The joys of being newly married can last for many months after the big day. Soon enough, one year of marriage has crept up and you can celebrate your love all over again – albeit on a slightly smaller scale!

First year wedding anniversary gifts are a common way to show your significant other that you’re thinking of them, and that you're proud of the marriage that you’ve both been a part of over the past 12 months. Knowing where to start with a wedding anniversary gift can be tricky though. Whether you choose to follow traditional anniversary gifting themes or you opt for something a little more modern, the time and love you’ve put into finding them something perfect will always shine through!

If you’re looking for inspiration on traditional and modern first year wedding anniversary gifts, read our top picks below.

Traditional first wedding anniversary gifts

Dating back to Victorian times, the tradition of material-based anniversary gifts for each anniversary year is a popular trend to this day. Each anniversary year’s material symbolizes something different in reference to the relationship. For the first year of a wedding anniversary, tradition asks for giving a gift related to paper. Paper symbolizes both fragility and strength in the relationship, as well as signifying the ‘fresh slate’ and new beginnings of a couple’s life in marriage.

You may be surprised by how many first anniversary gifting options are available to you with reference to paper. Read below for our favorite paper wedding anniversary gift ideas.

Take them on new fictional adventures with Barnes & Noble

It doesn’t get much more paper related than in books! If your partner is a big reader, a gift card to Barnes & Noble is the perfect gift to show you care about their favorite pastime. Whether it’s a cult classic they’ve wanted to add to the living room bookshelf, or a new award-winning title they’ve had their eyes on, this first year anniversary gift is certain to spoil them for months to come.

Organize an anniversary arts and craft night with Michaels

We didn’t say it had to be a physical wrapped gift! With a gift card to Michaels, you can treat each other together with a date night you soon won’t forget. If you’re keeping to the paper theme with collaging or watercolors, Michaels has exactly the materials you need for your artistic date night! Don’t forget the drinks, snacks, and candles, just to add that extra level of date night romance! And for an additional fun challenge, you can paint each other, or a photo of you together from your wedding day. Happy first year anniversary!

Relive your wedding day together with CanvasPop

A year may have passed, but your wedding memories still deserve a special place in your home. With CanvasPop, you can turn your favorite shots into a custom photo book, framed print, or canvas. Whether you’re starting from scratch or creating a second album just for the two of you, it’s a meaningful way to celebrate your first year together—and an anniversary gift you’ll both treasure for years to come.

Modern first year wedding anniversary gift ideas

If the themes around traditional gifting don’t align with you and your partner, or you simply want to do your anniversary gifting your way, a modern first anniversary gift is an equally special option. Be inspired to give them something specific and meaningful to your relationship with the below modern first year anniversary gift ideas.

Treat each other to a special anniversary dinner with Grubhub

For the newlyweds who prefer their experiential gifts over physical gifts, a special dinner together to celebrate your love is hard to beat! With a Grubhub Gift Card, you can indulge in award-winning restaurants, from traditional Italian dining to Brazilian barbecue, and anything else your hearts and taste buds desire! Make delicious memories together on your first anniversary with this thoughtful gift.

Take yourselves on a mini anniversary-moon with Hotels.com

Now that it’s been a year since your wedding, perhaps it’s time for another mini hotel getaway… let’s call it an anniversary-moon! With a gift card to Hotels.com, you can choose from luxury hotels and resorts offered locally and around the world. Give yourselves both an excuse to whisk each other away again with this extra special first year wedding anniversary gift idea.

Make new memories together as a married couple with Virgin Experience Days

Just because you’ve settled down together doesn’t mean your heart doesn’t long for a bit of adventure and spontaneity! With a gift card to Virgin Experience Days, you can take each other on an unforgettable anniversary adventure. From skydiving to surfing, wine touring to whale watching, you can accomplish a bucket list item together in your first year of marriage with this special first anniversary gift.

Make your first wedding anniversary one to remember with Prezzee

Celebrating your first year together as a married couple is a big moment, and one that deserves a special gift to complement it. If you want to ensure your beloved receives something catered to their interests, a Prezzee Smart eGift Card is the perfect first wedding anniversary gift idea.

With a Prezzee Smart eGift Card, they can choose from hundreds of brands across retail, dining, travel, experiences and more. Even if they travel a lot for work, they can still feel your love and thoughtfulness thanks to Prezzee’s international gifting, offering digital gift card gifting no matter how far apart you both are. Say ‘Happy First Wedding Anniversary’ to your special someone this year with Prezzee!

Frequently asked questions about first wedding anniversary gifts

What should I do for a one year anniversary?

When it comes to commemorating your first year of marriage together, it’s completely up to you and your partner as to what you choose to do to celebrate. Popular choices often include a nice meal together, a mini staycation, or giving meaningful gifts, however, you can get as creative or as traditional as you like with it.

What gift do you give for a first wedding anniversary?

If you’re a fan of themes and traditions, a gift resembling paper is commonly what’s given for the first wedding anniversary year. However, many also choose to gift outside of this theme. Popular modern first wedding anniversary gift ideas include:

• Learning a new skill together
• Getting a photoshoot together, just because!
• Giving a Prezzee Smart eGift Card which lets them choose almost anything from their favorite fashion, food, or travel brands
• Doing a weekend camping road trip together
• Going on a small wedding reunion getaway with your partner and bridal party

How much should I spend on a first year anniversary gift?

There are no hard rules when it comes to how much you should spend on your beloved on your first anniversary together. If you’re following traditional anniversary gifting conventions, you could go as simple as writing them a letter on paper. Or, if you’re looking for a more modern gift, something on their wish list, or something they can choose themselves via a Prezzee gift card is also a popular choice, and allows you to set a specific price that can work within your own unique budget.

What are traditional wedding anniversary gifts?

Dating back to the Victorian era, specific gifts based on different symbolic materials were given. For example, the first anniversary year gift material is paper. It is said that paper symbolizes the fragility and strength of the first year of marriage, as well as representing the ‘turning of a page’ into a new era of a married couple’s life. Whilst many don’t follow these specific anniversary gift traditions, some enjoy the challenge!

What are the gifts for each wedding anniversary?

In terms of traditional wedding anniversary gifts, these are based on symbolic materials, which change for each year of the marriage. Below are the first 10 traditional anniversary gift themes:

• First year anniversary – Paper
• Second year anniversary – Cotton
• Third year anniversary – Leather
• Fourth year anniversary – Linen or silk
• Fifth year anniversary – Wood
• Sixth year anniversary – Iron or sugar
• Seventh year anniversary – Wool or copper
• Eighth year anniversary – Salt or Bronze
• Ninth year anniversary – Pottery
• Tenth year anniversary – Tin or Aluminium