The 28 Best First Anniversary Gifts for Your Partner to Celebrate a Memorable Year

For a traditional paper anniversary gift in a fresh, modern form, look no further than the latest Kindle. It’s faster than the last version, lasts up to 12 weeks on a single battery charge, and has an ultrathin design that makes it a dream for traveling. Like past versions, it’s also waterproof, meaning you can read it poolside worry-free.

Preserve some of your favorite memories from the past year in this cheeky, fun coffee table album. There are 300 4-inch by 6-inch photo pockets in the album, and you don’t have to fill them all right away. Make it a yearly project, adding photos from the past year on every anniversary.

A stylish nod to the “paper” anniversary with crisp silver links that symbolize the strength and flexibility of your first year together, this sleek paperclip chain bracelet will sparkle on the arm. Its dainty nature means it can shine solo or layer with other cherished pieces.

This custom city map print is a chic way to commemorate where your marriage began. Personalize it with the location of where you said “I do” and your preferred colors (there are six to choose from) to turn it into a piece of art. A modern take on the traditional paper anniversary, it’s a heartfelt reminder of the journey you’ve started together.

Commemorate a dozen of your favorite moments during your first year of marriage, from your tropical honeymoon to the pet you adopted together, with a custom piece of art featuring a collage of vintage-style mini Polaroids. You can customize the text under each one and complete the look with one of several different framing options.

For something both thoughtful and practical, look no further than this personalized travel watch roll. With a micro suede lining and double snap closure, it’s designed to protect a cherished timepiece on the go. Add your spouse’s monogram for a personal touch, and choose from nine different colors.

If your partner loves to monitor their health metrics and track their fitness goals, you can’t go wrong with The Series 10 Apple Watch—even if they already have an Apple Watch, they’re probably due for an upgrade. It comes in titanium and aluminum options, with a thinner and lighter design and up to 30 percent more screen area than previous options. Even better: It charges much faster, giving you 80 percent battery in just half an hour.

Love to spend your Sundays doing The New York Times crossword together? Then you’ll love working on this newspaper puzzle. When pieced together, it reveals the front page of The New York Times from your wedding day. You can frame it afterwards or take it apart to put together every year on your anniversary.

Whether you want to memorialize your first year off marriage, your honeymoon, or another big event over the past 12 months, put all your favorite photos from the year in a customizable photo album. Choose from three sizes, seven cover colors, and three foil shades in this color series photo book. You can create one each year, so this can be the first of a whole collection.

Who needs a watch for the wrist when you can wear one on your finger? This emerald and stainless steel ring watch symbolizes the time you’ve already shared and the years still to come. With a sparkling crystal bezel and an innovative design that combines a sleek timepiece with a sculptural ring, it makes for a sentimental keepsake and a bold statement of style.

Remind your spouse of your everlasting vows by transforming them into a piece of art. With a minimalist design in both typography and color, this art print will show that you still mean every word. Choose from three different sizes and over 25 colors.

Can’t choose between paper or a timepiece? This picture frame clock combines both, with room for one of your favorite photos of the two of you next to a sleek clock. Available in brass or nickel finishes, it will look elegant and timeless (no pun intended) on a nightstand for years to come.

Is your spouse a vinyl lover? They’ll love this custom canvas that turns your wedding song into a statement for your walls. It highlights your special day in a creative way, while hitting on your partner’s taste for music. You can customize everything from the song and center color of the record to the memory (such as "our first dance") and your names or a date.

Your bookworm partner will love this literary clock, which features quotes from more than 13,000 literature classics over the past six centuries at every hour. It’s a thoughtful way to mark your first chapter together—and a reminder that the best is yet to be written.

We’re obsessed with this miniature personalized photo box. Upload up to 22 of your favorite photos from the past year—might we suggest your wedding, weekend activities, and honeymoon for a few ideas?—and customize the cover for a special touch. It makes for the perfect little keepsake your partner can return to time and again.

Inside this special personalized book is The New York Times paper from the day you got married. You can personalize the velvety leatherette cover with the date and your spouse’s name. It’ll look sleek and elegant displayed on your coffee table.

Whether for journaling or taking notes during meetings, this faux-leather wrap lined journal is a chic gift thanks to its luxe gilt-edged pages and leather wraparound strap. Personalize it with your partner’s initial and choose from five different colors.

We’re a sucker for anything watercolor, and this venue portrait from the Minted + Brides Collection is no exception. Just upload a photo and customize the text, and you’ll have your next piece of wall art for years to come.

You can’t go wrong with a watch for your first anniversary. This sleek silver option featuring a slim oval sapphire crystal face and minimalist sunray dial feels more bangle than watch, putting a contemporary twist on a classic gift.

Go vintage with the Mixbook Film Camera Album, an entirely customizable digital photo album featuring photos that look like they came from a traditional film camera. Each page features a single-photo layout on a solid white background for a walk through the past. The album comes in four sizes and three shapes and can be customized with different print types and finishes.

Stargazers and starry-eyed lovers will love this custom poster, which features an image of the night sky as it appeared on a certain date from a specific location. Since this is a first anniversary gift, we suggest choosing your anniversary date and venue. Don’t forget to include the place and date, names, and a sweet personalized phrase. The print is available in various sizes and framing options.

If your spouse already has a strong collection of watches, consider getting an accessory or tool for them instead. This watch winder from Wolf counts turns per day, is fully controllable, and “locks” timepieces to keep them secure. Around for more than two centuries, Wolf really knows what it’s doing.

You know what time it is: spritz o’clock! A whimsical necklace that shimmers with an Aperol Spritz crystal charm and yellow lemon wedge charm makes for a fun play on the timepiece theme. Bonus points if it serves up memories of a honeymoon in Italy.

If you’ve decided to keep the first year anniversary gifts low-key, go with a sweet card. They’re meaningful and deliver on the paper theme. This Etsy template takes it to the next level by letting you add your favorite photos into Polaroid style frames, write personalized letters, and include milestones and bucket list items. We’re obsessed!

Blending rugged movement with refined Swiss craftsmanship, the Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph is perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. Its bold design and precision chronograph movement reflect the strength and momentum of your first year together. With a stainless steel build and 300-meter water resistance, it’s also a perfect companion for water sports aficionados.

Whether you’re married to a biohacker or an insomniac, the latest Hatch promises a good night’s sleep and solid bedtime routine. Restore 3 comes with high-quality nature and sleep sounds, and like the versions before it, a gentle-wake up call that supports your natural circadian rhythm.

How adorable are these personalized matchbooks? The “Burnin’ for You” text shows that your love is still going strong after year one of marriage. Customize them with your names, and you’ll have a charming gift that sparks warmth (literally and figuratively) and nostalgia.

If you don’t want to abide by the first year anniversary themes, you can’t go wrong with a classic pair of diamond studs. They’re a staple in every woman’s jewelry box. This lab-grown pair from Mejuri can be set in yellow or white gold, promising to sparkle on the ears.

FAQ

• Event planner Apryl Roberts says her favorite way to celebrate an anniversary is to take a quick trip. “The first year of marriage can often be challenging due to all the new adjustments of married life,” she advises. “A trip helps to reflect and rekindle passion." Bonus: It’ll provide a lot of photos for you to use in future anniversary gifts to come.

  If a vacation or a weekend getaway isn’t in the cards, you can keep it small—something as simple as a day date with breakfast in bed or a hike through nature can also make the day feel special. So too can going out for fancy dinner or cooking a romantic meal at home together.

• When it comes to choosing an anniversary present, the more personal and unique the gift, the better. It shows that you've gone the extra mile and are commemorating a moment that's special to the two of you. Think about your partner's hobbies and interests, as well as any special items they've been coveting.

• If you want to ditch the anniversary themes and go with an experiential first anniversary gift, Roberts suggests a couples’ spa date, a private chef-hosted dinner, or a wine or beer pairing excursion. For something totally unexpected and engaging, create a scavenger hunt that explores different local restaurants, bars, and outdoor venues.