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Gifts for every wedding anniversary, from paper to platinum

Brighten your partner's day with flowers - or a more unusual wedding anniversary gift - Getty Images Fee
Brighten your partner's day with flowers - or a more unusual wedding anniversary gift - Getty Images Fee

“It’s the thought that counts” was your defence last year when you bought your unimpressed partner a slapdash box of chocolates from the supermarket. But not this year. This time, you’re determined to find a good - nay, perfect - anniversary gift.

Thankfully, you can often take inspiration from the official name of the anniversary - for instance, buying ruby jewellery for a ruby wedding anniversary.

Over the years, however, anniversaries have been associated with more diverse gifts - usually influenced by trends across the pond. Librarians at the Chicago Public Library created a modern list of anniversary gift ideas (diamond jewellery instead of tin for your 10th wedding anniversary, for instance) and some of these have become popular with the British public.

Essentially, this means you have more gift ideas to choose from. So, to give you some inspiration, we have rounded up some of the best gifts for every wedding anniversary.

First wedding anniversary: Paper

To mark a year since your nuptials, treasure your memories of the special day with a photo album - much like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did with their photo montage.  Alternatively, you can incorporate paper into your present with a silver paper plane necklace or cufflinks from notonthehighstreet.com.

According to the Chicago Public Library, however, a clock is an ideal first anniversary gift - so you could invest in a timepiece for your home.

Second anniversary: Cotton

The year of cotton is the year you can get away with buying some nice socks from Marks & Spencer. Alternatively, you could treat your partner to a 100% cotton shirt from Moss, or an embroidered handkerchief from Debenhams. Or brighten your home with the sweet-smelling Clean Cotton Yankee Candle, which should last until your next anniversary.

Third anniversary: Leather

Leather may call to mind cowboy boots, horse saddles or Sandy from Grease, but there are plenty of modern gifts for this anniversary. For instance, a leather-bound notebook from Waterstones is a thoughtful present, as is a leather wallet or purse, complete with a photo of the two of you.

Crystal or glass are the modern alternatives for this anniversary - so you may instead decide on a vase (filled with flowers, of course) or some new wine glasses.

Fourth anniversary: Linen

Spruce up your bedroom on your linen anniversary with a new king-sized bedding set. Or, for a more sentimental gift, have the lyrics of your wedding song printed onto a piece of linen and framed, courtesy of notonthehighstreet.com.

In the States, the standard fourth anniversary gift is fruit or flowers. If you want to follow the more modern guidelines, however, you should apparently buy your partner an electrical appliance - this could be a phone, speakers or even a digital photo album.

Fifth anniversary: Wood

If you’re happy to splash the cash, invest in a new bed (and we have rounded up the best bedframes) or a wooden bench for the garden. For a more low-key fifth anniversary gift, buy a personalised wooden frame print of the best moments of your married life - from your wedding day to that holiday snap where you both look relaxed and tanned.

The modern fifth anniversary gift is silverware, so treat your beloved to some fancy cutlery from Harrods.

Sixth anniversary: Sugar

Unless you are an expert baker, sugar is quite a tricky anniversary gift. That’s perhaps why iron has become a popular alternative. Cufflinks with a metal finish are a good choice - and T.M.Lewin have a good selection - or you could invest in a brightly-coloured casserole dish.

Seventh anniversary: Wool

Wool is a fairly straightforward anniversary gift; for instance, you could buy some wooly socks to pair with a soft crew-neck jumper from Reiss. Alternatively, you could follow the modern guidelines and opt for a stationery set - a nice, engraved pen would add a personal touch.

Eighth anniversary: Salt

I think we can agree that a box of salt is not a suitable anniversary gift. However, you can take inspiration from the traditional theme with a pair of salt and pepper shakers.

Alternatively, adopt the American tradition and find a gift made from bronze, such as a flashy lamp or ornament. Or choose a more modern gift made from linen or lace, such as nightclothes or underwear from Boux Avenue or Ted Baker.

Ninth anniversary: Copper

Much like a 49th birthday present, a ninth anniversary gift is often low-key because you need to save your energy for The Big One next year. Copper utensils can be a great addition to your kitchen - for instance, a copper frying pan from Dunelm or a copper bottle cooler to hold a bottle of bubbly.

10th anniversary: Tin

For such a monumental anniversary, tin might not be your first choice for a gift. That being said, you could find a nice biscuit tin or splash out on a Cat Kidston afternoon tea set.

Thankfully, this anniversary has had a modern update, and it is now customary to buy diamond jewellery to mark your 10th year together. Goldsmiths and Tiffany & Co have a particularly impressive selection.

15th anniversary: Crystal

Raise a glass to 15 years together with crystalline flutes from Swarovski or Tiffany & Co. Alternatively, spoil your partner with a crystal necklace or spruce up your mantelpiece with a new crystal ornament.

The contemporary gift for this anniversary is a new watch - whether that be a slim Michael Kors or a statement Tag Heur. You could even allude to the traditional crystal theme with a watch from Swarovski.

20th anniversary: China

Porcelain is a staple gift for a 20th anniversary. Whether you go for china ornaments, a teapot from Wedgwood, or plates from The White Company, this anniversary is a chance to buy a gift that will last for years to come. For more contemporary long-lasting gifts, try headphones from Bang & Olufsen or a statement pair of Kurt Geiger heels.

25th anniversary: Silver

A gift made from sterling silver is the ideal way to mark spending a quarter of a century together. Browse for a silver-coloured photo frame, or go all-out and invest in one made from sterling silver. For a present that will get daily use, peruse the sterling silver cufflinks at Aspinal of London or splurge on some silver earrings from a reputable jeweller.

Man gives his girlfriend jewellery - Credit: ljubaphoto
Jewellery is a particularly popular anniversary gift Credit: ljubaphoto

30th anniversary: Pearl

Pearl necklaces may have fallen out of fashion, but pearl earrings are a subtle and understated accessory. We particularly appreciate the selection at John Lewis - or, if you want to really push the boat out, you can head to Dior. If you can’t decide what to buy your husband, he may appreciate the square-shaped pearl cufflinks from The Cufflink Store.

Diamond is the updated 30th anniversary theme, but you may want to save this special gift for your 60th anniversary.

35th anniversary: Coral

It is unlikely that your partner would appreciate a chunk of coral for your anniversary. However, you can incorporate this theme by sticking to coral-coloured products - a Mulberry handbag in Coral Rose, for instance, or a coral silk tie from The Tie Shop.

The modern update of this anniversary theme is jade, so you could treat your partner to jade jewellery or ornaments.

40th anniversary: Ruby

The regal ruby stone has inspired a variety of premium gifts. There’s a plethora of ruby jewellery, for instance, and we particularly like the ring and necklace options from H.Samuel and QP Jewellers. For an even grander display of your affection, order a bouquet of 100 red roses from Appleyard Flowers or book a weekend away with Virgin Experience Days.

45th anniversary: Sapphire

If you’re looking to really impress, buy your partner some sapphire drop earrings or a sapphire pendant necklace from a reputable jeweller. Alternatively, you could subtly allude to the precious stone by purchasing a four-set of decorated gin glasses from John Lewis or a sapphire valet tray from Noble Macmillan.

50th anniversary: Gold

Gold is synonymous with jewellery, so we recommend updating your partner’s wedding band on this anniversary. Alternatively, you could purchase earrings, cufflinks or new shoes - and we particularly like the gold sliders from Reiss.

For your husband, buy a premium bottle of whiskey or pick out a new aftershave - you get bonus points if it’s in gold packaging.

55th anniversary: Emerald

Like gold, emerald is a great material for jewellery. Whether you opt for a drop necklace, ring or bracelet, this gemstone adds sparkle to any accessory. For a more understated gift, you could order flowers with plenty of foliage or order an emerald-coloured Parker pen.

60th anniversary: Diamond

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they’ll also be your best friend if you’re looking to impress your wife. Simply pop into a reputable jewellers and pick up a diamond necklace or  drop earrings. You could even update her wedding band with a new diamond ring.

For him, you could look into diamond-studded watches or, for a more understated gift, buy him a new decanter for his favourite bottle of wine.

70th anniversary: Platinum

After 70 years together, you deserve a present as strong as your marriage. There is a range of platinum jewellery available, from rings to necklaces, and we particularly appreciate the Ernest Jones collection.

Alternatively, you could treat your partner to a good-quality bottle of scotch. If you’re keen to keep with the platinum theme, we recommend the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Scotch, which is 18 years old and available from Selfridges.