Coming Up On A One-Year Anniversary? 19 Meaningful Gifts To Consider (2024)

If you're coming up on a one-year anniversary, congratulations!

And what better way to celebrate your first year of marriage with your spouse (or first year with a committed partner) than with a thoughtful gift to commemorate how far you've come so far?

Gift-giving is an art, so to get you inspired, we rounded up 19 great gifts—including paper gifts, nonmaterial options, and more—for husbands, wives, and spouses, or whoever the special someone is in your life.

Wedding anniversary gifts traditionally have different themes based on the number of years the couple has been together.

The idea is that the material of the gifts becomes stronger each year.

The first anniversary, for example, is paper, while the 25th year is silver, and the 50th, gold.

Another theme sometimes associated with first anniversaries is clocks, which symbolize the passage of time.

But if neither paper nor a clock feels fitting, you certainly don't have to stick to themed gifts.

When thinking about what you want to give your partner for your anniversary, licensed marriage and family therapistHolly Richmond, Ph.D., LMFT, CST, tells mbg you want to focus on the meaning of the gift first and foremost.

"Gift-giving can be really special, even if it's not one of your love languages," she says, adding, "the thing people care about is the meaning behind it."

Richmond notes that she does a lot of work with her clients around love languages and says that the concept can be a good stepping-off point to start thinking about what you'd like to get them.

If they're big on quality time, for example, it might make more sense to gift them an experience you can do together rather than an expensive piece of jewelry.

"It's really about knowing your person," Richmond says. "So, is it time with you? Is it something you've made? Is it something only you know about them? The personal aspect of it just really makes us feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted for who we are."

And lastly, Richmond says that you don't have to shell out big bucks to give your partner a great first anniversary gift.

Rather than focusing on the price tag, focus on making it personal and special to them.

"I find that meaningful, thoughtful, personalized gifts go so much further than an expensive gift," she says.

Sticking with the paper theme, a love letter is a sweet and sentimental way to let your spouse know how much they mean to you. This is a great option if you're on a budget or if you simply want to express your love in a different way than usual.

Is your partner's love language acts of service? If so, your first anniversary is the perfect time to go above and beyond for them. Maybe there's a big household project they've been wanting to tackle that you take care of for them. Or perhaps they have a favorite fancy meal, and you whip it up for your anniversary dinner while they get to relax. Bonus points if you coordinate any and all logistics related to getting the kids to the babysitter's place.

For the couples who prefer doing things over collecting things, tickets to an event you know your partner will love is a great gift that, in a way, fits the paper theme, too. From concerts to plays to museum exhibition openings, the options are endless—and offer a chance for your two to bond over a special experience.

For the nature lover, show them you care with a National Parks pass. This annual pass gives you access to over 2,000 different national parks and recreational lands for the entire year, and it covers everything from entrance and amenity fees to vehicle fees. It rings in at $80, which if you're a forest frequenter, will pay for itself in no time.

Another sweet and budget-friendly option, consider making a booklet of DIY "coupons" for your partner. The best part about making your own "coupons" is you can completely customize them. You could have some for chores (i.e., "Redeem this coupon to have the laundry done for you for a week"), some for sentimental value (i.e., "One free huge hug"), and even some that are a bit spicier (i.e., "Redeem to try something new in the bedroom").

If your partner has a particular hobby, passion, or interest, now's a great time to let them dive in even more with a class or membership. Yoga lovers will swoon over a 10-class pass to their favorite study. Artists would adore a chance to attend a pottery class. A cooking class would be tons of fun for the kitchen veterans. There are tons of options here!

If you and your spouse could use a getaway, let your first anniversary be an excuse to take one. Depending on your budget, you could fly to far-off places—but don't underestimate the power of an intimate weekend getaway in a quiet nearby town or even a staycation right where you already are.

No matter what you decide to give your spouse on your first anniversary, a personal and meaningful gift can go a long way in showing you understand them.

Because at the end of the day, it's not so much about the gift itself but what it says about your connection and how much you care.