As each anniversary comes and goes ; it becomes more difficult to find a personalized wedding gift idea to make this event a cherished and a special occasion marked by memories. Each successive year of marriage needs to be celebrated and valued, as it represents an annual renewal of love and the commitment the couple shares. This is a very special time of the year when effort needs to be placed in finding that unique and special gift. A romantic gift given at an appropriate time, such as this, will go a long way to ensuring the vitality of the couple’s love. As the year’s progress, it becomes increasingly difficult to conceive of the perfect personalized anniversary wedding gift. For this reason, lists have been created to help people to focus on a particular gift idea for each year as this would provide variety and yet unique unduplicated gifts would then be given. Out of this background, two lists have emerged- a classic or traditional list that was started in the 20th century, which many people still use, and a modern list that has come about in more recent memory. This article focuses on the modern list.
Modern Wedding Anniversary Gifts by the Year:
The modern anniversary gifts by the year suggestions are more precise and do not allow as much variety and flexibility when compared to the traditional list. For people that want a more specific list of items to buy- this list is more focused. The classic list is more categorically made and not specific but this leads to greater choice in what can be bought for the occasion. This list is inclusive all the way through the 60th anniversary, whereas, the modern list has not all the same categories covered as easily seen in the following handy table:
Wedding Anniversary Gifts by the Year |
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Classic versus Modern List |
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Year of Anniversary |
Classic Gift Category |
Modern Gift Suggestion |
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1 |
Paper |
Clocks |
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2 |
Cotton |
China |
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3 |
Leather |
Crystal |
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4 |
Linen/Silk (UK) |
Appliances |
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Fruit/ Flowers |
(USA) |
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5 |
Wood |
Silverware |
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6 |
Iron (USA) |
Wood |
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Candy (UK) |
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7 |
Copper (US) |
Brass/ Deck Sets |
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Wool (UK) |
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8 |
Bronze/Pottery |
Linen/Lace |
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9 |
Copper (UK) |
Leather |
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Willow/Pottery (USA) |
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10 |
Aluminum/Tin |
Diamond/Jewelry |
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11 |
Steel |
Fashion Jewelry |
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12 |
Home Décor |
Pearls |
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Linen/Silk |
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13 |
Lace |
Textiles/Furs |
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14 |
Ivory |
Gold Jewelry |
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15 |
Crystal |
Watches |
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16 |
Coffee/Tea |
Silverware |
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17 |
Wine/Spirits |
Home Décor |
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18 |
Appliances |
Porcelain |
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19 |
Jade |
Bronze |
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20 |
China |
Platinum |
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21 |
Fire Theme |
Brass/Nickel |
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22 |
Water Theme |
Copper |
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23 |
Air Theme |
Silver plate |
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24 |
Stone Theme |
Silver plate |
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25 |
Silver |
Silver |
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26 |
Art |
Pictures |
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27 |
Music |
Sculptures |
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28 |
Linens |
Orchids |
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29 |
Tools |
Furniture |
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30 |
Pearls |
Diamond |
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31 |
Travel |
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32 |
Bronze |
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33 |
Iron |
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34 |
Food |
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35 |
Coral |
Jade |
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36 |
Antiques |
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37 |
Books |
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38 |
Luck Theme |
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39 |
Laughter Theme |
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40 |
Ruby |
Ruby |
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41 |
Office/Home Décor |
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42 |
Clocks or Watches |
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43 |
Entertainment Theme |
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44 |
Electronics Theme |
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45 |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
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46 |
Games |
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47 |
Garden/Plants |
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48 |
Home Improvement |
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49 |
Copper |
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50 |
Gold |
Gold |
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51 |
Photos/Camera |
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52 |
Bath or Spa Theme |
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53 |
Plastic |
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54 |
Glass |
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55 |
Emerald |
Emerald |
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56 |
Day Theme |
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57 |
Night Theme |
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58 |
Faith/Hope Theme |
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59 |
Charity Theme |
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60 |
Diamond |
Diamond |
Modern Day anniversary gifts are practical and, in my humble opinion, allow the giver to express the feeling of the day without being too snared by tradition. Yes, the first year is paper and I’m sure there are some fine paper gifts out there, but the thought of “paper” for an anniversary gift seems a bit cheap. Clocks are practical, serve a purpose and you can choose from a variety of different products and variations. Year 10 can get a little sticky, too. While something aluminum is nice, jewelry sure puts the bow on a 10th anniversary present. Good list and further food for thought.
A paper gift might be a $1000 dollar bill and so it does not have to be cheap but practical gifts arew often very useful and so the question arises, How do I make it a personalized wedding anniversary gift?”
I have to admit that when it come time for these gifts, I always tend to get a brain cramp. I like the modern ideas, because at least it makes for a narrower and more manageable list of options. I have the 15th anniversary coming up, and I feel much more comfortable with looking for a watch instead of crystal.
I think that going with a personalized gift further makes the exercise less stressful. It almost guarantees buying a gift that won’t disappoint.
Many people with busy schedules prefer the modern list as it saves them time and helps them to narrow down their gift so that they can add a peronslized touch.
I believe that I will find something here for someone who is looking for a house warming gift. I will be sure to share this article with friends and family. I know it will help someone out there so thank you so much for this. It was a great read
Thank you for visiting this site. Fun anniversary gift ideas can be useful for other celebrations as well.
I have been married for over 15 years now and I didn’t realize there were specific gift ideas. Why would someone want to give a gift set by some weird idea? I always just go with the age ole classic, it comes from the heart. My wife doesn’t like to purchase things for herself, so I always try to get her something that she wants. I’m not real sure how useful this article really is but I’m sure that there will be people that use this as a guide. Maybe I can use this the next time I can’t figure out a gift idea.
That is when the Wedding Anniversary Gifts by the Year chart really shines and shows its value, simply; when a person has run out of personalized wedding gift ideas that will really reach the heart of the person to whom you are giving the gift.
It seems crazy to me that there is such an exhaustive list of socially acceptable or normal gifts to be given. I am very glad though that you took the time to put these two lists together and give us your perspective. I am sure it will come in handy in the future because before I have always just bought people whatever I wanted to by them. You may have saved me from making a social faux pas! What do you think of the fire theme for the 21st? That seems a little strange to me.
Fire is a theme and so can be many things. Elecrical bulbs are controlled fire and appliances that heat items are condidered as flame items as they heat things up. Even an elecrtical fireplace will give the appearance of a flame.Even your wife could be considered as your flame. “My special wife is the flame of my life.”
The wedding is a blessed event and remembering the wedding is good once in a year. A lot of good love ideas starting from flowers , rings, sarees, household crockery items and give some dollars to the wife is very good. Your site has good ideas for the wedding gift and keep it up .
Wedding anniversaries are indeed very special and need thoughtful consideration as to the best gift possible.
I really enjoyed reading all about different wedding anniversary gifts. My brother and sister in-law recently had their 50th wedding anniversary and we did our best to find just the right gift but I must admit we scrambled quite a bit. I really would have liked to find your site at that time.
You really understand that in the fast paced world we live in people don’t have the time to find that perfect idea and gift for an upcoming anniversary. You have compiled all of the information on your site. Congratulations! This is exactly what everyone needs to research a gift for an anniversary!
You truly are knowledgeable about the different types of gifts for each year of marriage. You covered gifts for wives as well as for husbands with great advise. I really liked that wood could be an addition to the house! Your website will be my future go to for anniversary gifts.
I wish you all the best,
Beatrice
Thank you for your kind comments. I try my best to stay current on the possibilities for exceptional wedding anniversary gift ideas and to research and provide enough ideas so that it is possible for you to find that unique personalized wedding anniversary gift that will make a huge impact.