Anniversary gifts come with a lovely old tradition: each year has its own material, from paper for the first all the way to gold for the fiftieth. It is a charming way to choose a present with a bit of meaning, but remembering which year is which can be tricky. So here is a simple year by year guide, with a gift idea from our shelves to match each one.
The first ten years
- Year 1, Paper. A heartfelt card is the classic choice. Pair it with something from our greetings cards range, or a book styled keepsake like the Sherlock Holmes Large Book Vase.
- Year 2, Cotton. Think soft and homely. A cushion such as the Just One More Chapter Cushion fits the bill nicely.
- Year 3, Leather. A purse or wallet is perfect. Our Harris Tweed Coin Purse pairs tweed with a smart finish.
- Year 4, Flowers. A vase they can fill again and again is a gift that keeps giving. The Ceramic Fish Vase is a cheerful favourite.
- Year 5, Wood. Look to natural, homely pieces. Browse our homeware for something with warmth and texture.
- Year 6, Sugar. Sweeten the day with a treat. Our Scottish Tablet Chocolate Bar is a delicious nod to the theme.
- Year 7, Wool. A cosy classic. The Pink and Blue Tartan Lambswool Scarf is soft, warm and beautifully Scottish.
- Year 8, Pottery. A handmade ceramic piece works perfectly, like our charming Wee Scottish House.
- Year 9, Willow or Pottery. Stay with something handmade and homely. Another ceramic vase or ornament from our homeware range is ideal.
- Year 10, Tin. Mark a decade with a beautiful scented candle, such as the Hand of Hamsa White Rose Candle.
The milestone years
The big anniversaries have their own materials too, and they tend to call for something a little more special.
- Year 15, Crystal. A piece of glassware makes an elegant gift. Browse our glassware.
- Year 20, China. A beautiful ceramic mug or vase fits perfectly.
- Year 25, Silver. Time for jewellery. Our jewellery collection has plenty of silver pieces.
- Year 30, Pearl. Another lovely jewellery year, so treat them to something they will wear often.
- Year 40, Ruby. Go for a touch of red, from jewellery to a richly coloured keepsake.
- Year 50, Gold. The golden anniversary deserves something meaningful, like the gold toned Running Bunny Locket that opens to hold a tiny photo of the two of you.
Prefer to keep it simple?
The tradition is a lovely guide, but the best gift is always the one that suits the couple. Browse our anniversary gifts and wedding gifts collections for more ideas, and if you would like a hand choosing, just get in touch. We post across the UK, with free delivery on orders over £50.
Frequently asked questions
What are the traditional anniversary gifts by year?
The early years run paper, cotton, leather, flowers, wood, sugar, wool, pottery, willow and tin. The milestones include crystal at 15, china at 20, silver at 25, pearl at 30, ruby at 40 and gold at 50.
What is the first wedding anniversary gift?
The first anniversary is traditionally paper, so a heartfelt card, a print or a book styled keepsake all make thoughtful choices.
Do I have to follow the traditional list?
Not at all. It is a helpful starting point, but the most important thing is choosing something the couple will love. Our anniversary and wedding collections are full of ideas either way.
