Looking for unique, creative, useful and DIY gift ideas for your parents’ anniversary? Look no further!
Celebrating your parents’ anniversary is not just about marking another year together; it’s about honoring their journey, their love, and the life they’ve built together. Whether it’s their 5th or 50th, each anniversary offers a unique opportunity to show gratitude and love.
In this post, we’ll explore a variety of gift ideas that cater to different types of anniversaries, ensuring that your gift is both meaningful and memorable. We’ll cover traditional anniversary gifts, ideas for personalized, unique and more kinds of gifts, and DIY gifts that kids can make for parents!
Traditional Gift Ideas for Specific Anniversaries For Parents
Photo by Emma Bauso on Pexels.com
Every anniversary has its own symbol, with traditional and modern gifts associated with each year. For example, the 25th anniversary is celebrated with silver, and the 50th with gold. Tailoring your gift to these themes is a great way to come up with ideas and make it special!
Here’s a guide to help you select a thoughtful gift based on these themes:
1st Anniversary
- Traditional: Paper
- Modern: Clocks
- Gift Ideas: Create a custom journal or a personalized calendar. Alternatively, a stylish wall clock or watches, like matching engraved watches or even an Apple Watch, can serve as a reminder of their time together.
5th Anniversary
- Traditional: Wood
- Modern: Silverware
- Gift Ideas: Consider a beautifully carved wooden sculpture or furniture piece, or a new set of elegant silverware for their home.
10th Anniversary
- Traditional: Tin or Aluminum
- Modern: Diamond jewelry
- Gift Ideas: Gift them a tin of gourmet treats or custom aluminum artwork. For a more lavish gift, consider diamond earrings or diamond-encrusted watches.
15th Anniversary
- Traditional: Crystal
- Modern: Watches
- Gift Ideas: A crystal vase or a set of crystal glassware adds elegance to their home. A luxurious watch is also a classy choice that combines tradition with modernity.
20th Anniversary
- Traditional: China
- Modern: Platinum
- Gift Ideas: Upgrade their dining experience with a fine china dinner set or gift them platinum jewelry to commemorate two decades together.
25th Anniversary
- Traditional: Silver
- Modern: Silver
- Gift Ideas: Silver is both traditional and modern for this milestone. Engraved silver picture frames or silver jewelry are excellent choices.
30th Anniversary
- Traditional: Pearl
- Modern: Diamond
- Gift Ideas: A pearl necklace or a set of pearl cufflinks are timeless gifts. Alternatively, diamond jewelry can add a bit of sparkle to this celebration.
40th Anniversary
- Traditional: Ruby
- Modern: Ruby
- Gift Ideas: Ruby jewelry like earrings, necklaces, or cufflinks celebrate the fiery passion of four decades together.
50th Anniversary
- Traditional: Gold
- Modern: Gold
- Gift Ideas: This golden jubilee is best celebrated with gold jewelry. Consider custom-made gold rings engraved with their anniversary date or a gold watch.
60th Anniversary
- Traditional: Diamond
- Modern: Diamond
- Gift Ideas: A diamond is forever, and so is their love at this stage. Diamond jewelry or even a personalized diamond-etched keepsake would make for an unforgettable gift.
Personalized Anniversary Gifts for Parents
Photo by Migs Reyes on Pexels.com
Personalized gifts hold a special place in everyone’s heart because they are tailored just for the recipient. Beyond the personalized traditional anniversary gifts already mentioned, here are more ideas:
“Things We Love About You” List
Create a “40 Things We Love About You” list for their 40th anniversary. Companies like AncesTree offer ready-to-go posters, while Custom Printables NY can design a custom board for a more hands-on approach.
Custom Artwork
Commission a local artist or use an online service to create a custom painting or digital artwork featuring important family milestones or a favorite family photo.
Family Recipe Book
Photo by olia danilevich on Pexels.com
Compile family recipes into a beautifully bound book. Include photos and anecdotes from family gatherings to make it more special. Companies like Newlywords makes it easy to get family members to collaborate by sending in their own recipes and photos.
Personalized Map
Create a customized map highlighting key locations in your parents’ relationship, such as where they met, got married, and other significant spots.
Collaborative “Our Life Story” Memory Book
Use an online service, like Newlywords, or work with a professional to craft a book that chronicles your parents’ life together, including letters, photos, and stories from throughout their marriage.
Customized Playlist or Vinyl Record
Compile a playlist of songs that are significant to your parents’ relationship or press a vinyl record with their favorite music from different stages of their life together.
A vintage-style turntable along with a collection of vinyl records from their early years together can be a nostalgic and enjoyable gift.
Engraved Timepiece
Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com
Gift them a watch or clock engraved with a meaningful message or the date of their anniversary. This is a common traditional anniversary gift, and can be a classic way of celebrating their time together – whether you choose a traditional watch or a more modern version, like an Apple Watch.
Personalized Garden Stone
For parents who love gardening or spending time outdoors, a personalized garden stone can be a beautiful addition to their outdoor space.
Custom Video Message
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
Gather video messages from family and friends expressing their love and admiration, and compile them into a heartfelt video tribute.
Memory Jar
Fill a decorative jar with notes from each family member sharing memories, gratitude, and well wishes. This can be a gift that keeps giving as they read through these notes over time.
Name a Star
Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com
For a truly unique gift, name a star after your parents. Accompany it with a beautifully framed star certificate and a framed star map showing the constellations as they were on the night of their wedding or another significant date in their relationship.
You can also get a custom star map printed on jewelry as a unique idea to add to or replace a framed map!
Unique Anniversary Gifts for Parents
Photo by Antoni Shkraba on Pexels.com
Stand out with unique gifts that speak to your parents’ interests and history together. Here are some unique ideas to surprise them with your creativity:
Adventure Experience
Photo by Alessandro Kelvin on Pexels.com
Gift them an experience they wouldn’t buy for themselves, like a hot air balloon ride, a cooking class from a renowned chef, or a wine tasting tour. Places like Masterclass are a great place to find online classes, and you can find local or online experiences as well.
Ancestral DNA Kit
If they’re interested in genealogy, a DNA ancestry kit can provide them with insights into their family histories and perhaps open up new avenues for exploration together.
Subscription Box
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
Choose a subscription box from a service like CrateJoy that suits their interests, whether it’s gourmet foods, books, gardening, or crafts, and they’ll think of you with every delivery.
Personalized Wine Bottles
Companies like Etching Expressions can customize wine bottles with the couple’s names, the anniversary year, or their wedding photo, creating a beautiful keepsake.
Bespoke Jewelry Piece
Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy on Pexels.com
Commission a unique piece of jewelry from a company like Carelle that incorporates symbols or stones that are meaningful to your parents, like birthstones or a design that reflects their heritage.
Interactive Smart Frame
An interactive digital frame where family and friends can send photos directly to it can keep distant loved ones connected.
Home Planetarium
Photo by Jakub Novacek on Pexels.com
For stargazing parents, a home planetarium can bring the beauty of the night sky indoors, making it a magical and educational gift. If you want to take it outside, you can also consider a telescope so they can look at the stars in the night sky!
Customized Historical Newspaper
Order a reproduction of the newspaper from the day they got married, providing a snapshot of the world when they started their journey together.
Useful Gifts for Parents’ Anniversary
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com
Practical gifts can also be deeply appreciated. Consider appliances or upgrades for their home that they might not buy for themselves, like a new coffee maker or a smart home device. These gifts blend functionality with thoughtfulness. Here are some ideas:
Smart Home Devices
Photo by John Tekeridis on Pexels.com
Upgrade their home with smart devices such as a smart thermostat, smart lights, or a voice-controlled smart speaker to help them streamline daily routines.
High-End Coffee Maker
For the coffee enthusiasts, a state-of-the-art coffee maker or an espresso machine can make their mornings extra special.
E-Reader or Tablet
Photo by Mayara Klingner on Pexels.com
Perfect for parents who love to read or stay updated with technology. An e-reader or tablet can be loaded with their favorite books or apps.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Help them keep the house tidy with minimal effort by gifting a robotic vacuum cleaner, which makes cleaning nearly efforless!
Cookware Set
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com
A high-quality cookware set can be a wonderful gift for parents who enjoy cooking or want to upgrade their kitchen essentials.
Gardening Tool Set
For parents who spend their time gardening, consider a complete gardening tool set or even a smart gardening system that helps in growing herbs and vegetables indoors.
Massage Chair or Cushion
Photo by Wes Chuan on Pexels.com
Give them the gift of relaxation with a massage chair or a massage cushion that they can use to unwind after a busy day, and that they’d most likely never buy for themselves!
Subscription Services
Gift them a yearly subscription to a meal kit delivery service, streaming service, or a magazine they enjoy for ongoing enjoyment throughout the year. More unique ideas include an Atlas Coffee Club subscription or a cocktail box subscription from Shaker and Spoon.
Fitness Tracker
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
Encourage a healthy lifestyle with a fitness tracker that can help them monitor their daily activities and health metrics. They can also set individual goals on fitness trackers to keep up with their progress, as well as using the social features to involve others in their accountability. They can also measure sleep, heart rate, steps taken and more.
Luxury Bedding Set
How long has it been since your parents bought new bedding? Upgrade their sleep experience with a set of high-quality sheets and comforters, ensuring they get a restful night’s sleep.
Last Minute Anniversary Gifts
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com
Caught short on time? Here are some last-minute gift ideas to make sure you show your parents you appreciate them on their anniversary:
Digital Gift Cards
Purchase a gift card from their favorite restaurant, store, or online marketplace. It’s immediate and allows them the freedom to choose what they truly want or need. You can find all kinds of e-gift cards here.
Online Subscription Renewals
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com
Renew or purchase a subscription they love, such as for a streaming service, a digital magazine, or an audiobook platform.
Custom Playlist
Compile a playlist of songs that are meaningful to their relationship, including tunes from their wedding or favorite songs throughout the years. Services like Spotify allow you to create and share playlists instantly. If they still prefer CDs, services like Evermine can be used to create custom CD labels for a mix CD of their favorite music. This can be organized quickly and adds a personal touch to a thoughtful gift.
E-Book or Audiobook Downloads
Photo by Uriel Mont on Pexels.com
Buy and send an e-book or audiobook you know they would love. This is a great option for parents who enjoy reading or listening to stories.
Virtual Experience Tickets
Purchase tickets to a virtual concert, theater production, or online class that they can enjoy from the comfort of their home.
Flower Delivery Subscription
Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com
Arrange for a last-minute flower delivery and consider setting up a subscription for monthly bouquets or a Bulb-of-the-Month Club to brighten their home throughout the year.
Gourmet Food Delivery
Arrange for a gourmet meal or a special treat like a cake or chocolates to be delivered directly to their home with a service like GoldBelly.
Instant Video Message Compilation
Photo by Marcus Aurelius on Pexels.com
Use an online service like Canva to compile video messages from family and friends wishing them a happy anniversary, which can be organized and sent within a short timeframe.
DIY Anniversary Gifts from Kids
Photo by Alexander Dummer on Pexels.com
DIY gifts created by children are often cherished for their sincerity and personal touch. Here are some creative and heartfelt DIY gift ideas that kids can make to celebrate their parents’ anniversary:
Handmade Cards
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com
Encourage kids to create handmade cards using cardstock, markers, stickers, and glitter. Each child can write a personal message expressing their love and appreciation.
Family Portrait Painting
Set up a painting session where kids can contribute to a large family portrait. This can be framed and gifted as a special keepsake.
Memory Jar
Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels.com
Have each child write down their favorite memories with their parents on pieces of paper. Place these in a decorative jar, creating a ‘memory jar’ that parents can read and cherish.
Personalized Coupon Book
Kids can create a coupon book filled with promises, like doing chores without complaining, breakfast in bed, or a movie night of their parents’ choice.
Photo Collage
Photo by George Milton on Pexels.com
Kids can assemble a photo collage using family photos. They can decorate it with notes and stickers and frame it for a special display.
Hand-painted Flower Pots
Photo by Mitchell Henderson on Pexels.com
Buy plain clay pots and let the kids paint and decorate them. Fill the pots with their parents’ favorite plants as a vibrant, living gift.
Baked Goods
With supervision, kids can bake cookies or a cake, decorating it with messages or designs that hold special meaning for their parents.
Customized Keychains
Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com
Using craft supplies like beads and leather, or clay, kids can make personalized keychains featuring the family’s initials or simple messages like “Love” or “Family.”
Homemade Bath Salts
Kids can mix homemade bath salts using Epsom salt, sea salt, essential oils, and food coloring. Pack these in a decorative jar with a handmade label.
Scrapbook
Photo by Kristyna Vyvolej.to on Pexels.com
Older children can put together a scrapbook that documents their parents’ relationship through photos and memorabilia, adding annotations and decorations for a personalized touch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anniversary Gifts For Parents
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com
How can I surprise my parents for their anniversary?
Ideas for surprising your parents include: organizing a surprise party with family and friends; arranging a renewal of their vows; planning a special meal or night out to the theatre or a movie; or decorating at home and giving surprise gifts. If you can’t be there in person, you can plan a remote surprise either by enlisting someone to help or calling and having them get on a video call.
What to do for parents’ 50th anniversary?
A 50th anniversary, or golden jubilee, is a significant milestone that deserves a grand celebration. Hosting an anniversary party with a gold theme can beautifully highlight this special occasion—think golden decorations, elegant table settings, and sparkling lights to create a warm, inviting ambiance. Additionally, consider organizing a vow renewal ceremony as a heartfelt way to reaffirm the couple’s commitment in the presence of loved ones. Alternatively, planning a family vacation to a cherished or new destination can offer a wonderful opportunity to create new memories while honoring their half-century together. This celebration is not just about marking a significant date but about honoring a lifetime of love and partnership.
What’s a good anniversary gift for her?
For a woman, anniversary gift ideas include jewelry, a spa day, and personalized art.
The Best Gift Ideas For Your Parents’ Anniversary
Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com
Choosing the perfect anniversary gift for your parents involves consideration of their personalities, your relationship with them, and the significance of the milestone they are celebrating. Whether it’s through a heartfelt DIY project, a luxurious item, or a personalized gift that sparks joy, the best gifts come from understanding and love. Remember, the most precious gift you can offer is your time and appreciation for their years of love and dedication to each other!
Still haven’t found a gift that you like? Check out our guide to retirement gifts for parents for even more ideas!