Anniversary gifts by year
Paper for the first, silver for the twenty-fifth, gold for the fiftieth — every wedding anniversary has its own gift tradition. Use the calculator to find which anniversary is next for you, then browse the complete traditional and modern lists for years 1 through 75.
The complete anniversary gift list
Years 1–30, then every five-year milestone to 75. Traditional and modern themes, plus the gemstone and flower where a well-established association exists.
| Year | Traditional | Modern | Gemstone | Flower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | Clock | Gold jewelry | Carnation |
| 2 | Cotton | China | Garnet | Lily of the Valley |
| 3 | Leather | Crystal or glass | Pearl | Sunflower |
| 4 | Fruit or flowers | Appliances | Blue topaz | Hydrangea |
| 5 | Wood | Silverware | Sapphire | Daisy |
| 6 | Iron or candy | Wood | Amethyst | Calla Lily |
| 7 | Wool or copper | Desk sets | Onyx | Freesia |
| 8 | Bronze or pottery | Linens or lace | Tourmaline | Lilac |
| 9 | Pottery or willow | Leather | Lapis lazuli | Bird of Paradise |
| 10 | Tin or aluminum | Diamond jewelry | Diamond | Daffodil |
| 11 | Steel | Fashion jewelry | Turquoise | Tulip |
| 12 | Silk or linen | Pearls | Jade | Peony |
| 13 | Lace | Textiles or furs | Citrine | Chrysanthemum |
| 14 | Ivory (today: bone china) | Gold jewelry | Opal | Orchid |
| 15 | Crystal | Watches | Ruby | Rose |
| 16 | Wax | Silver holloware | Peridot | Statice |
| 17 | Furniture | Furniture | Carnelian | Red Rose |
| 18 | Porcelain | Porcelain | Cat's eye | Porcelain Rose |
| 19 | Bronze | Bronze | Aquamarine | Bronze Orchid |
| 20 | China | Platinum | Emerald | Aster |
| 21 | Brass or nickel | Brass or nickel | Iolite | — |
| 22 | Copper | Copper | Spinel | — |
| 23 | Silver plate | Silver plate | Imperial topaz | — |
| 24 | Opal | Musical instruments | Tanzanite | — |
| 25 | Silver | Silver | Silver jubilee | Iris |
| 26 | Original pictures | Original pictures | — | — |
| 27 | Sculpture | Sculpture | — | — |
| 28 | Orchids | Orchids | Amethyst | Orchid |
| 29 | New furniture | New furniture | — | — |
| 30 | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl | Lily |
| 35 | Coral | Jade | Emerald | — |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Gladiolus |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | — |
| 50 | Gold | Gold | Gold jubilee | Yellow Rose or Violet |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald | Emerald | — |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond | — |
| 65 | Blue sapphire | Blue sapphire | Blue sapphire | — |
| 70 | Platinum | Platinum | Platinum jubilee | — |
| 75 | Diamond and gold | Diamond and gold | Diamond | — |
Frequently asked questions
What are the traditional anniversary gifts by year?
The traditional U.S. list starts with paper for year 1, cotton for 2, leather for 3, and builds toward the famous milestones: silver for 25, ruby for 40, gold for 50, and diamond for 60. The full table above covers years 1–30 and every milestone through 75.
What's the difference between the traditional and modern lists?
The traditional list is the historical one, with materials that get more precious as the years pass. The modern list was introduced in the 20th century with more practical themes — a clock for year 1, china for 2, appliances for 4. Neither is more "correct"; most couples mix both.
How do I know which anniversary I'm on?
Use the calculator above — enter your wedding date and it tells you how many years you've been married, which anniversary is next, its gift themes, and exactly how many days away it is.
What's a good anniversary gift that fits every year?
Something made from your own memories always fits the year. A custom song written about a photo from your wedding or your life together works for a first anniversary or a fiftieth — and it's a gift no store sells.
The gift that fits every anniversary year
Paper, silver, gold — lovely. But a song written about your wedding photo, with real vocals singing about your actual day? That's the one that makes them cry. Works for year 1 or year 50.
Turn a photo into a song →Your first song is free · no card needed