Finding a gift that captures something meaningful about a couple’s unique history together or embodies how well you know each other can be a challenge, but it will also make a deeper impact, says Vinita Mehta, a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington, D.C., who has written about the emotions behind gift giving. “Gifts are an expression of the closeness in a relationship,” she says.
Even within the longstanding lists of traditional and modern gifts by anniversary year, you’ll want to find something truly special. We tapped six gifting pros to share their no-fail suggestions for milestone years.
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A great gift is something that lines up with a person’s interests, Los Angeles-based etiquette expert Elaine Swann points out, and the first anniversary offers an open framework since paper is such a widely used material. If they like to read, consider a Book of the Month Club subscription so they’ll always have something new to dive into, she says. Phoeniz, Ariz.-based husband and wife destination-wedding photographers Andrew and Mashaida Tran suggest taking the paper theme one step further, tucking the subscription certificate into a box of monogrammed stationery from Dear Elouise.
What better way to reflect the longevity of your relationship than with an actual timepiece? For a spin on the standard, opt for a graphic-looking alarm clock (that might even spark a healthy no-phones-in-bed habit). Mehta recommends one inspired by the iconic chair designs of Danish designer and architect Arne Jacobsen. With a touch-sensor light and snooze feature, this streamlined plastic-and-steel clock also looks sleek on a nightstand.
An easy wood-based pick, says Tran, is a framed photograph, painting, textile or other sentimental object. (Perhaps you bought your first home together and can press a couple of roses from your garden?) Her go-to source is Framebridge: ”They walk you through the process of choosing the frame” down to the color, material and placement in your home, she says. To make it even more meaningful, add a small metal plate engraved with a special quote, song lyrics or part of your vows.
When it comes to utensil sets, nothing beats the quality craftsmanship of artisan-made pieces, says Barbi Walters of The Lynden Lane Co., a wedding and environmental design firm in Laguna Beach, Calif. She favors the stainless steel, ivory acrylic—handled Laguiole flatware. Offering service for six, the set is made by a third-generation family-run company in Thiers, France, and comes in an impressive-looking wood box.
Highly durable tin and aluminum show up frequently in backyard gear designed to withstand the elements, notes Yaz Quiles, a New York City-based event producer, so an outdoor appliance in these materials makes perfect sense as a present. Quiles suggests the Kamado Grill, a compact charcoal grill made of cast aluminum that can sear up to 14 burgers at a time. “You can control the temperature more precisely than with a traditional grill,” she says, “and the cast iron helps food retain moisture and flavor.”
A can’t-go-wrong pick to celebrate your first decade together, according to Walters, is a piece of jewelry that strikes a balance of special-looking and appropriate for everyday wear—and even better when it’s sustainably made. She loves Oscar Massin’s delicate flower pendant made of recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds, which comes on a 16- to 18-inch adjustable chain so it’ll sit at just the right spot.
Crystal may not be something that’s used day-to-day in most homes, but one place it definitely belongs? On your bar cart, says Walters, since that’s a spot where you can easily get elegant with home entertaining. Her favorite crystal gift is the Cubo Crystal Whisky Bottle for its clean lines and heirloom-like look. Topped with a sculptural crystal cap, it’s a decanter and objet d’art in one.
If you’re spending a lot on a watch for the 15th anniversary, you want one that delivers on all the important design facets, including an elevated aesthetic and quality construction from a trusted, high-end brand. This Hermès style is a winner on all accounts, says Walters, adding that the soft, stitched-leather strap wraps around, mimicking layered jewelry—a one-and-done option for nearly any outfit.
Like “art” for your table, china in a painterly pattern dresses up a meal so that family gatherings or even just a dinner for two feel like an occasion, says Walters. She recommends giving the Sirena Celadon collection from Ark Elements, both for its timeless design—inspired by a wallpaper fragment from the 1700s—and for the approach behind it. All its products are “women owned, sourced and curated from different cities around the world,” the company says.
There’s nothing quite like tequila to signal a party, which is why, for a couple who enjoys making a big deal of celebrations, Patron Gran Platinum tequila can be an apropos 20th anniversary gift in lieu of an actual platinum object, says Quiles. She likes the triple-distilled, oak-rested pick for its smooth sipping and full-bodied flavor.
Studies show people appreciate sentimental gifts, and that we may underestimate this appreciation, says Mehtra, who suggests giving a silver frame with a favorite photograph or handmade art that has some significance to your relationship. Nambé frames are Quiles’ favorites for their “beautiful and modern organic shapes that you won’t find anywhere else”—and, best of all, they look exactly like sterling silver but are actually crafted out of an eight-metal alloy that never needs polishing.
Anyone who’s been together 25 years could likely use a new addition to their tablescape, and this Elsa Peretti salt-and-pepper set has an artfully curved design that works with any type of dinnerware. It’s small (i.e. easy to store) and understatedly elegant—the type of table accent that shows guests you’ve put time and thought into the meal without going overboard.
A strand of pearls is pretty much always appreciated, but how about adding a modern twist? “I love the idea of a trendy chain-style necklace with pearls integrated, so that it’s more of a fun fashion piece,” says Rachel Silver, founder and CEO of Love Stories TV, a video platform for wedding inspiration. The 14-karat gold-plated Lele Sadoughi lariat she loves features hand-dyed millefiori beads alongside a freshwater baroque cultured pearl.
It’s always a good move to go with jewelry that’s versatile, so a diamond ring that’s equally beautiful on its own or combined with a wedding band makes a great choice. The Lash Linear Diamond Ombré Ring from Bario Neal, a female-founded company based in Philadelphia, has alternating white and champagne diamonds in the brand’s signature setting (half bezel, half prong), which gives the traditional stone a fresh look.
Cuff links are one of the easiest ways to put a personal spin on a tuxedo or suit, so they’re often a welcome addition to a wardrobe. “They add elegance and refinement to any tuxedo, suit, or dress shirt,” says Quiles. She recommends this square, sterling-silver pair with just the right amount of flash—a thin row of pavé diamonds—when you need something special for the 30th.
A milestone as major as the 50th calls for something festive, like a statement piece you can use for family gatherings, says Quiles, who’s a fan of Mark & Graham’s gold-plated wine and Champagne bowl. The pedestal-style piece can be filled with ice and bottles or even a bunch of flowers, to act as a centerpiece—and monogramming it with a name or wedding date turns it into an instant heirloom.
He may not need any more gold jewelry by now, but a smartwatch with a “gold” stainless-case is endlessly useful—for fitness-tracking, sending texts, making calls or streaming podcasts or music. Apple ’s Series 7 has a large display and a keyboard, and with a fee of $9.99 per month, he can connect to Apple Fitness+ to stream thousands of on-demand workouts on an iPad or other synced device.
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