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Celebrate your wedding anniversary with these traditional gifts.
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Our Seventh Wedding Anniversary is just a couple weeks away from us. I have been thinking hard about what to do this year, and luckily it isn’t quite as difficult as it has been in previous years. When my husband and I approached our first wedding anniversary, we agreed that we would not celebrate with elaborate and over-priced, fancy gifts. However, we still agreed that it would be important each year to celebrate this occasion. So instead of elaborate, expensive and fancy, we made a decision to keep things small and simple with traditional anniversary gifts by the year.
A Reason to Celebrate this Momentous Occasion
As we are approaching our Seventh Anniversary, I’ve been thinking a lot about the reason behind the celebration. It is true that we should always be celebrating one another with simple daily reminders of our love for each other. However, I believe an anniversary is a momentous occasion that is worth acknowledging in a special, not-so-ordinary day kind of way.
Honoring One Another
First, we recognize the value behind honoring one another. Although honoring one another should be a habit practiced daily in the simple routines and structures of our lives. If you are married, you and your spouse still have a special day every year. It is a day the two of you chose together. And that is a day to be remembered- the day you exchanged vows in an on-going commitment to love, respect, and honor one another in marriage.
Recognizing the Covenant of Marriage
Second, we understand that marriage takes work, hard work, and unfortunately not all marriages last. Because of this, my husband and I have committed to honoring the institution of marriage. One way we can do that is when we reach milestones each year (our anniversary), we acknowledge and celebrate them. It is worth it! And when we celebrate our wedding anniversary each year, we are validating the value of not only our marriage, but the institution of marriage as a whole.
Celebrate with Traditional Anniversary Gifts
In our household, we celebrate in a few different ways, and it changes each year. But one way that remains the same each and every year is giving each other traditional anniversary gifts. Below I have outlined a traditional gift guide for each year up to seven. I have also shared what we gifted each other from the first year, until this current year (seventh). I will also share an extra gift idea that was a good solid runner up for us.
In the comments below, I would also love to hear your own ways of celebrating your wedding anniversary. Do you give traditional anniversary gifts or modern gifts by year? Are there any other fun traditions your do each year to honor each other and celebrate your marriage?
Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts By Year Guide
| Anniversary Year | Traditional Gift US | Traditional Gift UK (if different) |
| 1 | Paper | |
| 2 | Cotton | |
| 3 | Leather | |
| 4 | Fruit & Flowers | Linen or Silk |
| 5 | Wood | |
| 6 | Iron | Sugar |
| 7 | Wool or Copper | Woolen |
| 8 | Bronze | Salt |
| 9 | Pottery | Copper |
| 10 | Tin or Aluminum |
Traditional Anniversary Gifts for Him
First Year
Hallmark Wedding Card Keeper: Purchase yourself a beautifully decorated mini binder (or a plain one that you can DIY). Choose a selection of your favorite wedding cards. Using a lightweight but durable glue (Mod Podge or regular Elmer’s Glue), glue the back of each card to the center of a cardstock of your choice, making sure the cards still open and close normally. Once dry, cut the cardstock to your preferred size so it creates a matted frame around each card. Now, measure the holes of your hole-punch so that the cards are centered in your decorated binder. Add any details or embellishments as desired. BINDER
Large Keepsake Box by Twisted Envy: Decorate a box with an extra wedding invitation. You can also print your vows on photo paper through Walgreens and Mod Podge them to the box. If you’re great at handwriting, write or hand paint your vows onto the box. After you are finished decorating the box, fill it with the remaining wedding cards, a copy of your wedding invitation, a small, lamented copy of your vows to each other, and any other paper related memories from your wedding day.
Not into DIY? This Golden Foil Keepsake Box by Oaktree Gifts is the perfect fit for all your wedding keepsakes.
Picture Frame: Print your vows on photo paper. Frame them and hang them up somewhere in your house. FRAME
Second Year
Men’s Cotton Terrycloth Bath Robe by Alpine Swiss Aiden: A fresh new cotton (terrycloth) robe like this one. A velour lining inside makes this bath robe especially and cozy.
Third Year
Men’s Mark 3-Button Distressed Leather Blazer by BGSD: You can’t go wrong with a stylish leather blazer.
Blazer’s aren’t your husband’s style? This Leather Trucker with Sherpa by Levi’s is a unique style and friendlier on the wallet.
Fourth Year
This year’s traditional anniversary gifts are a bit more difficult for him. However, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his belly. Bake or buy him a tort and/or a fruity parfait you know he will love after a romantic dinner together.
Tommy Bahama St. Barts Men Eau De Cologne: You can couple of some baked treats with an island beach scent with a hint of floral.
I know, like women’s perfume, men’s cologne can be difficult though. Sometimes it’s hard to find just the right scent. And many times, you just don’t know until after he’s been wearing it for a few hours. That is why I have included this Tommy Bahama Island Destination Collection. Somewhat of a sampler before investing in the larger bottle.
Fifth Year
Wood Plated Phone Case: We women have a million and one phone cases from which to choose. Make your husband feel more manly while also giving him the protection he needs to keep his phone safe from falls. Below I several wood phone cases for both Samsung S Series and iPhones.
(American Flag in Mahogany) Compatible with Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9.
iATO Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Wood Case. Unique & Classy Real Natural Dark Walnut Wood.
JUBECO iPhone XR Wood Case,Wooden Slim Anti-Shock Shockproof Cover for iPhone xr 6.1 (US Flag-Walnut).
iATO iPhone 12 Pro Wood Case. Be Different Unique & Classy Open Top & Bottom Minimalistic Real Natural Walnut Wood iPhone 12 Pro Case.
A Solid Wood Docking Station by Teslyar: Give him a place where he can dump his sunglasses, keys, wallet, watch and phone.
Sixth Year
Solid Iron Anniversary Bookmark: If you have a reader, this solid Iron Bookmark makes a great keepsake gift.
Seventh Year
Copper Metal Anniversary Sign: I love the idea of making and keeping things personal. I wrote a little poem for my husband. However, if you prefer to keep it simple, choose to include your names or a monogram, and your wedding date. You can also put the date of your Seventh Anniversary to commemorate it.
This Copper Verdigris. Established Family Sign is another option.
Gold Toe Men’s Windsor Wool Dress Socks: You cannot go wrong with Merino Wool because of how soft, warm, and breathable it is.
And if your husband is an outdoor adventure type like my husband is, these Carhartt Men’s Extremes Arctic Wool Boot Socks will be just the right kind of comfort and protection he needs to stay dry and cool.
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Traditional Anniversary Gifts for Her
First Year
A Wall Mounted Frame like this one by Frametory: Complete the project with a favorite print from your wedding photos. Buy two or three to create a collage.
Second Year
This Women’s Spa Robe by Alpine Swiss Aiden: Let her enjoy her own ‘at home’ spa in this comfortable velour lined bath robe.
A Stuffed Cotton Anniversary Bear: A small, thoughtful, and simple gift just to let her know she’s loved.
Third Year
Leather Anniversary Plaque Personalized Etched Love Poem: A romantic way to create a keepsake that can be treasured and displayed on the wall. Find a poem, write a poem, or forget the poem and just put in your names, wedding, and any other keepsake related memories. You can even add your children’s names and birthdays to create a full love and growth story.
Fourth Year
Traditional anniversary gifts for her are pretty simple this year. But don’t just get her any bouquet. Consider another wedding bouquet created by our wedding florist, complete with our wedding colors and the same flowers used in my bouquet.
Fifth Year
Personalized Cutting Board Real Wood – Maple, Cherry, or Walnut by Blue Ridge Mountain Gifts: There are multiple designs to choose from and three different sizes. These cutting boards are strong and sturdy, and make a beautiful keepsake that can be used.
A hanging wooden frames collage like this one by DL Quartz: Add a new, fresh look to your wedding photos, (or family photos) with a collage of pictures handing in these wooden frames.
Sixth Year
Iron-Coated Cabinet Handles with Installation. This is a thing I wanted for awhile.
Iron Cabinet Handles by Franklin Brass: Something I had wanted for a long while. These gorgeous cabinet/drawer handles keep your cabinets and drawers looking clean and new and give your kitchen a sleek, finished look.
Iron Cabinet Knobs by Franklin Brass: If you’re getting the handles, why not get the knobs too. The combination between handles and knobs makes the kitchen look even better. You can use the handles for the drawers and the the knobs for the cabinets. Or, just do one or the other for a more consistent look.
Cast Iron Camping Dutch Oven by Bruntmor: If you enjoy camping and know that the camp food is one of the best parts about the camping experience, a dutch oven is the only way to go. You can prepare one pot meal for breakfast and dinner, as well as cobblers, pies, and other delicious desserts. If camping isn’t for you but you still love that campfire food, a dutch oven is something you can use over any backyard/patio fire pit. Six quarts is about enough to feed a family. The flanged lid makes it easy to put hot coals on top and I love the three legs too because they provide just enough room for coals on the bottom.
Seventh Year
Unbreakable Stainless Steel but Copper-Coated Stemmed Wine Glasses: That’s right everyone-unbreakable! And that is big deal in our home because I although I love my wine, I do have a tendency towards klutziness in a big way! When we first got married we had a whole cabinet filled with wine glasses. I have broken almost all of them. Break them no more with unbreakable glasses. But it’s not just that. They are also copper-coated, which makes them gorgeous.
If stemmed wine glasses aren’t your thing, these Copper-Toned Wine Glass Tumblers will not doubt make her smile.
Happy wedding anniversary! 🥳🎊These are beautiful gift ideas.
Aw, than you so much! We love doing this.
Oh I love this! We just had our 10th wedding anniversary.
Happy Anniversary! That is such a milestone.