31 Anniversary Gifts by Year for Cooks and the People Who Love Them

When my husband and I first heard about milestone anniversary gifts shortly after getting married, we were a little weirded out. Paper for the first anniversary? Aluminum for the 10th? Who was responsible for these random delegations? (Origin theories differ, ranging from ancient Rome to medieval Germany to Victorian England.) Still, we decided to give it a try, if for no other reason than as a fun novelty. Now, approaching our ninth anniversary, we’re hooked. The seemingly arbitrary parameters provide variety and guidance—and they help us keep track of the passing years. And yes, although certain themes can prove frustrating (last year bronze got me good), I have come to adore the guidelines, because they lead to the most creative and personal gifts.

So if, like me, you’re interested in following the milestone anniversary gift parameters, but find yourself stumped or riddled with decision fatigue, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up suggestions for the first decade’s worth of milestone gifts to satisfy any partner who’s into cooking, baking, drinking, or hosting. Read on for a range of budget-friendly, customizable, and splurge-worthy gifts—and keep the anniversaries coming.

Gifts for Year 1
Gifts for Year 2
Gifts for Year 3
Gifts for Year 4
Gifts for Year 5
Gifts for Year 6
Gifts for Year 7
Gifts for Year 8
Gifts for Year 9
Gifts for Year 10

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Fortunately, the milestone guide goes easy on newbies who may still be recovering from wedding and honeymoon sticker shock. The first milestone theme is paper, which leaves lots of room for innovation—or a subscription to plenty of recipe inspiration from our friends atBon Appétit.

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There are infinite directions to go in for cotton (or fiber), the second anniversary theme. You can’t go wrong with a classic apron, but spring for one reminiscent of your wedding palette to score some thoughtfulness points. If that’s not your speed, mark the occasion with monogrammed linens.

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Anniversary year three calls for leather, which feels appropriate for a marriage that’s beginning to wear into a good, comfortable fit. (And for those who refrain from animal products, you can, of course, amble into pleather territory.) For couples who love to cook, a quality pair of grilling gloves, placemats, or a funky trivet will get as much use as the more obvious wallet or clothing leather gifts.

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The fourth-year anniversary is where you may be tempted to phone it in with a dozen long-stemmed roses. Hold that thought (save it for a “just because” occasion). Here’s your chance to think a little outside the box. Bonus: With any gift that lasts longer than fresh-cut flowers, you can nip any wilting relationship symbolism in the bud, so to speak.

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There’s something about the fifth-year gift that I just adore: Wood is such a practical, commonplace material, yet it can be so masterfully transformed into a showstopping craft. It also makes some of the best kitchen tools: cutting boards, rolling pins, and salad bowls that you’ll use all the time, and that will only get better with age.

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Iron may at first seem like an anticlimactic anniversary gift, but in fact cast-iron a timeless kitchen workhorse, so this just may be the best themed gift year for anyone who loves to cook. Gifts in this category can span a wide range of budgets and customization options, like a $25 personalized bottle opener or the $420 Dutch oven that just may outlast every anniversary ever.

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There’s something about copper that elevates just about any standard home good. If you want to splurge on a piece of copper cookware, that’s fantastic (be sure to read ourguide to cooking with the material). But if your budget is more limited, you don’t need to lean into the actual material to satisfy the seventh-year metallic theme. As long as it looks like copper, you’re good to go.

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Bronze is a metal alloy made from a combo of copper and tin, and of all the milestone gift materials, it may prove the hardest gift to find. It’s not seen in a lot of home design these days, but bronze usually presents itself as a rich and stately shade of brown, and it will make a lovely addition to your kitchen in the form of beautiful barbecue servers, a cocktail shaker, or a serving tray. The well-loved and handsome patina serves as a nice symbol of the joys and hard work involved in eight years of marriage.

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The ninth-anniversary gift provides a world of opportunity. Pottery, after all, can be utterly utilitarian or drop-dead gorgeous. And in a lot of cases, it’s both. After nine years, you may want to replace the dishes on your registry with a beautiful set from one of our favorite ceramics studios, East Fork. Or, opt for a beautiful piece of servingware.

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You might think the 10th wedding anniversary gift would land us in diamond, gold, or even sterling silver territory. Alas, aluminum is the first decade’s ultimate milestone material. Uniquely light in its composition, aluminum should not be underestimated as a hard worker in the kitchen. A gift like our test-winning ice cream scoop may not seem to strike a romantic note, but if you also fill the freezer with your partner’s favorite ice creams—10 pints if you want to be literal—we’d imagine you won’t get any complaints. Or, go for a high-design casserole pot, or a classic Bundt.