If you’re looking for gift ideas for the anniversary of your marriage, traditional gifts are a great place to start. There’s something special about giving a gift that has deep meaning and history behind it.
After all, these traditions come from the ancient Romans and Greeks, who were masters at creating lasting relationships with their spouses and who knew what sorts of gifts would make those marriages last!
We’ve compiled some traditional anniversary gifts for every year of marriage below to help give you some ideas about what to get your spouse after so many years together.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Choose a practical and thoughtful baby shower gift that stands out. |
| Personalize your baby shower gift to create a lasting memory for parents and baby. |
| If you’re unsure of what to gift, consult guides and gift ideas for inspiration. |
| Consider the mom’s needs when picking baby shower gifts. |
| Remember that the thought behind the gift is the most important thing. |
1st Anniversary: Paper
The first anniversary is a landmark in your life together. It’s the first year of marriage and the first year of your life together, all rolled into one. You have so much to celebrate!
If you’re looking for a way to mark this occasion in a traditional, paper-based way, you might consider making a paper heart or flower bouquet a symbol of heartfelt love and affection between two people who are now growing closer every day.
Or maybe you’d like to represent that growing closeness with an airplane made from folded pieces of paper: each fold represents another step forward on your journey as husband and wife.
Whatever your choice, there are plenty of ways for couples to use paper as symbols during their first year together—and many more beyond it!
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2nd Anniversary: Cotton
The second anniversary is traditionally symbolized by cotton. Cotton is a natural fibre, and it’s one of the most versatile materials in the world. It’s used to make clothing, bedding, and many other household items.
Cotton is often used as a symbol of purity and innocence. This makes it an excellent choice for your anniversary present!
Best Cotton Gift Ideas for 2nd Anniversary
| Gift | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Bathrobe | Parachute | A 100% long-staple Turkish cotton terry cloth robe that is ultra-soft and comfortable. |
| California-Cotton Boucle Throw | Coyuchi | This hand-loomed throw is made from organic cotton and features a textured bouclé design. Perfect for snuggling up together on the couch. |
| Cotton Bedding Set | Boll & Branch | A luxurious and eco-friendly gift that includes a sheet set, duvet cover, and shams made from 100% organic cotton. Available in a variety of colors. |
| Turkish Cotton Bath Towels | Weezie | These plush bath towels are made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton and come in a variety of colors. They’re extremely absorbent and get softer with each wash. |
| Essential Cotton Sheet Set | Brooklinen | This cotton sheet set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcases made of 100% long-staple cotton. Available in various colors and sizes. |
This table provides great cotton gift ideas for 2nd-anniversary celebrations. It includes some top brands with exceptional cotton products to consider.
3rd Anniversary: Leather
If you’re looking for a gift that is both practical and stylish, leather is the way to go. This timeless material is durable, functional and always appreciated by your partner. Whether it’s a wallet or a handbag, leather is an excellent choice when it comes to gifts for your third anniversary.
If your partner is an outdoorsy type of person who loves fishing, camping or hiking or if they just like being on the move leather would be an excellent gift for them! It’s lightweight enough that it won’t weigh down their bag yet durable enough to withstand years of use without falling apart (or looking worn out).
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4th Anniversary: Fruit Or Flowers
As a gift for your four-year anniversary, you can choose to give fruit, flowers or both. Both gifts mean different things to different people, so here is some information about each one:
Fruit: This kind of gift symbolizes life, growth and love (just like you!). If a farmer planted the seed and tended to it until it blossomed into something beautiful, then this would be considered a perfect gift for your partner on their fourth wedding anniversary.
Flowers: Flowers are also known as symbols of life and growth. They’re often given on special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries because they represent new beginnings—something that’s very important in marriage.
Best Fruit and Flower Gift Ideas for 4th Anniversary
| Gift | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Fresh Flower Subscription | Bouqs Co | With a flower subscription from Bouqs Co, your partner will receive stunning farm-fresh flowers every month. |
| Fresh Fruit & Cheese Box | Harry & David | A thoughtful and delicious gift box that includes a variety of fresh fruits, gourmet cheeses, and crackers. |
| Handmade Floral Soaps | Lush | These vegan, handmade floral soaps from Lush come in a variety of scents and are made with fresh ingredients. |
| Flower Bouquet & Vase Set | Teleflora | Send a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a keepsake vase from Teleflora. Choose from a variety of bouquets and vase styles. |
| Fruit Infused Water Bottle | AVOIN | This fruit-infused water bottle from AVOIN makes drinking water more enjoyable by allowing users to infuse their water with fresh fruit. Perfect for staying hydrated on the go. |
This table provides great fruit and flower gift ideas for 4th-anniversary celebrations. It includes some top brands with exceptional fruit or flower products to consider.
5th Anniversary: Wood
Traditional 5th anniversary gifts include the following:
- Wood (to represent strength and stability)
- A piece of jewelry made with wood
- A wooden cutting board or serving tray
Wood is a great choice for your fifth anniversary because it’s a renewable resource, meaning that it can be harvested in a way that replenishes itself over time. It’s also durable, so even if you live in an apartment or small home space, chances are you’ll have plenty of room for whatever else you choose to get him/her!
With so many baby shower gift options, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect gift. Check out our list of unique baby shower gift ideas that will stand out and leave a lasting impression on new parents.
6th Anniversary: Candy Or Iron
For the sixth anniversary, candy is a traditional gift. The same goes for iron.
In fact, you might be surprised how many couples have reported receiving both of these gifts on their big day. It’s true that they’re both very common presents in the United States and abroad, but there are plenty of other options available as well (which we’ll discuss below).
If you’re not sure what to get your partner this year, here are some other possible options:
7th Anniversary: Wool Or Copper
You should give wool or copper. Wool is warm and soft, while copper has a long history of use in jewelry making. It’s also used in cooking utensils because it conducts heat well and is durable.
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8th Anniversary: Bronze Or Pottery
The eighth anniversary gift is a traditionally romantic gift of bronze or pottery. The eighth anniversary is also associated with copper, so keep an eye out for any of these gifts as well.
Bronze has long been associated with romance and love, making it an ideal choice for your significant other on their special day!
Copper is another metal that symbolizes lasting love and commitment; when you give someone a piece of scented jewelry made from copper, you’re saying “I want to be around for you forever.”
Best Bronze and Pottery Gift Ideas for 8th Anniversary
| Gift | Brand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Handcrafted Pottery Mugs | East Fork Pottery | These beautiful and durable mugs from East Fork Pottery are individually handmade and come in a variety of colors. Perfect for coffee or tea lovers. |
| Bronze Sculpture | Uttermost | A stunning bronze sculpture from Uttermost that makes a statement. This handcrafted piece is perfect for art lovers. |
| Pottery Dinnerware Set | Jono Pandolfi | This beautiful and unique dinnerware set from Jono Pandolfi is handmade and features a speckled glaze finish. It includes plates, bowls, and coffee mugs. |
| Personalized Bronze Keychain | Etsy | This custom keychain from Etsy is made of bronze and can be personalized with initials, names, or dates. A thoughtful and meaningful gift for your loved one. |
| Handthrown Pottery Vase | Brian Giniewski | This handthrown pottery vase from Brian Giniewski is whimsical and functional. It’s perfect for displaying flowers or as a decor piece on its own. |
This table provides great bronze and pottery gift ideas for 8th-anniversary celebrations. It includes some top brands with exceptional bronze and pottery products to consider.
9th Anniversary : Willow Or Pottery
The ninth anniversary is a lucky number, so willow is an excellent choice for this year. It can be used to make baskets and wands, but you can also use it to make some beautiful artisan pieces (such as vases or furniture).
While it might seem odd that something that grows out of the ground would represent longevity, the truth is that willow trees are long-lasting and hardy. They symbolize stability and strength which are traits we all desire in our relationship!
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10th Anniversary : Tin Or Aluminum
Tin or aluminum is an ideal choice for the 10th anniversary. These metals are used in many products and are excellent choices for a traditional gift.
Tin is a metal alloy made of copper and tin that has been used since ancient times to preserve food and water, as well as make cans.
Aluminum was first discovered as a metal in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy when he isolated it from its ore bauxite and named it after the Latin word for alum: alumina. It was not until 1886, however, that Charles Martin Hall developed an efficient method to extract aluminum from bauxite by electrolysis.
Aluminum has many applications including cookware, packaging materials, airplanes and automobiles; some people even consider it an essential nutrient!
11th Anniversary : Steel
Steel is the traditional gift for your 11th anniversary. It’s a strong, durable metal that has been used in many applications and industries throughout history.
You may have seen steel in use at construction sites or in manufacturing companies but it’s also used to make other things we use every day, like tools and utensils.
12th Anniversary : Silk, Linen Or Jade
The 12th wedding anniversary is a highly symbolic one. In Chinese culture, jade is the traditional gift for the 12th wedding anniversary and represents devotion and trustworthiness. Silver is also an appropriate gift for this milestone. It’s often associated with purity and loyalty — fitting characteristics to convey on your spouse!
13th Anniversary : Lace
When it comes to traditional wedding anniversary gifts, there’s a lot of pressure on the people who are married for 13 years. The 13th wedding anniversary is especially tricky—so much so that some couples choose not to celebrate it at all!
The traditional gift for the 13th wedding anniversary is lace, which may seem like an odd choice considering the association between lace and bridal wear.
But lace has been associated with purity and innocence since at least medieval times, when nuns made elaborate patterns out of cloth scraps. It’s no wonder why this material became popular among young women as an undergarment by the 19th century or why it still carries those same connotations today.
Lace itself can be made from thread or yarn (woven), embroidery floss (knotted), or even netting (braided).
The most important thing about choosing your gift is making sure you have something special in mind you don’t want your spouse thinking you’re trying too hard!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of traditional anniversary gifts and have found it helpful. We know how hard it can be to find an appropriate gift, but we think that this guide should give you some great ideas.
Feel free to ask us in the comments if there’s anything else we can help with!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for baby shower gift ideas:
Pampers Baby Shower Gift Ideas – Pampers provides a list of practical and thoughtful baby shower gift ideas that new moms will appreciate.
Taste of Home Baby Shower Gifts – Taste of Home’s article lists unique and creative baby shower gift ideas for both mom and baby.
Cosmopolitan Baby Shower Gifts for Mom – Cosmopolitan’s list of baby shower gifts is geared towards new moms and includes useful and stylish items.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding baby shower gift giving:
What is an appropriate budget for a baby shower gift?
There isn’t a set amount for a baby shower gift budget, but it’s best to aim for something that is both practical and thoughtful. It’s not about the amount of money you spend, but about the care and thought that goes into the gift.
Are there types of gifts that I should avoid giving at a baby shower?
Avoid gifting items that are not practical or those that the parents have already purchased or received duplicates of. For instance, newborn clothing in sizes the baby will outgrow quickly.
Is it appropriate to gift a secondhand item to a baby shower?
Yes, it can be acceptable if the items are in good condition and washed. However, be mindful that the parents will need several of certain things, like bodysuits and blankets, and will be grateful for new ones as well.
Should I wrap the gift or use a gift bag?
Either option is fine. Wrapping presents can add a personal touch to the gift and the event or it is also good to know that when in doubt, a gift bag will get the job done!
Can I give a gift card as a baby shower gift?
Yes, gift cards can be a great option especially if you’re unsure what to give, parents can purchase the items that they need. Plus, you’ll know that your gift will be appreciated.
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.
