If you are looking for a wedding anniversary gift and want to match the traditional name for that year, you are in the right place. From paper at the first anniversary to diamond at the sixtieth, each material has a meaning. This is a plain guide to the ones that come up most often, and what to give for each.
How the Tradition Started
The practice of marking each year of marriage with a particular material became widespread in Victorian Britain, though the roots go back further. Early versions of the tradition focused on the major milestones: silver for the 25th anniversary, gold for the 50th. Over time the list was filled in to cover more years, and today it runs from the first anniversary right up to the eightieth.
Not every year has a widely recognised name. The ones that do tend to be the milestones that couples plan ahead for, and that family and friends are most likely to want to mark as well.
Wedding Anniversary Names by Year
Here are the traditional anniversary names most commonly used in the UK:
- 1st: Paper
- 5th: Wood
- 10th: Tin
- 15th: Crystal
- 20th: China
- 25th: Silver
- 30th: Pearl
- 40th: Ruby
- 50th: Gold
- 60th: Diamond
Some years have a modern alternative alongside the traditional name, particularly where the original material is harder to interpret as a gift. The 10th anniversary is tin in the traditional list, but aluminium is sometimes given as an alternative. For gift-buying purposes, the distinction rarely matters. The idea behind the name is more useful than the material itself.
Very few modern couples expect the specific material. The names are a starting point: a way to anchor the gift in the occasion and give it a little more meaning.
Tin anniversary:
10th Anniversary Tin Box
Ten years of marriage, marked with a personalised keepsake tin filled with date night cards. A gift that connects to the traditional tin theme and gives the couple something to use together all year.
Shop the Tin Anniversary Box
Paper anniversary:
Personalised Date Box
52 paper cards, each with a date idea inside. Available weekly or monthly, and personalised with names in a range of foil colours and font options. A paper anniversary gift that lasts all year.
Shop the Date BoxSilver, Ruby, Gold and Diamond
The milestone anniversaries attract the most attention, and rightly so. Reaching 25 years (silver), 40 years (ruby), 50 years (gold) or 60 years (diamond) is genuinely worth marking. These are the occasions when couples most want to celebrate, and when family and friends are most likely to be looking for something to give.
For any of these milestones, the Anniversary Edition from A Year of Dates can be personalised with the couple’s names and their wedding date. It is a gift that works at any year, but it carries more weight at the big ones.
A Name Is a Starting Point, Not a Rule
The traditional anniversary names are a useful guide for anyone who wants one. They give you a direction when you are not sure where to start, and they add a layer of meaning when the gift connects to them.
That said, most couples care far less about the material than about the thought behind the gift. A gift that gives two people a reason to spend time together will rarely go wrong, whatever year it is for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the traditional wedding anniversary names by year?
The most commonly used ones in the UK are: 1st paper, 5th wood, 10th tin, 15th crystal, 20th china, 25th silver, 30th pearl, 40th ruby, 50th gold and 60th diamond. Not every year has a traditional name, but these are the milestones most couples and gift-buyers plan around.
What is a good paper anniversary gift in the UK?
Paper is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary. Good paper anniversary gift ideas include personalised prints, a keepsake journal, or a gift like the A Year of Dates Date Box: 52 date night cards on paper, personalised with names and a wedding date, giving a couple something to enjoy together throughout the year ahead.
Do you have to stick to the traditional anniversary name when buying a gift?
No. The traditional names are a helpful guide, not a requirement. Many people use them as a starting point, especially for milestone years like silver (25th) or gold (50th). The most important thing is that the gift is thoughtful and suits the couple, whatever the material.
Browse anniversary gifts at A Year of Dates. Gifts for every year, from paper to diamond.
