These are the most traditional wedding anniversary gifts by year

Whether you’re married or not, you may be familiar with the premise that each anniversary year has its own corresponding theme for gifts. Many know the top few, like paper for the first anniversary, gold for the 50th, and diamonds for the 60th, but the anniversaries in between aren’t as well known. Plus, have you ever wondered why every theme was chosen for each year? Like, what does wax have to do with the 16th anniversary?

Well, wonder no more. Here, we’ve culminated every major anniversary year from one to 60 and taken a deeper dive into what each theme means (figuratively and literally). Now buying a thoughtful wedding anniversary gift for your significant other, parents, or friends will be a piece of cake.

1st wedding anniversary: Paper

One of the best-known traditional wedding gift themes, the first anniversary denotes paper as its theme. A bit flimsy and delicate, paper represents how the couple has only just started their lives together and hasn’t quite stood the test of time yet. We love Mixbook's photo books as there are plenty of themes to select from and they're easy to customize with various paper choices which, per tradition, represent a clean sheet, a blank slate for all the years to come.

From $10 at Mixbook

2nd wedding anniversary: Cotton

When it comes to the second anniversary, cotton represents the couple’s lives becoming intertwined and stronger as time goes on. This Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set can also symbolize how the couple is learning to be flexible and strong, much like cotton itself.

$143 at Brooklinen

3rd wedding anniversary: Leather

Capture all the adventures you've had with your partner in this Leather Adventure Book. Leather if flexible, but durable which represents the third year of marriage. It's a year that signifies resiliency. This handmade adventure book will hold all your beautiful memories with each other.

From $57 at Etsy

4th wedding anniversary: Flowers or fruit

At four years of marriage, your relationship is blossoming towards maturity. These Heat Wave flowers are sure to brighten the home and put a smile to your loved one's face. Pick a delivery date to send these farm-picked flowers as a colorful gift.

$74 at Bouqs

5th wedding anniversary: Wood

What may feel like an unconventional anniversary gift concept, wood is an excellent representation of wisdom and strength. In addition, by the fifth year of marriage, the relationship will have begun to develop roots to endure anything, and the couple has likely achieved lots of shared growth. This Professional Carving Board will make a stunning anniversary gift.

$108 at Amazon

6th wedding anniversary: Iron

Getting stronger as we go, the sixth anniversary represents iron, like a Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Cast Iron Set. By year six of marriage, a new phase of the relationship has been unlocked, and it is now more vital than ever before. Iron is a naturally occurring metal and is often seen as a transitional material, as it’s what lifted civilization out of the stone age. An iron anniversary gift represents moving into a solid and enduring phase of the marriage.

From $35 at Williams-Sonoma

7th wedding anniversary: Wool or copper

What’s one thing both wool and copper have in common? They’re both able to produce heat, so they’re perfect to represent the seventh anniversary. By now, the marriage gives off plenty of warmth, love, security, and comfort. Copper, specifically, is one step stronger than iron; the sixth-anniversary theme symbolizes becoming stronger by the year. Celebrate an anniversary by gifting The Copper Set to your loved one.

$1,199 at Made In

8th wedding anniversary: Bronze or pottery

As gifts increase in value and strength of the material, the marriage is likely to become even stronger by the eighth anniversary. While bronze is a combination of copper and tin, representing the blending of two metals, pottery (or clay) is a natural substance that can be handmade into beautiful art but remains long-lasting through time. This Kintsugi Bowl will look beautiful displayed in anyone's home.

$47 at Etsy

9th wedding anniversary: Willow wood

By the ninth anniversary, a married couple has likely learned how to be flexible and helpful in many ways, much like the ninth-anniversary gift theme of willow wood. With their twistable branches, willows are anything but rigid and often go with the flow (er, wind). Their wood can also be used for various things like baskets and furniture. You can plant these wonderful Weeping Willow Tree Cuttings and watch them grow.

$25 at Etsy

10th wedding anniversary: Tin or aluminum

The 10th anniversary is the first big milestone year, so it’s only fitting that its corresponding theme is tin and aluminum. While these metals may appear soft and fragile at first, they’re incredibly durable. The Bigger Carry-On from Away is made with high-grade aluminum telescopic handles. This represents the malleability a strong marriage must have by its 10th year to maintain a union that withstands anything.

$335 at Away

11th wedding anniversary: Steel

With steel being one of the most robust materials on earth (see: Man of Steel, stainless steel, buns of steel, nerves of steel … you get the point), it represents how by the 11th year, not much can break the strong bond one has with their partner. This All-Clad Safe Fry Pan is made with durable stainless steel so your giftee can easily cook.

$200 at Amazon

12th wedding anniversary: Silk or linen

The 12th anniversary leans to the softer side, with silk or linen as the representative theme. Meant to symbolize a ship’s sail, silk and linen are a metaphor for being able to guide through the waves of life and its storms swiftly. Dually, silk and linen are also common home decor materials. They can serve as a metaphor for the life the couple has built together over the years. These Slip Silk Pillowcases are anti-bedhead for the ultimate sleep.

$89 at Sephora

13th wedding anniversary: Lace

Year thirteen is all about luck and lace. Because it's such a delicate material that's also very strong, lace symbolizes marriage's elegant and interwoven qualities. Its many uses can also denote the many ways a couple shows their love for one another. Rated as one of the best pieces of lingerie to gift, La Perla is the ideal choice.

$650 at Bloomingdale's

14th wedding anniversary: Ivory

Initially, the ivory theme chosen for the 14th anniversary came from Hindu mythology and was meant to signify luck and protection. Nowadays, it’s typical to select gifts with an elephant theme or are simply off-white, not to purchase actual ivory. These Classic Turkish Cotton Towels are in an ivory color and are made with soft and absorbent material.

From $14 at Parachute

15th wedding anniversary: Crystal

This Waterford Lismore Essence Stemware Set is made with gorgeous crystal. In nature, crystals take a long while to form and become the beautiful light-refracting elements we love. In turn, marriage often takes some time and effort to become firm, which is why crystal is the 15th anniversary’s theme. Crystal also represents clarity and transparency in marriage.

From $105 at Bloomingdale's

16th wedding anniversary: Wax

For the 16th anniversary, wax represents the undeniable flame between the married couple and their burning passion for each other. In addition, wax can take many forms and be molded into a variety of things, symbolizing the ever-changing roles one must play to keep a marriage fresh and exciting. Get this Capri Blue Volcano Mercury Jar Candle that smells like tropical fruits and exotic mountain greens.

From $16 at Anthropologie

17th wedding anniversary: Furniture

If you’ve ever picked out a new couch or replaced an old bed frame, you know that excellent furniture is an investment. Like that new bed or sofa, the 17th year of marriage represents time invested and quality that gets better with age. It also has plenty of familiarity and comfort, just like a favorite chair. This White Accent Chair can adjust detachable cushion seats, backrest and armrest.

$569 at Article

18th wedding anniversary: Porcelain

The best-known attribute of porcelain might be how extraordinarily delicate and fragile it is. The 18th wedding anniversary serves as a reminder to hold the relationship with care and consideration for it to last. Get a set of 12 in this Entertaining Essentials Porcelain Salad Plate set that are made with timeless porcelain.

From $69 at Pottery Barn

19th wedding anniversary: Bronze

The healing properties of bronze are the reason it stands to represent the 19th wedding anniversary. Symbolizing health within the marriage even through tough times, bronze is a great way to metaphorically say that the union has grown stronger and stronger throughout the years. Get something unique like this Song Sound Wave gift that will display a favorite song in sound waves.

From $49 at Etsy

20th wedding anniversary: China

Celebrating two whole decades together is a huge milestone, so this anniversary deserves something truly special. Traditionally, China is the theme for the big 2-0 for its beauty, uniqueness, and fragility. It’s something so precious that it needs to be handled with care, much like the marriage itself. This Royal Albert Old Country Roses Bone China Platter has beautiful flowers and gold finishing edges.

From $64 at Wayfair

25th wedding anniversary: Silver

This Personalized Hammered Silver Wedding Cake Knife and Server Set will make a kitchen staple and unforgettable gift. Regarded as very valuable, silver makes a fitting appearance as the gift theme for the coveted 25th anniversary. It’s a meaningful symbol, as silver is considered a precious metal, but it’s also shiny and lustrous. A gift of silver hopes that the marriage will always remain just as glinting as the first 25 years.

From $85 at Etsy

30th wedding anniversary: Pearls

Pearls take the spot as the 30th wedding anniversary symbol for a few reasons. These Essential Pearl Earrings are handcrafted in 14k solid gold. First, as they’re found in nature to be hidden inside a mollusk, pearls represent the hidden beauty in a relationship. They also take one to six years to form, meaning beauty takes time and is worth waiting for.

$198 at Mejuri

35th wedding anniversary: Coral

This unique anniversary gift theme is thought to be connected to how important coral is to the ocean’s ecosystem and how important love is to a marriage. Coral takes a long time to form—like a 35-year marriage entirely. It’s believed to have healing properties and defend against harm, making it the perfect gift theme for 35 years. This Wine Bottle Chiller comes in a coral color that will make an ideal 35th wedding anniversary gift.

$90 at Amazon

40th wedding anniversary: Ruby

This Sundial Gift comes in a ruby hot-red color which represents the fire and passion a couple has for each other that’ll never burn out. It’s also said that the ruby holds health and wisdom, two qualities relevant to a flourishing marriage after spending two decades together.

From $102 at Etsy

45th wedding anniversary: Sapphire

Considered to be the stone of royalty, it’s only fitting that the sapphire represents 45 years of marriage. The sapphire represents longevity and a shining example of love for those hoping to reach this incredible marriage milestone. You can even gift something with a sapphire color, like this Caraway Sapphire Blue Bakeware Set that they can use to bake delicious treats together.

$495 at Crate & Barrel

50th wedding anniversary: Gold

Dubbed the Golden Anniversary, 50 years of marriage is fittingly represented with gold as its gift theme. Classic and timeless, gold symbolizes the wisdom, prosperity, and strength that a couple has endured throughout the marriage. Celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary gift with this Byzantine Bracelet. Golden also refers to being radiant and having glowing vitality, which is especially important for a couple to reach this milestone.

$1,010 at Blue Nile

55th wedding anniversary: Emerald

The meaning behind this gift theme is two-fold; first, emeralds are known to signify eternal true love and devotion, and adoration. The second meaning is a bit nefarious: emeralds are thought to change color if one is unfaithful to the other. In this way, an emerald gift would portray that the couple is immensely secure and trustworthy of one another in the marriage. This Emerald Solitaire Pendant is a classic piece that's framed in 18k white gold.

$1,500 at Blue Nile

60th wedding anniversary: Diamond

For 60 years of marriage, there is only one gift theme that could perfectly symbolize this kind of enduring love: a diamond. They mean strength, affection, and of course, beauty. Diamonds take lots of pressure and years to form, much like a trusting and lasting marriage. Being together for this many years deserves only the best. The Diamond Tennis Bracelet will make an unforgettable gift.

$2,195 at Brilliant Earth