A couple's first anniversary is a big deal. It's the original celebration of its kind and sets the tone for all of the (many) anniversaries to come. That's why you need to find the perfect first-anniversary gift, which will help make it a truly memorable occasion. So, what should you get your one-and-only?
We asked wedding and event planner Jessica Sloane to weigh in. "Lean into the personal and meaningful," she advises. Whether you're searching for a first-anniversary gift for your partner or a special couple in your life, Sloane recommends choosing something like a photo book or a personalized object. "It's great to find something representative of the wedding day to help make the first anniversary feel special." Turn to traditional first anniversary themes like paper to represent your delicate yet strong bond when in doubt. Modern anniversary themes, like a timepiece, are said to represent the passage of time and your long journey ahead. We tested several top-rated products for ourselves and made our final selection based on the quality of materials, customization options, thoughtfulness, packaging, and overall value.
This 14k solid gold and diamond solitaire necklace is an elegant anniversary gift that's perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions. It features a brilliant-cut, conflict-free natural diamond and an adjustable chain (choose from yellow or white gold). We love it layered with other delicate necklaces or on its own as a subtle statement piece.
If your partner (or the couple you’re shopping for) loves a great cup of espresso, they'll definitely be delighted by the Barista Touch Espresso maker from Breville. With an easy-to-use touchscreen menu, they can instantly make their favorite coffee drinks—lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and more—as well as up to eight personalized beverages that can be programmed ahead of time. For the best-tasting cup of joe you can imagine, the machine also includes a built-in burr grinder that automatically adds the right amount of coffee from fresh beans. It can brew one or two cups at a time, so it’s the ideal first-anniversary gift for a pair of coffee-lovers.
This nuanced unisex blend from Tom Ford is a great gift for anyone who loves earthy and woody scents. With top notes of rare oud wood, rosewood, cardamom, and Chinese pepper, this eau de parfum's chic smoked-gray bottle will dress up any vanity or dresser. The fragrance comes as a spray in three different sizes, the smallest of which is perfect for travel.
Available in two sizes, this gas-powered oven takes the homemade pizza experience to the next level. It fits well on a counter, but it’s also portable enough to bring on the go. In addition to pizza, the oven can be used to cook fish, steak, marinated veggies, and more. It heats to a temperature of 950 degrees in just 25 minutes—that means you can whip up a perfectly crispy pizza in about 60 seconds. We're sold!
This transparent speaker from Mr Porter is a gift that will truly wow any audiophile. Made entirely of aluminum and tempered glass, the Bluetooth-enabled design is built to provide rich sounds that can be adjusted to suit the listener. It can also connect to virtual assistants like Alexa. The speaker is petite, measuring just 13 by 17 inches, but it packs a big punch. As impressive, of course, is its sleek and unexpected minimalist design.
This ultra-quiet percussive massage gun from Theragun is the epitome of a gift that keeps on giving. Perfect for anyone with muscle pain and tension, it has five speeds that can be easily controlled via Bluetooth with the Theragun app. It also comes with five separate attachments for targeting different pressure points. The Elite model is compact enough for travel and has a secure, ergonomic grip, making it comfortable to use. It also can run for up to 120 minutes on a charge, so there's plenty of time for a thorough massage.
This small but mighty table lamp comes in nine vibrant colors, including industrial yellow and a poppy fuchsia pink azalea. The retro design is inspired by vintage Braun electronics and gives the lamp a whimsical appeal. It features a steel base, glass shade, and brass dimmer switch for different lighting needs.
Celebrate all of the places you've been together with this sweet print that's made from maps of your favorite cities and countries you've visited together. Add the caption of your choice above the illustration, as well as your names and significant date below.
Our tester selected three special locations she shared with her fiancé. She loved how each mountain on the print featured a detailed terrain map of each area and appreciated that the entire thing was crafted from high-quality materials (making it an excellent heirloom gift). In addition to being well-made, the print itself was very clear and detailed (no striping or uneven printing).
This classic tennis bracelet is a first-anniversary gift that's fit for the occasion—and something she'll wear for years to come. It can be displayed as a single standalone piece or can be stacked with other coordinating bracelets. This design features 64 round-cut accent stones—depending on your budget, choose from lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, or diamond simulants. We also like that it has a fold-over clasp to keep it secure.
This print, which is part of the exclusive Minted + Brides collection, can help commemorate the first year of marriage in a fun and whimsical way. Choose 12 favorite snapshots from throughout the year, from the romantic beach trip you took to the backyard barbecue you hosted, and Minted will create a custom piece of art using a collage of vintage-style photo prints.
If you don't want to go with the monthly theme, it's also possible to personalize the text under the photos with different custom text. Candid shots work especially well for this collage—when choosing your images, look for a range of couple photos, environments (a favorite hotel or landmark you visited), and something unexpected. Consider adding images representing important milestones like adopting a pet, buying a house, or starting a business.
This wonderful trio of treats will delight your favorite foodie or home chef. The bundle includes extra-virgin olive oil made with organic olives handpicked on family-owned farms in California, smoked salsa matcha, and bio-intensive native wildflower honey, all packaged in a beautiful box. In addition to quality ingredients, a purchase from Flamingo Estate also includes a donation to the nonprofit Farmer’s Footprint, so it’s a first-anniversary gift that gives back, too.
Calling all stargazers and starry-eyed lovers! This custom poster features an image of the night sky as it appeared on a certain date from a specific location. Underneath, add the place and date, names, and even a sweet personalized phrase. The print is available in three different sizes and framing options.
Our tester was especially impressed with the imagery and the design, observing that the print quality was excellent and that the graphic text was clear and well-designed. She felt that the hyper-personalized aspect makes this piece perfect for a special celebration like an anniversary.
For couples who love to do the Sunday crossword or read the news together, this newspaper puzzle is a spot-on anniversary gift. When they complete this puzzle, they’ll reveal the front page of the New York Times as it appeared on their wedding day. They’ll enjoy assembling it and remembering the personally newsworthy events that transpired on the day they said “I do.”
The first anniversary is a great time to start a new tradition—and get all those photos organized! This album is volume one of a photo book series that the couple will be eager to add to every year. Choose from three sizes, 10 cover colors, and three foil shades to make the book your own. And don’t forget to choose the first photo wisely—the bold cutout cover showcases it.
This charming print arranges 30 of your most awe-inspiring photos into a fun heart-shaped collage. Available in six size options and 12 different frame materials, it's a more out-of-the-box take on the traditional photo album.
Based on our test, we found that the photos themselves are high-resolution and don't show any bleeding of color or blurry edges. The finished framed piece also felt high-quality and durable. We loved how the photos were laid out in a graphic way—the heart-shaped arrangement means that some overlap, but it's still possible to see each individual picture well.
Can’t choose between the traditional (paper) and modern (clocks) first anniversary gifts? Cover both bases with this unique origami wall clock. The clock looks delicate, but it’s made of high-quality FSC-certified paper, so it’s more durable than it seems. Whether you choose a muted tone like soft grey or a more vibrant hue, this modern piece will add visual interest to any wall in your home.
We didn't know what to expect from a clock crafted out of paper, but we were pleasantly surprised. We love that it's a unique anniversary gift, but one that fits with either the paper or clock theme in a thoroughly modern way. We especially liked the minimalist look and feel, as well as the pastel blue shade (choose from six different colors). It seemed a little flimsy when we first opened it, but once it was on the wall it really packed a graphic punch.
A simple twist on a classic pair of studs, these earrings are designed in 14K yellow gold and pair a rainbow or white moonstone with a rose-cut salt and pepper diamond. Both classy and ethereal, they’ll look just as good with a black evening gown as they will with a cable-knit sweater.
The Series 9 Apple Watch is a must-have for anyone who loves to keep up with the latest Apple products. It comes in a choice of case colors (red, pink, midnight, starlight, and silver) in aluminum or stainless steel. This is a great pick for the spouse who loves monitoring health metrics and tracking their fitness goals. New features include an always-on retina display and a double-tap gesture to perform certain functions. Like previous models, the Series 9 can track steps, heart rate, blood oxygen level, temperature changes, and more.
Were your vows so good they made your partner (and everyone else) tear up? Have them made into a piece of art to show your spouse that you still mean every word. Choose from a wide variety of sizes, color themes, and frames to create a piece that is just right for them.
We loved that this print was minimal in design (without being too stark) and that it can either hang on the wall or sit squarely on a surface. Our tester personalized it with her brother and sister-in-law's vows and gifted it to them for their first anniversary. It was a successful present—the couple said that they were touched by the sentiment behind the print and felt that it was a meaningful way to display their vows in their home.
Turn your wedding song into a bold piece of wall decor with this custom canvas from Lime & Lou. It's a thoughtful gift that highlights your special day in a graphic way, and is an especially fun gift for a vinyl lover. Customize everything including the song, the memory (such as "our first dance"), your names or a date, and the center color of the record.
How adorable is this little personalized photo box from Etsy? Fill the fold-out design with up to 22 photos—choose from wedding pictures, snapshots from a special vacation (your honeymoon, perhaps?), or a combo of all your favorite memories together from over the years. Then, customize the cover for a special touch.
Read about the day you were married in this special personalized book. Choose from a linen or leatherette cover and receive the New York Times from any date since 1910 to preserve for generations to come.
It's been one full year since your big day, and this custom watercolor portrait from the Minted + Brides Collection is the perfect way to commemorate it. All you need to do is upload a wedding photo and customize the text for a keepsake you'll both cherish for many anniversaries to come.
Add a touch of rustic style to their desk or home office with this interactive calendar. It's made in India from natural hair on hide and makes for a unique first-anniversary gift.
This bracelet by Tiffany & Co. is a meaningful gift to show your love. Made of sterling silver, the interlocking circles symbolize your everlasting union. It has a timeless style that goes with everything, so you don’t have to save it for special occasions.
If you’d like to add a vintage feel to your photos, why not create a book that features some of your partner’s favorites? The Mixbook Film Camera Album is an entirely customizable digital photo album featuring photos that look like they came from a traditional film camera. The album comes in four sizes and three shapes and can be customized with different print types and finishes.
If your honeymoon or travels together have included Italy's Amalfi Coast, this gorgeous, color print from Sonic Editions will spark fond memories every time you see it. Set in a wooden frame, the 16-by-20-inch gallery-quality photo print features the popular Fiordo di Furore inlet on the Amalfi Coast.
Your spouse is sure to smile when they see the lyrics to your first-dance wedding song framed. Basic and specialty frames are available to customize this unique and personal piece of wall art. It also comes in a range of sizes to suit your space.
This charming, brightly colored needlepoint pillow from designer Jonathan Adler will add a bit of artistic whimsy to any sofa, couch, or bed. This stylish accent piece is hand-stitched, has a velvet backing, and measures 20 by 12 inches.
This sharable Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket is the perfect first-anniversary gift for the happy couple to snuggle up with. Made with 100 percent polyester, the blanket has an ultra-plush, thick pile that feels nice and weighty with a glamorous faux fur.
What to Look for in a First Anniversary Gift
- The Traditional Gift, Paper: The delicate (yet strong) properties of paper make it the perfect symbol for the first year of marriage and an ideal first anniversary gift. Consider personalized art prints, custom stationery, or a sweet wedding album with your favorite photos. And don't be afraid to get creative! So many things are made from paper—consider books, prints, card games, and photos.
- The Modern Gift, Timepieces: With so many memories to share, the first year of marriage goes quickly! Commemorate the passage of time and the beginning of a long journey together with a special timepiece for a first-anniversary gift. This can range from personalized watches and fitness trackers to modern wall pieces or vintage-style standing clocks.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Hillary Hoffower has over eight years of experience writing for the wedding industry, covering everything from bridal fashion trends to wedding decor. She’s an artsy type, so she loves thinking of creative ways to put a spin on anniversary themes. Former Senior Commerce Editor Kate Donovan contributed additional products and insights to this story.
For this story, the Brides team tested several of the top products and extensively researched the gift market. We considered materials, quality, ease of use, aesthetics, value, and packaging in our assessment. We also consulted with wedding and event experts.
- Jessica Sloane is a Nashville-based wedding and event planner. She is known for her styling expertise, design skills, and collaborative client-planner relationship.
- Apryl Roberts is the founder of Memorable Events, a Virginia-based event and production company.