Example list
Mom & Dad's 30th (Pearl)
- Pearl earrings for Mom Gifted
- Weekend at a Napa B&BGroup gift
- Framed wedding photo, restored Gifted
- Couples cooking class$160
- Engraved watch for Dad$180
Two ways to use an anniversary wishlist
Couples use a shared anniversary list as a quiet running record of things the other person has mentioned. Your partner admires a pair of boots in October; you add the link to a private list and you're covered for the anniversary in March. Because a private list is visible only to you, it works as a gift-idea notebook that doesn't spoil the surprise.
Families use it for the big milestones. When parents or grandparents reach their 25th, 40th or 50th, the children, grandchildren and close friends usually want to give something meaningful together, and the planning happens in a messy group chat. A link-only GishFy list keeps the ideas in one place. Each item can only be gifted once, so two siblings don't both book the same restaurant.
For the bigger gestures, like a trip, a piece of jewelry or a renewal-of-vows dinner, one person can start a group gift on the item and set a target. Everyone pledges what they'd like to contribute, and the progress bar shows how close you are. Settling the money happens between you, outside the app.
Couples who have just married sometimes reuse their wedding registry for the first anniversary: remove what you received, keep what's still wanted, and share it with family who ask.
Plan an anniversary gift in 3 steps
- 1
Start a list
Keep it private as your own idea notebook, or set it to link-only for a family milestone.
- 2
Add ideas from any store
Paste links to jewelry, experiences or travel, and mark the favorites as high priority.
- 3
Share with family (optional)
Send the link to siblings or friends. They tap Gift on what they're covering, or pledge toward a group gift.
Anniversary gifts by year, with modern ideas
The traditional themes come from a long-standing US and UK list; many couples use them loosely as a creative prompt rather than a rule.
1st–5th: paper, cotton, leather, fruit/flowers, wood
The early years. Keep it personal rather than expensive.
- 1st, paper: concert tickets, a custom star map, a photo book
- 2nd, cotton: quality bedding, robes, a cotton hammock
- 3rd, leather: a wallet, a watch strap, a weekend bag
- 4th, fruit or flowers: an orchard trip, a plant subscription
- 5th, wood: a cutting board, a planter, a wooden watch
6th–10th: iron, wool, bronze, pottery, tin
Settling in. Gifts for the home you've built together.
- 6th, iron: a cast-iron skillet or garden sculpture
- 7th, wool: a blanket or cashmere scarf
- 8th, bronze: bronze jewelry or a bookend set
- 9th, pottery: a pottery class for two
- 10th, tin/aluminum: a tin of vintage letters, camping gear
Milestones: 15th to 60th
The anniversaries families celebrate together.
- 15th, crystal: glassware or a crystal vase
- 20th, china: a fine china tea set
- 25th, silver: silver jewelry or a silver photo frame
- 30th, pearl: pearl earrings or a necklace
- 40th, ruby; 50th, gold; 60th, diamond
Experiences for two
Often the most memorable anniversary gifts.
- A weekend getaway or a B&B night
- A tasting menu dinner
- Hot-air balloon ride
- Dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Creek or the Marina
- Couples spa day
From the kids, for parents
Meaningful gifts siblings can go in on together.
- Restored and framed wedding photos
- A family photo shoot
- A trip back to where they honeymooned
- A video of messages from friends and family
- A surprise anniversary dinner
Small but thoughtful
For the years when it's just the two of you and dinner at home.
- A handwritten letter and their favorite flowers
- A recreated first date
- A playlist of songs from your years together
- Breakfast in bed and a day without phones
Anniversary gifting tips
Write ideas down when you hear them
The best gifts come from things your partner mentioned months ago and forgot. Keep a private list and add to it whenever something comes up.
Use the theme loosely
Nobody expects a literal tin can for a 10th anniversary. Use the material as a prompt, like a tin of handwritten notes, or ignore it if something else fits better.
Start milestone planning early
For a 25th or 50th celebration with the whole family, start the shared list two or three months ahead. Trips and restaurants book up, and siblings in different cities need time to agree.
Pool for one big gift
Several smaller gifts from each child are lovely, but one shared gesture, like a trip, often means more. A group gift on GishFy lets everyone pledge and see progress, with the money settled between you.
Keep it a surprise
Use a link-only list and send it only to the people planning with you. Givers can also choose to gift anonymously, which hides their name.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? These are the questions we hear most.
What are the traditional anniversary gifts by year?
The common list is 1st paper, 2nd cotton, 3rd leather, 4th fruit or flowers, 5th wood, 6th iron, 7th wool, 8th bronze, 9th pottery, 10th tin or aluminum, 15th crystal, 20th china, 25th silver, 30th pearl, 40th ruby, 50th gold and 60th diamond.
What should I get my parents for their anniversary?
Shared experiences and keepsakes work well: restored wedding photos, a family photo shoot, a trip, or a dinner with family. For milestones, siblings often pool money for one bigger gift.
Can siblings chip in together for an anniversary gift?
Yes. One sibling starts a group gift on an item in a GishFy list and sets a target. The others pledge their share and everyone sees progress. Payment is settled outside the app.
Can I keep my anniversary list secret from my partner?
Yes. Set the list to private so only you can see it, or link-only so just the people you send it to can open it.
Is GishFy free?
Yes. Creating anniversary lists, sharing them and gifting from them is free.
Can I add experiences, not just products?
Yes. Add any item with or without a link, including dinners, trips, classes and events.
Never scramble for an anniversary gift again
Start a private idea list today and add to it whenever inspiration strikes.