Anniversary Gifts by Year: The Traditional UK Guide
The traditional anniversary gift list assigns a material to each year of marriage - paper for the first, wood for the fifth, silver for the twenty-fifth, and so on. You can use the list as inspiration and then personalise the gift to make it meaningful. Below is the full year-by-year guide, plus personalised gift ideas for the milestone anniversaries. (Traditional and modern lists vary slightly, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule.)
Traditional anniversary gifts by year
- 1st - Paper
- 2nd - Cotton
- 3rd - Leather
- 4th - Fruit or flowers
- 5th - Wood
- 6th - Sugar or iron
- 7th - Wool or copper
- 8th - Bronze or pottery
- 9th - Pottery or willow
- 10th - Tin or aluminium
- 15th - Crystal
- 20th - China
- 25th - Silver
- 30th - Pearl
- 40th - Ruby
- 50th - Gold
- 60th - Diamond
Personalised anniversary gift ideas for the milestones
You do not have to follow the material literally. The easiest way to make any anniversary gift feel special is to personalise it with the date, names, or a shared memory.
1st anniversary (paper)
A photo outline print or a keepsake featuring the wedding date works neatly with the paper theme. A song plaque of the first dance is another popular first-anniversary gift.
5th anniversary (wood)
An engraved wooden or slate keepsake suits the wood year - names and the wedding date make it personal.
10th anniversary
A decade together calls for something lasting. An engraved keepsake or a personalised piece for the home marks the occasion well.
25th anniversary (silver)
Personalised jewellery is the natural fit for the silver anniversary - a necklace or bracelet with the date or initials.
50th anniversary (gold)
A golden anniversary deserves a standout keepsake. An engraved gift with both names and the date, or a piece of personalised jewellery, suits the milestone.
Browse the full personalised anniversary gifts collection to find the right one.
What is the best personalised anniversary gift?
The best anniversary gift captures something specific to the couple - their wedding date, their names, or their first dance song. Personalisation is what turns a nice gift into a meaningful one, because it cannot be bought for anyone else. Popular options include engraved keepsakes, personalised jewellery, and personalised gifts for the home.
How far ahead should you order an anniversary gift?
Personalised gifts are made to order, so they take a little longer than off-the-shelf items. Crafted Memories dispatches UK orders the same day when placed before 2pm on weekdays, with free next-day delivery, so a personalised anniversary gift can still arrive quickly if you have left it late.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional 5th anniversary gift?
Wood. An engraved wooden or slate keepsake with the couple's names and wedding date is a popular personalised take on it.
What is the 25th wedding anniversary gift?
Silver. Personalised silver-tone jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet with the wedding date, suits the milestone.
What is the best personalised anniversary gift?
One that captures the couple's date, names, or first dance song - an engraved keepsake, personalised jewellery, or a song plaque are all popular choices.
Find a gift as unique as their story in the anniversary gifts collection.