Romantic Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Anniversary

Your wedding anniversary is coming up . . . soon. The economy is tight and that trip to Paris or Hawaii or Mexico is just not going to happen. What are you going to do to make your special day memorable for your special someone?

The early years are pretty easy. Life together is new. You might still be able to surprise each other. A dozen roses, a romantic dinner out and a special, memorable gift. If you are sentimentalists, you may follow the traditional anniversary gift lists or substitute freely:

First Anniversary Gift: Paper (modern: clocks)
For our first anniversary, I bought my husband 1 single share of stock in Motorola (which back in the day was very promising). The romantic idea of this piece of paper was that by the time we were married for 25 years, we could go on a trip with what this single piece of paper would have brough us. Ha! That was before the tech bust. Now, 25 years isn't all that far off and that single piece of paper, which did divide multiple times, is still worth half of what it was. But the idea was very romantic to us on our first wedding anniversary.

Because I like to cook, he bought me a beautiful hard cover edition of LaRousse Gastronomique.
Traditional wins here--there are so many romantic ideas for paper that fit so many budgets. A clock? You could put a romantic spin on it--but it is more a piece of fine furniture the two of you need to choose together.

2nd Anniversary Gift: Cotton (modern: china)
For modernists, finishing off purchasing the china (good or everyday dinnerware) that you didn't receive for your wedding might be a practical gift. Not very romantic--but practical. Cotton, though, is another option filled with the possibilities of romance: comfy cotton pajamas or robes for after that romantic anniversary evening, cotton bed sheets . . .

3rd Anniversary Gift: Leather (modern: crystal/glass)
Many couple are expecting by now. Perhaps the honeymoon glamor has worn off. You might need to work a bit harder this anniversary for that "oooh" and "aah." 

If you already have kids, perhaps they've already broken most of your glassware and you need to replenish--but is that really romantic? We did indeed have a football fly through our living room and smash our wedding crystal. But we would never have wasted a gift theme like leather!. Be imaginative. Be spontaneous. And girls, this is one that was really meant for your man! ; )

4th Anniversary Gift: Fruit or Flowers (modern: appliances)
Now, however much I love my husband, if he ever gives me an appliance for our anniversary, I will cry. Yes, our refrigerator and dishwasher are about to blow. I can tell. They are loud. I can sacrifice a Christmas present, even my birthday. But, please, flowers (not fruit) on our anniversary!!

5th Anniversary Gift: Wood (modern: silverware)
A beautiful Costa Rican wood bowl, a tree planted in honor of your wedding . . . Then there's the silverware. Perhaps the kids have accidently tossed your spoons along with their little yogurts or applesauces. Did the fork get mauled by the garbage disposal. Now might be the time to consider re-purchasing lost place settings--or, if enough pieces are missing--purchasing an entirely new set together.

6th Anniversary Gift: Candy / Iron (modern: wood)
By now, we were two to three years into children with number three on the way. The best anniversary gift that young parents can give each other is time alonetogether. Call in the favors, hire a sitter, beg the grandparents: but get out for an evening, a night, or the weekend. Focus on each other. Have a quiet dinner, hold hands--and don't talk about the kids!

7th Anniversary Gift: Wool / Copper (modern: desk sets)
A beautiful wool picnic blanket, a special bottle of wine and quiet time alone to enjoy a romantic meal on a beach, in a nature preserve or otherwise out of doors would be ideal. If you were married in the winter or the weather is inclimate, have your picnic in on the family room floor after any kids are in bed. A desk set? Whew, where'd the romance go there?


8th Anniversary Gift: Bronze / Pottery (modern: linens / lace)
A bronze statue for the formal garden, pottery for the dinner table. Or, LACE for your beloved. After 8 years, now is the time for you guys to tell her she still stirs your soul with a little lace something.

9th Anniversary Gift: Pottery / Willow (modern: leather)
Lace / leather or pottery. If your kids have broken all your original dinnerware, maybe you can go for the pottery. But gee, lace one year, then leather next. I know what I'd prefer--and I know what my husband would like. Now, remember, guys, it doesn't need to be obscene. By your 8th and 9th anniversaries, you should know what styles each other likes. Perhaps the best gift of the leather anniversary is the ability to chuckle over it and tease. A nice leather wallet, beautiful leather purse. . . .some very good choices here. A silk dressing gown edged in lace would be a welcome present, maybe accompanied by a spa gift card.

10th Anniversary Gift: Tin / Aluminum (modern: diamond)
11th Anniversary Gift: Steel (modern: fashion jewelry)
I think both Hallmark and the traditionalists ran out of ideas here. Tin, steel and aluminum are really not that romantic. Give me a pot or pan for my anniversary and you'll need a steel helmet for protection. Fashion jewelry sounds rather tacky. Gee, that leaves us with diamonds--always a girl's best friend.

12th Anniversary Gift: Silk / Linen (modern: pearls)
Do men really like receiving linen handkerchiefs or silk ties? I'm not really sure--and isn't that what Father's Day is all about? For our 12th anniversary, I bought him a bottle of 12-year Scotch (Lagavulin, his favorite).

13th Anniversary Gift: Lace (modern: textiles or fur)
I'm surprised at those modernists: fur is out. Textiles sounds oddly interesting: rugs have some potential. Perhaps a new set of sheets and bedding. Of course we all know what men would love to give us: lace teddies. But after three kids, I'd settle for flannel pajamas.

14th Anniversary Gift: Ivory (modern: gold jewelry)
Unless you've found a great retro store, ivory is illegal now. Gold jewelry might not be your beloved's style. Be creative here:
Have you written him or her a love letter recently? Instead of a dozen roses, how about a bountiful bouquet of wildflowers?

15th Anniversary Gift: Crystal (modern: watches)

16th Anniversary Gift: (modern: silver holloware)

17th Anniversary Gift: Furniture (modern: Furniture)
Last year, our anniversary was on a Saturday. But . . . our daughter was at a swing choir competition about 2 hours away (bused there but we have to retrieve). We finally got to celebrate with a quiet, albeit late, dinner, a good bottle of wine and time alone. No presents, just his presence.

18th Anniversary Gift: Porcelain (modern: Cat's Eye gem)
This year's anniversary featured neither procelain nor cat's eye. Instead, we were at the boys' football banquet, where I helped serve Italian beef, mashed potatoes and fried chicken. However, this year, my husband and I splurged and bought each other a 52" HD TV for our bedroom. It streams Netflix, amazon prime, and more. This is a first for us: the first TV in our bedroom. And I'm loving life!

Major milestones are worthy of a vacation or a family party. I hope everyone is blessed with the health and love to make it to number 60!

20th Anniversary Gift: China (modern: platinum)
25th Anniversary Gift: Silver (modern: silver)
30th Anniversary Gift: Pearls (modern: diamond)
35th Anniversary Gift: Coral (modern: jade)
40th Anniversary Gift: Ruby (modern: ruby)
45th Anniversary Gift: Sapphire (modern: sapphire)
50th Anniversary Gift: Gold (modern: gold)
55th Anniversary Gift: Emerald (modern: emerald)
60th Anniversary Gift: Diamond (modern: diamond)