Finding the perfect anniversary gift can feel like a challenge, and there’s proof that it is: thousands of people search for “anniversary gift ideas” every month. One survey found that partners are typically the hardest person to shop for. We get it: finding something meaningful is hard, especially the more anniversaries you have!
Instead of waiting until the last minute and falling back on generic choices, many couples are looking for gifts that feel thoughtful yet practical — experiences, getaways or unique items that show effort without breaking the budget. That’s where AAA member discounts can make a difference, helping you stretch your money further while still surprising your partner with something memorable. We’ve put together this list of ideas for your inspiration, including:
- Classic Gifts
- Experience Gifts
- Affordable Gifts
- Unique Gifts
- Personalized Gifts
1. Paper: A Framed Piece of Sheet Music
The first anniversary tradition is to give something made of paper. Thoughtful gifts such as framed wall art or love letters are typical, but here’s something a little different. Find the sheet music from your first dance and frame it as a special gift — a reminder of a shared memory.
2. Cotton: Luxury Bed Linen
On your second anniversary, cotton is a traditional gift. Cotton anniversary gifts often include cozy personalized cotton throws or high-quality sheet sets that symbolize warmth and comfort in a growing relationship. Other thoughtful ideas are custom-printed cotton wall art, embroidered handkerchiefs featuring names or special dates, or a push-pin travel map on cotton canvas to celebrate your journeys together.
3. Leather: High-Quality Weekend Bag
Leather goods are a traditional third anniversary gift. Think romantic trips with a good-quality leather weekend bag. As an added personal touch, have the bag monogrammed, or add your anniversary date. Several local AAA clubs have member discounts available for luggage retailers — check them out to save some money.
4. Wood: Custom-made Cutting Board
The fifth anniversary is the next milestone in terms of classic gifts, with wood gifts being the tradition. Wood anniversary gifts symbolize strength and growth, perfect for celebrating five years of marriage with thoughtful options like personalized wooden photo frames, engraved tree ring art or handcrafted wooden keepsake boxes. You could also go for a custom-made cutting board with a meaningful image or monogram engraved. This will bring back memories every time it is used and can be a long-lasting keepsake.
5. Lace: Table Runner
Lace anniversary gifts, symbolizing the intricate beauty of 13 years together, can range from elegant lace table runners to delicate lace jewelry like heart pendants or cufflinks. Look at your local AAA club discounts to find any homewares discounts that can be used to purchase a lace gift.
6. Crystal: Engraved Champagne Flutes
Crystal anniversary gifts, marking 15 years, symbolize clarity and elegance. Gift ideas include options like Swarovski crystal earrings, personalized crystal vases and engraved champagne flutes for a timeless celebration. Personalization Mall offers AAA members a discount and has several crystal products that can be engraved.
7. Silver: Silver Jewelry or Picture Frame
Silver is a symbol of enduring strength and lasting value, and the classic gift for 25 years together. Gift ideas include elegant picture frames featuring silver accents and personalized messages to commemorate this special milestone. Timeless jewelry options such as sterling silver charm bracelets, silver rings or classic silver earrings provide a daily reminder of enduring love.
8. Pearl: Classic Pearl Necklace or Cufflinks
Thirty years is a great relationship milestone and is symbolized by pearl, alluding to the growth of wisdom and beauty over time in the relationship. Classic gifts include a stunning pearl necklace, which offers timeless elegance and can be chosen in single- or multi-strand styles with white, pink or golden pearls to suit personal taste. For a meaningful men’s gift, mother-of-pearl cufflinks make a sophisticated and traditional option, with personalized engraved versions available for an added touch of sentiment.
9. Romantic Weekend Getaway or Staycation
The gift of time can be priceless, especially when you’re both leading busy lives! You can make any weekend feel like a gift with a romantic getaway or staycation. Book one or two activities you love doing together, or book absolutely nothing and enjoy relaxation and a flexible schedule. AAA members can save money on travel — look for discounts on hotels, activities and more.
10. Book a Cruise Vacation
Score serious relationship points when you think ahead and book a cruise vacation for your special anniversary. An intimate European river cruise, a fun-filled Caribbean cruise, an adventurous Alaskan cruise — there is a cruise vacation to suit all tastes. AAA members should check out travel deals from AAA Discounts and AAA Trip Canvas .
11. Catch a Concert Together
Relive old favorites or discover new sounds together when you surprise your partner with concert tickets for your anniversary. Whether it’s an intimate acoustic show, a major stadium tour or a local symphony, a live music experience can strike just the right celebratory note.
Look up special VIP packages for exclusive perks, or bundle the tickets with a night out at a favorite restaurant for an anniversary evening to remember. AAA members can access deals for cheap concert tickets .
12. See Your Favorite Team
Grab tickets to a game and celebrate your anniversary by rooting for the team you’ve cheered on together for years. Whether you’re courtside, behind home plate or at the 50-yard line, watching the action live is an unforgettable way to celebrate together. AAA members should look for exclusive member deals for cheap sports tickets .
13. Go Wine or Beer Tasting
A curated wine or beer tasting experience can be an indulgent and romantic anniversary gift. Think an idyllic visit to a sun-drenched vineyard, a private craft beer tour of local breweries or an evening tasting paired with a gourmet meal. Consider booking an all-inclusive outing that provides transportation so you can both safely enjoy the libations and local sights. Many regional wine and brewery tours offer discounts and complimentary tastings to AAA members.
14. Take a Couple’s Cooking Class
Get hands-on together with a couple’s cooking class, making for a memorable anniversary gift that combines fun, food and quality time. You can search for a class that focuses on your partner’s favorite cuisine, like Italian pasta-making or authentic Thai dishes, or one that teaches a new skill, like baking artisan bread or gourmet desserts. This shared activity allows you to work together, learn from a professional chef and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor right after the lesson.
15. Take a Romantic Hot Air Balloon Ride
Soar to new romantic heights with a hot air balloon ride, a breathtaking anniversary gift for adventurous couples. Float peacefully above the landscape at sunrise or sunset, sharing a stunning panoramic view that elevates the traditional date night to a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. To help lighten the cost, check for travel packages that bundle the ride with local accommodations or look for special travel deals and discounts offered to AAA members.
16. Go Out For a Book and Coffee Date
Slow down the pace and enjoy a relaxing, intimate anniversary gift by planning a thoughtful book and coffee date. You can do this at home or at your favorite coffee shop.
Start the day by gifting a selection of new books or a single rare edition that aligns with your partner’s interests, perhaps a new bestseller or a classic you can both read. You can enhance this personal experience with a picnic basket from Harry & David or a gift card to an independent bookstore.
17. Indulge in a Gourmet Coffee or Tea Set
Awaken your partner’s senses and elevate your quiet mornings together by gifting a curated selection of gourmet tea or coffee for your anniversary. Select a collection of exotic loose-leaf teas, rare single-origin coffee beans, or a subscription box to ensure a steady supply of new flavors to sample. Enhance the gift with new brewing equipment, like a sleek pour-over set or a beautiful electric kettle, to turn your daily ritual into a relaxing, shared activity.
18. Gift a New Plant
Cultivate a lasting symbol of your growing relationship by gifting a beautiful, thoughtfully chosen plant for your anniversary. Select a vibrant orchid, a resilient bonsai tree or a lush houseplant that can thrive in your home to serve as a constant, living reminder of your enduring love.
Research plants that have special meaning, such as the Hoya kerrii (Sweetheart Plant) or a colorful rose bush for the garden, to make the present more personal. Plants.com offers AAA members 25 percent off online orders, so you can save on your anniversary gift.
19. Gift Sweet Treats
Treat your sweetheart to a delicious anniversary with a gift of gourmet sweet treats that indulge their cravings. Choose an assortment of decadent chocolates from a local artisan, a box of colorful French macarons or a collection of old-fashioned candies that bring back fond memories. Shari’s Berries is a purveyor of gourmet sweets and offers AAA members a 25 percent discount.
20. Say it With Flowers
Brighten your partner’s anniversary with the timeless gesture of a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. While a dozen red roses are the classic choice to convey romance, you can make the gift more personal by choosing their favorite bloom, a vibrant seasonal arrangement or a luxurious potted orchid to last longer. Plan a daytime delivery as a wonderful surprise, or hand-deliver a carefully chosen arrangement to complement your anniversary dinner. AAA members save up to 30 percent at 1-800-Flowers .
21. Fan the Flame with Handwritten Letters
Handwriting a collection of love letters to your partner may just be the ultimate heartfelt anniversary gift. This deeply romantic gesture costs nothing but time, offering a priceless expression of your affection that can be read and re-read for years to come. You can compile a series of notes about your favorite memories, things you love about them or your hopes for the future, all presented in an elegant box or tied with a ribbon.
22. Dine Out at a Favorite Restaurant
Make a memorable night out at your favorite restaurant, celebrating your relationship over a fantastic meal without the stress of cooking or cleanup. Choose a beloved spot where you had your first date or save up for a luxurious dinner at a high-end venue you’ve always wanted to try. This classic date night can often be more affordable, as many popular dining establishments and local eateries offer valuable discounts and savings to AAA members. Check out dining discounts here and look for any local deals through your AAA club.
23. Personalize a Star Map
Show your partner how the stars aligned for your relationship. Present a celestial snapshot of your most significant moment by gifting a personalized star map for your anniversary. This unique piece of art plots the exact alignment of the stars and constellations over a specific location on a meaningful date, such as your wedding day, first kiss or first date. Frame the map to hang in your home as a beautiful, constant reminder of a pivotal moment in your shared history.
24. Gift a Telescope
Explore the universe together and share a sense of wonder by gifting a telescope for your anniversary. This unique and thoughtful gift invites you both to step outside on clear nights to explore the moon, planets and distant galaxies, turning a quiet evening into a shared astronomical adventure.
25. Set Up Smart Tech
While fun novelties can be nice, some people tend to prefer more practical gifts. Streamline your daily life and upgrade your shared space by gifting a piece of smart technology for your anniversary. Choose a device that enhances your time together, like a new smart TV for movie nights, a voice-controlled speaker for playing your favorite music or a smart thermostat to keep your home cozy and energy efficient.
26. Share a Subscription Box
Create a gift that keeps on giving by surprising your partner with a shared subscription box for your anniversary. This unique present allows you to choose a box tailored to a common interest, whether it’s gourmet snacks, specialty coffee, board games or craft supplies, ensuring a new and exciting delivery arrives every month.
27. Explore Your Ancestry
Offer a gift of discovery and connection this anniversary by gifting your partner a DNA test kit to explore their ancestry and heritage. Buy one for yourself for an insightful experience you can have together, thencompare results, trace migration paths and uncover new, fascinating information about your family’s history. Choose a reputable kit that offers a detailed ethnic breakdown or one that includes an option for identifying health and trait predispositions, giving you a deeper look into your biological uniqueness.
28. Gift Some Local Art
Celebrate your anniversary and your special connection — to each other and your shared community — by gifting a unique piece of local art. Select a piece that captures the spirit of your hometown, like a painting of a familiar landmark, a photograph by a regional artist or a handcrafted piece of pottery from a nearby studio. Search for pieces at local galleries, weekend art fairs or museum gift shops.
29. Gift a Custom Album or Scrapbook
Memories are precious, and you can give the ability to relive them at will with an album or scrapbook filled with your favorite moments and milestones. This deeply sentimental, handcrafted gift is an irreplaceable way to honor your shared history, allowing your partner to flip through cherished photos and read personalized captions detailing your journey together. To make the gift complete, include mementos like ticket stubs or dried flowers, and leave a few blank pages to fill with future adventures. Shutterfly has all sorts of templates for creating personalized albums and offers discounts to AAA members.
30. Engrave Some Jewelry
Express your lasting devotion with the elegant and personal gift of engraved jewelry for your anniversary. Choose a classic piece, such as a timeless watch, a simple pendant necklace or a set of cufflinks, then make it unique by adding a meaningful inscription.
31. Tell the Story of Your Relationship
Immortalize your unique love story on your anniversary by giving your partner a beautifully written narrative of your relationship. Write it yourself or hire a professional writer to interview you both and craft your memories into a compelling short story or memoir. This gift is a powerful and permanent testament to your journey, detailing your first meeting, major milestones and funny anecdotes in a literary format. Present the final piece in a high-quality bound volume or a beautifully printed book.
32. Give a Cozy, Personalized Blanket
Provide the gift of ultimate comfort and connection by giving a cozy, personalized blanket to celebrate your anniversary. Choose a high-quality throw made of cashmere or a soft fleece, then have it customized with your initials, a significant date or even a cherished photo to make it a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Look for discounts on blankets and other personalized items from AAA partners such as Shutterfly.
33. Create a Slide Reel
Travel back through the years of your relationship by gifting a vintage-style slide reel viewer loaded with photos of your journey together for your anniversary. This novel, nostalgic present transforms digital photos into a physical, intimate viewing experience reminiscent of childhood toys, making your memories instantly tangible.
Celebrate Your Anniversary with AAA
These diverse and thoughtful anniversary gift ideas prove that the best presents are those that prioritize shared experiences and lasting memories, no matter your budget or your partner’s style. From gourmet meals and adventure tours to sentimental, personalized keepsakes, the perfect gesture is always within reach.
Start planning your most memorable celebration today, and be sure to use your AAA membership to access exclusive discounts and savings on travel, entertainment, retail and more.