Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year UK: Paper, Cotton, Leather and Beyond
Quick answer: Wedding anniversary gifts follow a traditional theme for each year, from paper at year one to diamond at year 60. A personalised word art print is one of the easiest gifts to match to any year, because you choose the words yourself. A personalised love heart word art print starts at £9.99 and suits any anniversary.
Updated October 2026
Need it today? Every print can be a digital download that arrives instantly, from £9.99. Print it at home or at a local print shop the same day, and preview your design free first. Framed and unframed prints are posted (3-5 working days in the UK for framed prints), so they suit buyers with a little more time.
Browse the full anniversary and special occasions collection to see every design.
In this guide
- What each wedding anniversary year traditionally stands for
- Gift ideas for early years: paper, cotton and leather
- Gifts for the middle years: 18th, 20th, 21st and 30th
- Gifts for the milestone years: 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th
- A comparison table of anniversary prints
- What words to put on an anniversary print
- How it works, FAQ and about the shop
What is the traditional gift for each wedding anniversary?
The tradition assigns a material to each year. The early years use everyday materials: paper (1st), cotton (2nd), leather (3rd). The later milestones use precious ones: pearl (30th), ruby (40th), gold (50th), diamond (60th). Plenty of couples treat the list as a bit of fun rather than a rulebook, and that is the right attitude. A gift that reflects your shared history will always beat one that simply ticks the material box.
That is where personalised gifts earn their place. Instead of searching for something made of leather or cotton, you can give something that says what the years have meant, and let the theme show up in the wording or the occasion.
What do you give for the early years: paper, cotton and leather?
The first three anniversaries are the hardest to shop for if you stick to the materials, which is why a print is such a good answer. Paper is the one material every print has, so a first anniversary is the easiest to get exactly right. If you want more ideas for year one, our guide to 1st paper anniversary gifts has plenty.
For a 1st, 2nd or 3rd anniversary, the personalised love heart word art print is the best fit, because it is not tied to a milestone number. It suits couples who are still collecting their first big memories.
Words to try: your first date, the place you got married, the song from your first dance, and a few words about what you love in each other.
What do you give for the 18th, 20th and 21st anniversaries?
These years sit in the middle, where couples have real history but fewer ready-made gift traditions. A print marks the number properly and gives you room to tell the story of the years.
- Personalised 18th anniversary gift – for couples who have reached the year their marriage could vote. Fill it with the things you have done together since the wedding.
- Personalised 20th anniversary gift – two decades together. It suits a list of places lived, children’s names and the small habits that define your home.
- Personalised 21st Anniversary Word Art Print – a lovely way to mark coming of age as a couple, with the milestones of 21 years told in your own words.
What do you give for a 30th, pearl wedding anniversary?
Thirty years is the first of the big milestones, and pearl is the traditional theme. A print that names the three decades is a thoughtful choice for a couple who has everything. See our pearl wedding anniversary gift ideas for more.
Two options fit the 30th: the personalised 30th anniversary gift and the 30th anniversary word art. Both are designed for the occasion, so pick whichever design you prefer when you preview.
What do you give for a 40th, 50th or 60th anniversary?
These are the years families gather for, so a gift that works on the wall is ideal. Ruby (40th), gold (50th) and diamond (60th) are the headline themes.
- 40th (ruby): the personalised 40th anniversary gift or the personalised 40th anniversary word art print. Our ruby wedding anniversary gifts guide has more ideas.
- 50th (gold): the personalised 50th anniversary word art print or the personalised 50th wedding anniversary word art print. See our golden wedding anniversary gifts guide, or 50th anniversary gifts for parents if you are buying for mum and dad.
- 60th (diamond): the personalised 60th anniversary word art. Our diamond wedding anniversary gifts guide covers more.
What do you give for a 70th anniversary?
Seventy years is rare and deserves a gift that records it. The personalised 70th anniversary word art print is made for it. It is a good one for grandchildren to give together, with a word from each of the family.
Anniversary gifts by year at a glance
| Product | Best for | Example words to include | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised Love Heart Word Art Print | Any year, especially 1st to 3rd | First date, wedding venue, our song | £9.99 |
| Personalised 20th anniversary gift | Twenty years together | Homes we have shared, children’s names | £9.99 |
| Personalised 30th anniversary gift | Pearl anniversary | Three decades, favourite holidays | £9.99 |
| Personalised 40th anniversary gift | Ruby anniversary | Names, wedding date, family nicknames | £9.99 |
| Personalised 50th Anniversary Word Art Print | Golden anniversary | Fifty years, grandchildren’s names | £9.99 |
| Personalised 60th anniversary word art | Diamond anniversary | Sixty years, a toast, family roll call | £9.99 |
| Personalised 70th Anniversary Word Art Print | Platinum-level milestone | Seventy years, messages from the family | £9.99 |
What words to put on an anniversary print
The words are what turn a nice print into a gift people keep. Aim for a mix of facts (names, dates, places) and feelings (qualities, memories, private jokes). Here are three starting points.
For an early anniversary (1st to 3rd)
- Both names and the wedding date
- The venue or town where you married
- Our song, first dance, first holiday
- Loyal, funny, kind, home
For a milestone anniversary (30th to 50th)
- Both names, wedding date and the number of years
- The names of children and grandchildren
- Every address you have shared
- Patience, laughter, teamwork, Sunday lunches
For a long-lasting anniversary (60th and beyond)
- The year you married and the place
- A word from each member of the family
- Traditions that have lasted: Christmas mornings, seaside trips, the Saturday crossword
- Devoted, steady, together, home
If you are writing a card as well, our golden anniversary messages are a good source of wording that goes beyond “congratulations”.
How it works
- Choose a print. Pick the design for your anniversary year, or the love heart if you want something that suits any year.
- Design it with your own words. Add names, dates, places and memories.
- Preview it free. See exactly how it looks before you pay.
- Get it your way. Choose an instant digital download, or have a printed or framed print delivered.
Digital downloads and unframed prints start at £9.99. Framed A4 starts at £22.99 and framed A3 at £30.99. Framed prints ship within 3-5 working days in the UK and 7-15 days internationally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional gift for each wedding anniversary?
Each year has a traditional material: paper for 1st, cotton for 2nd, leather for 3rd, and so on up to pearl at 30, ruby at 40, golden at 50 and diamond at 60. The list is a guide rather than a rule, so many couples simply choose something personal that fits the spirit of the theme.
Can I give the same type of gift every year?
Yes. A personalised print works well as a yearly tradition because the words change as your story grows. You might add a new memory, a new place or a new shared quality each year, and over time the prints build into a collection.
What can I give if I need an anniversary gift today?
Every print can be bought as a digital download that arrives instantly, from £9.99. You can print it at home or at a local print shop the same day, after previewing your design for free. Framed and unframed prints are posted, so they suit buyers with a little more time.
What words should I put on an anniversary print?
Use names, your wedding date, the place you married or met, and a few words that describe your relationship. Short personal details such as a nickname, a favourite holiday or a running joke make the print feel properly yours.
Which anniversaries have a dedicated print on Word Art Prints?
There are anniversary prints for the 18th, 20th, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th, plus a love heart design that suits any year. You add your own words to every one and preview the result free before you buy.
Do I have to follow the traditional material?
No. The traditional list is a fun starting point, not a requirement. If a gift is thoughtful and personal, it fits any anniversary. A print can nod to the theme through its colours or wording while still being about the two of you.
About Word Art Prints
Word Art Prints is a UK shop making personalised word art prints since 2017. There are over 470 designs, and every print is made to order with your own words. If you are unsure where to start, a love heart print made with your own words is a safe choice for any anniversary year.