Can you guess who stayed together after the final rose?
Updated May 25, 202226 Unique and Thoughtful Anniversary Gifts for Friends
Celebrate their milestone with one of these meaningful ideas.
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If your friends are approaching another year of wedded bliss, help them celebrate with an extra-special anniversary present. There are lots of options when it comes to getting anniversary gifts for your friends. Feel free to take inspiration from their milestone's traditional anniversary theme, or go your own way with one of these creative anniversary gift ideas.
In this article:
- Do You Have to Buy an Anniversary Gift for Friends?
- What's a Good Wedding Anniversary Gift for Friends?
- Our Favorite Anniversary Gifts for Friends
Do You Have to Buy an Anniversary Gift for Your Friends?
It's common for couples to celebrate their wedding anniversaries just between themselves, however, some may wish to celebrate their milestone with family and friends. It's always polite to send best wishes and, if you feel so inclined, a gift. That said, you shouldn't feel obligated to give a gift to your friends every year. So, when do you buy an anniversary gift for friends? The times to consider a gift include, but are not limited to, momentous anniversary years such as their 10th, 25th and 50th wedding anniversary, as well as years the couple hosts an anniversary party.
What Is a Good Wedding Anniversary Gift for Friends?
Looking for anniversary gift ideas for friends? There are a few questions to keep in mind when searching for the perfect present. First, what is your relationship to the couple? If you've known the couple for a long time, a sentimental gift like a framed picture can be a good option. If you don't know the couple as well, a practical gift such as kitchenware, a ring dish or a bottle of champagne can feel more appropriate. You should also ask yourself what the couple enjoys. A gift centered around a shared hobby can turn into a thoughtful date night for the pair.
26 Anniversary Gifts for Friends You Can Buy Right Now
Ready to start shopping? To make your job easier, we've gathered our top picks for anniversary gifts that say congratulations in a unique way.
1. Personalized Family Game
If your friends are always up for a bit of fun, consider this beautifully handcrafted four-across game. Adorned with their first names or family name and anniversary date, it's a gift they won't forget.
2. Home Cooking Subscription
Blue Apron via Facebook
The couple that cooks together stays together! Give your friends some fresh inspiration in the kitchen for their wedding anniversary. Blue Apron delivers delicious recipes alongside every ingredient they'll need to cook up a storm.
3. Anniversary Map Art
If you're shopping for friends who are always planning their next adventure, try this creative anniversary gift idea. First, choose any four cities from across the globe (think: their hometowns, where they tied the knot and their favorite vacation spot). Then, send your list to this Etsy artist, who will turn the locations into geometric map art. Have the artwork personalized with the couple's names and wedding date for a cool and thoughtful present.
4. Mini Congratulations Cupcakes
Nothing says congrats like this box of delicious and colorful cupcake bites—the cheerful rainbow box literally says "congrats." This bright and bold wedding anniversary gift is perfect for friends with a sweet tooth.
5. Champagne-Scented Anniversary Candle
For the couple whose love has always burned bright, there's this adorable anniversary candle with their names, wedding date and a custom city map in the shape of a heart. Two wicks are better than one!
6. Stone Scent Diffuser
Upgrade your friends' home (and their downtime) with a stylish and trendy essential oil diffuser. This one comes in a range of soothing colors, including Sea, Eucalyptus and Terracotta.
7. Tassel Wine Charms
If your friends constantly play host, these colorful wine charms will help keep their guests' drinks organized. Wine charms are an especially practical gift for an anniversary party—just make sure to get there early so they can be put to use!
8. Wedding Song Sound Wave Art
Don't be afraid to get sweet and sentimental with wedding anniversary gifts for your friends. They'll tear up seeing one of their wedding songs transformed into a work of art. This modern sound wave art will look great in any home—choose between 10 different canvas sizes to fit their space and your budget.
9. Coordinating Couple Bathrobes
Treat your friends to some couple's R&R with a gift they can enjoy on the regular: coordinating bathrobes. This snug robe comes in five different shades so you can mix and match colors to suit each person's unique style.
10. Champagne Delivery Service
For your best friends celebrating their wedding anniversary, go big with a box of bubbly. This awesome service will deliver tasty champagne straight to their door. You can choose between a one-time champagne delivery or a monthly subscription gift.
11. Personalized Anniversary Book
Tell their story in a unique way: with covers of the New York Times from every one of their wedding anniversaries. This keepsake book starts with their wedding day and celebrates every anniversary after.
12. Harry Potter Cutting Board
Make your gift as personal as possible with a custom cutting board that references their favorite piece of pop culture. This unique anniversary gift spells out "love" with Harry Potter-inspired motifs. It's sure to win the hearts of diehard Potterheads.
13. Custom Paint-By-Number
For the artistic couple, transform a sentimental picture, such as a photo of their wedding venue, into a paint-by-number. Choose from a few different canvas sizes and add a wooden frame for a personalized gift they can display in their home.
14. Multi-Purpose Pan
A couple's cookware could always use an upgrade, and what better time to treat them than their wedding anniversary? This versatile (and appropriately named) Always pan is the multi-purpose kitchen tool they never knew they needed. Boasting rave reviews, it can do anything from boiling and braising to steaming and sautéing.
15. Innovative Indoor Garden
Give the gift that keeps on giving with this smart-technology indoor garden. No matter where they live, your friends can grow fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables or flowers all year long—no green thumb necessary! The innovative device comes with three basil plant pods, but you can buy starter seeds for over 75 different plant varieties.
16. Illustrated Hobby Blanket
If you're on the hunt for really creative anniversary gifts for your friends, try this adorable blanket—it's woven with custom illustrations of the couple enjoying their favorite hobbies. This unique present is equal parts meaningful and playful.
17. Anniversary Pebble Art
Feel free to get more specific with the theme when shopping for an anniversary present. How about this unique 30th anniversary gift, which pays tribute to that milestone's pearl theme? The stunning pebble art also comes in versions for the 10th, 20th, 40th and 50th anniversaries. In each piece of art, the heart-shaped stone is a different symbolic color.
18. Crystal Champagne Flutes
For big milestones like the 15th anniversary (otherwise known as the crystal anniversary), you're more than welcome to splash out a little. This set of crystal champagne flutes is the height of elegance, and the romantic heart design is a fitting nod to the happy couple. Have them engraved to give your friends an extra-special anniversary gift.
19. Couple Card Game
Regardless of how long a couple has been together, there's always more they can learn about each other. Help your friends form an even deeper connection with a couple's card game as an anniversary present. This deck is an easy way to liven dinner conversations and facilitate intimate discussions.
20. Rustic Cheese Boards
Who doesn't love charcuterie? Consider something practical yet sophisticated like this set of three black cheese boards. Dress up the gift with a stick of chalk—you can write "congrats" on it before you give it to them.
21. Custom Artwork Ring Dish
Practical and personal, useful keepsakes always make good wedding anniversary gifts for friends. Honor the life they've built together with an elegant ring dish featuring a custom illustration of their shared home.
22. Engraved Picture Frame
Picture frames make some of the best anniversary gifts for friends, because—once filled with a photo—they're meaningful no matter what. We love that you can engrave this recycled-aluminum frame with their names and a special message.
23. Luxe Sheet Set
They say the secret to a good marriage is to never go to bed on rough sheets. Give the gift of sleep with a stone-washed (aka soft and durable) linen sheet set.There are plenty of stylish color options, but natural linen is a classic choice.
24. Couple's Baking Class
In a pinch? Experiences are great anniversary gifts that feel thoughtful, but can be bought last minute! This hour-long virtual cooking class teaches couples how to bake a delicious molten chocolate cake (ingredients included with purchase). They can enjoy the class—and the cake—from the comfort of their home.
25. Painted Pet Portrait
This one's for the couple who loves to fuss over their four-legged friend: a watercolor portrait of their pet. This creative anniversary gift idea is sure to bring a smile to their faces.
26. The Essential Wine Book
Help your friends find the perfect bottle of wine to celebrate their wedding anniversary. This comprehensive guide to the modern world of wine, written by wine expert Zachary Sussman, is the perfect coffee table book for oenophiles.
