When you’re celebrating your 25th anniversary, don’t forget to consider how much has changed in those 25 years.
You may have kids who are grown and gone, or you might still be trying to figure out how to get the stains out of soccer uniforms. Either way, it’s important to look back on all that you’ve accomplished together and appreciate each other for everything you do.
When it comes to gifts for holidays like your 25th anniversary, though, it can sometimes be hard to decide what is appropriate or special enough. We’ve compiled some gift ideas for every year of marriage so that you can celebrate these milestones with style!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Plan ahead for your anniversary gift to celebrate the occasion. |
| Consider traditional and modern themes for anniversary gifts. |
| Personalized gifts add a thoughtful touch for any anniversary celebration. |
| Experiential gifts can provide memorable experiences that last a lifetime. |
| Handmade gifts can showcase your creative talents and thoughtfulness. |
1st anniversary: paper
Celebrate your first year together with a gift that’s symbolic of that milestone: paper. You can use it to make paper cranes, origami flowers or airplanes (the latter two are also great for making fun crafts).
Finding a unique anniversary gift for a couple that has everything might seem challenging, but our guide on unique anniversary gift ideas offers creative suggestions that your loved ones will cherish forever.
2nd anniversary: cotton
Cotton is another great material to consider for this anniversary. Cotton sheets, cotton robes, or cotton T-shirts are all options you can choose from. Cotton is a soft material that feels comfortable and luxurious to wear.
If you’re worried about spending too much on your anniversary gift because of the cost of buying such high quality goods—don’t worry! You can find many different styles of inexpensive cotton bedding online or at local stores for as little as $20-$100 per set.
If you really want to impress your spouse with something special (or if they’re just hard to buy for), this is an excellent choice for any couple who loves staying cozy and warm in bed together at night.
2nd Anniversary Gift Ideas: Cotton-Themed
| Gift Ideas | Brand Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Matching Bathrobes | Parachute, Brooklinen, Coyuchi |
| Personalized Pillowcases | SlumberCloud, Boll & Branch, Standard Textile Home |
| Cotton Quilt or Blanket | Riley, Pendleton, West Elm |
| Terry Cloth Bath Towels | Snowe, Matouk, Weezie |
| Comfy Loungewear | H&M, Everlane, Lunya |
| Canvas Photo Prints | Shutterfly, CanvasPop, Nations Photo Lab |
| 100% Cotton Sheets | Casper, Sijo, Tuft & Needle |
| Cotton Anniversary Bouquet | The Bouqs Co., UrbanStems, Farmgirl Flowers |
| Cute Cotton Print Socks | Happy Socks, Bombas, Stance |
| Monogrammed Handkerchiefs | The Stationery Studio, Mark & Graham, The Knot Shop |
3rd anniversary: leather
Leather is durable, flexible, and long-lasting. It also comes in a variety of textures and colors—so you can find one that suits your spouse’s personality.
Leather makes an excellent anniversary gift because it can be used in many different ways: as a belt, a purse or wallet, or even on the back of their chair at work (a great way to make them feel special).
Show your significant other how much they mean to you by selecting a personalized anniversary gift that is tailored just for them. Visit our guide on thoughtful anniversary gift ideas for him and her to find inspiration for your romantic celebration.
4th anniversary: fruit or flowers
Fruits, such as apples and oranges, are a symbol of fertility. Flowers are a symbol of love, beauty and the purity of nature. They also represent the creation of new life.
What better way to celebrate your fourth anniversary than with both? You could buy either a fruit basket or flower arrangement that has both elements combined into one beautiful gift presentation.
4th Anniversary Gift Ideas: Fruits and Flowers
| Gift Ideas | Brand Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Flower Subscription | The Bouqs Co., UrbanStems, Farmgirl Flowers |
| Potted Citrus Tree | Brighter Blooms, Fast Growing Trees, The Home Depot |
| Edible Arrangements | Fruit Bouquets, Edible Arrangements, The Fruit Company |
| Floral Patterned Clothing | Anthropologie, Reformation, Aritzia |
| Personalized Stationery with Floral Designs | Minted, Paper Source, Vistaprint |
| Fruit Scented Home Fragrances | Jo Malone, Diptyque, Voluspa |
| Flower Earrings or Jewelry | Kate Spade, BaubleBar, Anthropologie |
| Fruit-Inspired Dinnerware or Tableware | Uncommon Goods, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn |
| Floral Artwork or Prints | Society6, Minted, Art.com |
| Fruit or Flower Inspired Spa Treatments | Lush, The Body Shop, Aveda |
5th anniversary: wood
The fifth anniversary is traditionally a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. A gift that has both symbolic meaning and practical use is an excellent choice for this year’s celebration.
Wood is known as a symbol of love and commitment, so it’s been used in many cultures for many years to represent marriage and other long-term relationships. It has also been used as a traditional gift for the fifth anniversary; however, wood can be given at any time of your choosing if it holds special significance for you.
Wood comes from renewable resources trees! so this gift will last your married life together without ever running out of material or breaking down into dust (you know, like me when I’m too hungry).
Wood has been used by humans since prehistoric times for tools, buildings, boats and more; no matter what kind of home decorating style you have now or in the future, there are plenty of ways to incorporate wood into it! Below are some examples:
Celebrate the happy couple’s anniversary with a personalized gift that speaks to their love story. Check out our guide on unique personalized gifts for weddings to find the perfect present that they will cherish for years to come.
6th anniversary: iron or sugar
Iron and sugar are two of the most commonly used materials in cooking, but how many people do you know who use them together?
Even if you’ve never combined iron and sugar in your own kitchen, it’s easy to find items that incorporate both elements. These pieces make great gifts for an anniversary that honors a strong union and they’re particularly fitting for a 6th wedding anniversary.
One obvious example is cast iron cookware. The first cast-iron stove was designed by American inventor Daniel Dobbins in 1844; it was made from sections of iron left over from manufacturing cannons during the War of 1812. Today, we use pans like this when we want our food to have a rich taste but also be able to withstand high temperatures (which is why they’re great at searing steak).
A well-seasoned pan will develop a black patina on its surface as more oils react with rusting metal particles inside it; this helps prevent food from sticking while also adding another layer of flavor!
7th anniversary: wool or copper
An anniversary gift of wool or copper is a great choice for your seventh anniversary. Wool is a durable fiber that can be spun into yarn and used to make warm clothing, while copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
Both are valuable resources and useful items in the home, so you can’t go wrong with either as a gift for this year’s anniversary.
Looking for romantic gift ideas for your significant other? Explore our ultimate guide to romantic gifts for him and her to find inspiration for your next anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or just because.
8th anniversary: bronze or linen
The 8th anniversary is a great time to give your partner something that is both simple yet elegant, and the perfect choice for this occasion is bronze or linen.
Bronze was used as early as 10,000 BC in China, primarily to make knives and other weapons. It was also used as far back as 3000 BC in Egypt for making armour. Later on, bronze was used throughout Europe because it was easy to mould into complex shapes and could be cast in large volumes at reasonable prices.
Today we think of bronze as an art form rather than a metal alloy; artists create sculptures using various techniques such as lost wax casting and repoussé (where the sculptor uses hammer blows or mallets).
The bronze sculpture above shows two lovers kissing while lying on the grass; another beautiful example of how you can show love through art!
Linen is arguably one of the most versatile materials available today—it can be used for clothing (linen shirts), bedding (linen sheets), tablecloths/curtains/blankets etc., not forgetting furniture covers too! It’s even been used by NASA when creating its first space suits back in 1965.”
8th Anniversary Gift Ideas: Bronze and Linen-Themed
| Gift Ideas | Brand Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Bronze Picture Frame | Michael Aram, Kate Spade, Crate and Barrel |
| Bronze Cast Hand Sculpture | Artistic Solutions, Wayfair, NOVICA |
| Bronze Bookends | Pottery Barn, Amazon, The Met Store |
| Linen Bedding | Cultiver, Sijo, Brooklinen |
| Bronze Home Decor | CB2, West Elm, Anthropologie |
| Linen Kitchen Towels or Apron | Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma, Anthropologie |
| Cast Bronze Garden Sculpture | Terrain, Saatchi Art, Design Toscano |
| Linen Clothing | Eileen Fisher, Ulla Johnson, Everlane |
| Bronze Jewelry | Catbird, Tiffany & Co., Mejuri |
| Linen Fragrances | Jo Malone, Le Labo, Diptyque |
9th anniversary: pottery or china
You can’t go wrong with a gift for your ninth anniversary, especially if it’s pottery or china. Both of these gifts are traditional, but they also have symbolic meaning. China represents home and family, while pottery represents creativity and craftsmanship.
Creating a personalized baby gift that reflects your love and care makes a lasting memory for the new parents and the baby. Our guide on personalized baby gifts provides unique and creative ideas to showcase your thoughtfulness.
10th anniversary: tin or aluminum
You can’t go wrong with a gift that’s both useful and sentimental, so consider giving your spouse a tin or aluminum anniversary gift.
Tin is actually a metal alloy it’s made from tin and lead, which means it has high malleability but low tensile strength (i.e., it’s soft).
Tin is also used in cooking applications because of its ability to be formed into any shape at relatively low temperatures. Aluminum, on the other hand, is an extremely hard and strong metal that doesn’t react with most acids or bases (except hydrofluoric acid). It’s used in everything from aircrafts to water bottles to soda cans.
So if you’re looking for a romantic anniversary gift idea that will last forever (or at least until someone turns up their nose at it), either one might fit the bill!
11th anniversary: steel
For the 11th anniversary, you can give your spouse something made of steel. Steel is a strong, durable material that has been used to make many things over the years.
While it may be most commonly associated with knives and swords, steel has also been used to create armor and other objects. Ancient Egyptians used this metal more than 5,000 years ago!
12th anniversary : silk, linen, or pearls
The 12th anniversary is a time when you can get creative with your gifts. Whether you choose to give them silk scarves, linen table linens or pearls depends on the type of relationship you have with your spouse.
If they love luxury items (and who doesn’t?), then give them one of the rarest gemstones in the world pearls! They’re sure to appreciate it no matter how much money you spend on them.
Silk and linen are both natural materials that grow on trees and should be easy for everyone to find at their local department store or online shop like Etsy.
13th anniversary : lace or textiles
Lace and textiles are beautiful, meaningful, and elegant. They’re also a symbol of affection, beauty, and femininity all things that make your marriage work!
So if you’d like to give your partner something that represents all these things in one pretty little package (and you’re looking for a gift that makes you look good too), then lace is an excellent option.
Here are some ideas:
- A pair of lace socks or a lace robe. Lace robes aren’t just for ladies; men can wear them too! You can find them at Target or Kohl’s for around $30-$40—a great price point because who wants to spend more than $50 on an anniversary gift?
14th anniversary : opal or ivory
If you want to give your spouse a gift that represents the depth of your love, you can’t go wrong with a 14th anniversary present. The opal and ivory are both traditional stones that have been used as symbols of love and purity, respectively.
The symbolism associated with opals is well known: they’re thought to represent hope, beauty, loyalty and good fortune.
However, it’s not just their physical characteristics (they usually come in various colors) that make them so special it’s what lies beneath the surface of each stone that makes them stand out as great anniversary gifts.
Ivory has also long been associated with purity. Its white color symbolizes innocence and holiness; for example it’s often used during religious ceremonies or other formal events where purity is important (such as weddings).
Ivory is particularly common when dealing with religious icons because it represents purity in many cultures around the world
15th Anniversary : Crystal
A crystal anniversary gift is a perfect way to celebrate 15 years of marriage. Crystals are beautiful, elegant, graceful and will last a lifetime.
Crystals symbolize the purity of love, strength and durability. They represent luxury and elegance – after all, who doesn’t want to look like royalty?
20th Anniversary : China, Platinum, and/or Emeralds
As your 20th anniversary approaches, celebrate by collecting china, platinum and/or emeralds. Your spouse will love these as they are easy to store and display in their home.
If you’re buying for your wife, consider an assortment of pieces from her favorite pattern or style. If you’re buying for your husband, consider buying a piece with his birthstone engraved on it.
25th year Silver, Pennyroyal, and/or Iris
Silver is a traditional wedding anniversary gift for the 25th year. Pennyroyal is a flowering plant that is used to make perfumes, so it’s an interesting choice for a 25th anniversary gift (especially if you have any allergies). Iris is another flower that can be given as a gift on your 25th anniversary
Conclusion
So now you know all the best anniversary gift ideas for your husband. We hope that this article was helpful and if it was please share it with your friends and family so they can enjoy it too!
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more inspiration for anniversary gift ideas, check out these resources:
25 Year Anniversary Gift Ideas: Explore unique and creative gift ideas for your 25th anniversary, traditional and modern-themed, from theknot.com.
1 Year Anniversary Gift Ideas: Discover a variety of gift ideas from theknot.com for celebrating your first wedding anniversary.
25th Anniversary Gifts: Oprah Daily features thoughtful and unusual 25th anniversary gift ideas that are perfect for your silver jubilee celebration.
FAQs
What are the traditional and modern themes of the 25th-anniversary gifts?
Traditionally, silver is the symbol of the 25th anniversary, while modern themes include silver jewelry, silverware, and other silver-themed items.
What can be a good gift for the first year anniversary?
As the first year of marriage is traditionally represented by paper, some gift ideas can be anything related to paper, such as a scrapbook, a personalized journal, or a romantic letter.
What are some personalized anniversary gift ideas?
Some personalized gift ideas include monogrammed leather idea or passport covers, personalized photo albums, and custom-made artwork or jewelry.
What are unique gift ideas for those couples who have everything?
The unique anniversary gift ideas include personalized home decor items, gourmet food baskets, wine or beer making kits, experiential gifts like skydiving or hot air balloon rides, and subscriptions to monthly box services.
Are there any handmade anniversary gift ideas?
Yes, some handmade gift ideas include a hand-stitched quilt, personalized memory jar, DIY terrarium, a scrapbook, or a handmade piece of artwork or jewelry.
Hey there, I’m Hellen James, and I’m here to help you find the perfect gift for all your favorite people. I have been working in the retail industry for a little over ten years now, and I’ve seen a lot of people struggle to find the right gifts for their loved ones.
