Complete Anniversary Gifts by Year Guide (1st to 60th)
Anniversary gifts by year follow a list of symbolic materials, starting with paper for the 1st wedding anniversary and ending with diamond for the 60th, with milestones like tin (10th), silver (25th), ruby (40th) and gold (50th) along the way. Most years have both a traditional and a modern gift, so you can choose the one that fits the couple. Below is the complete year-by-year list from 1 to 60, what each milestone means, and personalized gift ideas from Homestorie that put names and dates on the theme.
Anniversary Gifts by Year: 1st to 60th
This chart follows the traditional and modern lists most widely used in the United States. Where a year links, we have a dedicated guide to that anniversary.
Year | Traditional gift | Modern gift |
|---|---|---|
1 | Paper | Clocks |
2 | Cotton | China |
3 | Leather | Crystal, glass |
4 | Fruit, flowers | Appliances |
5 | Wood | Silverware |
6 | Iron, candy | Wood |
7 | Wool, copper | Desk sets |
8 | Bronze, pottery | Linen, lace |
9 | Pottery, willow | Leather |
10 | Tin, aluminum | Diamond jewelry |
11 | Steel | Fashion jewelry |
12 | Silk, linen | Pearls |
13 | Lace | Textiles, furs |
14 | Ivory | Gold jewelry |
15 | Crystal | Watches |
16 | Wax | Silver holloware |
17 | Furniture | Furniture |
18 | Porcelain | Porcelain |
19 | Bronze | Bronze |
20 | China | Platinum |
21 | — | Brass, nickel |
22 | — | Copper |
23 | — | Silver plate |
24 | — | Musical instruments |
25 | Silver | Silver |
26 | — | Original pictures |
27 | — | Sculpture |
28 | — | Orchids |
29 | — | New furniture |
30 | Pearl | Diamond |
31 | — | Timepieces |
32 | — | Conveyances (vehicles) |
33 | — | Amethyst |
34 | — | Opal |
35 | Coral | Jade |
36 | — | Bone china |
37 | — | Alabaster |
38 | — | Beryl, tourmaline |
39 | — | Lace |
40 | Ruby | Ruby |
41 | — | Land |
42 | — | Improved real estate |
43 | — | Travel |
44 | — | Groceries |
45 | Sapphire | Sapphire |
46 | — | Original poetry tribute |
47 | — | Books |
48 | — | Optical goods |
49 | — | Luxuries |
50 | Gold | Gold |
51 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
52 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
53 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
54 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
55 | Emerald | Emerald |
56 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
57 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
58 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
59 | — | No widely recognized symbol |
60 | Diamond | Diamond |
A few notes on the chart: the traditional list stops having yearly entries after the 20th, and the gaps are filled by the modern list. Years 51 to 54 and 56 to 59 have no widely accepted symbol. Some lists in the UK and elsewhere vary slightly (for example, linen or silk for the 4th), so if you see a different answer online, that is usually why.
Traditional vs. Modern: How to Choose Your Gift
The traditional list uses natural materials that get stronger as the marriage does, from fragile paper to lasting diamond. The modern list was published in the U.S. in the mid-20th century and replaces many entries with everyday goods: clocks, appliances, desk sets, watches.
- Choose traditional if the person enjoys symbolism or sentimental keepsakes.
- Choose modern if they prefer practical gifts they will use every day.
- Combine both for milestone years: a modern piece to use, plus a small personalized keepsake to display.
Years 1–5: the early anniversaries
The first five years move from light materials to sturdy ones: paper, cotton, leather, fruit and flowers, then wood. Budgets are often modest at this stage, and that suits the themes. A handwritten letter on paper, a cotton throw or a leather journal all count.
1st anniversary: paper (modern: clocks)
Paper stands for a blank page the couple has just started to fill. Love letters, a printed wedding photo or concert tickets for a date night all fit. Shopping for a husband? See our one-year anniversary gifts for him.
2nd to 4th: cotton, leather, fruit and flowers
Cotton (2nd anniversary) suggests comfort and how two lives weave together. Leather (3rd anniversary) is durable and softens with age. The 4th anniversary brings fruit and flowers, a sign that the relationship is starting to bloom. The modern 2nd-year gift is china, which makes a ceramic keepsake a neat way to cover both lists.
Personalized Wedding Book Vase – Couple Names & Date, Ceramic - $54.95 - View product
Ceramic vase printed like a storybook with your names and wedding date. Fits the modern 2nd (china) and the traditional 9th (pottery).
5th anniversary: wood (modern: silverware)
Wood marks the point where a marriage has put down roots. Our guide to the meaning of the wooden anniversary goes deeper, and if he is your boyfriend rather than your husband, read 5-year anniversary ideas for a boyfriend.
Years 6–10: building a home together
Iron and candy (6th), wool and copper (7th), bronze and pottery (8th), pottery and willow (9th) all have a homey, hand-made feel. These are the years when everyday gifts often land best, things the couple will use at breakfast or see on the way out the door.
You're My Rock Couple Anniversary – Personalized Printed Rock - $23.95 - View product
A printed keepsake rock with your names, a nod to strength and steadiness in the iron (6th) and bronze (8th) years.
10th anniversary: tin or aluminum (modern: diamond jewelry)
The first big milestone. Tin and aluminum are flexible yet hold their shape, which is a fair description of a decade-long marriage. More ideas in our 10th anniversary gift guide.
Custom Couple Tumbler 20oz – Names & Year, Sea Turtle Design - $32.95 - View product
A 20oz stainless steel tumbler with both names and your wedding year. Practical for the 11th (steel) or any year.
Years 11–20: steel, silk, crystal and china
Steel (11th) stands for strength, silk and linen (12th) for comfort, lace (13th) for intricacy, and ivory (14th) for something precious. Ivory today is best honored with ivory-colored gifts rather than the material itself.
15th anniversary: crystal (modern: watches)
Crystal is clear and catches light, a fitting image for 15 years of honesty. Glass keepsakes and suncatchers are an easy, affordable way to match the theme. See our 15th wedding anniversary gift guide.
Personalized Tree of Life Couple Glass Suncatcher – Names & Date - $29.95 - View product
Tree of Life suncatcher with your names and wedding date. Glass fits the crystal (15th) theme and the modern 3rd-year list.
16th to 20th: wax, furniture, porcelain, bronze, china
Years 16, 17 and 18 cover wax, furniture and porcelain. The 20th anniversary is china (modern: platinum), a symbol of something delicate that has lasted.
Personalized Ceramic Anniversary Ornament – Names & Years - $19.95 - View product
Ceramic ornament with your names and years married. A small china-themed gift for the 20th that comes out every December.
Years 21–40: silver, pearl, coral and ruby
The yearly themes between milestones come from the modern list: brass and nickel (21st), musical instruments (24th), vehicles (32nd), alabaster (37th), beryl and tourmaline (38th).
25th anniversary: silver
The silver anniversary is the first of the big celebrations. Silver jewelry is the classic choice, but a keepsake with the couple's names and "25 years" can mean just as much.
30th, 35th and 40th: pearl, coral, ruby
Pearls (30th) form slowly, layer by layer. Coral (35th) grows over decades. Ruby (40th) stands for passion that is still there after four decades, so a red gift, red flowers or a ruby-red keepsake all work.
Forever in Love Couple – Personalized Heart Suncatcher - $26.95 - View product
Heart-shaped suncatcher with both names. A good fit for ruby (40th) and any year you want a romantic piece for the window.
Years 41–60: gold, emerald and diamond
Land (41st), real estate (42nd), travel, books and sapphire (45th) lead to the golden years. Gifts at this stage are often from children and grandchildren, so pick something the whole family can see. Our guide to things to do for your parents' anniversary has party ideas too.
50th anniversary: gold
Fifty years is the celebration most families plan for. Gold stands for something valuable that does not tarnish. Read more on the symbol for 50 years of marriage.
Personalized 50th Anniversary Stained Glass Suncatcher – Love Birds - $29.95 - View product
Stained glass love-birds suncatcher made for the golden anniversary, with names, date and "50th".
Growing Old Together on the Farm – Personalized Couple Ornament - $19.95 - View product
Couple ornament with names and year. A sweet pick for grandparents celebrating 50 or more years.
55th and 60th: emerald and diamond
Emerald (55th) is a symbol of lasting love and growth. The 60th, the diamond anniversary, celebrates something almost unbreakable. Find more ideas in what to get parents for their 60th anniversary.
How to choose a meaningful anniversary gift
- Start with the symbol, then make it personal. Names, the wedding date and the number of years turn a themed gift into their gift.
- Think about where it will live. A window, the Christmas tree, a desk or a coffee cup holder all keep the gift in daily view.
- Order early. Personalized items are made to order, so allow extra time before the date, especially around the holidays.
- Add a note. One line about a memory from that year is often the part people keep longest.
For more ideas across every year, browse our full guide to wedding anniversary gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anniversary Gifts
What are the anniversary gifts by year?
Each wedding anniversary has a symbolic material: paper for the 1st, cotton for the 2nd, leather for the 3rd, wood for the 5th, tin for the 10th, crystal for the 15th, china for the 20th, silver for the 25th, pearl for the 30th, ruby for the 40th, gold for the 50th and diamond for the 60th. Most early years also have a modern alternative, such as clocks for the 1st or watches for the 15th.
What is the difference between traditional and modern anniversary gifts?
Traditional gifts are older, mostly natural materials that get stronger or more precious as the years go on. The modern list was published in the United States in the mid-20th century and swaps in everyday goods like clocks, appliances and watches. Neither is more correct, so pick the one that suits the person.
Which anniversaries are considered milestones?
The 10th (tin), 25th (silver), 40th (ruby), 50th (gold) and 60th (diamond) are the big ones most families celebrate with a party or a larger gift. The 1st, 5th, 15th, 20th and 30th are popular too.
Do I have to follow the anniversary gift list?
No. The list is a prompt, not a rule. A gift that nods to the year's color, material or idea, paired with your names and wedding date, usually means more than a literal match bought at the last minute.
What is a good anniversary gift for parents or grandparents?
For a 40th, 50th or 60th, choose something the whole family can enjoy seeing: a personalized suncatcher or ornament with their names and wedding year, a photo keepsake, or a framed message from the kids and grandkids. A gold-themed gift fits the 50th; for the 60th, see our guide to gifts for parents on their 60th.
Are there gifts for years without a traditional symbol?
Yes. Years 21 to 49 have modern themes (brass for the 21st, musical instruments for the 24th, travel for the 43rd, books for the 47th). Years 51 to 54 and 56 to 59 have no widely accepted symbol, so a personalized keepsake with the couple's names and years married is a safe choice.