Although it might not feel like it, your wedding day is the first of many celebrations on your journey together as a couple. It’s the one day you’ll remember for years to come, with a new reverence for the love you share as the years go by.
When it comes to anniversaries, it can feel like you want to start off with a bang. That’s commendable, but here I think it’s important to think about longevity. You want to be able to continually outdo yourself, or at the very least stay consistent with your gifting.
All that said, it can be overwhelming to decide on a gift that shows your love and appreciation without going overboard—love is an intense emotion, after all!
Over the years, many wedding and marriage traditions have evolved to reflect cultural changes and expectations. But there’s one that has stayed just about the same—and that’s anniversary gifts. For the first few “big” anniversaries (we’re talking 1, 5, and 10 years), I say stick with the traditional materials, but put a twist on them if you’re inclined.
Below, we’ve compiled our favorite paper, wood, and aluminum-inspired gifts at a variety of price points, plus a few splurge items in each category in case you just can’t help yourself.
Year One: Paper
Cookbook
When Ashley and her husband, Gabe, had children, they found it harder to set aside time for themselves to nurture their relationship. So, she wrote a cookbook full of recipes they could cook together and enjoy from the comfort of home. If you’re a cooking couple, this is the perfect 1-year anniversary gift!
Coffee Table Book
I tell my husband that every trip we take as a married couple is just another chance to go on a honeymoon. This coffee table book is sure to spark your inner travel bug with beautiful images of rustic hideaways, vibrant city streets, and all things Italy. Sit down, flip to a page, and plan your next adventure!
Anniversary Journal
If you prefer to write your own story, keep track of your post-wedding memories in a book devoted to all your milestones together. This anniversary journal is filled with prompts that’ll bring your earliest moments to mind, along with spaces devoted to photographic evidence of your long-standing love for one another.
Personalized Artwork
I won’t lie, I have always been a sucker for these night sky prints. They are such a unique way to celebrate a special day, reminding us of how lucky we are to spend those moments with one another. Enter the celebratory date, location, your name and your spouse’s name and receive a one-of-a-kind poster to display in your home.
Photo Book
Personally, this was the gift I landed on for my husband on our first anniversary this year. It was so fun finding all the photos from our first year of marriage and arranging them in fun ways on the pages. Artifact Uprising’s page layouts even let you write short messages or long letters amid your memories, so you can include every special thought between the two covers.
Custom Wall Calendar
Why celebrate your anniversary for just one day? A custom wall calendar filled with photos of your first year together is a great reminder of all you’ve done and all that’s still yet to come. If you really want to make it special, go through and add surprise date nights and mark your anniversary before wrapping this gift.
Year Five: Wood
Photo Print
You can never go wrong gifting a photo. After five years of marriage, there’s no doubt you and your spouse have created a ton of memories to look back on, so why not find a favorite photo to commemorate it? This custom piece lets you print any photo on a real wood pallet, keeping the 5-year anniversary tradition—with a twist!
Heirloom Wood Games
If you’re a couple that loves to game together, why not make it official with a grown-up gaming set. Handcrafted from natural birch wood, this set is equipped with everything you need for a good old-fashioned game of Monopoly. Grab your favorite bottle of wine, shareable snacks, and have yourself a competitive date night!
Wine Rack
Couples who drink wine together stay together. At least, that’s my take on the matter. This simple yet statement-making wine rack is the perfect way to show your spouse some extra love on your 5-year anniversary. If you really want to go above and beyond, you could always grab a bottle (or twelve) and fill it up!
Gardening Kit
Just like a good marriage, a beautiful garden starts with passion. But, much like marriage, the payoff comes with hard work. If you’re married to someone with a green thumb, cultivate their interests with this all-in-one upgrade for your 5-year anniversary. The kit comes with five wood-handled gardening tools, a canvas seat, and a tote to pack everything up.
Custom Charcuterie Board
Get a custom charcuterie board to set up your favorite snacks for plenty of date night-ins together. And you can share the love with family and friends at your next gathering too.
Coffee Maker
If you’re celebrating five years of marriage, there’s a good chance your coffee maker is celebrating with you. Let it transition into your “something old” and give your spouse the gift of a well-made cup of joe. This gorgeous pour-over drip coffee maker isn’t just nice to look at, it’s also one of the top-rated coffee makers out there.
Year Ten: Tin or Aluminum
Ring Holder
Even on your tenth wedding anniversary, your rings remain a symbol of the commitment you and your spouse have made to one another. This simple, yet elegant ring holder makes a perfect aluminum anniversary gift, and ensures that there’s always a place to safeguard that little circle that means forever.
Picnic Set
Who needs a fancy restaurant when you have each other as company? By your 10-year anniversary, there’s no doubt you’ve found plenty of ways to have fun together. Your spouse will love this insulated picnic basket filled with plates, flatware, wine glasses, and napkins—it’s ready for any celebration!
Pizza Oven
After 10 years of marriage, you deserve to celebrate. Go big and gift your spouse with their very own pizza oven! This outdoor oven pops right onto your charcoal grill so you can make wood-fired pizzas from the comfort of your home. It even comes with a pizza stone and peel so every pie is as perfect as your marriage.
Wireless Headphones
It’s a great time in history to come up on your 10-year wedding anniversary—because there’s aluminum in nearly all the technology we use on a daily basis. These Bang & Olufsen headphones are somehow both beautiful and functional, delivering up to 6 hours of nonstop audio for your music- or podcast- loving spouse.
Espresso Machine
As a caffeine-lover, nothing says romance more than a hot cup of coffee coming for me in my husband’s hands. However, that’s probably because we don’t have an espresso machine. Your 10-year anniversary is a great excuse to get your spouse this compact Nespresso Espresso Machine. Who wouldn’t love it?
Bar Accessories
Celebrate your 10-year anniversary by recreating your favorite night—at home! Whip up your wedding cocktail, a drink you’ve fallen in love with over the years, or shake up something brand new. No matter what you decide, make sure to grab this gorgeous, wood-encased home bar set that leaves nothing to be desired—except for each other.
Find Inspiration
I hope this guide has inspired you to stick with tradition, at least a little, for your anniversary celebrations. The most important things to remember are to stick with your budget and give every gift with love—you can never go wrong with those two little tips. Be sure to check out the Give It blog for any more gift giving tips you might need!
Featured Image via @inspiredbythis , photo by @chels_diaz & @steezdiaz
