15 Paper Gifts for your First Wedding Anniversary
I have to say a big congrats on your upcoming first wedding anniversary together! If you’re reading this paper anniversary gift article then it likely means a whole year has flown by since tying the knot. Yay!
For some of you it’s been a series of firsts and adjustments as a newlywed couple, while for others business as usual. Either way, your 1st wedding anniversary (also known as the paper anniversary) marks a milestone in your new married life and deserves a special gift to mark the occasion.
You don’t need me to tell you what to do for your first anniversary celebration … a romantic candle lit dinner and some bubbly come readily to mind. As does exchanging a nice card like the one above.
Giving each other a gift is an obvious way to recognize this special day. A day that will be a little more quiet than this time last year, but a wonderful day nonetheless. Anniversaries mean something different for everyone. Always a good time for a couple to sit back and remember their wedding day as well as take stock of the past 365 days together.
Finding that special gift is usually the hard part.
Hence why you’ve stumbled across this page on your hunt for that perfect gift. We’ve rounded up eleven 1st year anniversary gifts ideas for both him and her that will make your better half feel extra special. Let that honeymoon period last a little longer!
As with most traditions around weddings, there is usually a bit of history and protocol. We’ll let you decide whether or not to follow such traditions. If you are the traditional type (and before you go buying just any old gift), we quickly delve into the traditional theme for the 1st year wedding anniversary gift.
What’s the Traditional First Year Anniversary Gift?
Glad you asked.
Numerous sources tell us that the first year of marriage is symbolically marked with a gift of paper — a material that has been the traditional 1st anniversary gift for over a 100 years.
Why paper?
Well, think about the good old days when paper was handmade and more expensive than today. Instead of going to your local office supply store and buying 500 sheets for nearly nothing, paper was a prized commodity. Sure, it was abundant, but you wouldn’t just go wasting it willy-nilly.
The early years of a marriage (like paper) are fragile yet withstanding. If you handle paper with love and care, that sheet of paper will maintain its written words for a lifetime; handle the paper negligently and it may tear, fade, or break apart into nothing.
Moreso, the metaphor of paper symbolizing a bond and union of a new marriage can be seen in the strength that comes from the interlaced connection of the paper’s individual threads.
Modern First Anniversary Gift
While the traditional first anniversary gift is paper, there’s also a modern option — that of a clock!
Its not a stretch to see why a clock is a suitable symbolic gift: time is precious, just like your relationship. Remember to spend time nurturing your most precious relationship.
We stick with paper in this article and won’t get into any modern anniversary ideas.
Symbolic Flower: Carnation
Vibrant carnations have long been a symbol of young and passionate love. As such, the carnation is a wonderful metaphor for the young, passionate first year together as a married couple. Choose red as a symbol of love and admiration, white for good luck or a combination of different carnation blooms with other accents in a bouquet. While others can wilt quickly, carnations stand the test of time in a vase. They can be enjoyed and admired for up to several weeks.
Symbolic gem: Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl is a symbol of protection and traditionally the gem of the first anniversary celebration. It is said to have properties of deepening love and is a very calming, soothing gemstone. Not only is it symbolic of the first year of your marriage, it is also an exquisite stone to look at with its iridescent shine.
Paper Anniversary Gifts
Our guide features gender-neutral presents that work beautifully for everyone – whether you’re shopping for him, her, or them. These thoughtfully selected items are perfect for your husband, wife, partner, or a couple. And if you’re seeking something more specific, don’t miss our “For Him” and “For Her” sections at the end of the guide, where we’ve gathered additional gender-focused gift ideas.
The obvious choice for a first anniversary gift is a nice notebook or a romantic love letter, but we’ve taken it a step further and found some first wedding anniversary gift ideas that offer plenty of playful and romantic fun.
Many of the gifts below can really be considered unisex, so no worries if they’re in the wrong category!
Origami Vow Art
A gift that puts your vows front and center. Most of us pour our hearts into writing them… only to let them live forgotten in a file somewhere. Why not turn those words into something beautiful and lasting — like a custom origami animal?
Transform your vows into a delicate piece of art, perfect for displaying on a bookshelf or mantel. A meaningful, one-of-a-kind reminder of the promises you made — and still keep.
Customized Map
Does the city you got met or got married in hold a special place in your hearts? This is such a fun and meaningful way to celebrate it. Create a personalized map of that location — available in foil-pressed, letterpressed, or standard printing, with a variety of vibrant color options to match any style.
A Best Seller Book
Did your bookworm spouse mention that their favorite author just dropped a new thriller? Then something hot off the press is definitely in order. A brand-new book is always a welcome gift for readers — especially when it shows you’ve been paying attention to what they love. Pair it with a personalized bookmark for a thoughtful touch that feels extra special.
Custom Cartoon Portrait
You can’t go wrong with this totally unique gift — a custom cartoon portrait that’s bursting with personality. Choose a background, include up to ten people and pets, and watch the artist bring everyone to life in the most delightful way.
Whether you go full-on adult cartoon (think: lounging on the Simpsons’ sofa or flipping burgers behind the counter at Bob’s), or drop them into the Marvel Universe, a Star Wars scene, or a slurpy anime moment — it’s thoughtful, funny, and outrageously cute.
A gift that’s easy to display at home or the office — and yes, your furbabies can be part of the action too.
Time Since Launch Clock
If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, this one’s got all the symbolism. After all, anniversaries are about celebrating time — so why not mark the moment with a literal time capsule?
When you pull the pin, the date is burned into the chip, creating a lasting imprint. A simple, modern piece that symbolizes a love that’s stood the test of time — and keeps on going.
Gift Box with Date
This handy little memory box is the perfect spot to keep small wedding-day essentials — cufflinks, a watch, glasses — all in one place to avoid any last-minute scrambling.
And since it’s made of paper, it’s a perfect fit for a 1st anniversary gift too. Personalized and thoughtfully designed, it has a luxe feel while still being sweet and sentimental. A stylish little home for keepsakes from the big day and beyond.
Get if from Pink Positive Shop
Sound Art
Chances are, there’s a song that means something big to the both of you — and this gift captures it in the most unique way.
Turn your meaningful track into a visual sound wave that’s not only stunning to look at but packed with emotion. Every time you see it, the memories come rushing back. To make it even more special, you can choose a material that matches the traditional theme of your anniversary year — like wood, tin, or silver. It’s a beautiful conversation piece, perfect for music lovers, and a meaningful way to say what simple words can’t.
orOrigami Love Bird
These origami love birds are sweet, symbolic, and beautifully crafted — a charming way to celebrate your relationship with something a little whimsical.
Whether you’re marking a paper anniversary or simply want a unique keepsake that feels personal, this framed piece fits the bill. Framed and ready to display, it’s a fun, creative way to show your “lovey-dovey” side — and it looks just as good hanging on a wall as it does perched on a bookshelf.
Love Coupons
Add a little spice to the gifting this year.
A sexy coupon book might be a gift for them, but it’s a gift for you too.
You can go with “naughty” or ‘nice’ – your choice. The “nice” version has 27 uber-romantic date ideas that will have them swooning but are easy enough for you to pull off. Some of the coupon suggestions include cooking together, kissing in the rain, napping together, and sharing a bubble bath. See, easy-peasy lemon squeezy.
It’s a gift that keeps giving, it’s fun for both, and it’s out of the box!
Sexy Coupons from Cupidly Crafted
Wine Club Membership
Wine lover in your life? A wine club membership is just the thing to show them you know the way to their heart. With wine shipping monthly, this is a gift that keeps giving.
W
Get it from California Wine Club
Year of Joy Photobook
There’s nothing quite as personal — or meaningful — as a photo book. With full control over the layout and design, you can tell your story exactly the way you want. Whether it’s a look back on the past year or a celebration of many years together, your sweetie will love seeing it all through your eyes. Promise.
It’s more personal than a single framed photo, makes a beautiful coffee table display, and comes with tons of options to customize every detail.
Custom Date Folded Book Art
This is a meaningful and unexpected way to honor a special date. Whether it’s your wedding day, a baby’s birthday, or the moment you met, this personalized sculpture turns it into a piece of art you can display forever.
Each one is folded by hand from the pages of a real book, with the date spelled out using your choice of dots, dashes, hearts, or even flowers. You can also pick a custom color for the fore-edge to make it pop even more. Thoughtful, elegant, and completely unique—this makes a stunning paper anniversary gift or heartfelt keepsake for any milestone worth remembering.
Wedding Vow Print
This makes a deeply romantic and personal gift for any occasion, but it’s especially perfect for a 2nd year cotton anniversary. Your vows or a heartfelt love letter are typed onto beautifully textured, handmade cotton paper with elegant deckle edges — turning your words into lasting art.
It’s a simple, timeless way to honor your love story, with a design that fits effortlessly into any space. The paper is made of cotton, and the frame can be made of wood – fits perfect into your anniversary theme.
Paper Anniversary Gifts for Her
Paper Flower Bouquet
The best kinds of flowers?
The ones that don’t need watering and never wilt. Paper flower bouquets have become incredibly popular — and for good reason. They’re beautiful, long-lasting, and make for a thoughtful keepsake that won’t fade with time. Gift them as a romantic gesture or use them as a centerpiece for your anniversary dinner. They last far longer than traditional blooms, won’t trigger allergies, and are a lovely way to capture your love in something physical and timeless.
Birthstone Necklace
A slightly non-traditional gift — but one that feels incredibly personal.
Whether you’re marking the day you met, the month you married, or each other’s birthstones, a custom birthstone necklace is a beautiful way to carry a little piece of your love wherever you go. You can also include birthstones for children or family members, making it a perfect gift for growing or blended families. With plenty of design options to choose from, it’s a keepsake that’s as meaningful as it is timeless.
Wedding Keepsake Library
This charming little library is the perfect place to keep your “something old, new, borrowed, and blue” — and better yet, it’s made of paper.
We love the idea of turning it into a date night: gather your keepsakes together and let the memories roll. It’s a thoughtful way to hold onto the small but meaningful mementos from your journey, all tucked into one beautifully designed box. A fun, personal twist on the traditional paper gift — and a lovely activity to share.
Paper Anniversary Gifts for Him
There could’ve been a few more anniversary gifts for him on this list — the type that satisfy as only an anniversary can. See number two on this list and you can imagine that this list would be a mile long! We’ll let you come up with some additional ones on your own.
Delightful Date Puzzle
We love the idea of a custom puzzle made from high-quality paperboard.
It turns a favorite photo into something you can actually do together, and the final result is frame-worthy if you’re feeling sentimental. With puzzle options ranging from 60 to over 1,000 pieces, you can choose the right level of challenge — whether it’s a quick date night or a slow project for rainy weekends. It even comes in a matching photo box to make it feel extra special.
New York Times Custom Puzzle
What was on the front page of The New York Times the day they were born? This custom 500-piece puzzle lets you find out — one piece at a time.
We love the idea of gathering friends and family, opening a bottle of wine, and piecing it together while swapping stories and probably making a few jokes about how old they are. It’s a unique way to commemorate their birth date — and something you can enjoy together, again and again.
Golf Digest – One Year Subscription
For the golf enthusiast celebrating their first wedding anniversary, consider gifting a Golf Digest subscription—a thoughtful paper-based present they’ll treasure all year long. This monthly magazine is packed with expert tips from top players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, detailed equipment reviews, and insider travel guides to stunning golf courses worldwide. With breathtaking photography and actionable advice for beginners and seasoned pros alike, every issue delivers the perfect blend of passion and inspiration. And at an incredible 82% discount, this gift is not just thoughtful—it’s a hole-in-one deal!
Gift Basket for Men
The gift basket has long been a go-to gift for folks looking to give someone special a little bit of everything. This is why, if you’re running out of ideas, we think it’s a great way to go.
For example… even a man who has everything can never have enough snacks. And what goes great with snacks? Beer. A gift basket of edible items is the perfect way to show him your love without cluttering your home.
It’s a great option for minimalists, it’s a non-traditional option for non-traditional couples, and it’s a gift you can both enjoy (if they share!)
Get it from Gourmet Gift Baskets
Ideas to Celebrate Your 1st Anniversary
Stumped for ideas on how to spend your 1st anniversary day? In this last section we’ve got a quick roundup of ideas to celebrate:
- Eat the top tier of your wedding cake in a romantic spot
- Relive the day by viewing your wedding video or looking through your wedding album
- Plan a dinner at the same venue that you held your wedding reception
- Go for a picnic with paper plates and cups
- Create paper love notes to lead your spouse around the house on a special treasure hunt
- Find a photographer and plan an anniversary photo shoot. Check out how these creative couples celebrated their first year anniversary
We hope this article has inspired you to find the perfect 1st year anniversary gift for your partner.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gift to make it meaningful. Many of the gift ideas above are both budget friendly and allow for customization. When in doubt, get creative: grab some paper and write a beautiful love letter. Trust me, it will be as meaningful as any gift you buy!
Your marriage is in its infancy and the groundwork lay now will help solidify a happy and successful union. Three hundred and sixty five days down, and a lifetime of happiness to go!
Until next year (hint: it’s Cotton), thanks for checking out our list of paper anniversary gift ideas.
Meredith
Despite her dreamy wedding blogger lifestyle, Meredith's day job is running ClassicVeils.com and a full-time mom to an active toddler. If she could, Meredith would spend her days taking cruises, helping animals in need, and watching Big Brother!
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- Meredithhttps://loveandlavender.com/author/meredith/
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