1st wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Paper
Modern: Clocks
Read on for unique ideas for giving 1st anniversary gifts—as well writing anniversary messages and celebrating the happy occasion.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
1st anniversary gifts and ideas for spouses
What to give
Budget
- Grab a pen and some stationery and write the kind of love letter that will be tucked away forever. Need help getting started? Try these tips from Hallmark writer Keely Chace.
- Give a book of romantic “love coupons,” purchased or homemade, that can be redeemed for back rubs, chores or other favors.
- Give your mate a pack of beautiful stationery.
Splurge
- Get matching smart watches or find an antique or vintage clock for your wall or mantel.
- Take out a full-page ad in the local newspaper wishing your partner a happy anniversary and sharing your love for him or her with the world.
- Don’t forget the card! Your paper anniversary is not complete without telling your partner just how much their love means.
- And for more ideas, see what to write in an anniversary card and how to write a love letter.
What to write
What to write in a 1st anniversary card
- “This first year has been so full of love—I can’t wait to see where the other years take us!”
- “When I saw you on our wedding day, my heart was bursting with love…and somehow I love you even more a year later.”
- “Everything I fell in love with is still there, and in this past year, I’ve found even more reasons to love you.”
What to write about in a 1st anniversary love letter
- Your favorite memory from this past year
- What you’ve learned about your partner this year
- A goal (or wish or promise) for your next year of marriage
How to celebrate
- Relive your honeymoon at home (recreate your favorite meals and the ambiance of the restaurant) or by visiting restaurants and attractions, if they’re nearby.
- Don’t forget to eat that cake you froze from your wedding day. (Or, if you didn’t, track down a cake that’s similar to your wedding cake and feed each other a slice.)
- Print out your vows on paper—the traditional first anniversary gift—and frame them.
For more ideas, check out these creative anniversary dates and anniversary traditions.
1st anniversary gifts and ideas for friends and family
- People appreciate personalization, so give note cards or stationery printed with the couples’ names or initials. A pack of stamps makes a thoughtful addition.
- Print your favorite wedding photo and send it in the perfect paper anniversary gift—a card.
- Give a subscription to a magazine or newspaper you think they’d both enjoy.
What to write
- “Hope today is the perfect excuse to drop everything else and focus on the two of you.”
- “So happy to have shared your special day a year ago—here’s to a beautiful couple!”
- “May your love and happiness grow, year after year!”
Shop 1st Anniversary Gifts
You may also like
See more-
Birthday Free birthday coloring pages to add more fun to the celebration
The best birthdays are the ones filled with lots of little treats and fun activities, from sunup to sundown. If you’r...
-
Family Tips and ideas for preserving and displaying family recipes
Family recipes are a special kind of priceless heirloom—the kind that transport us back to our favorite times with ou...
-
Mother's Day Meaningful, personal Mother's Day gift ideas for every mom you know
It can be tough to come up with gift ideas for Mom. Most of us want to give her something meaningful: a gift that sho...
-
Father's Day Celebrating two dads on Father's Day: Tips and ideas inspired by real families
As a dad, I appreciate Father’s Day. Even though my family has never made a really big deal out of it, it’s always so...
-
Thank You 100+ teacher appreciation gift ideas to say “thanks for all you do!”
In 6th grade, my homeroom teacher made us illustrated, laminated bookmarks—each one a custom collage of our interests...
-
Christmas Dr. Finkelstein’s Lab Tree Topper
Fans of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, we have a frightfully fun new addition for your tree! Kee...
-
Graduation Graduation gift ideas for every level of education
My little brother starts kindergarten this year, and I’m already bracing myself for the tears—mine, not his. I know t...
-
Lifestyle Free printable When Calls the Heart Bingo card to celebrate the Season 11 premiere!
Who's ready for a Heartie Party? You know we are! So much so, we created a bingo card to add a whole extra layer of f...
-
Christmas Star Wars: A New Hope™️ Collection
You don’t have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to experience an epic adventure! Each stocking holder performs sce...
-
Christmas Wreath of Memories Keepsake Ornament
Get a special behind-the-scenes look at how Keepsake Artists Gregor Benedetti and Rob Stanphill collaborated on the d...
-
Christmas Howliday Helpers First in Series Keepsake Ornament
Do you want the inside scoop on an im-paws-ibly cute new series? We’ll throw you a bone—Keepsake Artist Sharon Visker...
-
Christmas Keepsake Ornaments ShowToppers Mini Collection
We’re so excited to introduce our new ShowToppers collection. Featuring three unique designs, each tree topper is int...
-
Christmas Keepsake Ornaments North Pole Village Table Decoration
Keepsake Artist Sharon Visker is here with a special delivery of Christmas magic! Hear how she brought this bustling ...
-
Christmas Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™️ Storytellers Collection
Ready for a little magic? Featuring light, sound and real dialogue from the movie, Harry, Dobby, Ron, Hermione and th...
-
Christmas Disney The Haunted Mansion Collection
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion! Featuring interactive light, music and dialogue from the classic Di...
-
Christmas The Grinch Wreath
This amazing motion-activated wreath may not steal Christmas, but it’ll definitely steal the show! Complete with ligh...
-
Christmas Twelve Days of Christmas First in Series Keepsake Ornament
Watch as Keepsake Artist Gregor Benedetti and Senior Design Technician R.J. Stebbins collaborate on the first ornamen...
-
Christmas Christmas Is… First in Series Keepsake Ornament
Keepsake Artist Tim Bishop didn’t have to go too far to find inspiration for his first Keepsake Ornament series. Duri...
-
Christmas Cup of Cozy First in Series Keepsake Ornament
Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what the new Cup of Cozy series is made of! Hear how Keepsake Artist Iman...
-
Arts, Crafts & DIY 9 DIY memory box ideas to keep special days close at heart
Every incredible trip, amazing party and huge milestone comes with its own unique memories and little objects worth h...