PATRINA'S PAPERIE / Etsy
There are many customs and rituals when it comes to weddings, and some even extend into the first year (and beyond). For example, when it comes to anniversary gifts, there are certain traditional anniversary gifts by year, a custom that goes back all the way to the '20s. The reason for each is mostly symbolic: The materials for each present start off soft and delicate, and then get stronger through the years, just like your union. So, as you approach the end of your first year together, these are the traditions that extend to that anniversary.
What is a traditional 1-year anniversary gift?
The first anniversary gift is traditionally made of paper. Why? Not only is the material delicate and fragile, it's also a blank slate — just like your marriage. You still have plenty of shared history left to write.
Are there any other traditional gifts for a first anniversary?
In 1937, the American National Retail Jewelers Association came out with a complementary "modern" list of anniversary gifts with more practical items; there, the first-anniversary gift of choice is clocks. And, if that wasn't enough tradition for you, year one is also associated with carnations, gold and the color yellow.
What is a good first anniversary gift?
If you're looking for first anniversary gifts for women, gifts for men or gifts for couples, there's a lot of leeway. Between paper, clocks, carnations and gold, there are so many options to choose from. But the best 1-year anniversary gifts are embedded with meaning. Paper gifts can be personalized in so many ways, with newly married names, important dates, vows, words from a wedding song or other mementos from the wedding. Here, we have some favorite gifts that fit the themes and are meaningful to your first year together (plus a few that are just for fun).
With that first big gift taken care of, you can get a jump planning your second anniversary gift (or jump far ahead to your three-year anniversary gifts and four-year anniversary gifts).
Best Overall 1-Year Anniversary Gift
PaperDaisyBespoke
Custom Line Drawing
Unusal First Wedding Anniversary Gift
TheBookArtisan
Folded Book Art
Best 1-Year Anniversary Gift Under $20
Gift Republic
100 Dates Scratch Off Poster
Unique First Wedding Anniversary Gift
IMAGE3D
Custom Viewfinder Reel
Custom 1-Year Anniversary Gift
CustomFamilyGifts
Personalized Milestones Map
Paper Anniversary GIft for Superhero Fans
TreeTownPaper
Comic Book Bouquet
Meaningful 1-Year Anniversary Gift
Uncommon Goods
The Story of Us Fill-In Journal
Unexpected Paper Gift
GoodsBeauty
Paper Stool
Custom Art for First Anniversrary
OurLoveWasBorn
Night Sky Print
Cute Paper Gift
Recycled Ideas
Flower Seed Paper Confetti
For Daring Partners
We're Not Really Strangers
We're Not Really Strangers Card Game
Cute Anniversary GIft
Knock Knock
What I Love about You Book
Uncommon Goods
Intersection of Love Photo Print
For Her to Wear Always
PaperAnniversaryLove
Personalized Paper Jewelry
Artifact Uprising
Color Series Photo Book
America's Test Kitchen
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook
Traditional and Modern 1-Year Anniversary Gift
MiGiraLaCesta
Geometric Rainbow Paper Wall Clock
Uncommon Goods
Carnation 3D Art
Anniversary Gift for Him
Cheer Greetings
Beer Greetings
Patrina's Paperie
Ampersand Foil Print
DearAvaGifts
1-Year Anniversary Gift Necklace
Great for Him
PaperAnniversaryLove
Invitation Cufflinks
Patrina's Paperie
Personalized Copper Foil Notecards
BeatificHappyPlanner
Personalized Planner
Uncommon Goods
Carnation Grow Kit
Lisa Leonard
Sweet Love Initial Ring
Society6
Biology Australia Wall Clock
CopperandBrassPaper
"Love Looks Good on Us" Greeting Card
GIGU
Starburst Ball Modern Wall Clock
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For decades, Good Housekeeping as provided expert reviews and advice on gift-giving, including gifts for girlfriends, gifts for boyfriends, gifts for moms, gifts for dads and gifts for kids, among others. While not every product in this round-up has been tested in the labs at the Good Housekeeping Institute, editors have used their experience doing market research on gifts, their knowledge of trends, their information about what kinds of gifts have resonated with readers in the past, along with customer reviews, editor's picks and bestsellers to put together this list of the best 1-year anniversary gifts.