Congratulations, newlyweds! You’ve made it to your one-year anniversary! Whether you’re looking for a gift for your partner or you’re a friend or relative looking to bestow a little gift on the couple to celebrate the first year of marriage, we’re here to give you some ideas for how to celebrate your 1st year, with both modern and traditional ideas for your 1st anniversary gifts.
Gift Ideas for the First Wedding Anniversary
It’s a great time to look back a year ago to your wedding day, and your first chance to celebrate the special occasion of your wedding date. For your first anniversary as a married couple, you’re supposed to eat a slice of cake you kept from the top of your wedding cake, and you may wish to celebrate by spending the day together and enjoying a meal, or planning a fun activity together. With paper being the traditional gift and clocks being the modern gift, here are several ways to do the traditional and modern gifts. You can also certainly choose to forgo these symbolic gifts and just give a gift that feels right to you as a couple. We hope this guide will help you find or think of the perfect gift to celebrate your first wedding anniversary.
Paper Gift Ideas for The First Wedding Anniversary
The first wedding anniversary is known as the paper anniversary, symbolizing the blank pages of a new life that the couple is beginning to write together. Paper also represents the fragility and potential of the early years of marriage, highlighting how delicate yet full of possibilities this time can be.
Personalized Stationery: Custom stationery with your names or initials is a thoughtful gift that you can use for thank-you notes, letters, or invitations. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your correspondence.
Concert Tickets: Tickets to see your favorite band or artist live is a perfect way to create new memories together. This experience gift is something you both can look forward to and enjoy.
Tickets to a Movie: A cozy date night at the movies can be a simple yet special way to celebrate your anniversary. Pick a movie you both have been wanting to see and enjoy a night out.
Tickets to a Sports Event: If you’re sports fans, attending a game together can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate. Cheer on your favorite team and make it a memorable day.
A Love Note: Write a heartfelt letter to your partner expressing your love and appreciation. This sentimental gift is sure to touch their heart and become a cherished keepsake.
A Painting: A piece of art that holds special meaning to both of you can be a beautiful addition to your home. Whether it’s a painting of a place you love or an abstract piece that speaks to you, it’s a unique gift that lasts.
A Drawing or Caricature: Have an artist create a custom drawing or caricature of the two of you. This fun and quirky gift will bring a smile to your faces and be a great conversation starter.
A Special Menu Printed Out for a Home-Cooked Meal: Plan a romantic dinner at home and print out a special menu for the occasion. Cooking together and enjoying a homemade meal is a wonderful way to celebrate.
Paper Napkins: Fancy paper napkins with a beautiful design can add a touch of elegance to your anniversary dinner. It’s a small but thoughtful detail that makes the meal feel extra special.
A Board Game or Puzzle: Spending the evening playing a new board game or working on a puzzle together can be a great way to relax and have fun. It’s a simple way to enjoy each other’s company.
A Print or Album of Some of Your Favorite Wedding Photos or Other Photos Together: Create a photo album or print some of your favorite photos from your wedding day or other special moments you’ve shared. This is a great way to look back on the past year and cherish the memories.
Books: A beautifully bound book, whether it’s a classic novel, a coffee table book, or a collection of love poems, can be a thoughtful and meaningful gift. It can be something you both enjoy reading together or a special addition to your home library.
Recipe Cards: Personalized recipe cards with some of your favorite dishes can be a sweet and practical gift. You can even include recipes that have special meaning to your relationship, such as meals you’ve cooked together or enjoyed on special occasions.
Fill-in-the-Blank Get to Know Each Other Book: These interactive books allow you to fill in answers about each other, sparking fun conversations and deepening your connection. It’s a wonderful way to learn new things about each other and reflect on your relationship.
Journal: A beautiful journal can be used to document your thoughts, dreams, and goals as a couple. You can even start a tradition of writing in it together each year on your anniversary.
Origami or Other Paper Craft Set: A set of origami paper and instructions can be a fun and creative activity to do together. It’s a unique way to spend time together and create something beautiful.
Handmade Card: A handmade card can be a simple yet heartfelt gift. Take the time to craft a card that expresses your feelings and includes a personal message.
Custom Map Print: A custom map print of a location that is significant to both of you, such as where you met, where you got engaged, or your wedding location, can be a meaningful and decorative piece.
Paper Jewelry: Believe it or not, there are beautiful pieces of jewelry made from paper. These unique items can be a stylish and eco-friendly gift.
Paper Art Kits: Kits that include everything needed to create a piece of paper art can be a wonderful gift. These kits often come with detailed instructions and all the materials needed to create something beautiful.
Gift Certificates: While gift cards and certifications are notoriously unromantic, they do match up with the “paper” idea quite nicely. If you make sure to make it a romantic gift, add some flair to the packaging to make the symbolism of the paper idea come through.
Slips of Paper In Jar: Write compliments, potential date ideas for going on in your 2nd year, or goals and intentions you have as a couple and either share them on your anniversary or draw one weekly to increase your bond and connection and to look forward to doing new things together.
Clock Gifts Ideas for Modern First Anniversary Gifts
While this is considered the “modern” gift, it’s probably could use an update, since also pretty traditional at this point, since with the advent of cell phones, we almost always have a clock. Here are some creative ways to gift a clock are:
A Beautiful Wall Clock: Choose a stylish wall clock that matches your home decor. This functional and decorative piece will remind you of your first anniversary every time you check the time.
A Personalized Clock: Have a clock customized with your names, wedding date, or a special message. This personalized object adds a unique touch to your home and becomes a cherished keepsake.
A Classic Desk Clock: A classic desk clock can be a sophisticated addition to your partner’s workspace. It’s a practical gift that also serves as a constant reminder of your love.
A Smartwatch: For a modern twist, consider gifting an Apple Watch or another smartwatch. This high-tech gift is perfect for modern couples who appreciate both style and functionality.
An Antique Clock: If you love vintage items, an antique clock can be a unique and thoughtful gift. This piece of history adds charm and character to any room.
A Customized Pocket Watch: A pocket watch engraved with a sweet message or your anniversary date is a romantic and timeless gift. It’s a beautiful way to honor the tradition while adding a personal touch.
Alternative Gifts for Your First Anniversary
If traditional or modern gifts aren’t quite your style, there are plenty of other options to consider. Here are some alternative and experience gift ideas that can make your first anniversary unforgettable:
A Romantic Getaway: Plan a weekend trip to a destination you’ve both wanted to visit. This experience gift allows you to create new memories and enjoy quality time together. Add the paper element in the form of tickets or a little love note stating the vacation plan!
A Private Chef: Hire a private chef to cook a special meal for you at home. This luxurious experience is a perfect way to celebrate your anniversary in style.Also if you got married at a restaurant or had a caterer some venues will let you have your first anniversary meal with them!
A Cooking Class: Take a cooking class together and learn how to make a new dish. This fun activity not only allows you to spend time together but also gives you new skills to enjoy in the future.
A Spa Day: Treat yourselves to a relaxing day at the spa. This is a great way to unwind and enjoy some pampering together.
A Piece of Jewelry: If your partner loves jewelry, a beautiful piece of jewelry, like a bracelet or necklace, can be a wonderful anniversary gift. It’s a timeless reminder of your love and commitment. One cherished piece can be something that signifies the location of your wedding venue.
A Custom Star Map: Commemorate the anniversary date with a custom star map showing the stars’ alignment on the wedding day. This piece of art is a beautiful option that adds a personal touch to your home decor.
A Bouquet of Flowers: While flowers might seem simple, a bouquet that includes the couple’s wedding flowers or favorite blooms can be a thoughtful and beautiful gift.
A Subscription Box: Choose a subscription box that fits your partner’s interests, such as a monthly book club, gourmet snacks, or beauty products. This gift keeps on giving throughout the year.
A Personalized Photo Book: Create a photo book filled with favorite memories from the wedding day and the first year of marriage. This personalized object is a perfect gift that will be cherished for years to come.
A Memory Lane Print: Create a timeline of significant moments from the past year with memory lane prints. Highlight special dates, places, and events that have marked the passage of time in your relationship.
First Anniversary Gifts Ideas from Friends and Relatives
Friends and relatives looking to give a first-anniversary gift can also find inspiration in both traditional and modern themes. Here are some ideas:
Gift Cards: A gift card to a favorite restaurant, store, or experience can be a versatile and appreciated gift. It allows the couple to choose something they truly want or need.
Personalized Gifts: Items like custom mugs, photo frames, or engraved keepsakes can add a personal touch and be a lasting reminder of their special day.
Home Decor: Stylish and practical home decor items, such as a beautiful vase, a set of elegant candles, or a cozy throw blanket, can be great gifts that add warmth and charm to the couple’s home.
Experiences: Consider gifting an experience, such as tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a weekend getaway. These gifts create lasting memories and can be a wonderful way to celebrate the couple’s love.
Books: A beautifully bound book, whether it’s a classic novel, a coffee table book, or a collection of love poems, can be a thoughtful and meaningful gift.
More Gift Ideas for Anniversaries
Your first wedding anniversary is a time to celebrate the love and commitment you’ve shared over the past year and great time to look ahead to think of what ideas will come next and to look forward to celebrating many years ahead together. Plan ahead for the years to come by reading our gift ideas for your 2nd anniversary, as well as wedding anniversary gift ideas by year.