85 years of marriage is a milestone that most of us can’t quite comprehend. But, if you’re about to mark this incredible anniversary, it will undoubtedly be one of the most special celebrations of both your lives.

Getting to spend 85 years and counting with the love of your life is a fabulous achievement. No doubt you and your loved ones will get together to honour the pair of you and enjoy some food, have some drinks and party – after all, you definitely deserve it.

Like with many of your major anniversary milestones in recent decades, there’s an overarching theme associated with your 85th. Depending on whom you ask, this is either wine or moonstone – but both can play a part in your celebrations if you like.

To mark such a brilliant anniversary, you might be on the lookout for a gift to give your other half. This might be something in line with one of the themes, something inspired by them or something else entirely. You don’t have to stick to the themes, but these gifts have extra special meaning and can let your other half know how you feel.

In this guide, we’re going to explore everything to do with 85th anniversary gifts and offer you 25 suggestions to help you find that perfect present. That way, you can make sure your 85th anniversary is one that’s truly memorable.

To learn more about all the different traditional and modern anniversary themes for every milestone of marriage, read our complete year-by-year wedding anniversary gift guide.

The traditional and modern 85th wedding anniversary gifts

An 85th anniversary is one of the most unbelievable milestones there is. To mark such an occasion, you may well be planning to give your partner a gift you consider worthy enough This might be one of the traditional gifts, or something else entirely. A traditional gift will be packed with even more significant meaning than anything else, which not only helps you say how you feel, but also makes your gift extra special. The themes also lend themselves to creativity, so you can have a lot of fun and give your partner something they’ll love.

Traditional 85th anniversary gift – Wine

The traditional 85th wedding anniversary gift is wine. This is the first time wine has made an appearance as an anniversary theme, so it’s a great opportunity to give something wine-related to your partner along with having extra meaning. In the context of your anniversary, wine represents love, commitment and time, which are incredibly appropriate after 85 magical years together.

Modern 85th anniversary gift – Wine

The modern 85th anniversary gift is also wine. This could be red, white, rosé or sparkling – whatever your partner loves. Or, if they don’t like a glass of wine, it could be something related to wine’s delicious colour. Wine is also great for a variety of different budgets, making it a great choice.

85th anniversary gemstone – Moonstone

The traditional 85th anniversary gemstone is moonstone, a beautiful iridescent stone that represents hope, healing and protection. Moonstone isn’t often used in jewellery in the UK, but generally, it can be fairly affordable. So, if moonstone fits with your partner’s taste and style, you’ll likely find it for a reasonable price.

85th anniversary flower – There isn’t one

Just like with many of your other recent milestone anniversaries, there isn’t a traditional flower associated with your 85th. But, if your partner loves to receive flowers and you love to give them, you shouldn’t let the traditions put you off. Flowers always go down well on an anniversary, as well as look beautiful and often represent love and romance.

How do you choose a gift for an 85th wedding anniversary?

Your 85th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it’s likely to be a time when you want to spoil your other half. To do this, high on your list of priorities could be to make sure you give them a gift they’ll love and is fitting for such a fantastic milestone. But, before you make your decision on what to buy, there are a few things to think about:

Have you and your partner given each other traditional or modern anniversary gifts in the past? If so, you probably want to continue with the trend. If not, it might not be something you want to focus on this time around either.
Have you and your other half agreed on a set budget? Because wine and moonstone are two gifts you can buy without the need for a big budget, they’re both more accessible themes than they perhaps were with previous anniversaries.
Do you want to give your partner something which is personalised? Wine and moonstone aren’t the easiest gifts to personalise, but there are ways to give a gift that’s customisable in some way.
Has your partner asked for something specific? If so, linking it back to one of the traditional themes might be a bit tricky, as they are rather specific.

Is a couple in your life about to celebrate their 85th anniversary? If so, you might be looking for a gift for them to let them know just how amazingly brilliant their upcoming milestone is. To do this, you might also wonder whether you can give them a gift linked to one of the themes. Well, you absolutely can – they’re not exclusive to the couple themselves. So, if you have an idea in mind, you should go for it. And if your gift is linked to one of the themes, they’ll no doubt love the extra meaning behind it!

25 ideas for an 85th wedding anniversary gift

Knowing what to give your other half to mark 85 years of marriage can be a bit of a challenge. Where on Earth do you start on your quest to find the perfect gift? Well, if you’re not quite sure, we’re here to give you a helping hand. So, below, we’ll give you 25 ideas for 85th anniversary gifts to help you make sure your anniversary is every bit as memorable as it deserves to be.

10 traditional and modern gifts for an 85th wedding anniversary

If you want to give your partner something traditional on your 85th anniversary, you’ll want to give them something related to the theme of wine. Of course, an obvious choice of gift would be their favourite tipple, but there’s a lot more you can do with the theme, too. Here are 10 suggestions to give you a little inspiration.

1. A red wine hamper

If your partner loves a glass of red wine, then you could treat them to a red wine hamper, filled with biscuits, sweets, nuts and, of course, red wine!

2. A white wine hamper

For something a little more fresh and crisp, a white wine hamper is a brilliant treat, and is packed with things a little bit sweet, a little bit salty and a whole lot tasty!

3. A rosé hamper

If your partner prefers a glass of rosé, a rosé hamper features a delicious bottle of fruity rosé as well as crispy cheese biscuits and luxurious assorted chocolates.

4. A sparkling wine hamper

You can really spoil your other half with a sparkling wine hamper, which is chock full of so many treats that you’ll be picking at it for weeks later… well, maybe. It’s all incredibly delicious stuff, after all.

5. A wine-tasting experience

For an evening of being spoilt, a wine-tasting experience lets you experience a variety of flavours from around the world, and enjoy a touch of real indulgence.

6. A vineyard tour

Take a trip to see how wine is made with a vineyard tour, which is a great way to spend a couple of hours with your other half – and enjoy tasting some of the wine while you’re there, of course.

7. A crystal wine glasses set

Royal Scot Crystal is renowned for making wonderful, high-quality and delicate crystal. Give your partner a real treat with a set of crystal wine glasses from this legendary brand.

8. A wine and chocolate gift set

What could possibly make the gift of wine even better? Well, chocolate, of course! A wine and chocolate gift set is a great way to share something a little bit naughty on your anniversary.

9. Wine-inspired artwork

Why not think outside the (wine) box a little, and instead of something your partner can drink, give them something that can spruce up your home a little. Wine-inspired artwork comes in loads of different forms, so take a look and see if you can find something your partner will love.

10. Moonstone white wine

Combine the traditional gift with the traditional gemstone, and give your partner a bottle of Moonstone white wine. We’re not sure there could be a more appropriate 85th anniversary gift, which has delicious lemon and floral notes.

5 personalised gifts for an 85th wedding anniversary

Personalised gifts are always a sure-fire winner on your anniversary. It helps take a gift and makes it even more special – especially if you can link it back to one of the themes. The 85th anniversary themes aren’t the easiest to customise, but there are still options out there. Here are five suggestions for you to consider.

1. A personalised bottle of wine

You can give your partner any bottle of wine and it will be in perfect keeping with the overall theme of your 85th anniversary. But, you can make a bottle of wine truly one of a kind by including a customised label. A personalised bottle of wine is the ideal 85th anniversary gift, which is so nice that your partner might not even want to open it!

2. A personalised wine glass

Give your partner a gift that will remind them of your 85th anniversary every time they sit down to enjoy a glass of wine with a personalised wine glass. It can be etched with the message of your choosing, so you can tell them how much they mean to you.

3. A personalised wine stopper

For a gift that’s funny, unique and jam-packed with personality, a personalised wine stopper can be made in the spitting image of your partner, so they can stake their claim over their favourite tipple!

4. An engraved wine decanter

Class things up every time you share a bottle of wine with your other half by gifting them an engraved wine decanter. There are plenty of sizes and designs available, too.

5. A personalised wine cooler

Help keep your partner’s bottle of wine perfectly chilled with a personalised wine cooler, which is handmade in Nottingham using terracotta.

5 85th anniversary jewellery gifts that contain moonstone

The traditional 85th anniversary gemstone is moonstone, an alluring iridescent stone similar in appearance to a pearl. It’s a unique stone that’s often super affordable, but not always the easiest to get hold of in the UK. If you can find a store that has a range of moonstone jewellery, you’re bound to find something your partner loves with that wonderful meaning behind it. Here are five suggestions for moonstone jewellery if you’re not quite sure where to start.

1. A moonstone necklace

For something dainty and subtle, a moonstone necklace is a great choice. It may be delicate, but it’s definitely beautiful.

2. A moonstone bracelet

A moonstone bracelet is elegant and graceful and includes a chunk of rainbow moonstone that reflects a blue glow when light hits it.

3. Moonstone earrings

For something small, on theme and incredibly affordable, a pair of moonstone earrings ticks all the right boxes on your 85th anniversary, and makes for a lovely token gift.

4. A raw moonstone ring

If your partner loves their jewellery to have that raw and rustic appearance, a raw moonstone ring is likely to suit them to a tee.

5. A moonstone pendant

Give your partner a truly unique and eye-catching gift with this moonstone pendant, which includes three different-sized moonstones set in sterling silver.

Because moonstone is rarely used in jewellery in the UK, it can be quite tricky to find in many high-street jewellers. Even so, some independent retailers and speciality jewellers can have a range of moonstone jewellery. Similarly, some of the jewellers we work with have moonstone jewellery available, so make sure you check them out to see if there’s something perfect for your partner.

5 floral-inspired gifts for an 85th wedding anniversary

While there isn’t a traditional 85th anniversary flower, that doesn’t mean you can’t give your partner a brilliant bouquet on your big day. None of these rules are set in stone, so you’re of course totally free to give your other half something that doesn’t fit with the theme. But, there are ways you can tie a floral gift into one of the traditional themes, just to give it that little touch of extra meaning. Here are five ideas if you’re keen to give your partner something floral to mark 85 years of marriage.

1. A roses and wine set

What’s the one thing that can make a bouquet of roses even more delicious? A bottle of wine, obviously! A roses and wine set always makes for a great gift, and is even more special when gifted on your 85th anniversary.

2. Red wine-coloured roses

Red roses are known to symbolise love, but on your 85th anniversary, red wine-coloured roses are even more appropriate and can last more than a year.

3. Floral wine glasses

Combine wine and flowers and give your partner a set of floral wine glasses, which have a vintage design and twisted stems.

4. Moonstone flower stud earrings

Moonstone is a really lovely gemstone, and when cut into the shape of a rose, it’s a match made in heaven. Moonstone flower stud earrings are absolutely gorgeous, and great even if you don’t have a large budget.

5. A moonstone bouquet

For a showstopping floral arrangement on your 85th anniversary, there’s nothing more appropriate than a moonstone bouquet, which is available in a variety of sizes to fit a variety of budgets.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

At Bridebook, more than two million couples have used our app to plan their wedding, which is full of brilliant tips, tools and resources to help you save time and money.

Browse other similar articles…

Happy Planning!

Mike Jeavons

Last updated: 18th Oct 2024

85th Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 25 Anniversary Gift Ideas