Do I have to follow the anniversary gifts by year?

While a gift that corresponds to the anniversary year can add some fun to the celebration, it's not necessary. This is especially true if you question whether your spouse may not like whatever the theme—some anniversary themes, like paper or wood, are easier to find gifts for than others. Instead, focus on a gift that’s personalized, something that highlights the story of your relationship, or an item that you know she's been coveting.

What is the best way to celebrate an anniversary?

Beyond gifting a unique present, think about how you can make the day feel special. It could be something as simple as breakfast in bed or a hike through nature. Consider making reservations for a fancy dinner at that new place she's been wanting to try or surprise her by cooking a romantic meal at home . It's also a great idea to plan a getaway together, even if it's just for a few days.

The 16 Best Anniversary Gifts for Your Wife of 2022

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Brides / Chloe Jeong

Every wedding anniversary has a traditional or modern theme for gifting, but that doesn’t mean you have to abide by it. Sometimes, if you want to get something special or unexpected, it’s best to go the non-traditional route. “Remember, gifts are a reflection of your relationship,” says etiquette expert Jodi RR Smith, adding that you shouldn’t feel obligated to adhere to the traditional or modern gift rules. “Your gift should revolve around your spouse, not ‘paper’ or ‘tin.’”

To choose a meaningful gift, go with something that's personalized or sentimental to the two of you.

Jewelry—especially if it’s glittering with diamonds—is a no-fail option. But if you want to treat her to something more heartfelt, look for a personalized item or one that celebrates you both as a couple. Consider a collage of your favorite pictures together or a constellation map that depicts the sky on the night you met. If you want to give her something to remember for years to come, experiences like a spa day or weekend trip together will make her feel seen and appreciated.

The options are endless, which can make narrowing it down to one anniversary gift a challenge. To help, we've extensively researched the best anniversary gifts out there for every kind of couple–taking thoughtfulness, value, uniqueness, and customization options into consideration. For the woman who loves her jewels, you can't go wrong with the Pavé Diamond Slim Signet and the VRAI Iconic Diamond Necklace. Want to give her something sweet and sentimental? The Uncommon Goods What I Love About You Book and Minted Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Art are both undeniably romantic.

Meet the Expert

Jodi RR Smith is the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, a firm that provides etiquette education and training to both organizations and individuals.

Read on for the best anniversary gift ideas for your wife.

Introducing Minted + Brides: Shop our exclusive collection of customized gifts for the couple, wedding party, and more.

In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
Why Trust Brides

Courtesy of Etsy

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Capture one of your special moments with a custom acrylic Spotify-esque album cover. Choose your artist and song name—we suggest the first song you danced to at your wedding—and the song length. Then add your favorite photo together for a sweet and special gift. We love that this unique gift will serve as a sentimental token of your relationship for years to come.

Price at time of publish: $12. I 78

Courtesy of Etsy

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Customize this cuffed bracelet with a heartfelt message or your initials. Every time your wife wears it, she’ll think of you. It’s adjustable to ensure a proper fit and available in brass, copper, gold, rose gold, or silver, meaning there’s bound to be a metal that’ll go with the rest of her jewelry collection. It's probably not something she would buy for herself, making it the perfect piece of luxury with a sentimental touch.

Price at time of publish: $10

Uncommon Goods What I Love About You Book

Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

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This miniature book will help you show your wife exactly what you love about her. Fill-in-the-blank prompts such as “I never get tired of your ____” offer plenty of opportunities for both heartfelt and humorous miniature messages. She’ll appreciate the thought you put into this gift and never get tired of reading through it.

Price at time of publish: $10

Wood Life Prints Constellation Map on Wood

Courtesy of Etsy

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Bring your wedding night to life with this customized constellation map, which features a starry sky above a specific location on a specific date. Add your names and a personalized message, and it’ll all be printed directly on polished wood. It comes with keyholes and a kickstand for easy display, whether you want to hang it or prop it up. It's not only a stunning piece of art and conversation piece for your home, but it also celebrates the beauty of the day you tied the knot.

Price at time of publish: $49.95

The Adventure Challenge

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Keep the good times coming with a scrapbook filled with date ideas. Simply pick a category, scratch off a box to reveal a challenge, and tape a picture next to it once completed. With 50 options to choose from, you’ll find yourselves doing everything from baking a cake together while one is blindfolded to reading your favorite childhood book to each other. It celebrates your love and is a thoughtful gift that will keep the fun coming long after she unwraps it.

Price at time of publish: $49.99

Courtesy of Mejuri

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A diamond signet ring is understated and classy with a whole lot of sparkle. Made of 14-karat solid gold, this dazzler is set with round single-cut diamonds that have been ethically sourced. It’s available in both white and yellow recycled gold, so it’s eco-friendly too. This is the perfect gift if you want to pamper your wife and buy her something special she wouldn't buy for herself.

Price at time of publish: $400

Courtesy of Minted

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Homemade collages just got a touch more sophisticated. Choose 30 of your favorite photos together from over the years and transform them into a heart-shaped masterpiece. It comes unframed or framed, with several options for the latter, from brushed silver to white French farmhouse. It's a beautiful way to honor the wonderful times you've had together—be sure to display it where she can see the memories every day.

Price at time of publish: $50

The Little Flower Soap Co Relaxing Aromatherapy Gift Set

Amazon

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There’s nothing like an at-home spa day to relax and unwind. Make sure your girl is well prepared for the next time she needs to destress with an aromatherapy package. This gift set has all the works—lavender lemongrass soap, vanilla lip balm, pink grapefruit salt, and two balms for skin and muscles. If your wife is always on the go and sacrifices time for self-care, this is the perfect way to treat her to some much-needed pampering.

Price at time of publish: $35

4.5

Lunya

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Sleeping in this silk tee set feels like a dream. With an oversized fit for ultimate comfort and thermoregulating fabric for maintaining body temperature, it’s one of our favorite pajama sets to relax in. Available in nine different colors, each pair is more luxe than the next. It's a thoughtful gift that lets her know you're thinking about her comfort.

Price at time of publish: $198

Courtesy of VRAI

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You can always make a woman smile with a glittering diamond, especially when it’s in a gorgeous necklace like this. Cut into a hexagon, octavia, or lozenge shape, the diamond sits at the base of either a yellow gold or white gold dainty chain, depending on your wife’s metal preference. It’s a timeless design that’s a staple for any jewelry box. It's a classic yet extra luxe gift that will show her how much you appreciate her.

Price at time of publish: $1,200

Soko Glam 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine Set

Courtesy of Soko Glam

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For the woman obsessed with self-care, this skincare set has it all. Not only will it leave her skin feeling fresh, smooth, and hydrated, but it also takes all the legwork out of building a skincare regimen. It gives the gift of good skin with 10 pre-picked and full-sized Korean skincare items. If she would love to have an at-home spa day, this set has everything she needs to get glowing.

Price at time of publish: $199

Cuyana Personalized Leather Wellness Case

Courtesy of Cuyana

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Perfect for the woman on the go, this pebbled leather wellness case will keep all her skincare in order as she travels. A strap in the lid will keep jade rollers and brushes in place, while elasticized slots will hold serums, moisturizers, eye cream, and more. You can even add gold foil monogramming to the interior strap. We love that it's a practical gift that's still equally unique and thoughtful, especially if your wife loves to travel.

Price at time of publish: $198

Courtesy of ParklifePress

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A professional massage in the comfort of your own living room? Sign us up! With a Soothe gift card, your wife will be able to call in a massage therapist for a Swedish, prenatal, or couple's massage. Complete with a massage table and oils, the experience will feel incredibly spa-like. This is a great opportunity to spoil your wife with an experience she may not think to book for herself.

Price at time of publish: $275

Courtesy of Melissa Joy Manning

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We love a good spin on a classic earring. These hoops hug the ear, flashing a rainbow moonstone wrapped in a recycled gold bezel. They’re perfect for everyday wear, but also add some simplistic elegance to an outfit for an evening out. It's a unique earring design that will look chic regardless of her personal style.

Price at time of publish: $250

Courtesy of Theopolis Vineyards

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For the woman who loves wine, give a gift that keeps on giving with one of Theopolis Vineyards’s wine club packages. Opt for the bronze, silver, or gold option depending on whether you want three bottles delivered during the year, once a month, or something in between. Each package also includes a discount on other wine orders and invites to club member events. It's the perfect gift for wine lovers that shows you celebrate her interests.

Price at time of publish: $65

Courtesy of UrbanStems

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Flowers are a classic gift for a reason—they never fail to put a smile on someone’s face. This one is brimming with roses and ranunculus in pastel colors of soft pink, blush, and peach, interwoven with fresh salal leaves. They’ll look darling as a centerpiece on the kitchen table and are sure to warm her heart every time she passes by.

Price at time of publish: $95

What to look for in an anniversary gift for your wife

Something she might not buy herself

When it comes to choosing an anniversary gift for the leading lady in your life, the more personal the gift, the better. While traditional anniversary gifts are associated with specific materials to commemorate each year, modern etiquette allows for gifting something thoughtful that has sentimental meaning or shows your partner how much you appreciate them. While it may sound corny, your mother was right—it truly is the thought that counts!

Smith suggests that the secret to a great anniversary gift is something your wife would like but probably wouldn’t purchase for herself.

Uniqueness

“Remember, gifts are a reflection of your relationship,” Smith said, adding that you shouldn’t feel obligated to adhere to the traditional or modern gift rules. “Your gift should revolve around your spouse, not ‘paper’ or ‘tin.’”

Meaning

Not all gifts have to be tangible—don’t forget about experiences. Smith suggests treating her to a solo experience like a spa day or a couples activity like a cooking class where you learn how to make Pad Thai or a chocolate souffle together. “Choose a gift that will bring a smile to her face and remind her of why she said yes,” she said.

Buying a gift that celebrates the number of years you’ve been married is one thoughtful way of giving your gift significance. For example, if you’re celebrating 10 years of marriage, a bouquet of a dozen roses is romantic, thoughtful, and meaningful. Another way to choose a thoughtful gift is to show your partner how well you know them by giving them something aligned with their interests. If your wife loves wine, a wine club subscription will fill her cup.

For an anniversary, anything that commemorates the day you married or your memories as a couple is a sweet and sentimental way to honor your relationship. And, of course, letting the romantic in you take the lead when choosing a gift is sure to make her smile!

FAQ

Do I have to follow the anniversary gifts by year?

While a gift that corresponds to the anniversary year can add some fun to the celebration, it's not necessary. This is especially true if you question whether your spouse may not like whatever the theme—some anniversary themes, like paper or wood, are easier to find gifts for than others. Instead, focus on a gift that’s personalized, something that highlights the story of your relationship, or an item that you know she's been coveting.
What is the best way to celebrate an anniversary?

Beyond gifting a unique present, think about how you can make the day feel special. It could be something as simple as breakfast in bed or a hike through nature.

Consider making reservations for a fancy dinner at that new place she's been wanting to try or surprise her by cooking a romantic meal at home. It's also a great idea to plan a getaway together, even if it's just for a few days.

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Hillary Hoffower has over six years of experience writing for the wedding industry, covering everything from bridal fashion trends to wedding decor. She has an eye for design and quality that she takes into consideration when selecting gifts. She loves a good experiential gift and thinks you can’t go wrong gifting a spa day or wine club.