Anniversary ideas are something of the spectacular. Year after year, they commemorate a downright monumental occasion that you or someone you know has had the joy of experiencing. And these timeless treasures are also rooted in customs that have truly made their mark on celebrating marital milestones.
But! While traditional anniversary gifts by year have proudly withstood the test of time, they’ve also been met with friendly competition from modern counterparts. These newer additions have gradually been staking their claims on lists of “themed anniversary presents.” (And when you scope out the list below, you’ll probably be grateful for that. Change can be a very good thing!)
But goodness gracious, that means these once-simple lists of anniversary ideas are getting longer and longer and more mind-boggling, doesn’t it?!
So we set out on a mission to fix that. Countless ideas out there for modern and traditional wedding anniversary gifts and activities that are year-themed were weighed and measured. And the result? A nicely-condensed list featuring our top picks for “things to do for your anniversary” for the first 50 years of wedded bliss — either in lieu of or in addition to physical gifts.
If you’re gearing up for annual festivities with your special someone and are on the hunt for unforgettable anniversary gift ideas, the details below are bound to bring you a gift-giving or date-planning match made in heaven!
And best of all, these themed anniversary experiences will be adored by both men and women alike. And they’re sure to keep sweeping that love of your life off his or her feet!
Best Anniversary Ideas by Year:
Inspired by Modern & Traditional Gift Themes
One-Year Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Paper
- Modern: Clocks
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Send your special someone on a scavenger hunt, racing against the clock and hunting down written clues along the way. End up at a nostalgic place you can enjoy together.
2nd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Cotton
- Modern: China
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Grab a cotton blanket and your finest wannabe-China (a.k.a. plastic fixings), and enjoy a cute picnic together in the park. Wine and cupcakes also make a sweet addition!
3rd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Leather
- Modern: Crystal/Glass
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Check out a private glass blowing class! Many studios offer exclusive sessions that double great as a unique date to enjoy together.
4th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Fruit/Flowers
- Modern: Appliances
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Head for the hills. Or fields. Or orchards! Spend time fruit-picking together. This fabulous anniversary year theme idea is perfect for nearly any season, and you’re guaranteed plenty of memorable photo opps. Keep the good times rollin’ by using your new stash to make a yummy dessert together.
5th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Wood
- Modern: Silverware
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Delight in some outdoorsy things to do for your anniversary. Silverware in the “cutlery” sense can mean anything, right? So splurge on some new camping or BBQ utensils, then build a cozy campfire or fire up the grill, and indulge in some outdoor eats.
6th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Candy/Iron
- Modern: Wood
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: For anniversary ideas sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, try tempting dessert-filled destinations together that go far beyond opening crinkly wrappers — like a chocolate-making classes or to-die-for urban dessert tours!
7th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Wool/Copper
- Modern: Desk Set
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Buy a pair of copper mugs, take a cocktail-mixing class together, then make the best Moscow mules and other refreshing summer beverages ever to hit your lips!
8th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Pottery/Bronze
- Modern: Linens/Lace
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: We’ve all seen Ghost… or at least “that one scene” from it. So it’s no wonder pottery is such a hot commodity when it comes to anniversary celebrations. Whether you simply paint a pre-made goodie or create a clay masterpiece from beginning to end, you won’t be disappointed.
9th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Willow/Pottery
- Modern: Leather
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Yearly anniversary gifts can be a bit tricky in this 9th But fear not! If you aren’t diggin’ willows or (more) pottery, then luckily leather is a wonderfully customizable material. And many local establishments often offer DIY workshops to do just that. So get in on ‘em!
10th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Tin/Aluminum
- Modern: Diamond Jewelry
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: A tin gift can transform a typical evening into the ultimate movie date night! This cool anniversary idea offers a super-easy way to pull a fun, romantic evening together. Crack open a gigantic popcorn tin (some are even customizable), add a bottle or two of wine, and cue up a favorite movie and some couch snugglin’.
11th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Steel
- Modern: Fashion Jewelry
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Suit up for a blacksmithing class together! Learn the ins and outs of forging steel into a unique masterpiece that you can proudly display in your home forever, commemorating your eleven-year wedding anniversary. Some studios even allow you to B.Y.O.B., so you can toast to the big day as you blacksmith away!
12th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Silk/Linen or Home Décor
- Modern: Pearls
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Treat yourselves to some crafty cocktails! Many cities offer workshop spaces that blend socializing, creativity, and cocktails — all in one fun atmosphere. So you and your main squeeze can kick back to casually work on a fun DIY home décor project together, with top-notch beverages within arm’s reach.
13th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Lace
- Modern: Textiles or Furs
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Buy the best kind of fur out there. Get yourselves a puppy or kitten and embark on a pet-parenting adventure together! If you want to go really wild sticking to this anniversary year theme, name your new family addition Lacey.
14th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Gold Jewelry
- Modern: Gold Jewelry
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Ditch the personal jewelry. Instead, rally family and friends to do a DaVinci’s Gold Scavenger Hunt from Virgin Experience Gifts. Available across the US, this unforgettable urban experience is customized to suit your group’s interests, and is a wonderful way to scurry across a favorite city, racing against the clock and each other to solve clues.
15th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Crystal
- Modern: Watches
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: How about thinking outside the box for this 15th year theme? How about trying novel anniversary ideas like escaping to the crystal waters of the Pacific to do some whale watching?! Maybe it’s a stretch. But it surely will be remembered far longer than any gift that ends up on a shelf.
16th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Silverware
- Modern: Coffee/Tea
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Take a coffee-roasting class to make your own customized blend as a couple. Or try a tea-leaf reading session, if that’s how you two roll.
17th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Furniture
- Modern Gift: Wine/Spirits
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: While a top-shelf variety of booze is certainly a safe present for this modern anniversary year theme, why not go a step further. Sip on libations with rebellious roots on a guided city tour of the Prohibition’s hot spots, spirits, and secrets!
18th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: China/Porcelain
- Modern: Appliances
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: By the time this 18th year rolls around, most adults know the novelty of a new appliance can’t be under-estimated. But be sure to go with fun anniversary ideas! Splurge on something like an espresso machine; then take a barista class together to tag-team making the most of your caffeine!
19th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Jade
- Modern: Jade
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: DIY is the way to go for this yearly anniversary gift. And the possibilities are endless! Spruce up the back porch by potting new flora in giant jade planters. Design a jade-colored mosaic for a wall that needs some love. Make each other something silly out of jade beads as you empty a bottle of wine. And so much more!
20th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: China
- Modern: Platinum
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Take a roadtrip! Unbeknownst to many, the primary use of platinum is for catalytic converters in automobiles. So put modern technology to good use with a weekend getaway to celebrate your 20 years of marital bliss.
21st Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Brass/Nickel
- Modern: Fire
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: 21 years is a big deal! So the things to do for your anniversary this year should be, too! Head to Hawaii and scope out some fire artists working their magic at an authentic luau, or venture up to volcano territory!
22nd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Copper
- Modern: Water
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Romantic anniversary ideas don’t get much better than this! Make your way to the waterfront for a scenic dinner cruise on a luxury yacht! Delight in a gourmet meal, cash bars, music, dancing and stunning views — making for a perfect evening.
23rd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Silver Plate
- Modern: Air
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Ironically, the sky’s the limit with this modern anniversary year theme! Try any number of flying experiences like learn to fly lessons, romantic hot air balloon rides, helicopter training, scenic biplane rides, skydiving, and more!
24th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Opal
- Modern: Stone
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Rather than wearing yet another stone, why not scale some? Take a rock climbing class together!
25th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Silver
- Modern: Silver
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Enjoy some time on the water together, by the light of the silver moon! Whether you opt to celebrate by canoe, tall ship, kayak, sailboat, or beyond — rest assured the tranquil ambiance will be nothing short of romantic and awe-inspiring.
26th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Photos
- Modern: Art
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Here’s another year that comes with countless themed anniversary ideas to enjoy! Find an art or craft class of any kind. One that allows sipping some wine to get creative juices flowing is even better, plus it adds to the romance of the occasion. If you’re feeling extra-thematic, create art that somehow showcases some favorite photos!
27th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Sculptures
- Modern: Music
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Take in a symphony concert together. Or invite your other half to drop hot beats thanks to studio time for a DJ lesson in LA or NYC!
28th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Orchids
- Modern: Linens
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Unleash your inner horticulturists, designing an orchid display for your humble abode. The silk variety may be safest — but if you’re confident caring for the real deal, then by all means go for it!
29th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Furniture
- Modern: Tools
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Go big or go home! Pass on the power tools that are a dime-a-dozen at home improvement stores. Instead, go for the unforgettable chance to operate heavy machinery and excavating equipment!
30th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Pearl
- Modern: Diamond
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Make a splash with this 30th year’s traditional anniversary present. Actually go diving for pearls! (What a wonderful incentive to travel to a place like Tahiti… as if any arm-twisting is needed.)
31st Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Timepieces
- Modern: Travel/Tourism
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Enjoy tourism with a travel twist! Try unique anniversary ideas like scenic helicopter tours or cruises. Whether in a city you call home or one you’re visiting, you and your special someone can sightsee in style, taking in unbeatable views of famed landmarks.
32nd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Bronze
- Modern: Conveyances
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: If you’re not wild about a traditional bronze spin on gifts or things to do for your anniversary, go the conveyances route! Never heard of ‘em? It literally refers to a means of traversing from one place to another. Try outings like horseback riding or a romantic sunset cruise on the SF Bay.
33rd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Iron
- Modern: Iron
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Work a cast iron bench for two into the mix for this 33-year anniversary theme! Maybe that means you work with a blacksmith to actually make it yourselves. Or perhaps you simply buy one for your patio, with the vision of using it to delight in many beautiful summer evenings and cocktails together.
34th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Food
- Modern: Food
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: An abundance of anniversary ideas exist for this 34th year! So don’t just celebrate by going to a standard dinner out. Tantalize your taste buds with a city’s best eats on a fun food tour! Or sharpen your kitchen skills with a mouthwatering cooking class.
35th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Coral
- Modern: Jade
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Make the most of jade colors and coral gift ideas…. Go scuba diving or snorkeling in gorgeous sea-green waters, admiring the ocean’s finest reefs and wildlife!
36th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Antiques
- Modern: Antiques
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: What’s better than antique shopping as a themed present or activity? Why, antique transportation, of course! Step back in time by taking a flight on an authentic vintage aircraft; sailing aboard a meticulously-maintained 1920's schooner; driving around town in a classic car; or finding other fun, history-rich ways of getting around.
37th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Books
- Modern: Books
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Create a print ‘n’ picture book of your love story together. Write up your story (both sides of it) — how you met, when you first smooched, when you knew the other was “the one,” and so on. When the finished product is delivered, delight in reading it together over a bottle of vino, preferably from your wedding year.
38th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Beryl
- Modern: Luck
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: A milestone like 38 years of marriage is more than worthy of splurging on an adventure! Take a trip to Ireland to kiss the famed Blarney Stone for good luck. Or cleverly capitalize on the emerald/aquamarine colors of the traditional beryl theme by basking on a tropical beach surrounded by pristine turquoise waters.
39th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Laughter
- Modern: Laughter
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: For a nice, low-maintenance anniversary idea that delivers plenty of laughs, go to a comedy show. For a more prestigious outing, make it a show featuring a big name! Round up friends and family to get in on the giggles with you, for a truly memorable outing.
40th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Ruby
- Modern: Ruby
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: See a live performance of The Wizard of Oz! Even if you don’t have your own ruby slippers to click three times, you’ll enjoy quality time with the person you love sharing those three little words with.
41st Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Office/Desk
- Modern: Land
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: While shiny new desk flair may perk up a work day, it’s certainly not as epic as exploring uncharted territory together! So head for the hills (or forests or fields, depending on where you live), and enjoy the modern outdoor marvels that come with hiking and picnicking together on your big day.
42nd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Clocks/Watches
- Modern: Clocks/Watches
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Rather than an actual timepiece, why not do a bit of “time travel”? Dig in to authentic American history with fascinating outings like cruises to George Washington’s estate, Prohibition-style cocktail tours, uncovering legends of local hauntings, and much more!
43rd Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Entertainment
- Modern: Travel
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: If both travel and entertainment are the name of your game, check out things to do for your anniversary like going to Universal Studios, Disney, or a similar theme park that showcases various eras of unsurpassed entertainment!
44th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Groceries
- Modern: Electronics
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Celebrate in style with unique services like hiring an in-home professional chef to whip up some scrumptious magic right under your own roof. He/she plans a custom menu with you two, handles all the grocery shopping, and creates a mouthwatering meal. (Clean-up is included too, woohoo!)
45th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Sapphire
- Modern: Sapphire
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: For a cute anniversary idea, plan a date night to the planetarium! Why? Because in many languages, “sapphire” means “dear to the planet Saturn.”
46th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Poetry
- Modern: Games
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: By this year, your home probably has more than enough pottery. So keep festivities super-simple, but tons of fun — head to a professional sports game together!
47th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Garden/Plants
- Modern: Garden/Plants
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Plant something new in your own yard. Or volunteer for a community garden effort; after all, anniversary ideas that ‘pay it forward’ are always a solid way to celebrate.
48th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Home Improvement
- Modern: Optical Goods
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: Those new kitchen cabinets can wait; put tradition on pause. Take a trip to the beach with your hunny-bunny, so you two can reap the protective benefits of sweet new pairs of shades instead!
49th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Copper
- Modern: Luxuries
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: When it comes to things to do for your anniversary, this one likely needs no further explanation or convincing. Hit up a professional road course to burn rubber racing exotic cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and more!
50th Wedding Anniversary Themes
- Traditional: Gold
- Modern: Gold
- Anniversary Celebration Idea: For an extra-memorable and unique anniversary gift idea for this 14th year, ditch the precious metal that comes in a fancy box. And find your own in a river on a gold panning excursion together!
