These Thoughtful 50th Anniversary Gifts Celebrate Lasting Love

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A lot happens in 50 years. Take these past five decades, in which we’ve seen 10 presidents come and go and the invention of the cellphone, to name just a couple. And whether you’re commemorating your own 50th anniversary or that of a parent or relative, love surviving that long is worth celebrating. And a wedding anniversary gift is important. While you both (or whomever you’re buying for) may have everything you need, this gift is a simple gesture to show your appreciation for your union.

We spoke with Tami Claytor, etiquette coach and owner of Always Appropriate, and etiquette consulting firm, to help you commemorate this milestone wedding anniversary. “Traditionally, the 50th wedding anniversary is known as the ‘golden’ anniversary and is symbolized by all things gold,” says Claytor. “It’s difficult trying to find the perfect gift for a couple who has been married for 50 years. At this stage in their lives, they really don’t need or want more material ‘stuff.’ If you’re shopping for an anniversary present, think of experiential gifts or something sentimental.”

With Claytor’s advice in mind, we gathered the best 50th anniversary gifts for your significant other or any lifelong couple. We feature presents for everyone from the coffee snob to the world traveler, as well as heartfelt gifts. And, of course, we couldn’t celebrate the golden anniversary without a bit of gold. We included jewelry, custom photos, and more to give this anniversary its due.

Engravable Bar Bracelet

What better way to celebrate the “golden anniversary” than with a gilded gift. This bar bracelet is made with 14-karat solid gold, and Mejuri offers the option to engrave it with up to 10 characters.

“It is so delicate and so gorgeous,” says one reviewer online. “I highly recommend it to anybody. I’ve had mine for three years and I won’t take it off.”

Pro tip: Don’t just get one for your spouse! Get one for yourself, so you’ll always match with each other.

More: 30 Engraved Gifts That Make the Perfect Personal Present

Group Video

If all the kids and grandkids won’t be able to celebrate the anniversary in person, send a clip filled with personalized messages from everyone from Memento. Just warn them to have the tissues handy.

“I got this for my mom’s 70th birthday and surprised her with video messages from 40 of her closest friends and family,” says our reviews editor Valerie Hughes. “You just send out an email to everyone with a link to upload their video, and it compiles it all for you. It’s easy to make and a really fun way to get your whole family spread out all over the country involved in one gift."

Hardcover Milestone Photo Book

Claytor specifically recommended “a photo album chronicling the couple’s marriage.” You can customize the size, fabric color, paper type, and more for this photo book from Artifact Uprising. Fill it with special moments from the marriage.

Custom Couple Bobbleheads

Surprise your parents with these custom bobbleheads. This gift transforms one of their favorite photos together into a memorable keepsake. Each one is handmade and available in different sizes.

“My grandparents LOVED their custom bobbleheads!” shared one online reviewer. “The artist pays incredible attention to detail.”

50th Anniversary Poster

This 50th anniversary gift is one to display. The digital poster is ready-to-print and is covered in fun facts, pop culture, and events from the year the special couple got married (1973, for those celebrating this year). You can customize it with their anniversary date, first names, and photo of the lovely pair.

I gifted a similar poster to my grandmother for her 80th birthday and she was impressed. I got it framed for some sentimental wall decor.

Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle

Another appropriate gift idea Claytor recommends is “something luxurious that your spouse wouldn’t buy for themselves but you know he or she would love.” From their morning coffee to bedtime tea, this electric kettle will turn making their favorite hot beverages into a luxurious experience. It features customizable brew settings, precision pouring, and more.

“The next-generation Stagg EKG Pro brings a full suite of features to tinker with (like chime loudness, hold-temp length, altitude adjustment, etc.), all from a beautiful high-resolution screen,” shares our senior service editor, Melanie Yates, in her review.

50th Anniversary Gift Platter

This 50th anniversary gift is both beautiful and functional. You can customize this food-safe platter with their names and wedding date so it stands out at the next family dinner.

If it’s purely for decoration, you can do as the Etsy seller suggests and have guests at the anniversary party sign the platter to make it extra special.

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dijon Dressing

Claytor suggests “a subscription to a meal delivery service” as another thoughtful 50th anniversary gift. “For example, Silver Cuisine, which is specifically designed for people 50+ to support a healthy lifestyle.”

Silver Cuisine offers chef-prepared meals made with fresh ingredients, like this grilled salmon dish. It also has meals catering to a variety of diets, including diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, and low sodium.

As We Grow Anniversary Milestone Tree

This beautiful tree sculpture is meant to celebrate this milestone anniversary and represent the deep-rooted bond. It’s made of alder wood, recycled glass, and recycled wire. It’s available in three other colors for other milestone anniversaries — 25th, 30th, and 40th.

Custom Star Map

Remind them of how the stars aligned on their wedding night. This custom star map will help them relive that magical day. It’s available in multiple sizes and styles.

“Exactly what I was expecting and much more,” says one reviewer. “It’s such a beautiful keepsake for our 1 year anniversary.”

Time Traveling to 1973: Celebrating a Special Year by Robert E. Miller

You and your spouse can take a deep dive into your wedding year, from its pop culture to politics. This book is filled with images, events, and trivia from the time you got married.

“This book was a gift from a friend, and I found myself getting lost in its pages for hours,” shares one Amazon reviewer. “I found myself reflecting on my own life experiences and how they were connected to the events of that year. Takes you back.”

Gift Card

If you’re sticking to the theme of experimental gifts, Claytor suggests “tickets to a live event, such as a Broadway show.” From Broadway performances to live concerts, you and your partner can shop for tickets for music, sports, theater, or comedy events with this Stub Hub gift card.

The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small (Bucket Lists) by Kath Stathers

Claytor proposes "a bucket list vacation" as another anniversary gift idea. To get you started, this gift will provide some major travel inspiration. The guide features over 300 photos and a country-by-country index to help you plan your next adventure.

Shares one reviewer on Amazon: “This book is amazing! The photography is beautiful and it looks great as a coffee table book.”

Custom Funny Blanket

With so many years under their belt, married couples have certainly gotten on each others’ nerves from time to time. This personalized blanket pokes fun and is good for some laughs.

Custom Portrait

Claytor also suggests gifting “an updated group family photo” for a 50th anniversary. This custom portrait fits the bill. Simply send the seller your images, and they’ll turn them into a beautiful family illustration. Pro tip: Get it framed before gifting to make it easier to display.

Kindle (2022 Release)

This is the perfect 50th anniversary gift for the partner who’s never without a book — and maybe has a lot of time on their hands post-retirement. Compared to previous models, this Kindle is lighter, more compact, and can hold twice as many books. They’ll be able to read all day long with its extended battery life, adjustable lighting, and glare-free display.

Date Night: Two 3-Packs of Wine

Claytor also mentions “a wine tasting tour” as “an experiential activity that will create memories.” If the couple prefers to sip on wine in the comfort of their homes, this 50th anniversary gift is for them. It includes a trivia tasting game, pairing recommendations, access to sommelier-led virtual tasting videos, and six hand-selected European wines (three red and three white) by the glass for them to enjoy on their night in.

Super-Plush Robe

If your spouse has been putting off getting a new robe, treat them to this super-plush robe from Brooklinen for your anniversary. It’s made from Turkish cotton, has pockets, and comes in a variety of colors. Throw in a pair of slippers for an extra cozy gift pairing.

“This robe is an integral part of my nightly post-shower rituals, with its plush long-staple Turkish cotton material that lends it sweater-like softness,” our contributing editor Zarah Kavarana shares in her review. “Plus, it has the kind of comfort that you yearn for from a long hug. Its substantial 380-GSM weight provides the same heft and moisture-wicking absorbency as your go-to towel but is still lightweight enough to wear over a pair of pajamas. Slip it on after a shower and you’re dry in seconds — or just comfortably wear it while curled up on the couch.”

The New York Times Custom Anniversary Book

This custom anniversary book is filled with front pages of the New York Times from the day the lovebirds said “I do” and onward. It’s hardcover, and you can personalize it with your names stamped in gold.

As this reviewer shares: “Got this for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. Since I’ve given it to them, I’ve caught them going back to look at it. Sits in the middle of their living room table and gets viewed by many of their guests. People enjoy being able to flip through the years to see all the changes. They were not expecting this and really is an “uncommon” gift.”

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