36 Unique 1-Year Anniversary Gifts to Honor Your Special Bond
Shop a mix of modern and traditional picks our editors love.
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So you've made it through your first year of marriage together. Now the pressure is really on to find the best first anniversary gift, whether you are browsing for him or shopping for her. Since you're new to this whole marriage thing, you might not know that when choosing anniversary gifts, each year has specific symbols that represent your journey as a couple.
Paper-themed gifts are traditionally given for first anniversaries, and luckily, there's no shortage of unique, personalized and meaningful presents that can be printed these days. On the other hand, clocks are the modern gift option for this year and they come in just about any style you can imagine. Here, you'll discover a mix of modern and traditional ideas to express your love at this special point in your marriage (some of these presents can work for your boyfriend and girlfriend, too).
1st Anniversary Symbols
- Traditional: Paper
- Modern: Clock
- Metal: Gold
- Flower: Carnations or Pansies
- Color: Yellow
You can learn more about the symbolism behind these ideas at the bottom of our guide, but first, here are the best one-year anniversary gifts for men and women. With that first big gift taken care of, you can get a jumpstart on planning your second anniversary gift, or look further ahead to your third and fourth year, too.
They can record their daily thoughts with this lovely 60-page journal, which is saddle-stitched for a polished look. It even comes with a letter from the creator for an extra special touch.
This fun drinking game will help you get to know everything about each other. It comes with 99 cards to share details about your past relationships (before you tied the knot, of course).
Now here's a gift that's truly unique and guaranteed to make a great impression. This hand-casting kit will create a life-like sculpture that will become an instant keepsake. "It was super easy to use...I would recommend this to anyone looking for an activity that is sure to spice up any date night," shared one Amazon reviewer.
Made of hand-blown recycled glass, this beautiful set of tumblers will be the first-anniversary present they didn't know they needed. And while yellow is the go-to color for their first anniversary, it comes in four other shades.
Cozy up together for your first anniversary with this faux fur throw blanket. The machine-washable design is available in three versatile colors: ivory, chocolate and gray.
Let them know how wild you are about them a year later with this grow kit. They can plant zinnias, primroses, cosmos and more. All they have to do is water the planter and wait for them to grow.
Here's an ideal gift if they happen to be new homeowners. Since they're just planting new roots as a couple, gift this plant propagation station. It's an easy way to add some personality to their loving abode.
Add a modern flair to their space with this LED light-up word clock, complete with a rose gold finish. "It is small and lightweight, and the lights behind the face are bright," shared one Amazon reviewer.
Whether she needs to add the finishing touch to her anniversary dinner outfit or amp up her ensemble for a girls' night out, this set of gold earrings will do the trick. She'll get five trendy designs, from pretty knots to picks decked out in glitzy stones. What's more, they're hypoallergenic and plated in 18k gold.
Even better than a fresh bouquet, this pop-up card can be proudly displayed for years to come. They're even available in carnations — the traditional flower for a one-year anniversary. And the best part? They're under $10!
Celebrate your paper anniversary with this adorable card, which features recyclable card stock and a blank interior. Amazon reviewers say the quality is great, too.
This cute burlap print is just the thing they need to spruce up a bare wall. It features an 11 x 13-inch frame and a mat size of 8 x 10 inches.
Carnations are the flower of choice for the first year as a married couple. This lovely bouquet of 20 white, pink and red stems is sure to brighten their day. Just note that the retailer suggests trimming the stems (1 inch) before showing them off in a vase.
Say it on a plate this year with a sweet message that will bring them to tears. Made of ceramic, the lettering is engraved in 24K gold foil. It's the perfect piece of decor to upgrade their mantel, bookshelf or even their coffee table.
We told you there are so many things you can do with paper. Customize this frame with the location of where you first met or got married, as well as your names and wedding date.
He's going to absolutely love the retro style of this gold watch. It doesn't just look cool, though. Amazon reviewers, who gave it over 10,000 5-stars, say it works great. "The watch is easily adjustable, lightweight & looks very sharp," one reviewer shared.
As a couple, you can never have too much personalized stationery. From sending a thoughtful thank-you note to acknowledging a friend's birthday, they're bound to get tons of use. This box set comes with 15 off-white cards and you can choose from three standout borders — Bluebell (shown here), Slate and Olive. Take your pick of four paper options, too!
New York Times Custom Anniversary Book
You can put in your anniversary date, and receive the front page of The New York Times from every year (up until 20 years ago). It's a cool way to look back at all the things that happened on the day before you two said "I do."
Your wife will love this beautiful faux leather journal that's printed with a sweet message. The 140-page design, which can also be refilled, will be a great gift for the wife who loves to write everything down.
Things are nice, but experiences together are even better. You can relive your favorite trip or even your honeymoon with this gift card. It can be loaded with a custom amount up to $500 for an amazing vacation.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com.
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