Here's to you, happy couple! You've survived your first year of marriage. Through sickness and health, you two have come a long way since you first said your vows. This year most likely flew by (because you were having so much fun, duh), and it's probably completely surreal knowing that you walked down the aisle an entire 365 days ago. Because your 1st anniversary marks such an important milestone in your marriage, you're required to celebrate accordingly. Likewise, the pressure's on to find the best anniversary gift ever that displays your love and gratitude for your life partner. We rounded up 28 gift ideas for him, her, and them that perfectly honor the 1st wedding anniversary.
Each wedding anniversary has customary traditional and modern gifts. For the 1st anniversary, the main tradition is paper. This seems totally outdated, but the threads within paper are meant to symbolize the strength and connection of your relationship. Paper represents both the durability and frailty of your early marriage, and also starting a new blank slate together. For the modern gift, couples traditionally give each other clocks. Don't panic—this gift sounds equally old fashioned, but there are easy ways to update both traditions.
Wedding anniversaries also typically have a traditional color, flower, and gemstone. For the 1st anniversary, gold represents the usual color, orange blossoms or pansies are the customary flowers, and pearls or peridot reflect the 1-year gemstones. Although not a gemstone, gold jewelry and accessories have also been associated with the 1st anniversary. As you progress out of the newlywed stage and move further into your relationship, set the bar high with your first wedding anniversary gift ever for your spouse. You can only celebrate this achievement once, so check out our gift ideas for options that go way beyond the ordinary traditions.
Even though this leather passport holder isn't made out of paper, boarding passes definitely are! If you surprise her with a local weekend getaway (no passport required), you can still stuff this gift with a printed travel itinerary or plane tickets. When you do travel internationally together, her passport will never look so glam.
Jet Set Passport Holder, $26, Anthropologie
She should already know how much you love her, but gift her with a matte paper print that won't let her forget it. Featuring a repetitive cursive "I love you," she'll get the message from wherever she hangs it.
Darling, I Love You Framed Print, $495, available at Kate Spade
Keep the fun alive with a set of personalized playing cards unlike any other. You can customize the deck with her initials, or with your shared monogram. Made out of silk and paper with various sunglasses paintings on the front, they're (almost) too lovely to use.
M'O Exclusive Monogrammable Playing Cards, $425, available at Moda Operandi
You're probably well-stocked in the kitchenware department after your wedding, but treat her to a spoon set that's just for her. The set of four features stainless steel and decorative decals. So, whether she's scooping up ice cream or a bowl of oatmeal in the morning, this paper gift ensures she'll always eat in style.
Tippi Teaspoon Set, $32, Anthropologie
Instead of real paper, add to her stackable bracelet collection with a gold paper crane charm. The origami figure symbolizes hope and healing, so she'll have something to treasure during any rocky patches that might arise in your marriage.
Alex and Ani Charity by Design Paper Crane Bangle, $38, available at Zappos
As another twist on actual paper, help amp up her purse game with a rainbow leather paper chain bag handle. The gold metal clasps can attach to any one of her many handbags, so she has endless mixing and matching opportunities.
Anya Hindmarch Paper Chain Leather Bag Strap, $451, available at MATCHESFASHION.COM
You've got her love locked down, so emphasize that with the traditional 1st anniversary clock gift. This watch features a padlock-like detail, a black leather strap, and gold-plated stainless steel, which meets another anniversary tradition.
Tory Burch Surrey Leather Strap Watch 22mm x 23.5, $275, available at Nordstrom
If she's more of a dress fanatic than an accessory enthusiast, treat your fashionista to a quirky LWD with time motif prints. This Moschino number features an assortment of wrist watches, clocks, and stopwatches over white wool.
Moschino Clock Print Dress, $1,395, available at Farfetch
Upgrade her standard makeup bag with a striped clock version. Large enough to fit all her cosmetic goodies, this mini must-have will be a constant reminder to (hopefully) stay on time while she gets ready.
Braccialini New Lady B Iconic Clock Pouch, $73.50, available at Lord and Taylor
What's better than paper? A paperweight, duh! While it can be hard to get creative with paper gifts, think outside the box and treat her to a flattering piece of glass decor to hold down her papers, which she can proudly display at home or on her desk at work.
Hello Gorgeous Paperweight, $12, available at Nordstrom
For a quirky gag gift, get him a guidebook that'll teach him a lesson or two about being the best husband. Even though the original version was published in 1913, the advice in this mini book still rings true. There's also a wives version if he wants to return the favor.
Don'ts For Husbands, $5.95, available at Paper Source
Give paper a high-tech 21st century revamp. This "Augmented Paper" set features a notebook and "StarWalker" pen that instantly converts anything he writes on the paper to digital form, which he can access on his tablet or phone through Bluetooth or USB. For the finishing touch, the pen and notebook come inside a sleek leather case.
Montblanc Augmented Paper Leather Writing Set, $680, available at MR PORTER
For the cocktail connoisseur, treat him to a paper gift he'll truly get the most use out of. Featuring notes and reviews on more than 300 whiskey distilleries, this guidebook will turn him into a beverage expert. Pair with his favorite whiskey of choice so he can truly get into the spirit.
American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye, $16.13, available at Barnes & Noble
Standard TV sets are so blasé, so switch up his movie screening routine with an old school paper and glass projector for his phone. Set up this little vintage-inspired device in front of a blank wall, and you can spend your first anniversary rewatching your wedding video or favorite movie at 8x magnification.
Smartphone Projector 2.0, $32, available at Nordstrom
These aren't your average paper tokens. Titled the "Love Tokens," the set of 18 features perks your spouse can redeem whenever he wants. From a date night to letting him take over the TV remote (but only for one night), each slip of paper offers something exciting for him to look forward to.
Love Tokens, $6.48, available at Paper Source
Meet two customary 1-year anniversary criteria through a gold-tone stainless steel watch. The black face makes this watch totally suave, and the gold strap adds a touch of glitz. The dial even has three diamond accents and a small spot that shows the date. The devil is in the details.
Bulova Men's Diamond Dress Diamond-Accent Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch 42mm, $316, available at Macy's
If he already has a go-to watch, put a vintage spin on the traditional first anniversary clock gift. Personalize the pocket watch with his first initial and name, and he'll value this treasure for years to come.
Personalized Monogram and Name Pocket Watch, $36.65, Zazzle
For a first anniversary present from a galaxy far, far away, he'll totally geek out over a miniature Lego Star Wars Stormtrooper alarm clock. May the Force be with him as he wakes up every morning.
Take It by Storm Alarm Clock, $34.99, available at Modcloth
If standard clocks aren't his thing, keep the tradition alive regardless with a clock-printed bow tie. Made out of blue silk with various colorful clock designs, this is bound to become his new favorite formalwear accessory. If you have a fancy first anniversary date planned, give him this beforehand so he can sport it during your celebration.
Fefè Clock Print Bow Tie, $59, available at Farfetch
Although it's not a timepiece, this leather wallet is bound to stand the tests of time. Featuring three card slots, a window for his ID, and a cash pocket, this necessity can hold all his essentials. Throw in a small print of one of your wedding photos so you'll always be on his mind (as if you weren't already).
Frye Logan Slim ID Wallet, $128, available at Bloomingdale's
It's another first anniversary tradition for couples to eat the top of their wedding cake, so ensure that they enjoy the sentimental confection in style with a set of two "Just Married" dessert plates. The cake will taste even sweeter on top of such pretty stoneware.
Scripted Dessert Plates, $38, BHLDN
Help their wedding cake go down even smoother with a bottle of wine, which they can store in this anniversary-themed wine box. As they add to their wine collection, they can set aside special occasion bottles to share for their 2nd and 3rd wedding anniversaries, and put them in this commemorative gift for safekeeping.
Anniversary Wine Box, $40, available at Nordstrom
Their love was written in the stars, so fulfill the paper tradition with a custom star map poster. Choose a date and location important to the couple (like their wedding day), and the gift will be personalized with an exact replica of the sky at that time and place. You can also customize the poster further with a short message below the map.
Custom Star Map Poster, $32-42, available at Etsy
Help them organize their home (and stay on time!) with a dual clock shelf hanging wall decor. Complete with five file spots and an antique-looking clock, this multifunctional piece will add extra flair to any flat surface in their house.
Antique Zinc Clock with Organizing Bins, $199, Pottery Barn
Ditch the analog for a digital clock that covers everything, from the outdoor temperature and humidity to, of course, the time. It also displays the indoor temperature, so they can create alerts for whenever the temperature gets too high or low for their preference. This is the coolest rendition of the clock tradition they'll ever see.
AcuRite Vertical Wireless Color Weather Station with Temperature Alerts, $29.99, available at Amazon
Keep in line with the gold tradition through a set of bookends, which they can use for securing all their favorite paperbacks and hardcovers. The shape of this decor can also remind them that they're each other's rocks throughout their marriage.
'Rock' Bookends, $295, available at Nordstrom
The couple that cooks together stays together, so fulfill the paper gift with a cookbook specifically for having at-home date nights. This present will help keep their relationship fresh as they work together to whip up new meals (and hopefully they'll invite you over).
Date Night In, $27.50, available at Anthropologie
If Happy Hour is their favorite part of the day, treat them to an alcoholic kit they can tackle together. The Moscow Mule set features a cocktail shaker, two double-sided jiggers, ginger syrup, and two copper mugs they can sip their concoctions from. This kit will help transform them into amateur mixologists, so they'll be the all the rage at their next social gathering.
Moscow Mule Cocktail Kit Gift Set, $84, available at Amazon
