down. If this is anything like your partner, a vegan leather notebook would be a perfect gift.
7. A watch with faux leather strap
A watch is never a bad idea for a gift, with so many amazing options available to fit all budgets, tastes and styles. And thankfully, there are also loads of different watch strap materials out there too, including faux leather. This trendy faux leather strapped watch from Zazzle ticks a whole lot of boxes associated with the perfect 3rd anniversary gift.
8. A vegan leather jewellery box
Everyone with more than just a couple of items of jewellery knows just how tricky it can be to keep everything safe. If this sounds like your partner, a vegan leather jewellery box will do just the trick – not too expensive, on theme and super useful!
9. A faux leather e-reader case
Kindles and other e-readers are a prized possession for any bookworm. Yes, there’s nothing quite like the smell of a real book, but e-readers are so handy and versatile. Keep your partner’s e-reader in tip-top condition with a vegan leather e-reader case.
10. A vegan leather bookmark
Continuing with the bookish theme, if your other half really does love getting stuck into a physical book, a personalised vegan leather bookmark will make sure they never lose their place. And whenever they sneak in a quick chapter, they’ll always be reminded of your third anniversary.
10 modern gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
If you’re not sold on the idea of giving your partner a traditional leather gift, you could choose the modern option, which is glass or crystal. Here are 10 ideas to get you started and hopefully make your decision crystal clear.
1. A Swarovski crystal cherry blossom
Swarovski is one of the biggest and most well-known makers of crystals and other luxury fashion accessories, so spoiling your partner with a gift from Swarovski makes a huge statement. And thankfully, not all Swarovski gifts break the bank, like the Garden Tales Cherry Blossom, a minimalist pink flower with 230 facets to ensure real sparkle.
2. An engraved crystal heart
A lovely and hugely personal crystal gift that looks brilliant on a mantlepiece, shelf or inside a display cabinet is an engraved crystal heart, like the ones produced by 3D Crystal. All you do is send them your favourite wedding snap and they’ll recreate it inside a crystal heart. And when combined with a light base, it really makes for a fabulously personal gift.
3. A Royal Scot crystal vase
Royal Scot is an internationally renowned producer of fine, handmade crystal. Give your partner a real treat on your third anniversary with a vase that you could even give to them with flowers already in them. Then, every time they get flowers they’ll always be reminded of your symbolic gift. Check out the Royal Scot website to browse their selection of vases.
4. A Fortnum and Mason teapot
When many hear the name Fortnum and Mason, they know it’s a name associated with luxury and class. That’s why a Fortnum and Mason glass teapot makes for a brilliant gift for any tea-loving partner. It elevates the average brew and makes every tea time that little bit more special.
5. Royal Doulton Champagne flutes
Royal Doulton has been making ceramics and other luxury items for over 200 years, and they also happen to produce some incredible glassware. And as you’re celebrating three years together with the love of your life, that’s definitely a great excuse to crack out some fizz – and Royal Doulton Champagne flutes are some of the best ways to enjoy it.
6. An engraved whisky glass
If fizz isn’t really your other half’s thing and they prefer a warming glass of whisky instead, an engraved whisky glass will always go down well (as well as the drinks they’ll have from it). The Engravers Guild of London can add unique personalisations to make your gift stand out.
7. Glass on Blu-ray
Glass and crystal won’t suit everyone’s interest, so why not think a little creatively, and give your partner a copy of the movie Glass on Blu-ray. Glass is the sequel to both Split and Unbreakable, so you could have a thrilling movie night in while making sure your gift is still totally on theme. You can pick up the Blu-ray at Amazon if you’re going old-school, or find it on your favourite streaming service.
8. A Saturn crystal light
Give your partner a tiny piece of the galaxy with a Saturn crystal light. The base features a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 16 hours, making it a lovely night light for every space geek out there.
9. A bottle of their favourite tipple
If you really are struggling for ideas for a glass anniversary gift, you could just pick them up a bottle of their favourite tipple. Brandy, gin, vodka, wine, prosecco, ale… so long as it’s in a glass bottle it definitely counts. And if your partner isn’t a big drinker, you can also pick up specialty fizzy pops, or even good ol’ Coca-Cola, which always tastes better when it’s in a glass bottle.
10. A glass paperweight
Paperweights are a smart addition to a desk, even if we’re now in an age where we don’t use as much paper, so paperweights aren’t particularly needed. But thankfully, they’re still lovely ornaments – especially a Royal Scot engraved hare paperweight. That’s just one of many designs that you could choose from, with the options out there being practically endless.
5 affordable gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
Both leather and crystal can be a rather pricey gift to give your partner, which can make it tough to stick to the traditions if you have a limited budget. But, if you look in the right places, you can pick up a gift that’s on theme but doesn’t cost too much, so you can still get your other half a gift full of charm and meaning.
1. A glass pocket hug token
A glass pocket hug token tells your partner that you’re always thinking about them. It features hugs, hearts and is made of glass – and it’s super affordable! It’s the perfect token gift to mark your 3rd wedding anniversary.
2. A glass tealight holder
Tealights light a room with a warm dancing glow, which can only be made better with a lovely tealight holder. Dunelm has an affordable glass lotus tealight holder that ensures even more sparkle than a tealight alone.
3. A Dartington crystal gin glass
If your other half is partial to the odd gin, a lovely Dartington crystal gin glass is definitely on theme. It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a drink to celebrate your big day!
4. A leather cable organiser
We all hate it when cables get the better of us and slither around on top of and underneath desks. If you only want a token gift that fits with the third anniversary theme, a leather cable organiser will suit you to a tee.
5. A leather luggage tag
Bring a little touch of luxury to your partner’s luggage with a leather travel luggage tag from the Leather Company. It’s genuine leather that just so happens to be affordable and really useful, so what’s not to love?
5 DIY gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
DIY gifts are fun to make, thoughtful and full of heart. You might assume that making a gift using glass or leather might be difficult and time-consuming, or require skills and tools you might not have. But that’s not always the case, so here are 5 DIY 3rd anniversary gift ideas so you can give your partner a brilliant handmade surprise.
1. Leather wallet
Believe it or not, it’s totally possible to make a wallet yourself without the need for specialist leather-making tools. Making a wallet yourself out of leather is also a fun challenge and means your partner will get a completely one-of-a-kind gift. If you fancy taking on the challenge, there are leather wallet-making video tutorials that walk you through the process.
2. A leather knot bracelet
If you have a few offcuts of leather (and if you don’t they’re cheap to buy online) making a knot bracelet is surprisingly simple. It also means you can give your partner a touching gift that they can wear for many years to come. There are plenty of leather knot bracelet video tutorials available and you don’t need any expertise to give it a go.
3. A glass bracelet
If you’re not sure your partner would love a leather bracelet, how about a glass bracelet instead? Or even a necklace or anklet? You don’t need to be an expert to give jewellery-making a go, and there are glass bracelet-making kits that provide you with everything you need to make your partner something they’ll love.
4. Homemade stained glass
Stained glass looks fabulous whether it’s window, glass, ornament or something else entirely. And you can even have a go at making your own stained glass with a stained glass craft kit, which you can use to elevate an ordinary drinking glass or dish and turn it into something special.
5. A homemade jar of jam or chutney
A mason jar can cost just a few pounds to pick up, which you can then fill with any sort of homemade jam or chutney you can think of. Raspberry, strawberry, fig, plum, pickle, piccalilly, peanut butter… the possibilities are endless. And whatever you create will taste so much more delicious because it’ll be made from the heart.
5 experience or activity gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
Your anniversary is all about the two of you, and what better way to celebrate than by doing something fun together? Leather and glass might not seem like they lend themselves particularly well to a fun experience, but with a little creative thinking, there are plenty you could get up to together. So, here are five ideas to help get you started.
1. A leather-making workshop
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making something yourself and having something you’re proud of. So why not tie this into your third anniversary theme and spend time with your other half taking part in a leather-making workshop? You’ll get to find out all about centuries-old techniques and have a lot of fun in the process. There are leather-making courses and workshops available up and down the UK.
2. A glassblowing experience
If you’re not sold on the idea of making something out of leather, you could always make something out of glass! Glassblowing is another skill that goes back thousands of years, and a glassblowing experience gives you the opportunity to try it out for yourself and make something you can hold onto forever.
3. A whisky-tasting experience
Okay, so whisky tasting might come out of a barrel, but where is it poured? Into a glass of course! If your partner has a pallet for fine whiskies, then there’s no better way to spoil them than with a whisky-tasting experience. Another alternative would be a wine tasting experience, which would be equally as fun.
4. A glass factory experience
Dartington is one of the biggest glass manufacturers in the UK, and has a solid reputation as being the best. They also just so happen to offer factory tours, as well as glass painting, demonstrations and hand casting – a great experience linked really closely to the modern third anniversary gift. Check out the Visit Dartington website for more information.
5. Line dancing classes
This one might be a bit of a stretch, but it’s a brilliant way to spend time together on your third anniversary for two reasons: one, it’s line dancing which is a hell of a lot of fun, and two, cowboys wear leather so it totally counts! There are loads of local line dancing classes and clubs, so see if there’s one close to you for something really different!
10 3rd anniversary gifts that contain pearl
The third anniversary gemstone is pearl, a wonderful iridescent stone that comes from mollusks. There are also vegan alternatives so everyone gets to enjoy the beauty of this amazing stone. It’s a versatile stone used in all types of jewellery and accessories, so whatever your partner wears you’re bound to find something they’ll love. Here are 10 ideas for jewellery and accessories that can be set with pearl.
- A necklace
- A bracelet
- Earrings
- Cufflinks
- A ring
- A broach
- A locket
- An anklet
- A nose stud
- Belly button ring
Loads of big-name and independent jewellers have a whole selection of jewellery that contains pearl, and there are even some retailers that specialise in it. You might also want to browse the range of wedding jewellers we work with, as many have a huge amount of choice.
5 floral gifts for a 3rd wedding anniversary
The traditional flower for celebrating your third anniversary is the magnificent sunflower, one of the most recognisable flowers there is and the symbol of summer. Here are five sunflowery anniversary gift ideas to mark this wonderful occasion.
1. A bouquet of sunflowers
Sunflowers are bright and cheerful flowers that last a fairly long time if you look after them properly, and they look great either as the only flower in a bouquet or as part of a larger arrangement. They’re in abundance during the summer months, but florists have sunflower bouquets and arrangements year-round.
2. Sunflower seeds
One of the best things about sunflowers is just how easy they are to grow at home. All you need is a small patch of soil or a pot and access to sunlight, and then just let it do its thing. Sunflowers grow really fast, so if you plant them in April or May you should have huge yellow flowers by the middle of summer. You can pick up a packet of sunflower seeds for around a couple of pounds at your local garden centre.
3. LEGO sunflowers
Real flowers might not be your partner’s thing, or maybe they have an allergy or you don’t have the space. Thankfully, LEGO has a solution, with a set that allows you to build your own LEGO sunflowers. You can spend time building them together and then display them in a vase – and the best thing is they’ll never wilt!
4. A sunflower suncatcher
For something small and floral that brilliantly catches the essence of summery sunflowers, a sunflower suncatcher is a small but perfectly on-theme gift.
5. A sunflower necklace
If your partner loves sunflowers, then they’ll adore a sterling silver sunflower necklace with round cut topaz. It’s dainty and beautiful and the sort of necklace your partner can wear for any occasion.
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Browse other similar articles…
- The Ultimate Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
- 1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 50 Anniversary Gift Ideas
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- Wedding Gift List Guide – ft The Wedding Shop
Happy Planning!
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