People have celebrated wedding anniversaries since antiquity, each culture having its own set of practices covering what presents have been exchanged. Over the years certain gifts have been set aside for specific years, creating a traditional anniversary gift list. The traditional anniversary gift list was created at a point in time when people had less starting out in wedded bliss, so the list is a somewhat practical one. This traditional anniversary gift list was actually comprised of items which would be of real benefit to the new couple.

As the years have gone by, a newer anniversary gift list of a more modern nature has arisen to appeal to the more affluent modern couple. With the newer trend of later marriages, there is less need for starter items for newlyweds, as each usually has a lived alone and acquired items on their own which will be added to the combined household. This is completely opposite the traditional way of staying home until a suitable candidate was received for marriage.

This newer anniversary gift list also allows for practical gifts within the first few years of marriage, but it also has diamonds showing up three times as opposed to the traditional anniversary gift list with its one occurrence of diamonds. There are instances though, where both anniversary gift lists name the same gift.

Anniversary gift lists are nice a nice reference to get ideas for your anniversary, but a gift that is given out of love and that comes out of the understanding of your spouse will outdo a listed gift on any day. So with that thought in mind, here's the traditional versus modern anniversary gift list. May all your anniversaries be happy and full of love.

1st year
Traditional List: paper
Modern List: clock

2nd year
Traditional List: cotton
Modern List: china

3rd year
Traditional List: leather
Modern List: crystal, glass

4th year
Traditional List: fruit
Modern List: flowers

5th year
Traditional List: wood
Modern List: silverware

6th year
Traditional List: iron
Modern List: sweets

7th year
Traditional List: wool
Modern List: copper

8th year
Traditional List: bronze
Modern List: pottery

9th year
Traditional List: pottery
Modern List: willow

10th year
Traditional List: tin
Modern List: aluminum

11th year
Traditional List: steel
Modern List: steel

12th year
Traditional List: silk
Modern List: linen

13th year
Traditional List: lace
Modern List: lace

14th year
Traditional List: ivory
Modern List: agate

15th year
Traditional List: crystal
Modern List: watches

20th year
Traditional List: china
Modern List: platinum

25th year
Traditional List: silver
Modern List: sterling

30th year
Traditional List: pearl
Modern List: pearl

35th year
Traditional List: coral
Modern List: jade

40th year
Traditional List: ruby
Modern List: garnet

45th year
Traditional List: sapphire
Modern List: sapphire

50th year
Traditional List: gold
Modern List: gold

55th year
Traditional List: emerald
Modern List: emerald

60th year
Traditional List: diamond
Modern List: diamond