Which Anniversary Present Goes
with Which Year?
Evolving together, challenging each other, and working through murky periods, all while managing to keep the spark flickering, is a real accomplishment—wedding and relationship anniversaries are a big effing deal. We love the old-fashioned (if hard-to-remember) rules around what type of present to give depending on how many years you’ve been together; here they all are as a guide, annotated with our favorite gifts to give and get.
1ST ANNIVERSARY
PAPER
These exquisite handcrafted paper flowers by artist Livia Cetti instantly and permanently joyify any space. Place them in the kitchen, in a bathroom, in a hallway, at your desk, or anywhere else (access to natural light is no constraint). The vibrant blossoms are an instant spirit boost—whether you choose roses, hollyhocks (at about three feet high, they’re almost architectural), or pink-petaled bleeding hearts.
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The Green Vase Floribunda Rose Plant goop, $565SHOP NOW
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The Green Vase Hollyhock Plant goop, $375SHOP NOW
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The Green Vase Bleeding Heart Stem goop, $90SHOP NOW
2ND ANNIVERSARY
FIBER
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Blacksaw Generation Reversible Throw goop, $398SHOP NOW
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Aiayu Heather Wool Pillow goop, $325SHOP NOW
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Bearaby Cotton Napper Weighted Blanket, 15 lbs. goop, $249SHOP NOW
3RD ANNIVERSARY
LEATHER
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Courant The Catch 2 Wireless Charger goop, $120SHOP NOW
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Coco de Mer Leather Round Paddle goop, $125SHOP NOW
4TH ANNIVERSARY
FLOWERS
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The Garden Journey The Garden Journey Deck goop, $95SHOP NOW
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The Floral Society Edible Flower Seed Kit goop, $15SHOP NOW
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Marloe Marloe Stevie Vase goop, $340SHOP NOW
5TH ANNIVERSARY
WOOD
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Alexis Steelwood Charcuterie Board goop, $250SHOP NOW
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U-Turn Audio Orbit Special Turntable with Built-In Preamp goop, $569SHOP NOW
6TH ANNIVERSARY
CANDY
7TH ANNIVERSARY
COPPER
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Sir Madam Copper Franconia Kettle goop, $215SHOP NOW
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The Floral Society Copper Watering Can goop, $128SHOP NOW
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Serax Copper Chemistry Glass goop, $22SHOP NOW
8TH ANNIVERSARY
BRONZE
You could spring for a Carl Andre or perhaps a Richard Serra or, as we have here, substitute a little brass.
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Tala Oak Knuckle Table Lamp goop, $165SHOP NOW
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Sir Madam Modernist Desk Tape Dispenser goop, $85SHOP NOW
9TH ANNIVERSARY
POTTERY
10TH ANNIVERSARY
ALUMINUM
11TH ANNIVERSARY
STEEL
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Brigade Kitchen Stainless Steel Cookware 4-Piece Set goop, $260SHOP NOW
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Smithey Ironware Co. Carbon Steel Farmhouse Skillet goop, $275SHOP NOW
12TH ANNIVERSARY
SILK
13TH ANNIVERSARY
LACE
14TH ANNIVERSARY
IVORY
We’re happily interpreting this to mean ivory-colored (hallelujah for the US ban on elephant ivory); another
direction might be a safari to go see elephants, or a donation to help save them.
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Business & Pleasure Co. Hammock goop, $299SHOP NOW
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Atelier Saucier Ivory Twill Napkins, Set of 4 goop, $66SHOP NOW
15TH ANNIVERSARY
CRYSTAL
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Richard Brendon Diamond Shot Glasses, set of 2 goop, $173SHOP NOW
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Richard Brendon Diamond Single Old Fashioned goop, $135SHOP NOW
16TH ANNIVERSARY
WAX
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Neom Organics Perfect Night’s Sleep Intensive Skin Treatment Candle goop, $46SHOP NOW
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August & Piers Darling Candle goop, $86SHOP NOW
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The Maker Spiritus Candle goop, $80SHOP NOW
17TH ANNIVERSARY
FURNITURE
18TH ANNIVERSARY
PORCELAIN
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La DoubleJ Dinner Plates, Set of 2 goop, $155SHOP NOW
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La DoubleJ Dessert Plate, Set of 6 goop, $340SHOP NOW
19TH ANNIVERSARY
BRONZE (again)
Bronze features twice for inexplicable reasons; if you haven’t saved up for
the Serra (see above), go with another brass item.
20TH ANNIVERSARY
CHINA
25TH ANNIVERSARY
SILVER
30TH ANNIVERSARY
PEARL
35TH ANNIVERSARY
CORAL
You could donate to help save the world’s coral, take the romantic trip of a lifetime to see some untouched coral reefs, or give any one of these foolproof, coral-accented items.
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Edie Parker Checkers in Rose Quartz goop, $1,895SHOP NOW
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Our Place Always Pan goop, $145SHOP NOW
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R+D.LAB CITTA Jacquard Blanket goop, $545SHOP NOW