Traditional anniversary gifts follow a material for each year: paper for the 1st, cotton for the 2nd, leather for the 3rd, wood for the 5th, tin or aluminium for the 10th, silver for the 25th and gold for the 50th. Many lists also add a modern gift, a gemstone and a flower for each year.
Below is the full year-by-year chart from the Emily Post Institute, the American etiquette organisation that carries on Emily Post’s work, plus simple gift ideas for each milestone. Use it as a starting point, not a rule. As the Institute itself puts it, “it really is the thought that counts”.
- 1st: paper (modern: clocks)
- 5th: wood (modern: silverware)
- 10th: aluminium or tin (modern: diamond jewellery)
- 25th, silver jubilee: sterling silver
- 50th, golden jubilee: gold
- 60th: diamond
Anniversary gifts by year: the full chart
| Year | Classic | Modern | Stone or metal | Flower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | Clocks | Gold | Carnation |
| 2 | Cotton | China | Garnet | Cosmos |
| 3 | Leather | Glass | Pearl | Sunflower |
| 4 | Fruit or flowers | Appliances | Blue topaz | Geranium |
| 5 | Wood | Silverware | Sapphire | Daisy |
| 6 | Iron | Wood objects | Amethyst | Calla lily |
| 7 | Copper or wool | Desk sets | Onyx | Freesia |
| 8 | Bronze | Linen or lace | Tourmaline | Clematis |
| 9 | Willow or pottery | Leather | Lapis lazuli | Poppy |
| 10 | Aluminium or tin | Diamond jewellery | Diamond | Daffodil |
| 15 | Crystal | Watches | Ruby | Rose |
| 20 | China | Platinum | Emerald | Aster |
| 25 | Sterling silver | Sterling silver | Silver | Iris |
| 30 | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl | Lily |
| 35 | Coral | Jade | Emerald | Coral rose |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Gladioli |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | Blue iris |
| 50 | Gold | Gold | Gold | Yellow rose |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald | Emerald | Calla lily |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond | Orchid |
Notice the gaps. The Emily Post chart covers every year up to 10, then every fifth year. Other lists fill in years like 11 to 14, but they don’t agree with each other, so for those years feel free to choose any gift with meaning for you both.
Where the anniversary gift list came from
The tradition is newer than many people think. According to the Emily Post Institute, Emily Post’s 1922 book Etiquette named only a handful of anniversaries: paper for the 1st, wood for the 5th, tin for the 10th, crystal for the 15th, china for the 20th, silver for the 25th and gold for the 50th. Then, in 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association filled in most of the other years. That is one reason so many later years are gemstones and precious metals.
Emily Post also felt a big anniversary party was “not very good form”, as it could look like a request for gifts. She made an exception for the major milestones, calling the golden wedding “a quite sacred event”.
Gift ideas for the first 10 years
| Year | Gift ideas |
|---|---|
| 1st (paper) | A handwritten letter, framed wedding photo, concert or travel tickets, a photo book |
| 2nd (cotton) | Matching T-shirts, soft bedding, a cotton saree or kurta, a picnic blanket |
| 3rd (leather) | A wallet, bag, watch strap or leather-bound journal |
| 4th (fruit or flowers) | A fruit basket, a plant for your home, a bouquet every month |
| 5th (wood) | A wooden photo frame, jewellery box, or a tree planted together |
| 6th (iron) | A cast-iron pan, garden art, or a key holder for your home |
| 7th (copper or wool) | A copper water bottle, a wool shawl or blanket |
| 8th (bronze) | A bronze sculpture or bookends, bronze jewellery |
| 9th (pottery) | Handmade mugs, a pottery class for two, a vase |
| 10th (tin or aluminium) | A tin box of love notes, engraved aluminium art, or diamond jewellery for the modern gift |
Prefer flowers? The 5th-year flower is the daisy and the 10th-year flower is the daffodil. Read our guides to daisy flower meaning and daffodil flower meaning to add a personal note.
Milestone anniversaries: 15th, 25th, 50th and 60th
- 15th, crystal: crystal glasses, a crystal vase, or a watch, the modern gift. See our guide to the crystal wedding anniversary.
- 25th, silver: often called the silver jubilee in India. Silver jewellery, silver photo frames, or a silver coin engraved with your wedding date.
- 50th, gold: the golden jubilee. Gold jewellery, a family gathering, or a memory album of 50 years.
- 60th, diamond: diamond jewellery, or a celebration with children and grandchildren.
Tips for choosing an anniversary gift
- Use the list for ideas, not rules. Pick the classic, modern, stone or flower option, whichever suits your partner.
- Make it personal. Engrave a date, add a handwritten note, or recreate your first date.
- Experiences count. A trip, a class or a dinner can matter more than an object.
- Keep the budget comfortable. A thoughtful paper gift can mean more than an expensive one.
- Plan early for big years. Silver and golden jubilee parties often involve family, so start a few months ahead.
Looking for more gift inspiration? See our gift ideas for couples who have everything and tips to choose the best birthday gift for your wife.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional 1st anniversary gift?
Paper. The modern 1st anniversary gift is a clock, and the flower is the carnation.
What is the 25th anniversary called?
The silver anniversary, or silver jubilee. The traditional gift is sterling silver.
What is the 50th anniversary gift?
Gold. The 50th is the golden anniversary, or golden jubilee, and its flower is the yellow rose.
What is the 10th anniversary gift?
Tin or aluminium is traditional. The modern gift is diamond jewellery, and the flower is the daffodil.
Who made the anniversary gift list?
Emily Post’s 1922 book Etiquette named gifts for a few key anniversaries. In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association added most of the other years.
Do I have to follow the anniversary gift list?
No. It is a fun tradition, not a rule. A thoughtful gift your partner will love matters more than the material.
