Amazon Reviewers Love This Personalized Mini Photo Book
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
So you've made it through your first year of marriage together. Now the pressure is really on to find the best first anniversary gift, whether you are browsing for him or shopping for her. Since you're new to this whole marriage thing, you might not know that when choosing anniversary gifts, each year has specific symbols that represent your journey as a couple.
Paper-themed gifts are traditionally given for first anniversaries, and luckily, there's no shortage of unique, personalized and meaningful presents that can be printed these days. On the other hand, clocks are the modern gift option for this year and they come in every shape, form and sentiment. Here, you'll discover a mix of modern and traditional ideas to express your love at this special point in your marriage (some of these presents can work for your boyfriend and girlfriend, too).
1st Anniversary Symbols
Traditional: Paper
Modern: Clock
Metal: Gold
Flower: Carnations or Pansies
Color: Yellow
You can learn more about the symbolism behind these ideas at the bottom of our guide, but first, here are the best one-year anniversary gifts for men and women. With that first big gift taken care of, you can get a jumpstart on planning your second anniversary gift, or look further ahead to your third and fourth year, too.
Thoughts Journal
They can record their daily thoughts with this lovely 60-page journal, which is saddle-stitched for a polished look. It even comes with a letter from the creator for an extra special touch.
Drunk In Love: A Couples Drinking Game
This fun drinking game will help you get to know everything about each other. It comes with 99 cards to share details about your past relationships (before you tied the knot, of course).
Hand Casting Kit for Couples
Now here's a gift that's truly unique and guaranteed to make a great impression. This hand-casting kit will create a life-like sculpture that will become an instant keepsake. "It was super easy to use...I would recommend this to anyone looking for an activity that is sure to spice up any date night," shared one Amazon reviewer.
Glass Tumblers
Made of hand-blown recycled glass, this beautiful set of tumblers will be the first-anniversary present they didn't know they needed. And while yellow is the go-to color for their first anniversary, it comes in four other shades.
Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Cozy up together for your first anniversary with this faux fur throw blanket. The machine-washable design is available in three versatile colors: ivory, chocolate and gray.
Wildflower Grow Kit
Let them know how wild you are about them a year later with this grow kit. They can plant zinnias, primroses, cosmos and more. All they have to do is water the planter and wait for them to grow.
New House Plant Propagation Station
Here's an ideal gift if they happen to be new homeowners. Since they're just planting new roots as a couple, gift this plant propagation station. It's an easy way to add some personality to their loving abode.
RELATED: 38 Thoughtful and Useful Housewarming Gifts
LED Light-Up Word Clock
Add a modern flair to their space with this LED light-up word clock, complete with a rose gold finish. "It is small and lightweight, and the lights behind the face are bright," shared one Amazon reviewer.
Stud Earrings Set
Whether she needs to add the finishing touch to her anniversary dinner outfit or amp up her ensemble for a girls' night out, this set of gold earrings will do the trick. She'll get five trendy designs, from pretty knots to picks decked out in glitzy stones. What's more, they're hypoallergenic and plated in 18k gold.
Pop Up Flower Card
Even better than a fresh bouquet, this pop-up card can be proudly displayed for years to come. They're even available in carnations — the traditional flower for a one-year anniversary. And the best part? They're under $10!
1st Anniversary Card
Celebrate your paper anniversary with this adorable card, which features recyclable card stock and a blank interior. Amazon reviewers say the quality is great, too.
Burlap Print
This cute burlap print is just the thing they need to spruce up a bare wall. It features an 11 x 13-inch frame and a mat size of 8 x 10 inches.
Carnation Bouquet
Carnations are the flower of choice for the first year as a married couple. This lovely bouquet of 20 white, pink and red stems is sure to brighten their day. Just note that the retailer suggests trimming the stems (1 inch) before showing them off in a vase.
1st Year Anniversary Plate
Say it on a plate this year with a sweet message that will bring them to tears. Made of ceramic, the lettering is engraved in 24K gold foil. It's the perfect piece of decor to upgrade their mantel, bookshelf or even their coffee table.
1-Year Anniversary Map
We told you there are so many things you can do with paper. Customize this frame with the location of where you first met or got married, as well as your names and wedding date.
Unisex Watch
He's going to absolutely love the retro style of this gold watch. It doesn't just look cool, though. Amazon reviewers, who gave it over 10,000 5-stars, say it works great. "The watch is easily adjustable, lightweight & looks very sharp," one reviewer shared.
Tailor Personalized Stationery
As a couple, you can never have too much personalized stationery. From sending a thoughtful thank-you note to acknowledging a friend's birthday, they're bound to get tons of use. This box set comes with 15 off-white cards and you can choose from three standout borders — Bluebell (shown here), Slate and Olive. Take your pick of four paper options, too!
New York Times Custom Anniversary Book
You can put in your anniversary date, and receive the front page of The New York Times from every year (up until 20 years ago). It's a cool way to look back at all the things that happened on the day before you two said "I do."
Leather Journal
Your wife will love this beautiful faux leather journal that's printed with a sweet message. The 140-page design, which can also be refilled, will be a great gift for the wife who loves to write everything down.
Airbnb Gift Card
Things are nice, but experiences together are even better. You can relive your favorite trip or even your honeymoon with this gift card. It can be loaded with a custom amount up to $500 for an amazing vacation.
RELATED: The Most Unique Airbnb Properties in Every State
"Our Story So Far" Scrapbook
Go beyond a traditional scrapbook for your one-year anniversary with this pick that's a little more rustic. It's completely blank inside, so you can customize it with touching words and your favorite photos.
1-Year Anniversary Keychain
Cute as can be, this one-year anniversary keychain is a simple way to show them just how much they're loved. Made of stainless steel, the two pieces fit together to create a whole puzzle.
One Year of Love
Filled with conversation starters, date night ideas, games and more, every week, you two will sit down and explore what this fun box of tricks has to offer. It's a great way to connect with each other.
Holding Hands Wall Art
How stunning would this look in your bedroom? You'll get an instant digital print to download (for under $10!), and then you can buy any frame of choice at your local store.
Happy 1st Anniversary Card
Okay, so he isn't too sentimental. That's fine! You can still let him know how much he means to you with this metal engraved card that can be slipped right into his wallet.
1st Year Anniversary LED Light
This rechargeable night light is inexpensive but so sweet."I didn’t know what to get him for our first anniversary, and this was the perfect gift I could have chosen. He loves it," one Amazon reviewer wrote.
Happy Anniversary Toilet Paper Roll
Make him laugh with this funny gag gift. It's even thick and soft for extra comfort if he chooses to use it.
1st Anniversary Pocket Knife
It's hard to find keepsakes for guys, but this one will do the trick. It's practical, so he'll use it all the time. It also has a touch of sentiment thanks to the engraving.
Personalized Faux Bois Vase
Although the fifth year is the wood year, we couldn't help but include this beautiful vase. Simply buy some carnations and your gift is complete.
Women's Hoops
Jewelry is always a good idea for any anniversary. If you want something she can wear every day, these earrings fit the bill. Plus, they're gold-plated and available in four sizes ranging from 20 mm to 50 mm.
Galaxy Carnation
Sure, a real bouquet is nice, but it won't last forever. These carnations, which are encased in glass, will. Plus, they come with lights for a special effect.
Personalized Photo Album Keychain
Send this Amazon seller 10 photos and fill out your desired custom message, and they will create a one-of-a-kind genuine leather keychain. It's that simple!
Cute Capsules in a Glass Bottle
Yellow is the color of the year, so this gift is spot-on. You'll get 25 tiny capsules that have a blank piece of paper inside for you to write personalized messages. When they are feeling down, they just reach for one of these "love pills" to boost their spirit.
Color Series Photo Book
Okay, you probably splurged on your wedding album — but what about all the memories you've made since then? Make it a yearly tradition to preserve your best memories in a photo book by Artifact Uprising, a favorite of the Good Housekeeping Institute for its range of customization options.
RELATED: The Best Wedding Photo Albums for Every Budget and Style
Carnation 3D Art
You can kill two birds with one stone and get a gift that's a carnation made out of paper! Ashley Chiang, a 3D artist, makes flowers out of card stock using a similar quilling technique as the clock.
Invitation Cufflinks
Wear a memento from your wedding to the next one! If you have an extra wedding invitation lying around (and who doesn't have a box full of them?), you can have it transformed into a one-of-a-kind pair of cuff links.
What is a good first anniversary gift?
If you're looking for first anniversary gifts for women, gifts for men or gifts for couples, there's a lot of leeway. Between paper, clocks, carnations and gold, there are so many options to choose from. But the best 1-year anniversary gifts are embedded with meaning. Paper gifts can be personalized in so many ways, with newly married names, important dates, vows, words from a wedding song or other mementos from the wedding.
What is a traditional 1-year anniversary gift?
The first anniversary gift is traditionally made of paper. Why? Not only is the material delicate and fragile, it's also a blank slate — just like your marriage. You still have plenty of shared history left to write.
What is a modern 1-year anniversary gift?
In 1937, the American National Retail Jewelers Association came out with a complementary "modern" list of anniversary gifts with more practical items; there, the first-anniversary gift of choice is clocks. And, if that wasn't enough tradition for you, year one is also associated with carnations, gold and the color yellow.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For decades, Good Housekeeping has provided expert reviews and advice on gift-giving, including gifts for girlfriends, gifts for boyfriends, gifts for moms, gifts for dads and gifts for kids, among others. While not every product in this round-up has been tested in the labs at the Good Housekeeping Institute, editors have used their experience doing market research on gifts, their knowledge of trends, their information about what kinds of gifts have resonated with readers in the past, along with customer reviews, editor's picks and bestsellers to put together this list of the best 1-year anniversary gifts.
You Might Also Like