The Complete Guide to Traditional & Modern Anniversary Gifts by Year

A marriage grows deeper and more resilient over time, and traditional anniversary gifts by year reflect that progression. The themes begin with delicate paper for your first milestone and build up to invincible diamonds for your 60th. Alongside the traditional materials that date back to the Victorian era, each year has an alternative modern gift, specific gemstone, color and official flower to offer couples flexible gifting inspiration for every stage of their relationship.

Whether you're looking for a traditional sentiment or a contemporary twist, this guide by The Knot Editors breaks down every milestone anniversary and its associated gifts. (Don't forget to pair your present with a sweet card expressing your happy anniversary wishes!)

In this article:

THE KNOT ORIGINAL VIDEO

Why Do Couples Give Traditional Anniversary Gifts?

Traditional anniversary gifts do more than mark another year together; they honor the growing strength and resilience of a marriage, making them a meaningful and romantic way for couples to celebrate each milestone they reach. Exchanging yearly anniversary presents based on a milestone's traditional material became widespread during the Victorian era, with roots tracing back to medieval Germany and ancient Rome. Originally, husbands presented their wives with silver wreaths for 25 years of marriage and gold wreaths for 50 years. Over time, the list expanded to assign a specific symbolic material to every single year.

The increasing durability of these materials is intentional: early years call for lightweight, pliable gifts like paper and cotton that require careful handling. As time passes, traditional themes transition into wood, strong metals and precious gemstones to mirror a relationship's growing strength and longevity.

What Are The Milestone Wedding Anniversaries?

While every year of marriage is worth celebrating, certain years mark major relationship milestones:

• First year: Many couples treat the one-year anniversary as a major milestone because it marks their first full year of marriage together.
• Every 5 years (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th): Every five years spent together up to the 30th anniversary is considered a major milestone.
• Every 10 years (40th, 50th and 60th): From three decades on, the focus shifts to decade milestones, with the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries standing out as achievements.

Traditional & Modern Anniversary Gifts by Year

Design by Tiana Crispino

Ready to learn more about the wedding anniversary themes by year? We've listed the materials and their meanings for anniversaries 1 through 20 and every 5 years from 20 through 60. Each section includes the traditional and modern symbols as well as the anniversary colors, flowers and gemstones by year. From there, you can explore our shoppable gift guides to find on-theme inspiration for every milestone.

Skip to your marriage milestone: 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 25th | 30th | 35th | 40th | 45th | 50th | 55th | 60th

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

1-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Paper

• Traditional Gift: Paper
• Modern Gift: Clocks
• Color: Gold or yellow
• Metal: Gold
• Flower: Carnation
  

Paper is the traditional gift for the first year of marriage. While fragile—much like the early stages of a union—with proper care, a paper anniversary gift can last a lifetime. Clocks serve as the modern gift for this milestone, representing the passage of time together. While many anniversaries are paired with a designated gemstone, the first year is associated with a precious metal: gold. This classic choice opens up endless options for timeless anniversary jewelry (wink, wink). The warm hue carries through as the milestone's official color, while the carnation serves as the first-anniversary flower, symbolizing young love.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

2-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Cotton

• Traditional Gift: Cotton
• Modern Gift: China
• Color: Red
• Gemstone: Garnet
• Flower: Cosmos

The traditional wedding anniversary gift for your second year together is slightly stronger than the first: cotton. The woven threads of cotton anniversary gifts symbolize interconnectedness in your relationship. On the flip side, the modern material of fine china is both sturdy and delicate, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of any union. The two-year anniversary color is red, taking inspiration from the year's associated gemstone, garnet. Both are symbols of love and friendship, two things a marriage is built on. Lastly, the cosmos flower is associated with order and harmony.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

3-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Leather

• Traditional Gift: Leather
• Modern Gift: Crystal or glass
• Color: Jade or white
• Gemstone: Pearl
• Flower: Sunflower

Leather is the traditional third-anniversary theme. Representing flexibility and deep-rooted security, leather anniversary gifts reflect the shelter you provide each other as a couple. If you prefer a modern route, crystal or glass serves as the contemporary alternative; these clear materials highlight honesty, transparency and a bright future reflecting ahead. Pearl is the official gemstone, an elegant gem built layer by layer over time to reveal its true beauty. Jade and white represent purity and balance. The sunflower rounds out the year with its sturdy stalk representing a strong foundation and its vibrant petals bringing warmth and happiness.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

4-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Fruit or Flowers

• Traditional Gift: Fruit or flowers
• Modern Gift: Appliances
• Color: Blue or green
• Gemstone: Blue topaz
• Flower: Geranium

Some years of marriage, like the fourth anniversary, have two traditional gifts: Fruit and flowers. Both represent a flourishing relationship that's in full bloom. The modern gift for this wedding anniversary is a household appliance. Home staples reflect how settled you feel in your relationship by the fourth year together. Looking for jewelry gift inspiration? Find something with blue topaz, a symbol of love, romance and affection. Finally, consider taking inspiration from the fourth anniversary colors (blue and green) or geranium flowers, which all stand for happiness, good health and friendship.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

5-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Wood

• Traditional Gift: Wood
• Modern Gift: Silverware
• Color: Blue, pink or turquoise
• Gemstone: Sapphire
• Flower: Daisy

Wood anniversary gifts are traditionally given for five years of marriage. This sturdy material represents a relationship that has developed deep roots and grown over time. Silverware is the modern alternative and the perfect tribute to all the meals you've enjoyed and will continue to enjoy together. This year's flower is the pretty daisy, a symbol of eternal love and faithfulness. Similar to wood, sapphire, the fifth year's gemstone, is durable to stand the test of time. When it comes to colors, blue, pink and turquoise have all been attached to this special year.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

6-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Iron

• Traditional Gift: Iron
• Modern Gift: Wood
• Color: Purple, white or turquoise
• Gemstone: Amethyst
• Flower: Calla lily

Six years together is traditionally celebrated with iron anniversary gifts to symbolize strength. If you're still enamored with wood gifts, though (or you missed out last year), it's the modern theme for six years. The calla lily is this year's wedding anniversary flower to demonstrate how you've refined your relationship over time. It also represents purity, fidelity and innocence. For a gift with a rich history, incorporate this anniversary's gemstone: amethyst. Historical accounts report that Saint Valentine (the patron saint of love and marriage) wore an amethyst ring engraved with Cupid. The through line for the three anniversary colors are: wisdom, peace and renewal.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

7-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Copper or Wool

• Traditional Gift: Copper or wool
• Modern Gift: Desk sets
• Color: Yellow or off-white
• Gemstone: Onyx
• Flower: Freesia

Both copper and wool are accepted as traditional anniversary gifts for the seventh year. Copper anniversary gifts nod to a relationship that has adapted over time like the malleable metal, while wool anniversary gifts evoke the warmth of a loving marriage. The modern gift for this year is more unusual, but extremely practical. Desk sets and organization tools bring a touch of home to their workspace, and serve as a reminder of your love during long days at work. The off-white color associated with this year reflects wool's natural hue, while yellow celebrates the light of your life. In sharp contrast, the official gemstone is onyx, a dark and mesmerizing stone that's said to protect marriages and promote harmony. Finally, freesias are the designated flowers, epitomizing fidelity, trust and friendship.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

8-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Bronze or Pottery

• Traditional Gift: Bronze or pottery
• Modern Gift: Linen or lace
• Color: Bronze
• Gemstone: Tourmaline or tanzanite
• Flower: Lilac or clematis

The eighth year of marriage features two traditional themes: bronze and pottery. Bronze gifts symbolize strength and longevity, while pottery reflects the beautiful marriage you have carefully crafted over time. This milestone offers plenty of creative gifting choices, as there are also two modern themes (linen and lace), two gemstones (tourmaline and tanzanite) and two official flowers (lilacs and clematis). Whether you opt for delicate linen gifts or intricate lace gifts, both materials showcase the detailed beauty of love. Lilacs and clematis represent intelligence, passion and synergy, while tourmaline and tanzanite are tied to compassion and unconditional devotion.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

9-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Willow or Pottery

• Traditional Gift: Willow or pottery
• Modern Gift: Leather
• Color: Terracotta, purple or green
• Gemstone: Blue lapis lazuli
• Flower: Poppy and bird of paradise

Anniversary tradition suggests giving a willow or pottery gift to commemorate the ninth year of marriage. Willow anniversary gifts, like those made from wood, are both strong and flexible, highlighting that both traits can naturally coexist, just like in a successful marriage. Similar to the eighth-anniversary gift, pottery anniversary gifts reflect how love can shape something beautiful. Another of the yearly anniversary presents that repeats in year nine is leather. This enduring material was used by our ancestors to protect themselves. The ninth-anniversary flowers are poppies and birds of paradise, which are a symbols of imagination and joy, respectively. Lapis lazuli, the stone of honesty and protection, is also associated with this year of marriage, as well as the colors terracotta, purple and green.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

10-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Tin or Aluminum

• Traditional Gift: Tin or aluminium
• Modern Gift: Diamond jewelry
• Color: Silver or blue
• Gemstone: Diamond
• Flower: Daffodil

If you're following the traditional anniversary presents by year, you could be waiting a long time to give or receive diamonds (another 50 years, in fact). But if you decide to take the modern route for the 10th anniversary, you can lean into the theme of diamond jewelry. Not only pretty, it represents the value of a long-term partner. The traditional marriage anniversary gift for a decade is tin or aluminum. The tin anniversary theme reflects a strong relationship that can weather any storm. Silver and blue are the two anniversary colors for this year, while daffodils are the flowers. Gift your spouse a bunch of 10 bright yellow blooms, one for every year.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

11-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Steel

• Traditional Gift: Steel
• Modern Gift: Fashion jewelry
• Color: Turquoise
• Gemstone: Turquoise
• Flower: Morning glory

While it may not feel like as much of a milestone anniversary as a decade, 11 years of marriage is still very impressive. Represented by steel anniversary gifts, they represent your unbreakable bond of love and trust. In recent years, fashion jewelry has become the modern alternative. Wondering what fashion jewelry actually is? The term refers to pieces that use base metals and simulated stones for affordability, without compromising style. It's a great opportunity to give your spouse personalized pieces, like a birth-flower ring or a necklace with your kids' initials. Turquoise is both the color and gemstone associated with the 11th anniversary. It's said to protect against evil and bring good fortune and peace. The flower for this year is morning glory, which fittingly symbolizes affection.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

12-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Silk or Linen

• Traditional Gift: Silk or linen
• Modern Gift: Pearls
• Color: Oyster white
• Gemstone: Jade
• Flower: Peony

The 12th year of marriage has two traditional themes: silk anniversary gifts and linen. Presents made from these home decor staples nod to the life you've built together. If you're searching for jewelry wedding anniversary gift ideas, you're in luck. This year has two gems: pearl and jade. Pearls are hidden treasures, just like a love that's worth holding onto for more than a dozen years. Meanwhile, the jade stone attracts love, protection and prosperity. Need more inspiration? Look to peonies, which celebrate a point in your marriage where you can appreciate the finer things in life.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

13-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Lace

• Traditional Gift: Lace
• Modern Gift: Textiles or (faux) furs
• Color: White
• Gemstone: Citrine
• Flower: Chrysanthemum

The thirteenth year of marriage, it's all about one thing: fabrics. The traditional gift is lace, reflecting the beauty and sanctity of marriage (and the intricacies of your unique relationship). The modern themes are textiles and furs, symbolizing the comfort and warmth you feel. The 13th year is also represented by the color white, the citrine gemstone and the chrysanthemum flower. Citrine is strongly linked to happiness just like chrysanthemums, which are associated with joy and friendship.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

14-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Ivory

• Traditional Gift: Ivory
• Modern Gift: Gold jewelry
• Color: Ivory
• Gemstone: Opal
• Flower: Dahlia

Ivory as a 14th-anniversary gift originates from Hindu mythology and signifies luck and protection. Look for elephant-themed gifts instead of real ivory for a more ethical approach, or lean into the color ivory. The modern gift for this year is gold jewelry, representing unification, eternity and perfection. When it comes to this anniversary's flower and gemstone, we can't decide which is more beautiful. Vivid dahlias are bursting with excitement and uniqueness, while multicolored opals symbolizes love, passion and desire (adding another layer of meaning to opal anniversary gifts).

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

15-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Crystal

• Traditional Gift: Crystal
• Modern Gift: Watches
• Color: Red
• Gemstone: Ruby
• Flower: Rose

Finding sweet anniversary gifts for each other is easy when it comes to the 15th marriage milestone. Crystal anniversary gifts symbolize clarity and transparency. Watches are the modern theme, representing all the years you've spent together and the many more to come. The milestone's other symbols are all about passion. Fiery red rubies commemorate a flame that's still going strong, while the color red is long associated with love, energy and excitement. The flower for this year is the romantic rose.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

16-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Wax

• Traditional Gift: Wax
• Modern Gift: Silver holloware
• Color: Silver or emerald green
• Gemstone: Peridot
• Flower: Statice

Wax might not sound like the most romantic wedding anniversary gift, but hear us out. Like a candle, you and your spouse have a spark that can't be extinguished. The modern anniversary gift for celebrating 16 years is silver holloware. That's anything related to the dinner table that isn't silverware (think: bowls, serving trays and gravy boats). It's a representation of the unity you share in everyday life. This year's gemstone is peridot, a beautiful green stone that symbolizes undying love and devotion. Keeping with all things green, the 16th anniversary color is emerald, denoting harmony. Finally, the statice flower is often used for sympathy and remembrance, but it's also a sweet way to mark the memories you've made over the last 16 years.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

17-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Furniture

• Traditional Gift: Furniture
• Modern Gift: Furniture
• Color: Yellow
• Gemstone: Carnelian
• Flower: Red Carnation

Some years share the same material for both the traditional and modern anniversary gift. For the 17th anniversary, it's furniture. Gifting each other furniture represents the security, comfort and familiarity of a marriage that's been established for almost 20 years. Plus, it's a great excuse to upgrade the couch you've used since you first moved in. (It's time.) The carnelian is this anniversary's gemstone. It's known as the stone of endurance, but also brings joy and warmth, just like the year's color yellow. Shopping for someone who loves flowers? Look out for red carnations specifically, which are tied to love, romance and affection.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

18-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Porcelain

• Traditional Gift: Porcelain
• Modern Gift: Porcelain
• Color: Blue
• Gemstone: Cat's eye
• Flower: None

Porcelain is the traditional and modern theme for the 18th anniversary. Elegant but delicate, it signifies the hard work you've put into your marriage to keep it going strong. Exchanging porcelain presents serves as a reminder to still handle your relationship with care. The 18th anniversary is associated with the unique gemstone, cat's eye. Named for its resemblance to an actual cat's eye, this stone keeps a watchful eye over both of you, and represents love, commitment and happiness. While the 18th anniversary is not associated with one particular flower, a bouquet is still a romantic gesture. We suggest giving blue blooms to match the year's tranquil color.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

19-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Bronze

• Traditional Gift: Bronze
• Modern Gift: Bronze
• Color: Bronze
• Gemstone: Aquamarine
• Flower: Bronze chrysanthemum

Bronze is the traditional and modern gifting theme for 19 years, as well as the color, symbolizing a relationship that's growing even stronger. Additionally, it signifies health within your marriage even through tough times, since some believe it has healing properties. The 19th-anniversary flower is also a repeat, but who doesn't love the joyful and friendship-symbolizing chrysanthemum? For this milestone, look specifically for bronze-colored petals. Aquamarine is this year's designated gemstone. Known as the protection stone, it'll help ward off bad omens and protect good things (like your love).

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

20-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: China

• Traditional Gift: China
• Modern Gift: Platinum
• Color: Emerald green
• Gemstone: Emerald
• Flower: Aster

Couples who've reached two decades of marriage have officially gone platinum, at least according to the year's modern gifting theme. Platinum can endure through thick and thin, and you've proved you can do the same. In contrast, the traditional anniversary gift for this milestone year is fine china. Similar to porcelain, it shows the fragile nature of love. The sacred stone of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, also lends itself to this milestone. Emeralds are known to preserve love, so you can look forward to another 20 years together. Asters, the official flowers, represent resilience.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

25-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Sterling Silver

• Traditional Gift: Sterling silver
• Modern Gift: Sterling silver
• Color: Silver
• Metal: Silver
• Flower: Iris

Some years have a metal instead of a gemstone, and the 25th anniversary is one of them. Silver anniversary gifts define the quarter-century milestone, with the precious metal as the traditional and modern theme and the milestone's official color. We can see why: A love that's lasted 25 years deserves to be celebrated with something so lustrous and valuable. Of course, if you're not sold on silver, you still have the 25-year anniversary flower to inspire you. Irises symbolize wisdom, courage and faith: all traits that help a relationship flourish.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

30-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Pearl

• Traditional Gift: Pearl
• Modern Gift: Diamond
• Color: Green
• Gemstone: Pearl
• Flower: Lily

Pearls are the traditional gift (and gemstone) for three decades of marriage. The pearl anniversary theme represents the hidden beauty of a long-lasting union with a maturity that reveals itself from within. The 30th anniversary is all about the gems, as the modern theme is diamonds. The stone's endurance, beauty and strength appropriately reflect the nature of a 30-year marriage. Lilies are this year's flower, symbolizing transition and rebirth. They're a fitting gift if you and your spouse are embarking on an exciting new life stage. The color green is also associated with this milestone, paying tribute to how you've grown as a couple.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

35-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Coral

• Traditional Gift: Coral
• Modern Gift: Jade
• Color: Coral
• Gemstone: Emerald
• Flower: Coral rose

When you look at all the anniversary materials by year, the 35th is one of the most unusual. Coral is this year's traditional gift and is believed to have magical healing powers that shield from harm, similar to your protective love. The material is an important part of marine ecosystems, so consider coral-inspired presents (like a coral-hued rose) instead of the real deal. Coral isn't the only precious material associated with this milestone. You have a choice of two green gemstones: Lucky jade is the modern material and love-preserving emerald is the associated gemstone.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

40-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Ruby

• Traditional Gift: Ruby
• Modern Gift: Ruby
• Color: Red
• Gemstone: Ruby
• Flower: Gladioli

The 40-year anniversary is all about rubies. From the traditional wedding anniversary gift to the modern present, color and gemstone—it's called the "ruby anniversary" for a reason! This fiery-red gemstone is thought to possess a flame that never burns out, much like your love and commitment. It's also associated with good fortune, courage and protection. Of course, this wedding anniversary milestone has a special flower too. Gladioli blooms are bright and bold. Among other things, they represent infatuation, showing your spouse that you're still head over heels for them after four decades.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

45-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Sapphire

• Traditional Gift: Sapphire
• Modern Gift: Sapphire
• Color: Blue or red
• Gemstone: Sapphire
• Flower: Blue iris

The 45th year of marriage is known as the sapphire anniversary. This vibrant blue stone is both the traditional and modern theme, as well as the gemstone for this year. Sapphires have long been associated with royalty (like Kate Middleton's engagement ring) and are said to attract abundance. They also represent loyalty and sincerity, two pillars of a healthy relationship. Finally, the 45th-anniversary colors are blue and red, while the flower is blue iris, symbolizing faith and devotion.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

50-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Gold

• Traditional Gift: Gold
• Modern Gift: Gold
• Color: Gold
• Metal: Gold
• Flower: Yellow rose and violet

There's no question about what to get as a marriage anniversary gift for the big 5-0. Gold is this milestone's traditional theme, modern material, color and metal. Only something as desirable and luxe as gold can represent such an important day, known as the golden anniversary. It shows the prosperity, wisdom, strength and significance of a time-honored union. If you're looking for more options, this year is associated with two different flowers: yellow roses and violets. Bright yellow roses and deep purple violets complement each other beautifully, just like you and your spouse.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

55-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Emerald

• Traditional Gift: Emerald
• Modern Gift: Emerald
• Color: Emerald green
• Gemstone: Alexandrite
• Flower: "Green goddess" calla lily

Emerald is the traditional and modern anniversary gift for the 55th year of marriage. This precious jewel signifies true love, devotion and adoration. Surprisingly, the designated gemstone for this milestone isn't emerald, but alexandrite. You might mistake it for an emerald in direct sunlight, but this color-changing stone turns red under incandescent light. Known for dispelling negativity and attracting positivity, rare alexandrite brings good fortune and prosperity. When you look at the colors for anniversaries by year, green comes up time and time again. This year's color takes inspiration from the traditional theme: emerald green. Calla lilies, specifically the "green goddess" calla lilies, demonstrate how you've refined your relationship.

Stocksy | Design by Tiana Crispino

60-Year Anniversary Gift Theme: Diamond

• Traditional Gift: Diamond
• Modern Gift: Diamond
• Color: Diamond white
• Gemstone: Diamond
• Flower: Orchid

Last, but certainly not least, on our list of wedding anniversary gifts by year is the diamond anniversary. A whopping 60 years together is celebrated with the toughest gemstone of all. Diamonds score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, meaning they're stronger than even rubies and sapphires. Celebrating a special anniversary like this one calls for a stone that represents unconquerable and enduring love. It's no surprise that the color for this incredible milestone is diamond-inspired too. There's also a flower to take inspiration from. The elegant orchid symbolizes rare beauty, something a 60-year marriage has in spades.

Looking for more wedding anniversary gift ideas?

If you're shopping for a year that's not on our list or want ideas that aren't tied to a specific theme, we've got you. These gift guides work for any anniversary, and are perfect for parents, friends and, of course, your beloved spouse.