Anniversary Gifts By Year List For Traditional Celebrations (2024)

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.

OUR MOST POPULAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR HER

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.

Below we have put together a comprehensive and accurate table detailing the most recognized traditional and modern gift themes by anniversary year. You can click in the far right column to get a full overview for each year. After much research, we believe it to be the most detailed list of anniversary gift theme information available on the Internet today.

Following the table we provide further information that may assist you.

*** The traditional theme of ivory for this anniversary is now considered unethical due to the adverse impact on elephants. Therefore a gift for the 14th anniversary which contains an elephant theme as opposed to ivory per se is more appropriate.

Traditional versus Modern Anniversary Gift ideas

Traditionally, anniversary gifts that were given or exchanged in the early years of a marriage tended to be practical household items to assist the couple in establishing their home. Luxury gifts tended to be given or exchanged in later years when the couple had already obtained the things they needed.

The traditional list features materials that were commonly available in years gone by, such as copper, wool, paper and tin, whereas the modern list features new entries such as appliances and desk sets.

From the 20th wedding anniversary onwards, traditional gift materials are not offered every year; typically only every five years or so. The modern list differs in this respect, whereby a gift material is suggested for every year, at least up until the 30th anniversary, which possibly signifies a couples’ need to continue investing as much effort as possible into sustaining the commitment and romance in the later years of marriage.

Which list is better?

Most commentators on the subject will add that neither the Traditional gift list or Modern gift list is better than the other. It all boils down to the recipient’s tastes and interests, and the sentiment the giver wishes to convey, as to which list for that particular year yields the more appealing option for them. It is the thought that counts, especially the intention to commemorate each anniversary as a unique anniversary in its own right.

It is important to note that there is some variation in traditional gift materials for specific years of marriage, due to the country in which the list was compiled. The table in this section specifies for those particular anniversaries whether the traditional gift material was derived from a US source or UK source, which are the main two sources used across the globe.

Anniversary Gemstone, Color and Flower gift ideas

In addition to the Traditional and Modern gift material lists, each wedding anniversary has also come to be denoted by a particular gemstone, color and flower.

In 1985, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) published its initial version of the Gemstone Information Manual. This manual has been adopted within the trade as the gold standard for disclosure of pearls, cultured pearls and natural gemstones. In that manual, the gemstones or precious metals that are associated with each wedding anniversary are listed for every anniversary year from the first to the 25th, and every five years thereafter up until the 60th wedding anniversary. It is interesting to note that there are some inconsistencies between this and other reputable sources as to the exact gemstone for each anniversary. This could simply reflect a difference due to the region of the world in which the list of anniversary gemstones was compiled. As such, the table in this section predominantly lists the gemstones according to the AGTA. Any variations in gemstones for a particular anniversary year as derived from other sources, are listed as alternatives for completeness, and to offer the reader a wider variety of options.

Specific flowers and colors have also come to be associated with each wedding anniversary year. There do not appear to be any consistent sources for these themes, so the table in this section lists all key flowers from a number of reputable sources that stipulate what the flower is for each anniversary. It is possible that any variation in the nominated flower for a particular year may represent the region of the world in which that particular flower came to be endorsed. In addition to the specific flower for each anniversary, the rose, considered the floral king of romance, can be substituted for most anniversaries if so desired.

In conclusion: Which gift to choose