Travel Anniversary Gifts By Year
A travel-inspired twist on classic anniversary gifts.
I’m someone who takes any excuse to plan a trip, and if you’re here chances are you’re probably the same way! I love the idea of a trip as a gift and think it’s the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary. You and your loved one getting away to spend quality time making memories together? Perfection.
So, when a graphic came across my socials recently with the traditional anniversary gifts based on years of marriage, I thought it would be super fun to share some trip ideas tailored to these themes. Keep scrolling to find your year or if you just need some fresh inspiration for any getaway!
Anniversary gifts by year:
1st Anniversary: Traditional-Paper; Modern-Clocks
2nd Anniversary: Traditional-Cotton; Modern-China
3rd Anniversary: Traditional-Leather; Modern-Crystal or Glass
4th Anniversary: Traditional-Fruit or Flowers; Modern-Appliances
5th Anniversary: Traditional-Wood; Modern-Silverware
6th Anniversary: Traditional-Candy or Iron; Modern-Wood
7th Anniversary: Traditional-Copper or Wool; Modern-Desk Set
8th Anniversary: Traditional-Bronze; Modern-Linens or Lace
9th Anniversary: Traditional-Pottery; Modern-Leather
10th Anniversary: Traditional-Tin or Aluminum; Modern-Diamond Jewelry
15th Anniversary: Traditional-Crystal; Modern-Watch
20th Anniversary: Traditional-China; Modern-Platinum
25th Anniversary: Traditional-Silver; Modern-Silver
30th Anniversary: Traditional-Pearl; Modern-Diamond
35th Anniversary: Traditional-Coral; Modern-Jade
40th Anniversary: Traditional-Ruby; Modern-Ruby
45th Anniversary: Traditional-Sapphire; Modern-Sapphire
50th Anniversary: Traditional-Gold; Modern-Gold
℅ BRIDES magazine
1st Anniversary: Paper (Traditional) | Clocks (Modern)
Tickets to anywhere! Turn your gift into an adventure by visiting a city iconic for clocks—like London with Big Ben or Paris’s Musée d’Orsay.
2nd Anniversary: Cotton (Traditional) | China (Modern)
Grab a new beach towel and head to a beautiful beach destination! For the modern twist, explore countries known for porcelain production like China, Japan, or the UK. Bonus points for enjoying afternoon tea on fine china while you’re there.
3rd Anniversary: Leather (Traditional) | Crystal or Glass (Modern)
Visit Austria, the birthplace of Swarovski crystal, or explore the stunning Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. For leather lovers, Tuscany offers exquisite handcrafted leather goods from local artisans.
4th Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers (Traditional) | Appliance (Modern)
Think tropical—Hawaii or Costa Rica with lush flowers and fresh fruit. (If you know a great destination linked to appliances, let me know!)
5th Anniversary: Wood (Traditional) | Silverware (Modern)
Celebrate in nature with a trip to a National Park—like the towering Redwoods or Sequoias in California or Acadia in Maine. For a global spin, opt for rainforest conservation ecotours in Costa Rica or Indonesia. To honor silverware, immerse yourself in fine-dining cultures of France or Japan, or explore Egypt, where silverware was first used.
6th Anniversary: Candy or Iron (Traditional) | Wood (Modern)
Dive into the Swedish candy craze by visiting Sweden, a perfect spot for sweet lovers. Plus, Sweden offers excellent fishing (rich in iron! lol). For the wood theme, revisit the ideas suggested for year 5.
7th Anniversary: Copper or Wool (Traditional) | Desk Set (Modern)
Get away from your desk and visit premier wool-producing countries like Turkey or Australia. Alternatively, discover copper landmarks in New York, including the iconic Statue of Liberty.
8th Anniversary: Bronze (Traditional) | Linens or Lace (Modern)
Venice is the perfect setting this year, with its magnificent bronze statues in St. Mark’s Square. Don’t miss a day trip to Burano, famous for its delicate lacemaking.
9th Anniversary: Pottery (Traditional) | Leather (Modern)
Explore pottery hubs like Seville, Spain, or Sedona, Arizona. You can revisit leather-themed Tuscany or perhaps combine both during your travels.
10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum (Traditional) | Diamond Jewelry (Modern)
Celebrate in Belgium, the Diamond Capital of the World. Alternatively, visit top tin-producing regions in Southeast Asia or Alaska for a unique domestic experience.
15th Anniversary: Crystal (Traditional) | Watch (Modern)
Return to Austria to admire Swarovski’s origins, then cross over to Switzerland—home to world-renowned watchmakers like Rolex and TAG Heuer. You can easily enjoy both countries in one trip.
20th Anniversary: China (Traditional) | Platinum (Modern)
South Africa, the world’s largest platinum producer, offers an unforgettable experience including safaris—perfect for celebrating two decades together.
25th Anniversary: Silver (Traditional & Modern)
Mexico, the world’s top silver producer, boasts breathtaking getaway spots like Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Vallarta, or Cabo—each offering a romantic setting and cultural richness.
30th Anniversary: Pearl (Traditional) | Diamond (Modern)
Tahiti and French Polynesia are ideal for the pearl anniversary. Plan a multi-island trip, visit pearl farms, and shop for unique pearl souvenirs on any island.
35th Anniversary: Coral (Traditional) | Jade (Modern)
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or explore other top coral-rich destinations like Belize or Cozumel, Mexico.
40th Anniversary: Ruby (Traditional & Modern)
Celebrate with a trip inspired by fiery red rubies—consider destinations known for rubies and vibrant landscapes like Myanmar and Thailand.
45th Anniversary: Sapphire (Traditional & Modern)
Mark this milestone by visiting places associated with beautiful sapphires like Sri Lanka or serene blue-hued settings such as the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
50th Anniversary: Gold (Traditional & Modern)
Golden anniversaries deserve golden destinations—consider luxurious spots known for their golden sunsets like Santorini or heritage sites connected to gold history such as Versailles.
No matter how you choose to celebrate your anniversary, it’s all about you and the person you love celebrating your journey together as a couple. Save these ideas for your next milestone or share with a friend with a big year coming up! Thanks for reading and until next time, safe travels!! xx Sophia
