1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 50 Anniversary Gift Ideas
As you celebrate the end of your first year as a married couple, your wedding might feel like a distant memory — yet also like it just happened yesterday. What a truly magical time it was, when you and your partner took that incredible step towards a lifetime together.
To mark this special milestone, you might be thinking about giving your spouse a meaningful gift. But what should you choose for your first wedding anniversary? Of course, you can give them anything that feels right — there are no strict rules. However, if you’d like to follow tradition, many couples embrace symbolic anniversary gifts, both classic and contemporary.
If you’re looking for a first anniversary gift with meaning and significance, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find details on traditional and modern first anniversary gifts, along with the associated gemstone and flower. We’ll explain the symbolism behind each, so you can choose a thoughtful and memorable gift to celebrate your first year of marriage. Plus, we’ve included plenty of creative gift ideas to spark inspiration.
What are traditional and modern gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary?
If you’re looking to give your partner a 1st anniversary gift with meaning or something that has special significance, you can give them a traditional or modern gift. Or, there’s always something that features the traditional gemstone or flower.
Traditional 1st anniversary gift – Paper
Paper might seem like a small and inexpensive gift (you still might be feeling the effects of paying off your wedding after all) but it symbolises new beginnings, which is just perfect. Paper can be used for such a wide variety of things and can be the start of amazing things – just like your marriage. It also offers you plenty of opportunities for creative gifts.
Modern 1st anniversary gift – Clocks
The modern gift for a first anniversary is a clock, which is something else that provides you with different possibilities, from a lovely wristwatch to a brand new smartwatch, or perhaps even an ornate grandfather clock to put in the hallway of your home. Clocks represent time and the eternal love you have for your partner.
1st anniversary gemstone – Gold
Okay, gold isn’t actually a gemstone, it’s a precious metal, but that preciousness is a status that describes your marriage to a tee. Gold is a luxurious gift, and fits with a wide range of gifts and jewellery.
1st anniversary flower – Carnation
Carnations are big, eye-catching flowers that come in an array of bright and bold colours. Carnations represent love and devotion, so could there really be a more appropriate flower for your first wedding anniversary?
How do you choose a gift for a 1st wedding anniversary?
How you choose what type of gift to give your partner for your 1st wedding anniversary depends on you, your budget and your preferences. While you might love to give your other half a gold watch, it might not be possible. And that’s perfectly okay! But bear these points in mind when thinking about what to give your partner to mark your very first wedding anniversary.
- Do you follow traditions or not? They’re only there as guidelines, and both the traditional and modern gifts were created in the early 20th century, so might not fit with what you’re looking to give as a gift. Speak to your partner about your plans and expectations ahead of time.
- Do you have the appropriate budget? Gold can be expensive, as can clocks and fresh flowers. A paper gift can be affordable and can be interpreted in lots of different ways.
- Do you choose something personal? Personalised gifts show that a lot of thoughtfulness went into your gift.
- What are their interests? Is there something your partner might like in particular and has dropped hints about or asked for?
If you’re a friend or family member, you might also like to give a traditional or modern gift – they’re not exclusive to the couple themselves. So if you want to join in with the fun and give them something papery or clocky (not their technical terms) then go ahead, they’ll definitely love the thought and symbolism behind your gift!
50 ideas for a 1st wedding anniversary gift
Looking to give your partner a thoughtful gift to mark your 1st anniversary but not sure where to start? Below, we have 50 ideas to help you think of the perfect gift for the love of your life. And if you’re someone with a loved one soon celebrating their 1st anniversary, our choices below should also give you plenty of inspiration for a thoughtful gift.
10 traditional gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
The traditional gift to give to mark a 1st wedding anniversary is paper, so here are 10 paper gifts to consider giving your other half on this special occasion.
1. Commission an artist to draw or paint your favourite wedding photo
One of the most memorable moments after your wedding was getting your photo album back, flipping through each page, and reliving the magic of your big day. Why not bring back that feeling in a unique way by having an artist recreate one of your partner’s favourite wedding photos? A custom illustration or painting makes for a heartfelt keepsake, and if done digitally, it can be easily printed and framed — perfectly tying into the first anniversary theme of paper.
You can browse Etsy for talented artists or connect with a local artist directly through their website or social media to commission a one-of-a-kind piece.
2. Create an anniversary-themed comic book
If you and your partner have a shared love of comic books or graphic novels, you could create a personalised comic book that features your incredible love story. There are templates you can follow to create a comic book using photos that are automatically stylised. Or, you could ask a comic book artist to draw something truly unique to you.
3. Frame your wedding vows
Many couples love to write their own wedding vows, which is a super passionate and personal way of telling your partner how you feel in front of your friends and family during your wedding ceremony. To forever immortalise those wonderful words, you could print your vows on high-quality paper, or hire a calligrapher to pen them in handwritten ink.
4. Give your partner paper jewellery
Jewellery is always a popular gift, but how can you combine that with the traditional first anniversary gift? Well, there are very talented jewellers out there who can hand-craft delicate and beautiful pieces of jewellery out of paper – everything from bracelets to necklaces.
5. A print of your favorite place
After spending so much time together, you probably have a favorite place where the two of you love to hang out, whether it’s your favorite city, a romantic spot somewhere deep in the woods, or beach vista where you like to watch the sunset. Etsy has a huge selection of city art and more which would look wonderful hung up in your home.
6. Where you met heart map
Looking back, there’s nothing quite like the moment you met the person you went on to marry. It might have been a chance encounter at the pub, or you sat beside each other in a college lecture, or you went to see a film together at the cinema after meeting online. Wherever you met, you can have it framed and pinpointed on a heart-shaped map.
7. Printed sheet music for your first dance song
Without a doubt, you’ll always remember the song you had your first dance to for the rest of your lives. Whenever you play it on Spotify or it comes unexpectedly on the radio, you’ll look at your partner with a loving smile (and maybe dance around the lounge, why not?). You can have those wonderful notes and perfect words printed and framed so you can always be reminded of their special meaning.
8. Personalised notebooks
If your partner studies or writes a lot of notes for work, or they’re a keen writer, they’ll probably have a lot of notebooks lying around. Combine practicality and thoughtfulness by giving them personalised notebooks, which could include some of your favorite wedding snaps.
9. Mini photo book keyring
Your wedding album is possibly one of your most precious possessions, but the problem is that it’s probably quite chunky – not exactly pocket-sized. Well, why not rectify that, with a mini photobook keyring? You can put together a personalised photobook filled with your favourite photos from your wedding, which is dinky enough to attach to a pair of keys and pop right there in your pocket or bag.
10. Paper craft kit
If you and your partner love getting creative, why not mark your anniversary with a paper craft kit? It’s a fun and hands-on way to spend time together while making something meaningful. Plus, you’ll have a unique keepsake to remind you of the day once you’re finished!
10 modern gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
If you’re not sure about a paper-themed gift to give to your partner on your anniversary, the modern choice is a clock, which initially might not feel like it opens up your selection, but it does. So, here are 10 clock-themed gifts to consider giving your partner on your first anniversary.
1. Paper clock
You could combine the symbolism of a paper gift with the meaning behind a clock-themed present by surprising your partner with a paper clock. A clock made from recycled paper is both thoughtful and sustainable, representing the passing of time while also being a stylish and functional addition to your home.
2. Amazon Echo Show
Smart-home tech is the future, and an Amazon Echo Show not only lets you tell the time (or ask Alexa for it if you’re busy), but is also a handy gadget for cooking, communicating, finding out the weather, setting reminders and more. Plus, it’s always fun to start the day by asking Alexa to tell you a joke (even if they can be a little bit cringe).
3. Personalised clock
A clock might not seem like a super exciting gift, but if you personalise it so that the numbers are photos of your wedding instead, it suddenly means so much more. A personalised clock is unique and thoughtful and unlike any other personalised gift you might give the love of your life.
4. A unique cuckoo clock
Is there anything more beautiful than an ornate cuckoo clock? They’re eye-catching works of art that look great in any home. And they don’t need to be the traditional Swiss cuckoo clock either – some are themed to Star Wars, Disney and Ghostbusters among others.
5. An engraved clock
Tell your partner how much the last year has meant to you, and how much you’re looking forward to the future, with an engraved clock.
6. A garden sundial
Remember, clocks haven’t always ticking hands that tell the time. Before the clock was even invented, everyone had to use the sun to figure out the time of day using a sundial. Sundials have the added bonus of looking fantastic in your back garden, and come different styles. It’s an unexpected historical twist on this modern gift!
7. A gold watch
Not only is your first anniversary linked closely to clocks, but also to gold – so a gold watch seems like a nice meaningful gift. And the good news is, watches come in more shapes, styles and sizes than you can count, plus they can fit a budget of any size. Check out your favourite jeweller as a handy starting block.
8. A projection alarm clock
An obvious choice for a clock-themed gift is an alarm clock, but how can you elevate the humble alarm clock into becoming a unique gift? Well, why not get an alarm clock that both of you can see at the same time, with one that projects the time onto the ceiling? Plus, they have customisable options so it fits with your bedroom and even doubles as a handy mirror.
9. A clock kit
Clocks are complicated to put together, but a clock-making kit means your partner can have the satisfaction of creating something with the functionality of a fabulous-looking clock.
10. A personalised map clock
What could be more meaningful than looking at the clock and being reminded of the place where you and your partner first met or the venue where you said “I do”? A clock featuring a map of that special location makes for a unique and sentimental anniversary gift — one that’s both thoughtful and practical.
5 affordable gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
If you’d love to give the love of your life a thoughtful first anniversary gift but you don’t have a big budget (and who can blame you after paying for your wedding?), then don’t worry – there are still plenty of options available. Here are five affordable first anniversary gifts to treat your partner with.
1. A personalised line drawing
2. Anniversary toilet paper
Okay, so this one is a bit of a joke gift, but it totally fits with the paper theme of your big day! Anniversary toilet paper is cute and funny, and for a limited time, you’ll be reminded of your anniversary every time you do your business!
3. Love coupons
For something very affordable but also thoughtful and funny, love coupons give your partner the right to cash them in whenever they please. From a car wash to a snuggly movie night in, it gives you an excuse to add a little fun to doing chores and date night.
4. A tiny paper flower
Combine a floral gift with a paper gift, and don’t pay much in the process – three birds with one stone! Plus, it looks incredibly cute and is full of thought, so make that five birds with one stone.
5. A book in their favorite genre
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book. If your partner loves to read, you can usually find a great paperback at your local bookstore for around $10. If you have an idea of the genres they enjoy, take some time to read a few blurbs and ask for recommendations at the shop — this way, you can surprise them with something they’ll truly love.
5 DIY gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
Add an extra level of personalisation to your anniversary gift by creating it yourself. Many ideas don’t need a lot of time or skill, just a little bit of creative thinking. Here are five DIY 1st anniversary gift ideas to get you started.
1. A ‘what I love about you’ journal
You no doubt have a ton of really complex feelings about your partner – it’s why you married them in the first place! A what I love about you journal gives you plenty of space to get those thoughts and feelings down on paper, which they can always look back on with love and fondness.
2. A bouquet of paper flowers
Because the traditional gift of a first anniversary is paper, you could hand-craft a bouquet of paper flowers to surprise your love. That might sound tricky, but there are plenty of paper flower video tutorials available, and you can craft them from coloured paper or something meaningful, like the pages of a book or a map of your favorite place. So if you give yourself enough time, you can create a lovely little bouquet that has extra special sentimentality.
3. Paper bunting
Bunting looks great hung up to celebrate any occasion, and homemade paper bunting that features personalised decorations is a wonderful way to tell your partner how you feel. It could feature photographs, ticket stubs, maps, memorabilia… anything you can think of. There are also paper bunting video tutorials to help get you started.
4. Dates in a jar
If you have a sheet of paper and a spare jar, you have everything you need to make a sweet and thoughtful gift. Write down a bunch of ideas for date night (watch a romantic comedy under the covers, have a pizza picnic in the park, read a book together…) and either fold them carefully or tie them up with some string. Once you have enough, you can give them to your partner and ask them to pick one at random every time it’s date night!
5. Homemade scavenger hunt
Write some clues and leave them around your house so your partner has to go on a scavenger hunt. The clues can get progressively harder, and build up to something special at the end, like tickets to a show or co-ordinates to your favourite restaurant.
5 experience or activity gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
A great way to spend your anniversary is by giving your partner an experience that the two of you can share together. Thankfully, because tickets are often paper, it also lets you tie your gift into the traditional first anniversary theme! So, here are five experience gift ideas for you to consider.
1. Tickets to a cinema with beds
If you’re a movie lover, you probably head to the cinema fairly often — so how can you make it feel like a special occasion? Well, some theatres now offer luxe reclining lounges or even bed-style seating for the ultimate cosy experience. It’s an easy way to elevate your movie night and turn it into something memorable. Even major cinema chains, like Event Cinemas and Hoyts, have ultra-comfy reclining seats where you can stretch out and relax… just keep it classy, alright?
2. Theatre tickets
3. Afternoon tea for two
Is there anything more delightful than afternoon tea for two? Treat your partner to delicate finger sandwiches, scrumptious sweet treats, and warm, fluffy scones with cream and jam. And if you say “time for tea,” well, that loosely (keeping the tea humour going here) ties it to clocks, too! Okay, it’s a bit of a stretch, but afternoon tea is always a winning anniversary gift. Check out options at The Langham, QT Hotels, or local tea rooms, or browse experience sites like RedBalloon for a special high tea experience across Australia.
4. A night in a nice hotel
Escaping from reality is a great way to spend your anniversary, which you can do by spending a night in a nice hotel. It could be somewhere you’ve been to a thousand times before, or somewhere completely new. Wherever you go, it’ll be lovely to spend time relaxing in each others’ company.
5. A giant board game
Remember the thrill of friendly competition over a classic board game? Take it to the next level with an immersive escape room experience! Whether you and your partner love solving mysteries, cracking codes, or racing against the clock, an escape room is a fun and exciting way to put your teamwork to the test. With plenty of themed rooms available across Australia—from detective adventures to fantasy quests—you’re sure to find one that makes for an unforgettable anniversary outing.
10 1st anniversary gifts that contain gold
The first anniversary gemstone (even though it is actually a precious metal) is gold. And of course, gold is one of the most luxurious and eye-catching precious metals there is. Gold jewellery goes with almost anything, and also suits a huge range of styles and budgets. So, you could consider the following types of jewellery that look great in gold:
- Earrings
- A ring
- A necklace
- A bracelet
- A broach
- A locket
- A watch
- An anklet
- A hairpin
- Cufflinks
Many shops and online jewellers will have different items of gold jewellery, so whatever your budget you’ll likely find something that your partner will love.
5 floral gifts for a 1st wedding anniversary
The traditional anniversary flower to give when celebrating your first anniversary is the carnation, but there are lots of variations to make it extra special. Here are just five floral gift ideas to give your partner something blooming wonderful on your first anniversary.
1. A big bunch of carnations
Anniversary carnations carry a beautiful meaning, symbolising love and devotion — plus, they have the added bonus of being bold and vibrant. They’re also long-lasting, typically staying fresh for around two weeks if you keep them well-watered and use flower food. A stunning and meaningful way to celebrate your first anniversary!
2. A paper bouquet
Tie the themes of flowers and paper together with a bouquet of paper flowers that are guaranteed never to wilt.
3. A scented flower card
The anniversary card to top all other anniversary cards, complete with a gorgeous watercolour flower and authentic floral scent. A showstopping 3D flower card is sure to be a gift that your partner will never forget.
4. Carnation seeds
If you have a garden and space to plant flowers, carnations are a beautiful choice that thrive in many parts of Australia. Plant them in autumn or early spring, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning blooms throughout the warmer months. They’re hardy, long-lasting, and full of meaning — making them a perfect anniversary gift that keeps on growing. You should be able to find carnation bulbs or seedlings at your local garden centre or Bunnings.
5. An origami flower
What’s more romantic than a single rose painstakingly crafted using ancient origami techniques from the page of a book? Absolutely nothing.
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