What is the traditional first anniversary gift?

Paper. The traditional list we follow is Leah Ingram's US list, and the lists we read all give paper for the first anniversary and cotton for the second.

What is the modern first anniversary gift?

Clocks, on Bridebook's modern list. The modern list is a more recent set of ideas, so a clock, a watch or a clock-themed gift is the usual way to follow it.

What is a good first anniversary gift for a partner?

A handwritten letter is the safest choice, because it is paper, it costs little and it is personal. Add tickets, a dinner or a framed photo if you want something bigger.

Do we have to give each other a gift?

No. The lists are a tradition, not a rule. Some couples exchange a card and spend the evening together, and that is a perfectly good first anniversary.

When should I start shopping for a first anniversary gift?

About a month before if it is made to order or engraved, and about a week before for tickets or a booking. A letter can be written the night before.

What can I give if our anniversary is tomorrow?

Write a letter, book a table, or print a favorite photo and frame it. A handwritten page and an evening together need no shipping.

First anniversary gift ideas: paper and beyond

First anniversary gift ideas, from the traditional paper gift to the modern clock, with experiences and a plan for when to start. Free yearly reminder, no gift shop.

The first anniversary is paper. That is the traditional gift, and the modern list says clocks. Neither is a rule, only a place to start: a gift can be as small as a letter or as planned as a weekend away.

Below are paper gift ideas, an idea built around a clock, and experiences that need no wrapping, plus when to start if you want something made or engraved. We don't sell gifts, so nothing here sends you to a store.

The first anniversary at a glance

Traditional gift: Paper; Leah Ingram's US list
Modern gift: Clocks; Bridebook's modern list
Next year, the 2nd anniversary: Cotton (traditional) and china (modern)

Paper gift ideas

A handwritten letter. Write what the year was like and what you are looking forward to. It costs nothing, and it is the paper gift people keep.
Your vows, written out. Set your vows, or a favorite line from them, in a nice hand and frame it or tuck it into a book.
A photo book of the day. This is an idea only, and we sell no gifts, so there is no link. Pick the photos you haven't looked at in months and write a line under each.
Tickets. A concert, a game, a show or a film. Tickets are paper, and they come with a night out.
A book with a note inside the cover. Choose one you each loved and write on the first page.
A framed map of where you met, where you married or a trip you took together.
A gift card to a restaurant you both like. It is paper too.

If you want the modern gift: a clock

The modern list gives clocks for the first year. A desk clock, a wall clock for the room you spend the most time in, or a watch engraved with the date are the usual picks. A clock also suits the year: it is the first one you have counted together.

Engraving takes longer than buying off the shelf, so see the timing below before you choose one.

Experiences that need no wrapping

Dinner at the place you had your reception, or where you had your first date.
A weekend away, even somewhere close.
Dance your first dance again in the living room.
Take a class together, such as pottery or cooking.

How far ahead to plan

A letter, tickets and a dinner reservation can be done the week before. Anything made to order, such as a printed photo book, a framed print or an engraved clock, needs about a month, and longer if your anniversary is near a holiday.

Put a note in your own calendar a month before the day. We can also send you one email on the day itself, every year.

Get a reminder every year

Your first anniversary is the first of many. Sign in once and we will email you on the day each year with that year's gift.

Remind me every year

One short email on the day, with the gift for that year. The yearly email is free, and one tap stops it.

How to choose a first anniversary gift

Start with paper or a clock. Paper is the traditional gift for year one and clocks are the modern one. Pick whichever sounds more like the two of you, or combine them with a letter and a clock.
Think about the year you had. A gift that mentions something from the past twelve months, such as a trip, a joke or a meal, will mean more than a perfect object.
Choose a thing or a time. Some people want something to keep and some want an evening out. Both count as a first anniversary gift.
Work back from the date. Count back a month for anything made to order and a week for tickets or a booking, then mark those days on your calendar.
Set a reminder. Add the date to your calendar, or ask for our free yearly email so the next anniversary does not catch you out.

Questions people ask

What is the traditional first anniversary gift?: Paper. The traditional list we follow is Leah Ingram's US list, and the lists we read all give paper for the first anniversary and cotton for the second.
What is the modern first anniversary gift?: Clocks, on Bridebook's modern list. The modern list is a more recent set of ideas, so a clock, a watch or a clock-themed gift is the usual way to follow it.
What is a good first anniversary gift for a partner?: A handwritten letter is the safest choice, because it is paper, it costs little and it is personal. Add tickets, a dinner or a framed photo if you want something bigger.
Do we have to give each other a gift?: No. The lists are a tradition, not a rule. Some couples exchange a card and spend the evening together, and that is a perfectly good first anniversary.
When should I start shopping for a first anniversary gift?: About a month before if it is made to order or engraved, and about a week before for tickets or a booking. A letter can be written the night before.
What can I give if our anniversary is tomorrow?: Write a letter, book a table, or print a favorite photo and frame it. A handwritten page and an evening together need no shipping.