We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
The sweet tradition of anniversary gifts by year—you know, first year: paper; second year: cotton, etc.—has been in practice since medieval times. If you’re unfamiliar, specific gifts were believed to bring prosperity to a marriage; in the Victorian era, it became more about a gift’s value growing year by year. The list, as we know it today, was published in 1937 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association.
Marking milestones this way might seem a little old school (okay, centuries old), but picking from anything on the World Wide Web is a bit daunting, so why not consider it a helpful (and fun!) limitation? Some of the themes are easier to shop for than others—as in, pottery is a no-brainer, but aluminum might make you want to ditch the whole idea altogether. That’s why we’re sharing our top picks within each milestone year, from 1 to 10 and then by decade. Following our guidelines not only guarantees your gift is a hit, it brings an added tradition to your already special anniversary ritual. Psst: If you’re nowhere near 50 years, these make for great parental gifts, too.
1 Year: Paper
While paper might be commonly considered disposable, there are plenty of luxurious goods made from the delicate material. Perhaps the most covetable lamp out there, by Isamu Noguchi, falls under the first-year category, as does the iconic cardboard Wiggle stool by Frank Gehry. And if you’re looking for a less on-the-nose take on the theme, Diptyque’s new L’Eau Papier scent captures the essence of ink soaking into paper.
Akari YA2
Noguchi Shop
L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette
Diptyque
Hand Marbled Leather Bound Notebook by Giannini Firenze
Abask
HA KO Japanese Paper Incense u0026 Dish Gift Box by Morihata International
Food52
Wiggle Stool by Frank Gehry for Vitra
2 Modern
Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Amazon
2 Years: Cotton
This anniversary is all about adding something fresh and fluffy to your linen closet. That could include a soft good to wrap up in like a lightweight robe or a graphic quilt, or something to jazz up a dinner party such as a tablecloth from our collaboration with Heather Taylor Home. If what really excites your spouse is a fancy candle, then Byredo’s Cotton Poplin candle will certainly get the job done (and remind them of their favorite crisp shirt).
Cotton Poplin Candle by Byredo
Ssense
Wide Stripe Tablecloth
Heather Taylor Home x Domino
Cloud Cotton Robe
Parachute Home
Stillwater Floral Quilt
Schoolhouse
3 Years: Leather
Just like your relationship, leather gets better with age. These accessories can be scattered around your home or tucked in your pocket to bring the memory of your anniversary with you out in the world. We’re pretty certain that a Bottega Veneta card case guarantees at least another 50 happy years.
Italian Leather Catchall
Mark u0026 Graham
Sky Coaster Set
Georg Jensen
Bombe Frame by Elsa Peretti
Tiffany u0026 Co
Intrecciato Credit Card Case
Bottega Veneta
4 Years: Fruit or Flowers
Some themes provide an option, and for year four, it’s fruit or flowers. While Flamingo Estate offers a produce box filled with its Los Angeles garden’s seasonal bounty, there are plenty less fleeting gifts that still fall under the category. Take this shockingly realistic-looking marble pear, for instance, or a vase designed by Alvar Aalto that can accompany a fresh bouquet.
Mini Zinnia Plant
The Green Vase
Alvar Aalto Copper Glass Vase by Iittala
Amazon
Carrara Marble Green Curved Pear
John Derian
Peak Season Fruit Box
Flamingo Estate
Flowers by Irving Penn
Amazon
Strawberry Candles by Gohar World (Set of 4)
Coming Soon
5 Years: Wood
The trunk of a tree gains an additional ring each year, making wood an especially symbolic material to celebrate another 365 days together. November 19’s cutting board showcases yellow pine’s grain lines—wood blocks create a checked pattern, sanded down and polished to be silky smooth. We could easily see this becoming a family heirloom.
Jasper Cutting Board by Untitled CO
November 19
Pencil Spice Mill Walnut
De Jong u0026 Co
Light Wood Four-Piece Aperitif Set by Sabre
Moda Operandi
Rond Bowl by Colin King for Menu
DWR
6 Years: Candy or Iron
Here’s a real choose-you-own-adventure of a theme. This is your opportunity to either give a fancy sweet treat they wouldn’t typically buy themselves (or better yet, candy-esque glassware) or shop for a hefty homeware. For something so heavyweight, Il Buco Vita’s colossal wrought-iron candleholders keep things light with a touch of humor (they’re fit for a giant: 13 centimeters tall, with a 12-centimeter diameter). Be sure to include a set of the matching beeswax candles.
Footed Colossal Iron Candleholder
Il Buco Vita
Surface Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven by Serax
Food52
Octagonal Striped Carafe in Red and Amber Murano Glass by Campbell-Rey
1st Dibs
15-Piece Artist Collection by Kate Weiser
Neiman Marcus
7 Years: Wool or Copper
We’re considering this the cottagecore of anniversary gift themes, as nothing brings cozy Cotswolds vibes like a wool blanket or copper cookware. If your partner is open to sharing their new set of pots and pans, you’ll be able to partake in some egg flipping and soup stirring, too. But only when cooking for them, of course.
Classic Wool House Slippers by Kyrgies
Food52
Le Corbusier Lambswool Blanket
Tekla
Copper Triply M'3 S 7-Piece Cookware Set by Mauviel
Willams Sonoma
Copper Rapid Boil Tea Kettle by Newey u0026 Bloomer
Food52
8 Years: Pottery or Bronze
If you aren’t tired of metal yet, year eight is an opportunity to buy something bronze. Chunky taper holders by Nancy Pearce can sit on your dining table to encourage more impromptu candlelit dinners for two, and an oyster-shaped bottle opener is perfect for the seafood-obsessed partner. If you are tired of metal, you can also opt for pottery.
Marbled Vide Poche
Cabana
Oyster Bottle Opener
Island Boy
Globular Candle Holders
Nancy Pearce
Splatter Cake Stand
Sharland England
9 Years: Willow or Pottery
Willow is pretty specific, but after a little bit of Internet digging, we found Rachel Bower, a skilled weaver based in Scotland. She’s got trays, she’s got utensil holders, she’s got garlic containers—but most of all, she’s got you covered for your nine-year anniversary. And because baskets can be polarizing, you can again fall back on pottery for this one.
Splatter Ceramic Breakfast Set
MatchesFashion
Willow Large Celtic Knot Tray by Rachel Bower
Abask
Blue u0026amp; White Stripe Picnic Basket
Food52
Hand-Glazed Porcelain Long Serving Tray
Abask
10 Years: Tin or Aluminum
Ten years is quite the accomplishment, so a grand gift is only appropriate. However, tin and aluminum don’t exactly scream “luxury.” Not to worry: We found items—like this stovetop espresso maker designed by Mario Trimarchi—that are just as special as they deserve. And if you’re looking for something sweet and simple (pun intended), a tin chocolate box that can be repurposed will do just fine.
Cabin Classic
Rimowa
Ossidiana Stove Top Espresso Maker
Amazon
24-Piece Chocolate Tin
Louis Sherry
Glass Box w/ Recycle Steel Lid by Puebco
Burke Decor
20 Years: China
After 20 years, the two of you really know each other. Which means you should also really know each other’s taste in dinnerware. Here are some editor favorites, from Ginori to Royal Copenhagen, that are sure to get you to full-blown adulting status.
Cantene Green Dinner Plate by Ginori
Neiman Marcus
Soleil d'Hermes Medium Bowl
Hermès
Footed Porcelain Bowl
Neiman Marcus
Aegean Gold Filet Dessert Plate by L'Objet
Bloomingdales
30 Years: Pearl
Pearls are conveniently a major jewelry trend right now, which means there are tons of cute options out there. Anyone would love a dainty bracelet from Mary Macgil, but for those who are less inclined to wear jewelry, a fun take on the theme could involve mother-of-pearl spoons (along with a tin of caviar in the fridge).
Organic Pearl Studs
Wolf Circus
Baroque Pearl Cuff Bracelet
Mary Macgil
Custom Large Tray
Edie Parker
Cora Small Mother-of-Pearl Spoons
Neiman Marcus
40 Years: Ruby
It doesn’t get more opulent than rubies, but we were able to find some more affordable options that still fit the category. Mondo Mondo’s Super Heart necklace looks like a grown-up take on the fun costume jewelry kids wear while playing dress-up, keeping things not so serious while also seriously on trend.
The Tiniest Ring, Ruby
Catbird
Multi Gemstone Station Bracelet
Mejuri
Super Heart Necklace
Mondo Mondo
Lyra Baguette Pendant Ruby
Kinn
50 Years: Gold
After 50 years of marriage, gold is pretty darn deserved. But it comes in more forms than a Rolex—like a glass bowl by Elsa Peretti with gold flecks mixed in or flowery gold-plated candleholders made in France. And because you’re celebrating big love, a solid yellow-gold heart necklace is certainly a crowd-pleaser.
Thumbprint Dish by Elsa Peretti
Tiffany u0026 Co
Juste un Clou Ring
Cartier
Flower Gold-Plated Candlestick Holder by Trudon
MatchesFashion
Heart by the Inch Necklace
Jennifer Meyer