The 21 best first anniversary gifts, handpicked by a gift guide editor who recently got married

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Your one-year wedding anniversary is the first of many milestones you’ll hit once you’re officially a married couple. For some, it’s also considered the end of the newlywed phase. And like many other special occasions, your first anniversary is worthy of a thoughtful gift.

I got married in November 2024, and my husband and I spent months thinking about what we wanted to get each other for our first anniversary. We knew we wanted to stick to the traditional wedding anniversary gifts by year because it seemed like a small, fun challenge for each milestone. “Traditionally, paper is the gift for a first anniversary,” Kristi Spencer, an etiquette coach and founder of The Polite Company, said. “It represents the blank page of a couple’s new life together.”

Some might think of paper as old-fashioned, but there are plenty of routes you can go with your gift, from a framed photo to an art class. Still, other couples may opt for a different set of guidelines to follow. “A more modern take on the first anniversary is a clock or, more commonly today, a watch, to symbolize the passage of time,” Spencer said.

To help you narrow down the options, I rounded up the best traditional and modern first-anniversary presents for your husband or your wife. As you settle into married life over the years, my team has gift ideas for the rest of those important milestones too, so come back as you hit five years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and even 50 years together.

Traditional 1-year anniversary gifts

Uncommon Goods Wedding Waltz Personalized Art

My husband and I decided early on that we wanted to get something for our house as our first anniversary gift to each other. I really wanted to stick to the paper tradition, so we landed on this vintage-inspired artwork from Uncommon Goods, one of my all-time favorite places to buy unique gifts. It was so easy to customize with our venue, date and names, and choosing the skin tones and hair colors made the characters look just like us. We have plenty of framed photos around the house, but this is the kind of artwork that will make guests do a double take.

The Adventure Challenge Scratch-Off Adventures Couples Edition, Volume 2

It may just be your first wedding anniversary, but chances are you’ve spent years dating before that. This book gives you a bucket list of sorts with 30 scratch-off challenges, ranging from games to dinners to throwback activities, so you never have to worry about running out of date-night ideas. I'm considering getting it for my husband for Christmas this year.

Maps International Scratch the World Travel Map

Not every married couple wants to start a family right away (or at all); some would much rather explore the world together first. I think this travel map would make a lovely gift for anyone who always has their next trip booked before they come back from the trip they're on. They can use it to keep track of all the places they’ve visited, and it might even help them decide where to go next.

Artifact Uprising Wedding Lay-Flat Photo Album

After I planned a wedding and a honeymoon, the last thing on my mind was ordering our photo album. For the couple who has been putting off building their wedding album, the first anniversary is the perfect time to finally check that off the list. It’s made of paper, after all! I've tried a lot of photo book services and was really impressed with this lay-flat album from Artifact Uprising. Even if you already have your wedding album done, you could still get your partner a photo book "filled with memories from your first year together," as Spencer suggested.

Lime & Lou Eternal Promise Sacred Vows Custom Canvas

Sharing our personal vows was one of my favorite parts of my wedding day. I never want to forget what my husband and I promised each other, which is exactly why this custom vow canvas from Lime & Lou caught my eye. I’ve seen similar vow artwork on Etsy too, which can be much more affordable, especially if you opt for a digital template that you can design, print and frame yourself.

Minted Established Date Personalized Stationery Cards

As a married couple, you’ll have many occasions when you'll want to send handwritten notes. Whether you’re writing a thank-you for a gift or sending well wishes, these custom notecards are a lovely traditional paper gift. I've used Minted's personalized stationery for years and love how many design options there are, but this one stands out because it has a spot to put the year you got married at the bottom.

All Things Cotton Paper First Dance Song Art

"To celebrate the first year of marriage, we love paper-inspired gifts that specifically reflect on the special wedding day that only just took place," Willa Callahan and Peggy O’Brien, cofounders of Poppy Gifting, said. There’s no better way to commemorate your first-dance song — a huge part of most wedding days — than with this custom music sheet, which is printed on cotton paper for an archival feel. It comes without lyrics for a minimalist design, but the Etsy seller can add them by request. It's a sweet gift idea for the couple who gets sentimental about their first-dance song.

Uncommon Goods Your Love Story Mapmaking Class

Earlier this year, my husband and I took this virtual mapmaking class and turned it into a date-night activity. We had so much fun creating a fantasy-inspired map with highlights from the decade we’ve been together. The class is taught by a cartographer, who guides you through drawing mountain ranges, hills, rivers and more, all of which will represent milestones in your relationship. It's one of the best experience gifts I've tried.

Leatherology A5 Snap Journal

This leather-bound journal is a luxe version of the most classic paper gift there is. Several of our editors are fans of Leatherology’s goods, from its wallets to handbags, but this notebook is my current go-to for everyday use. I got mine personalized with a drawing of my handwritten initials, but there are so many other ways to customize it so it feels special for your partner.

Mark & Graham Double Deck Monogrammed Playing Cards

I have some friends who don't go anywhere without a deck of cards, and this would be the perfect first-anniversary gift for them to give each other. It's a simple present, but the fact that it can be monogrammed and comes in an acrylic box makes it feel a bit more gift-worthy. I bet the couple would be delighted to pull these cards out during their next game night.

Joayo Crafts Personalized Origami Frame From Wedding Photos

This origami artwork takes the idea of a paper gift to another level. It's one of the most unique first-anniversary gift ideas I've seen, and I considered a lot of products for this guide. Simply send the Etsy seller a few wedding photos, and they'll recreate your outfits and bouquet by hand, paying attention to all the details like fabric and style. You can even add a pet or kid into the mix for an additional cost.

Letterfest Personalized Watercolor Wedding Venue Sketch

Years ago, my husband and I were gifted one of these watercolor paintings of the farm in Vermont where we got engaged. I love the idea of getting another one of our wedding venue and hanging them next to each other. But even if you don't already have one from your engagement, this hand-drawn painting is a special gift for couples who got married somewhere picturesque. Choose from several sizes and frame options, and you'll even receive a digital proof to approve before it gets printed.

AJ Personalized Comics Personalized First Anniversary Comic Book

For a nostalgic twist on giving a photo book as a paper gift, consider this custom comic book. The seller turns anywhere from 19 to 38 images into comic art, which you can arrange however you want to tell your story. There are options for every budget, ranging from a digital download that you can print yourself to a hardcover copy that will be a keepsake for many years to come. It's no wonder it's a bestseller on Etsy!

Rifle Paper Co. Large Embroidered Keepsake Box

Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, said a heartfelt handwritten letter is the best paper gift for your first anniversary. "Regardless of someone’s handwriting, it’s a personal gesture of love," she said. "To make it extra special, add a beautiful vintage box or modern container that can be displayed on a shelf to add more meaningful cards as the years pass." This box from Rifle Paper Co. is just one example I recommend, but you can find plenty of other keepsake boxes on the market.

Modern 1-year anniversary gifts

Orient Bambino Version 2 Stainless Steel Hand-Winding Watch

If he doesn't already have a nice watch, your first wedding anniversary is the perfect opportunity to get him one as a modern clock gift. A pricey Rolex is probably out of the question, so instead, consider this dress watch that CNN Underscored associate testing writer Joe Bloss continuously recommends.

Apple Watch Series 11

Maybe your partner would prefer a watch that doubles as a fitness tracker, or maybe they don't dress up often enough to make a dress watch worth it. Fortunately, a smartwatch counts as a clock-related anniversary gift too, according to Spencer. Not only is the Apple Watch Series 11 the brand's latest model, but it's also our favorite smartwatch and boasts better battery life than its predecessors.

Read our review

Breda Jane Bracelet Watch

The Breda Jane watch hits on two first-anniversary gift themes: clocks and gold. The latter is the traditional metal and "represents a brightness and can be likened to a prosperous future ahead," Callahan and O’Brien said. I love this watch's jewelry-like design and have received dozens of compliments on it since I started wearing it. If she doesn't already have a nice watch, this is a solid choice that will be easy to incorporate into her wardrobe.

1-800-Flowers Elegant Blush Bouquet

Carnations are the traditional flower for a first anniversary, according to the experts I interviewed. It's surprisingly hard to find carnation-only arrangements online, though, so you'll probably have better luck at a local florist. But this bouquet from 1-800-Flowers — the best flower delivery service we've tested — features carnations as well as white roses and lilies. I recommend gifting a bouquet alongside a handwritten letter or framed photo for a simple but meaningful touch.

Read our review

Mejuri Dôme Brioche Hoops

All the experts I spoke with suggested gold earrings as a jewelry gift for a first anniversary. I have the sterling silver version of these brioche-inspired hoops, but this pair is plated in 18-karat gold to fit with the theme. I love how versatile these earrings are, but if you know your partner prefers another type of jewelry (like diamonds or pearls), you can always get them something else they'd be more likely to wear, even if it doesn't fit with the tradition.

Framebridge Hughes Frame

You don't always need to go above and beyond for anniversary gifts. "Simple gestures should not be overlooked. A framed picture from a special experience is a wonderful idea," Gottsman said. I've always admired Framebridge's selection of picture frames, but this one is ideal for a first anniversary because it ties into the gold theme. And while you can definitely upload your favorite wedding photo, you can also think outside the box and frame 3D objects or textiles from your wedding day (maybe even fabric scraps from your dress or tux, for example).

Catbird Hundred Summers Collar

This dainty necklace from Catbird, one of our editors' favorite places to buy jewelry, would make a great gold gift for the woman with a more minimalist style. It's the kind of necklace she can layer with other pieces or wear on its own every day without needing to take it off. She can even add charms to it down the line.

How to choose the best 1-year anniversary gift

As you’re approaching your first wedding anniversary, I highly recommend talking about anniversary gifts with your spouse so you can ensure you’re on the same page about traditions and budget. My husband and I decided early on that we wanted to stick to the traditional gifts for all the major milestones, but other couples might prefer the modern version, go back and forth every year, or skip the guidelines altogether (yes, that’s allowed).

“It’s important to remember that history and tradition is a guide, but what is most meaningful is something you personalize and give from the heart,” Gottsman said. That means that, above all, you should choose a gift with your partner’s likes and interests in mind. “I always encourage people to use their imagination and celebrate in ways that show their love and appreciation, whether that’s a picnic in the park, taking an art class together or spending the day rock climbing,” Spencer said.

You can also decide to interpret the traditions in your own way. “Certainly these traditions were established long ago, and many typical recommendations feel a bit formal,” Callahan and O’Brien said. “But there are many paper-inspired gifts that can celebrate new interests you’ve mutually discovered in your first married year, such as airplane tickets to a destination you want to explore together, tickets to a concert of your favorite band or museum, or perhaps even signing up for an art class together.”

FAQs

What flower represents a 1-year anniversary?

Carnations are the traditional flower for a first anniversary, and they represent young love and devotion, according to Callahan and O’Brien. “While carnations are often an overlooked flower, thought of more as a filler in larger arrangements, individually they present a sweetness,” they said.

Don’t limit yourself to just carnations, though. Callahan and O’Brien also suggested incorporating a few blooms from your wedding bouquet into the arrangement for a special touch. “It creates a thoughtful bridge between the wedding day and the first anniversary, giving the traditional anniversary flower a story that’s uniquely yours,” they added.

However, you could always ditch the carnations altogether. “If your spouse has a favorite flower, that’s probably the better choice,” Spencer said.

What kind of jewelry do you get for a first anniversary?

Wedding anniversaries have corresponding gemstones or metals (often related to jewelry), and for the first anniversary, it’s gold. There are plenty of routes you can take with gold gifts, but watches, jewelry and picture frames are some of my favorite ideas.

Meet our experts

For this article, I consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:

• Willa Callahan, cofounder and creative partner at Poppy Gifting
• Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas
• Peggy O’Brien, cofounder and growth strategist at Poppy Gifting
• Kristi Spencer, etiquette coach and founder of The Polite Company

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person you’re shopping for. Among the gift ideas included in this guide are products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we’ve given (or have been given) ourselves, new products from our favorite brands and trending items taking over our social feeds. Our aim is to inspire you to gift creatively by presenting you with gifts you may not have seen or considered (but if you’re seeing some repeat products in our guides, it probably just means we really love them).

For this article, CNN Underscored home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel, who has been curating gift guides for nearly a decade, put together this list of one-year anniversary gifts using expert advice from etiquette professionals and firsthand experience.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.