When it comes to anniversary gifts, most people want to avoid cliche and cheesy and instead opt for sweet and sentimental. Whether it’s your first or 50th wedding anniversary (or you’re celebrating a dating milestone), the present should speak to your partner as well as your history. Ideally it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either. The sweet spot is something that’s meaningful, affordable and won’t make them cringe.
The following gifts, handpicked by our editors, check all of those boxes. There’s bound to be something on this list that will make your loved one smile, like customizable photo art, gigantic decadent cookies or a book filled with exciting date ideas. You can even enjoy many of these gifts together for years to come, making them even more special.
Here are our picks for the best anniversary gifts that are sure to make the love of your life swoon.
The best anniversary gifts under $50
Are you the kind of couple that sits around contemplating where to go, what to get for dinner and what to watch on TV and then suddenly it’s bedtime and you still haven’t decided? Then you’re in luck — these date night dice can plan your evening and save you all that mental anguish. This set comes with five dice and will help you make choices about what kind of food to get, movies to watch and activities to do at home and while out. You just have to decide who gets to roll.
Artifact Uprising Photo Books
You can’t go wrong with a luxe photo book filled with cherished memories of you and your spouse’s greatest adventures — especially if you’ve never gotten around to putting together a wedding photo album. Whether they’re casual images or carefully edited professional photos, they all look amazing when they’re printed out and sitting on your coffee table (instead of socked away on your phone). All of the Artifact Uprising photo books are easy to customize and have a modern, clean aesthetic.
Options include softcover photo books (starting at $19) and hardcover photo books (starting at $49).
The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition
Looking to add some spontaneity into your relationship? Try “The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition,” a book filled with 50 challenges designed to create new experiences and connection with your partner. All you have to do is decide on a category and scratch off a challenge — then do it! These challenges can include everything from recreating your grandparents’ very first date to baking an apple pie blindfolded, to finding a new town to explore. They generally cost around $50, though they can always be modified to fit your budget.
Duncan & Stone Paper Co. Anniversary Journal
If your spouse is the sentimental type, this anniversary journal from Duncan & Stone Paper Co. is just the thing to get those happy tears flowing. This 189-page book is filled with guided prompts and space for photos so you can document your love story, from your engagement to your wedding day and all the anniversaries after it (up to year 70!). This book will become a cherished keepsake that you can create together and enjoy forever.
The best anniversary gifts under $100
Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment
Chances are Levain Bakery cookies are even more delicious than the cake you smashed onto your spouse’s face on your wedding day. The cookies from the famed New York City bakery are that delicious, especially when you heat them up in the oven so they’re warm and gooey. The Signature Cookie Assortment comes with chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and dark chocolate peanut butter chip. Levain offers four-packs, but you’ll likely want to go for the 12-pack (which also includes free shipping) because even though these cookies are gigantic, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to share — even on your anniversary.
The Memoire rings from GLDN are a great combination of understated, elegant and sentimental. They are versatile enough to be worn on a daily basis and can be customized with names, dates, Roman numerals etc. (choose around 10 characters for the top and bottom) to commemorate your relationship or special day. Each personalization is done by hand with traditional metal punches.
Choose between 14k gold fill ($74), rose gold fill ($74), sterling silver ($70) or go all-out with the 14k solid gold option ($242).
Lime & Lou Custom 3D Acrylic Songs Lyrics Plaque
Every time you hear the first dance song from your wedding you’re probably instantly transported back to that magical moment. Thanks to Lime & Lou, you can keep your special song at the forefront of your mind by gifting your spouse their Custom 3D Acrylic Song Lyrics Plaque. The freestanding acrylic block makes a great keepsake and unique decoration too. It can be customized with song lyrics, the occasion as well as your names and anniversary date. You can also choose the color of the center circle and opt for a 4×4-inch ($75) or 6×6-inch ($95) block.
Still Novel Signature Couples Print
Sure, you could simply frame a cute picture of you and your spouse for an anniversary gift, but why not make it into a sweet, stylish piece of art instead? The Signature Couples Print from Still Novel can be customized to include details about your love story, like your favorite activities, nicknames, how you met and even the moon phase on your anniversary date. You can easily create this gift in 5 minutes or less (even from your smartphone!) and it typically arrives in under 10 days, which is perfect for any last-minute gift needs.
The best anniversary gifts under $200
Business & Pleasure Co. picnic set
What is your relationship missing? Delicious and romantic picnics. But that can all change with this luxe set from Business & Pleasure Co. It includes a stylish canvas case equipped with plates, cups, utensils, coasters, napkins and even a bottle opener and cheese knife — all you need for a lovely meal in the great outdoors. Pack a blanket and some snacks and you have yourself a memorable anniversary date and all the fixings to do it again and again.
Béis The Weekend Travel Bag
A weekend getaway always makes for a great anniversary gift, and you can start with a chic Béis travel tote to help your special someone pack (especially if they’ve been lugging around a suitcase you were gifted from your wedding registry ages ago). This bag has a genius bottom zip compartment for shoes or toiletries, an adjustable crossbody strap, exterior zip pocket and is even water-repellant. It comes in blue (pictured), black, grey, beige, and pink too.
Boarderie Anniversary Initials Cheese & Charcuterie Boards
A charcuterie board always seems like a great idea, then you try to assemble one yourself and it never turns out quite right. Luckily, Boarderie has figured out how to ship you one that’s already fully arranged and beautiful. The Anniversary Initials Cheese & Charcuterie Boards comes with plenty of delicious bites and even edible initials! There are three sizes available, small (feeds 2-3), medium (feeds 4-5) and large (feeds 9-10), which means you may be inclined to share and make a party of it if you go with a larger option. Just be sure to snap plenty of photos before everyone digs in.
Recess Classic Set Pickleball Paddles
If you and your partner are into pickleball (or have been wanting to jump on the trend), these Recess paddle sets will give you the stylish edge, if not the competitive edge too. The composite paddles are aesthetically pleasing, and they have a durable fiberglass surface, honeycomb interior and a sanded finish that’ll serve you well on the court. Choose between 20-plus different designs, and each paddle also comes with an embroidered canvas case. Individual paddles are $88 and a set of two is $174.
