Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: The UK Traditional List
Category: Married Life · Published 2026-09-25
The tradition of giving a particular material for each anniversary goes back centuries, and the modern British list was mostly settled in the twentieth century. It's a lovely excuse to give something with a bit of thought behind it.
## The traditional UK anniversary list
- 1st: Paper
- 2nd: Cotton
- 3rd: Leather
- 4th: Linen (or fruit and flowers)
- 5th: Wood
- 6th: Iron (or sugar)
- 7th: Wool (or copper)
- 8th: Bronze
- 9th: Pottery
- 10th: Tin
- 11th: Steel
- 12th: Silk
- 13th: Lace
- 14th: Ivory
- 15th: Crystal
- 20th: China
- 25th: Silver
- 30th: Pearl
- 35th: Coral
- 40th: Ruby
- 45th: Sapphire
- 50th: Gold
- 55th: Emerald
- 60th: Diamond
- 65th: Blue sapphire
- 70th: Platinum
## Ideas that feel personal
**Paper, first anniversary.** Your vows printed and framed, a map of where you married, or tickets to something you'll do together. A book of your wedding photos works beautifully if your photographer offers one.
**Cotton, second.** Good bedding, a picnic blanket for the summer, or a monogrammed apron if one of you does all the cooking.
**Leather, third.** A weekend bag for a trip, a watch strap, or a leather-bound journal.
**Wood, fifth.** A tree planted somewhere meaningful, a chopping board engraved with your wedding date, or a return visit to your venue for dinner.
**Tin, tenth.** Tin is tricky, so many couples go for something in a tin: a hamper, good tea, a bottle of the wine you served at the wedding.
**Silver, 25th.** The first of the big ones. A party often suits better than a gift, and some couples renew their vows.
**Ruby, 40th, and gold, 50th.** Family often organise a celebration. A lunch at the original venue, with the original wedding photos on the tables, is always a hit.
## Anniversary trips
If you'd like to celebrate where it all began, many venues listed on Ever After List offer dinners and stays outside the wedding season. Browse [wedding venues](/directory?category=venue) to find yours again, or somewhere new.
More wedding planning advice
Read on Ever After List