Anniversary Themes (Years 1-10)
Gift-giving is my love language. By that I mean, I do enjoy receiving gifts, but I really love showing someone I care by gifting them something that makes them happy. I often see things that make me think of someone and make myself save them in anticipation for the next event (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) — or I would just end up giving presents to people I love all the time!
Something I wasn’t expecting in marriage was that I really enjoy finding fun themed anniversary gifts for my husband. Anniversary presents absolutely do not need to follow the customary “themes,” but sometimes it helps get the creative juices flowing.
For our first anniversary, which is traditionally the paper anniversary, I gave my husband a custom poster of the constellations on our wedding day that was surrounded by the lyrics to our first dance (a song he wrote for me and performed when he proposed!). I found it while wedding planning and was so excited to be able to finally give it to him — plus it fit the theme before I even knew it!
My husband knocked it out of the park our first anniversary. I already mentioned that paper is the “traditional” first anniversary theme, but the modern first anniversary is clocks. Somehow he found me a beautiful paper origami clock for my office.
For our second anniversary, I gave him a wall map that we will add push-pins for all of the locations we’ve been together. The map itself is made out of cotton to fit the traditional gift theme.
My third anniversary gift to him will have to be a secret for now — it’s today, and we haven’t exchanged gifts yet! — but I was excited to be able to incorporate both the traditional and modern themes into one gift.
If you’re looking for a creative nudge, check out the list below. I’ve included themes as well as gift ideas — most excitingly, Catholic-inspired presents that fit the themes.
This list goes through the first 10 years of marriage. Send me an email if you’re looking for your eleventh anniversary or beyond and I might just add it!
Anniversary Gift Themes By Year
First Anniversary
Traditional: Paper, representing a blank slate, a clean canvas, to start writing your own story.
Modern: Clocks, representing eternal love.
General ideas: Cookbook. Artwork. A high-quality print of one of your wedding photos. A collection of love letters to open at specific times throughout your marriage. A watch or wall clock.
Catholic ideas: A print of the patron saint of your marriage (check out the married saints blog entries if you want some inspiration!) or a saint or Bible quote that represents your love or family mantra.
Our First Year of Marriage journal. Document your story, write a series of love letters — whatever speaks to your marriage.
Second Anniversary
Traditional: Cotton; the interwoven fibers represent weaving two lives together.
Modern: China, with timeless beauty that endures.
General ideas: Artwork on cotton canvas. Bedding. Monogramed towels or throw blankets. Mugs. A dish set for family gatherings.
Catholic ideas: A statue of the patron of your marriage or the Holy Family. A rosary with porcelain beads. A cotton rosary pouch. A holy water font. A jewelry box.
Third Anniversary
Traditional: Leather, durable and protective, only gets stronger with age.
Modern: Crystal or glass, which requires great care but can last forever.
General ideas: A leather-bound journal or favorite book. A watch with a leather band or just a watch for the glass face. A leather belt. A leather travel bag. A wallet. Engraved wine or drinking glasses.
Catholic ideas: A rosary with glass beads. A leather rosary pouch. Stained glass window hanging. Drinking glasses with saints or quotes. A leather-bound prayer journal or Bible. A glass holy water bottle.
Fourth Anniversary
Traditional: Fruit or flowers symbolize the growing and maturing relationship.
Modern: Appliances make life easier and free up time to spend together.
General ideas: Small appliances you can enjoy together, like an espresso maker. A fondue fountain to dip fruit in for a fun date night. A raised garden bed with seeds and tools. A flower vase with a recreation of your bouquet.
Catholic ideas: Custom rosaries that use flower petals to recreate your bouquet and boutonniere flowers. A Mary statue or stone to put in your garden. A print of flowers with Catholic symbolism. An apron with Catholic symbolism or quotes to use while cooking together.
Fifth Anniversary
Traditional: Wood represents setting roots.
Modern: Silverware as a reminder of the meals you’ve shared over the years.
General ideas: A wooden picnic basket with silverware! A customized cutting board. Go thrifting for a silverware set with its own history.
Catholic ideas: An olive wood rosary. A carving with a saint or devotion, such as the sacred heart. A tray with saint imagery. A crucifix. A rosary hanger board.
Sixth Anniversary
Traditional: Iron symbolizes the strength of your bond together.
Modern: Wood represents setting roots.
General ideas: A mini-replica of your wedding cake. Bookends. A cookbook of pastries or desserts. A candy-making class. A cast-iron cookware set.
Catholic ideas: An olive wood rosary. An iron saint statue. An iron rosary dish. A carving with a saint or devotion, such as the sacred heart. A tray with saint imagery. A crucifix. A rosary hanger board.
Seventh Anniversary
Traditional: Copper is a soft and malleable metal that conducts heat, symbolic of warmth and passion.
Modern: Brass represents durability.
General ideas: A copper or brass jewelry dish. Moscow mule mugs. Copper jewelry. A pocket watch. A compass.
Catholic ideas: A brass standing crucifix. A holy water font. A saint medal or devotion on a high-quality chain.
Eighth Anniversary
Traditional: Bronze is an alloy of two metals that have fully changed into one new form, just like two people in a marriage.
Modern: Linen, representing purity, or lace, representing luxury.
General ideas: Wind chimes. A pottery throwing class. Lingerie. Bedding.
Catholic ideas: Bronze statues of saints. Bronze saint jewelry. A chapel veil.
Ninth Anniversary
Traditional: Pottery, taken from clay and molded into something beautiful over time.
Modern: Leather, durable and protective, only gets stronger with age.
General ideas: A leather-bound journal or favorite book. A watch with a leather band. A leather belt. A leather travel bag bag. A wallet. Mugs. A dish set for family gatherings. Flower pots or vases.
Catholic ideas: A leather rosary pouch. A rosary dish. A leather-bound prayer journal or Bible.
Tenth Anniversary
Traditional: Aluminum represents flexibility and durability.
Modern: Diamond represents clarity, strength, and passion.
General ideas: An aluminum trinket dish. Wind chimes. Diamond jewelry.
Catholic ideas: An aluminum rosary dish. A diamond necklace with a saint medal.
Wedding anniversary themes cover every year through the thirtieth and then every five until 60. Maybe for our next anniversary, I’ll share anniversaries 11-20!
Congratulations to all. Whether it’s your first anniversary or your twenty-first, your dedication to each other is something to be celebrated. Wishing you the most wonderful anniversary.
xoxo,
Marissa @ Covenant Co.
