One could argue that your husband got the best gift ever when he married you, and we think that’s a reasonable claim.
While you’re a hard act to follow, finding an anniversary gift for your husband that lets him know how much he means to you is the goal. Followed by praise and hugs, obviously.
Here’s the thing about anniversary gifting: each year actually has its own traditional theme (and often a modern alternative too). Some make perfect sense — paper for year one symbolizes the blank page you’re writing together. Others are… more of a creative challenge (we’re looking at you, year 13 lace).
Below, you’ll find every anniversary year with both themes explained, a few gift directions to spark ideas, and a link to our full guide packed with specific picks. Consider this your cheat sheet to anniversary shopping, organized by year so you can jump straight to yours.
1st Anniversary: Paper (Traditional) & Clocks (Modern)
Your first year together flew by, didn’t it? The paper theme represents the blank page of your new life together — delicate at first, but ready to be filled with your story. The modern alternative of clocks celebrates the precious time you’ve spent (and will spend) as a married couple.
Gift directions to explore: custom artwork or prints, a meaningful book, personalized stationery, a custom cartoon portrait, a special watch, or anything with your wedding date printed on it.
See all our 1st anniversary paper gift ideas →
2nd Anniversary: Cotton (Traditional) & China (Modern)
By year two, your relationship has grown stronger and more comfortable — like well-loved cotton that only gets softer with time. The modern china theme nods to the beautiful home you’re building together.
Gift directions to explore: cozy custom throws, quality bedding, personalized cotton apparel, matching robes, or upgraded home linens that feel like a hug.
See all our 2nd anniversary cotton gift ideas →
3rd Anniversary: Leather (Traditional) & Crystal/Glass (Modern)
Three years in, and you’ve built something durable. Leather symbolizes the durability and flexibility your marriage has developed — strong, but adaptable. Crystal represents the clarity and transparency of a relationship that’s found its footing.
Gift directions to explore: a quality leather bag or wallet, a leather journal, personalized leather accessories, or crystal barware for celebrating together.
See all our 3rd anniversary leather gift ideas →
4th Anniversary: Fruit/Flowers or Silk (Traditional) & Appliances (Modern)
Year four celebrates the blossoming of your relationship — fruit and flowers represent the rewards of nurturing your love. Silk adds a touch of luxury, while the modern appliances theme acknowledges you’re really building a life (and home) together now.
Gift directions to explore: silk ties or accessories, silk pajamas, a silk robe, a fruit-of-the-month club, or that kitchen gadget he’s been eyeing.
See all our 4th anniversary silk gift ideas →
5th Anniversary: Wood (Traditional) & Silverware (Modern)
Five years! Your love has grown deep roots and strong branches — just like a tree. Wood represents the solid foundation you’ve built. The modern silverware theme reflects the refined tastes you’ve developed together.
Gift directions to explore: engraved wooden keepsakes, a custom wooden watch, a personalized cutting board, wooden home décor, or an upgrade to your everyday silverware.
See all our 5th anniversary wood gift ideas →
6th Anniversary: Iron (Traditional) & Candy (Modern)
Iron represents the strength and resilience of a six-year marriage — you’ve weathered storms and come out stronger. The sweet modern candy theme celebrates the sweetness that remains (and honestly, who doesn’t want an excuse to give chocolate?).
Gift directions to explore: cast iron cookware, iron home décor like a custom padlock or sculpture, personalized iron accessories, or a curated candy or chocolate experience.
See all our 6th anniversary iron gift ideas →
7th Anniversary: Wool (Traditional) & Copper (Modern)
Seven years of warmth and comfort! Wool represents the cozy security of your relationship, while copper reflects the beauty that develops with time (copper patinas gorgeously, just like your love).
Gift directions to explore: a luxurious wool sweater or beanie, quality wool blankets, copper barware, copper home accents, or cozy accessories for your favorite homebody.
See all our 7th anniversary wool gift ideas →
8th Anniversary: Pottery/Bronze (Traditional) & Linen/Lace (Modern)
Eight years is shaped like a marriage — molded by the hands that tend to it. Pottery and bronze represent something crafted with care and built to last. The modern linen theme adds everyday elegance.
Gift directions to explore: handmade pottery pieces, bronze sculptures or décor, artisan ceramics for the kitchen, or quality linen upgrades for your home.
See all our 8th anniversary appliance gift ideas →
9th Anniversary: Pottery (Traditional) & Leather (Modern)
Still in the pottery territory (these themes really want you to appreciate handcrafted things). Year nine celebrates the artistry in your relationship — unique, handmade, and impossible to replicate.
Gift directions to explore: artisan pottery for the kitchen, ceramic home décor, handcrafted bowls or vessels, or quality leather goods if you prefer the modern route.
See all our 9th anniversary pottery gift ideas →
10th Anniversary: Tin/Aluminum (Traditional) & Diamond Jewelry (Modern)
A decade of marriage deserves some serious celebration! Tin represents the flexibility and preservation of your bond (tin doesn’t corrode, just like your commitment). The modern diamond theme? Well, ten years sparkles.
Gift directions to explore: custom tin art or keepsakes, aluminum travel gear, personalized tin containers, or if you’re going modern, something with a little sparkle.
See all our 10th anniversary tin gift ideas →
11th Anniversary: Steel (Traditional) & Fashion Jewelry (Modern)
Eleven years of rock-solid love. Steel represents the strength and permanence of your marriage — forged in the heat of life and unbreakable. Fashion jewelry offers a more playful modern spin.
Gift directions to explore: stainless steel watches, custom steel keepsakes, steel home accents, quality tools (if that’s his thing), or personalized steel jewelry.
See all our 11th anniversary steel gift ideas →
12th Anniversary: Silk/Linen (Traditional) & Pearls (Modern)
Twelve years of luxury and comfort. Silk and linen represent the refined ease your relationship has achieved — still special, but comfortably so. Pearls add a classic elegance.
Gift directions to explore: quality linen shirts or bedding, silk accessories, linen home goods, or pearl accents for the modern approach.
See all our 12th anniversary linen gift ideas →
13th Anniversary: Lace (Traditional) & Textiles/Furs (Modern)
Okay, lace for a husband is… a creative challenge. The intricate patterns symbolize the beautiful complexity of your woven-together lives. The modern textiles theme gives you more flexibility (literally and figuratively).
Gift directions to explore: lace-up shoes or boots, items with lace detailing, textured textiles, or lean into the wordplay with “shoe laces” if you want to get creative.
See all our 13th anniversary lace gift ideas →
14th Anniversary: Ivory (Traditional) & Gold Jewelry (Modern)
Fourteen years! The traditional ivory theme is best interpreted as the creamy white color or ivory alternatives (let’s leave the elephants alone). Gold jewelry reflects the richness of your long-lasting love.
Gift directions to explore: ivory-colored accessories, bone or faux-ivory décor, gold accents, quality knives with bone handles, or gold-toned gifts.
See all our 14th anniversary ivory gift ideas →
15th Anniversary: Crystal (Traditional) & Watches (Modern)
Fifteen years of crystal clarity! Your relationship has the transparent honesty and brilliant sparkle that only time can create. The modern watch theme celebrates every moment you’ve shared.
Gift directions to explore: crystal barware, crystal décor or figurines, a quality timepiece, or crystal-themed keepsakes.
See all our 15th anniversary crystal gift ideas →
16th Anniversary: Wax (Traditional) & Silver Hollowware (Modern)
Wax might seem odd, but it represents the malleability of your marriage — you’ve shaped each other beautifully over sixteen years. (Also: candles. Lots of room for romantic candles.)
Gift directions to explore: luxury candles, wax seal sets, silver serving pieces, or candlelit experience gifts.
See all our 16th anniversary wax gift ideas →
17th Anniversary: Furniture (Traditional & Modern)
Yes, furniture for both traditional AND modern — the gift guides finally make it easy on you! Seventeen years means you’ve probably worn out a couch or two together (no judgment on what happened to that first IKEA futon). Time to upgrade something you’ll both enjoy.
Gift directions to explore: that accent chair he’s been eyeing, a custom piece for his office, upgraded outdoor furniture for your deck hangs, or a statement piece you’ll both fight over who gets to sit in.
See all our 17th anniversary furniture gift ideas →
18th Anniversary: Porcelain (Traditional & Modern)
Porcelain is made with clay heated at extremely high temperatures — which, honestly, is a stellar metaphor for marriage. By your 18th anniversary, you’ve dealt with plenty of high-pressure situations and come out beautiful on the other side.
Gift directions to explore: artisan porcelain pieces, upgraded dinnerware for hosting, decorative porcelain for his office or man cave, or a porcelain shaving set if he’s the classic grooming type.
See all our 18th anniversary porcelain gift ideas →
19th Anniversary: Bronze (Traditional & Modern)
Bronze for both themes again! This versatile metal has been prized for centuries — it’s what they made sculptures, jewelry, and medals out of before gold became the main event. A marriage that spans nearly two decades? That deserves its own medal, honestly.
Gift directions to explore: bronze sculptures or art pieces, bronze-accented watches, custom bronze keepsakes, or vintage bronze finds that’ll make great conversation starters.
See all our 19th anniversary bronze gift ideas →
20th Anniversary: China (Traditional) & Platinum (Modern)
Two decades! China represents the beautiful, refined elegance your marriage has achieved — precious, but meant to be used and enjoyed daily. Platinum reflects the rare and enduring value of twenty years together.
Gift directions to explore: fine china for entertaining, platinum accents, a trip to China (why not?), or elegant home pieces worth displaying.
See all our 20th anniversary china gift ideas →
21st Anniversary: Brass (Traditional) & Nickel (Modern)
Twenty-one years shines like polished brass! This warm metal develops more character with age — just like your marriage. It’s durable, beautiful, and increasingly valuable.
Gift directions to explore: brass home décor, vintage brass finds, brass instruments (if that’s his jam), or custom brass keepsakes.
See all our 21st anniversary brass gift ideas →
22nd Anniversary: Copper (Traditional & Modern)
Copper has that warm, jazzy sheen that makes everything feel a little more special — and it only gets better with age (the patina! so gorgeous). Kind of like a 22-year marriage, if we’re being sentimental about it.
Gift directions to explore: copper barware for his home bar setup, copper cookware, copper accents for the home, or Moscow mule mugs if you want an excuse to make cocktails together.
See all our 22nd anniversary copper gift ideas →
23rd Anniversary: Silver Plate (Traditional & Modern)
Silver plating gives objects a lovely, elevated finish — just like 23 years of marriage has given your relationship a beautiful sheen. (Okay, that was cheesy, but it’s also true.) This is a great year for upgrading your entertaining game.
Gift directions to explore: silver-plated serving pieces, barware upgrades, picture frames for your favorite photos together, or vintage silver-plated finds with character.
See all our 23rd anniversary silver plate gift ideas →
24th Anniversary: Musical Instruments (Traditional & Modern)
What could be more romantic than making beautiful music together after 24 years? Whether he’s secretly always wanted to learn guitar or you’re more the “surprise concert tickets” type, this year is all about harmony. (Sorry, had to.)
Gift directions to explore: that instrument he’s always talked about learning, a quality music box, vinyl records of meaningful albums, concert tickets for his favorite artist, or even a record player upgrade.
See all our 24th anniversary musical instrument gift ideas →
25th Anniversary: Silver (Traditional & Modern)
The silver anniversary! This is a big one — a quarter century of love deserves the timeless elegance of silver. Both traditional and modern themes agree on this one, so lean into it.
Gift directions to explore: silver jewelry, silver home accents, silver-framed photos, personalized silver keepsakes, or an experience trip to celebrate in style.
See all our 25th anniversary silver gift ideas →
30th Anniversary: Pearl (Traditional) & Diamond (Modern)
Thirty years of cultivating something precious! Pearls are formed over time through patience and care — exactly like a three-decade marriage. Diamonds add modern sparkle to this major milestone.
Gift directions to explore: pearl accessories (yes, men can rock pearls now), pearl-toned décor, diamond accents, or a pearl-diving experience somewhere tropical.
See all our 30th anniversary pearl gift ideas →
40th Anniversary: Ruby (Traditional & Modern)
Forty years together! Rubies symbolize passion, love, and commitment — and if you’ve made it four decades, you’ve clearly got all three in spades. This is a milestone that deserves something with a little fire to it.
Gift directions to explore: ruby-accented accessories, ruby-colored gifts if actual gemstones aren’t in the budget, a trip somewhere romantic, or anything that honors the depth of what you’ve built.
See all our 40th anniversary ruby gift ideas →
50th Anniversary: Gold (Traditional & Modern)
Half a century?! Most couples can only dream of a love that lasts this long. Gold symbolizes wealth and success, and when you’re looking at a couple married for fifty years, that’s exactly what you see: a wealth of love and a successful marriage. Both themes are gold — because honestly, what else could it be?
Gift directions to explore: gold-accented keepsakes, a gold watch if he doesn’t already have one, custom gold jewelry, a major trip to celebrate this major milestone, or something that commemorates fifty years of choosing each other.
See all our 50th anniversary gold gift ideas →
Happiest of Anniversaries to You!
No matter which year you’re celebrating, anniversaries are a time to reflect on all the good times you’ve had so far, as well as the challenges you’ve faced together. Whether you stick strictly to tradition, go full modern, or throw the themes out entirely — what matters is that you’re marking another year of choosing each other.
Now go find that perfect gift. You’ve got this.
Happiest of Anniversaries to You!
No matter what year you’re celebrating, anniversaries are a time to reflect on all the good times you’ve had so far, as well as the challenges you’ve faced together.
Hopefully, we’ve shown you some stuff that’ll inspire you to pick anniversary gifts for husband that’ll go down in history as some of the best. So far, anyway. You still have a long ways to go!
Paul
July 18, 2021 at 1:27 pmAn anniversary sundial is a good idea, it is a clock that tells time using the sun. We have one that sits on the window sill in our family room and it makes rainbows in the room when the sun shines. It was handmade for us with a special date line that the time shadow follows on our anniversary day each year, and there is also a mark on that line that the shadow touches at the actual moment of our ceremony. We’ve had it for several years, it works great, and we enjoy it every sunny day. I don’t remember what it is called exactly, but you can find it online with a search. It is one of the best anniversary gifts that I have ever heard of, and every year when the shadow hits the mark we drink a toast together!
Helpful ReviewAndrew
July 19, 2021 at 3:43 amWhat an amazing idea! I love anything that is personally meaningful for an anniversary gift idea.
Helpful Review