Anniversaries
Below is a list of the Traditional and Modern gift for each Anniversary.

1st
Traditional:
Paper
Modern:
Clocks

2nd
Traditional:
Cotton
Modern:
China

3rd
Traditional:
Leather
Modern:
Crystal, Glass

4th
Traditional:
Linen (Silk)
Modern:
Appliances

5th
Traditional:
Wood
Modern:
Silverware

6th
Traditional:
Iron
Modern:
Wood Objects

7th
Traditional:
Wool (Copper)
Modern:
Desk Set

8th
Traditional:
Bronze
Modern:
Linens, Lace

9th
Traditional:
Pottery (China)
Modern:
Leather Goods

10th
Traditional:
Tin, Aluminum
Modern:
Diamond

11th
Traditional:
Steel
Modern:
Fashion Jewelry

12th
Traditional:
Silk
Modern:
Pearls, Colored Gems

13th
Traditional:
Lace
Modern:
Textiles, Furs

14th
Traditional:
Ivory
Modern:
Gold Jewelry

15th
Traditional:
Crystal
Modern:
Watches

16th
Traditional:
Silver
Modern:
Holloware

18th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Porcelain

19th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Bronze

20th
Traditional:
China
Modern:
Platinum

21st
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Brass, Nickel

22nd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Copper

23rd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Silver Plate

24th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Musical Instruments

25th
Traditional:
Silver
Modern:
Sterling Silver

26th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Original Pictures

27th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Sculpture

28th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Orchids

29th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
New Furniture

30th
Traditional:
Pearl
Modern:
Diamond

31st
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Timepieces

32nd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Conveyances (e.g. Automobiles)

33rd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Amethyst

34th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Opal

35th
Traditional:
Coral (Jade)
Modern:
Jade

36th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Bone China

37th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Alabaster

38th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Beryl, Tourmaline

39th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Lace

40th
Traditional:
Ruby
Modern:
Ruby

41st
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Land

42nd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Improved Real Estate

43rd
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Travel

44th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Groceries

45th
Traditional:
Sapphire
Modern:
Sapphire

46th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Original Poetry Tribute

47th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Books

48th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Optical Goods

49th
Traditional:
Gold
Modern:
Luxuries of any kind

50th
Traditional:
Emerald
Modern:
Gold

55th
Traditional:
Diamond
Modern:
Emerald

60th
Traditional:
Diamonds
Modern:
Diamond

75th
Traditional:
Diamondlike Stones, Gold
Modern:
–

80th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Diamond, Pearl

85th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Diamond, Sapphire

90th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Diamond, Emerald

95th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
Diamond, Ruby

100th
Traditional:
–
Modern:
10-Carat Diamond
Anniversary Gifts by Year
A Wedding Day is an incredibly important occasion when two people celebrate the beginning of their marriage in the presence of family and friends. Following this significant occasion, anniversary celebrations each year commemorate the continuation of each person’s love for the other.
It is generally considered important that each wedding anniversary is celebrated in a memorable and meaningful way, because the anniversary is like an annual renewal of the commitment between two people. This is one time of the year when time and effort needs to be invested into finding a suitable gift, and a gift that is romantic, unique, or symbolic in some special way for the couple.
In the earlier years of a marriage, it is often simple to think of a meaningful gift when two people tend to have plenty of things on their wish lists they want to purchase someday. However, as the years go by and the assets build up, it becomes increasingly more difficult to think of an anniversary gift that will be treasured.
The tradition of giving gifts for a wedding anniversary extends back to medieval times. It is known that during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, a man would crown his wife with a silver wreath on the 25th anniversary, and a gold wreath on the 50th anniversary, however, there was little else documented in terms of themes for gift giving on other anniversaries.
To overcome the common problem people faced as to what to give one’s spouse each year, an American author by the name of Emily Post, who wrote on the topic of etiquette, was the first to recommend a list of anniversary gift themes which was published in 1922 in her book titled ‘Etiquette’. In that book, she listed suggestions for the first anniversary, followed by the fifth anniversary, and then every five years or so up until the 25th, and concluded with the 50th wedding anniversary. The American National Retail Jeweler Association expanded on this list in 1937 by filling in the missing years up to the 14th wedding anniversary, and the subsequent multiples of five up to the 50th year.
These gift suggestions for each year of marriage are today referred to as the ‘Traditional’ themes for each anniversary. This list was later reviewed and updated to incorporate a ‘Modern’ theme for each anniversary.
As time progressed, this list was broadened even further by other authors who suggested gift themes for every year from the first to the 25th, as well as every five years up to the 75th wedding anniversary.
We have put together a comprehensive and accurate list detailing the most recognized traditional and modern gift themes by anniversary year.