Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: The Complete Traditional & Modern Guide

Last updated: 3rd Jun 2026

If you’ve ever Googled “what do you get for a 5th wedding anniversary?” and fallen into a rabbit hole of wood, silverware, and increasingly specific symbolism, then you’re not alone.

Wedding anniversary gifts by year follow a long-standing tradition where each milestone is linked to a specific material or theme. The idea is simple: as your relationship grows stronger, the materials become more durable (from paper and wood to silver and gold). Modern lists offer more flexible alternatives, which is helpful if you don’t fancy gifting actual tin.

Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, has pulled everything into one place — from the full anniversary gift list by year to ideas for every milestone.

Traditional and modern anniversary gifts by year

rectangular gift wrapped in pink wrapping paper and a gold ribbon bow, covered in pink heart confetti — Ekaterina Shevchenko on Unsplash

Interestingly, anniversary gifts haven’t always remained the same. For many reasons, whether it be due to what’s fashionable, affordable, or even accessible, there are often traditional and modern alternatives for almost every anniversary.

Here’s the complete anniversary gift list, including both traditional and modern options:

Year	Traditional	Modern
1st	Paper	Clocks
2nd	Cotton	China
3rd	Leather	Crystal / glass
4th	Linen / silk	Appliances
5th	Wood	Silverware
6th	Iron	Wood
7th	Wool / copper	Desk sets
8th	Bronze	Linen / lace
9th	Pottery / willow	Leather
10th	Tin / aluminium	Diamond jewellery
11th	Steel	Fashion jewellery
12th	Silk / fine linen	Pearls
13th	Lace	Textiles / furs
14th	Gold	Gold jewellery
15th	Crystal	Watches
16th	Wax	Silver holloware
17th	Furniture	Furniture
18th	Porcelain	Porcelain
19th	Bronze	Bronze
20th	China	Platinum
21st	Brass / nickel	Brass / nickel
22nd	Copper	Copper
23rd	Silver plate	Silver plate
24th	Musical instruments	Musical instruments
25th	Silver	Silver
30th	Pearl	Diamond
35th	Coral	Jade
40th	Ruby	Ruby
45th	Sapphire	Sapphire
50th	Gold	Gold
55th	Emerald	Emerald
60th	Diamond	Diamond
70th	Platinum	Platinum

You don’t need to follow this strictly. Think of it as a starting point, not a rulebook.

The 14th anniversary is traditionally associated with ivory, but given the ethical concerns, we’ve suggested gold as an alternative.

Most significant wedding anniversary milestones

Couple embracing in a wild garden, the woman holding an orange flower clinging to the man's back and smiling — Carly Rae Hobbins on Unsplash

Not every year comes with the same expectations. These are the milestones most couples choose to mark in a bigger way.

5th anniversary (wood)

The first “solid” milestone. Wood symbolises strength and growth, a nice shift from the fragility of earlier years.

Gift idea: Furniture, framed prints, or anything handmade. Even a weekend in a cabin counts.

Modern: Silverware
Colour: Blue or pink
Flower: Daisy

10th anniversary (tin or aluminium)

open silver tin containing and image of a bride and groom and a special message for a 10th anniversary — Photo © Not On The High Street

Ten years in, this is where many couples upgrade from symbolic to meaningful gifts.

Gift idea: Jewellery, a trip, or something you wouldn’t normally buy yourselves.

Modern: Diamond jewellery
Colour: Silver or blue
Flower: Daffodil

25th anniversary (silver)

The classic milestone. Often celebrated with a party or family gathering.

Gift idea: Silver jewellery, keepsakes, or hosting something special with friends and family.

Modern: Silver
Colour: Silver or white
Flower: Iris

50th anniversary (gold)

a gold love knot necklace laid across a stone surface next to a ceramic plate — Photo © Not On The High Street

Half a century together. This is less about gifts and more about marking the moment.

Modern: Gold
Colour: Gold
Flower: Yellow rose

Gift idea: Family celebrations, memory books, or experiences shared with children and grandchildren.

How to choose the right anniversary gift

The lists are helpful, but the best gifts still come down to knowing your partner (or the couple).

A few ways to narrow it down:

Start with the material, not the product
“Paper” doesn’t mean a notebook. It could be concert tickets, a handwritten letter, or a framed map.
Decide whether you want sentimental or practical
Both are valid. Just don’t try to do both at once unless you’re very sure it works.
Set a budget early
Anniversaries can quietly become expensive. Agree what you’re comfortable spending.
Think about how you celebrate, not just what you buy
A dinner, a trip, or even a day off together often matters more than the gift itself.
Ignore anything that feels forced

If the traditional gift doesn’t fit your life, skip it. No one needs an iron-themed present unless they genuinely want one.

Anniversary gift ideas for each milestone

man and woman embracing on a rooftop outside, smiling and hugging — Candice Picard on Unsplash

If you want more specific ideas, these are the years most people search for, and the ones worth planning properly.

1st anniversary (paper)

Think meaningful rather than expensive, letters, photo books, or plans for your next year together.

For more inspiration, check out our complete guide to 1st wedding anniversary gift ideas.