Gift Guides, Maker Resources

Gift Guide: Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year

June 23, 2016


Just as there aren’t official rules that fit every romantic partnership, the “appropriate” wedding anniversary gifts by year aren’t written in stone–nor iron, copper, bronze, tin, steel, gold, or diamond. The origins of the traditional anniversary gift list are shrouded by the mysterious, misty mists of time, anyway.

The “traditional” guide for anniversary gifts by year featured mostly practical items, to help couples set up their new homes. The modern list, created by the American National Retail Jewelers Association in 1937, is (surprise!) big on precious metals and gems. As much as we adore sparkly baubles, we don’t believe that jewelers have the authoritative last word on this subject.

However, an anniversary gift guide of what’s generally considered appropriate can be a lifesaver: without one, it’s easy to succumb to mental paralysis when you need to come up with anniversary gift ideas for friends or relatives celebrating X years of marriage.

With all this in mind, here is our own fresh guide of anniversary gifts by year: traditional, modern, and, of course, uncommon.

Shortcuts to anniversary years:
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  15  20  25  30  40  50  60

[1]

 

Traditional Gift | Paper

Intersection of Love Photo Print (only at UncommonGoods)

Intersection of Love - Photo Print | UncommonGoods

 

Modern Gift | Clocks

Beating Heart Wall Clock

Beating Heart Wall Clock | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Floral Wood Watch


[2]

 

Traditional Gift | Cotton

Upcycled Cotton Sari Robe and Mens Cotton Ikat Wrap Robe (only at UncommonGoods)

 

Modern Gift | China

Personalized Porcelain Faux Bois Mug Set (only at UncommonGoods)

Personalized Porcelain Faux Bois Mug Set | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Personalized Mixtape Pillow (only at UncommonGoods)

 


[3]

 

Traditional Gift | Leather

Black and Grey Ombre Tote and Reversible Reclaimed Bike Tube Belt – Green
(Note: UncommonGoods does not sell products containing leather, feather, fur, or pearls. The items below are made of vegan leather and reclaimed bike tubes.)

 

Modern Gift | Glass and Crystal

Yours, Mine, and Ours Engraved Decanter Set (only at UncommonGoods)

 

Uncommon Gift

State Love Glasses (only at UncommonGoods)

 


[4]

 

Traditional Gift | Fruit and Flowers

Box of Flowers Soaps

 

Modern Gift | Appliances

Fondue for Two

 

Uncommon Gift

Flower Stemmed Wine Glasses – Set of 6 (only at UncommonGoods)

 


[5]

 

Traditional Gift | Wood

Personalized Cutting Board

Personalized Cutting Board | UncommonGoods

Modern Gift | Silverware

Make a Wish Measuring Spoon Set

Make a Wish Measuring Spoon Set | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Trinity Wooden Cuff   (only at UncommonGoods)

Trinity Wooden Cuff | UncommonGoods

 


[6]

 

Traditional Gift | Candy and Iron

One Heart Candle Holder

One Heart Candle Holder | UncommonGoods

 

Modern Gift | Wood

Personalized Hearts Four-Across Game

 

Uncommon Gift

Personalized Champagne Wedding Vase (only at UncommonGoods)

Personalized Champagne Wedding Vase | UncommonGoods


[7]

 

Traditional Gift | Wool and Copper

Copper Hummingbird Feeder

Copper Hummingbird Feeder | UncommonGoods

 

Modern Gift | Desk Sets

Meditation Box (only at UncommonGoods)

Meditation Box | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Heart Book Box (only at UncommonGoods)

 


[8]

 

Traditional Gift | Pottery and Bronze

Pottery Oil Candle (only at UncommonGoods)

Pottery Oil Candle | UncommonGoods

Modern Gift | Linens and Lace

Precious Dipped Lace Heart Necklace (only at UncommonGoods)

Precious Dipped Lace Heart Necklace | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Gemstone Heart Yarn Bowl  (only at UncommonGoods)


[9]

 

Traditional Gift | Willow and Pottery

Healing Stone Mugs

Modern Gift | Leather

Wine Maker’s Journal
(Note: UncommonGoods does not sell products containing leather, feather, fur, or pearls. The journal below is made of poly synthetic leather.)

Wine Maker's Journal | UncommonGoods

Uncommon Gift

Rooted in Love Planter (only at UncommonGoods)

Rooted in Love Planter | UncommonGoods


[10]

 

Traditional Gift | Tin and Aluminum

Wire Sculpture Jewelry Tree (only at UncommonGoods)

Modern Gift | Diamond Jewelry

Wish Upon A Star Diamond Necklace

Wish Upon A Star Diamond Necklace | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Farm Fresh Spa Experience Tin

Farm Fresh Spa Experience Tin | UncommonGoods


[15]

 

 Traditional Gift | Crystal

Constant Sparkling Champagne Flutes – Set of 4

Constant Sparkling Champagne Flutes - Set of 4 | UncommonGoods

 

Modern Gift | Watches

Trail Wood Watch

Trail Wood Watch | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Walnut & Steel Magnetic Jewelry Organizer  (only at UncommonGoods)

Walnut & Steel Magnetic Jewelry Organizer | UncommonGoods

 


[20]

 

Traditional Gift | China

Iris Impression Wall Vase

Modern Gift | Platinum

Woodgrain Titanium Wedding Band – Wide

Uncommon Gift

Pop the Champagne Pillow

 


[25]

 

 Traditional Gift | Silver

Sea Glass Bangle Bracelet

41208-seaglassbangle

 

Modern Gift | Silver

Latitude Longitude Cufflinks (only at UncommonGoods)

23991-locationcufflinks

 

Uncommon Gift

Shadow Heart Necklace

26485-heartnecklace


[30]

 

Traditional Gift | Pearl

Sea Glass Stacking Earrings (only at UncommonGoods)
(Note: UncommonGoods does not sell products containing leather, feather, fur, or pearls.)

41742-seaglassearrings

 

Modern Gift | Diamond

Diamond Penny Necklace With Personalized Year

Diamond Penny Necklace With Personalized Year | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Wine Pearls

23623-winepearls

 


[40]

 

Traditional Gift | Ruby

Heart in Hand Sculpture

 

Modern Gift | Ruby

Love Carries All

Love Carries All | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Crimson Heart Umbrella

40802-heartumbrella

 


[50]

 

Traditional Gift | Gold

Have & Hold Stemless Wine Glasses – Set of 2   (only at UncommonGoods)

Modern Gift | Gold

Full Moon Necklace (only at UncommonGoods)

Full Moon Necklace | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Pineapple Drink Dispenser

Pineapple Drink Dispenser | UncommonGoods


[60]

 

Traditional Gift | Diamond

Milestone Bracelet (only at UncommonGoods)

22305-milestonebracelet

 

Modern Gift | Diamond

Meteorite Cufflinks   (only at UncommonGoods)

Meteorite Cufflinks | UncommonGoods

 

Uncommon Gift

Gem and Mineral Collection Print (only at UncommonGoods)

40882-crystalprint

 

5 Comments

  • Reply Cheryl C. July 20, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    My husband found a custom made anniversary sundial online (a clock that uses the sun to tell time) that sits on the windowsill and makes rainbows in the room when the sun shines. He had the guy who made it add a special date line that the time shadow follows on our anniversary each year. It does something cool every year and it is fun to watch the shadow get closer and closer as the day approaches – I thought it was a great gift!

    • Reply Marisa July 20, 2016 at 7:41 pm

      Hi Cheryl —
      What an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing that. We are very curious about how that worked, it sounds like something we would love here at UncommonGoods!
      Thanks for reading our blog.

  • Reply Raj June 14, 2017 at 5:28 am

    Oh Wow!!
    I think your blog is full of unique and lovely gift ideas.
    This is such a beautiful collection. Hats-off to your effort.

  • Reply 26 Shamelessly Corny Ways To Spoil Your Significant Other | Mavros Exchange Blog November 26, 2017 at 9:50 am

    […] blog.uncommongoods.com […]

  • Reply Steven C. December 23, 2017 at 9:39 am

    That personalized connect 4 game is so cool! What an awesome idea. The cutting board is neat too, but I can imagine it would end up being a pain to clean in the nooks and crannies of the letters at the top, as bits and pieces of whatever you’re chopping would inevitably get in there.

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