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1 Year Anniversary Gift Ideas

by Sophia Huxley
Last updated on February 16, 2024
rustic wedding ideas

If your first wedding anniversary date is coming up, you know there’s a lot of pressure to find the perfect 1-year anniversary gift for your spouse.

That’s probably because it’s the first-anniversary gift you’ve ever given each other.

But what should you get them to celebrate your 1-year anniversary? In this article, we’ll talk about both the traditional and modern themes associated with first anniversaries and share some out-of-the-box first-anniversary gift ideas as well.

What is The Traditional 1-Year Anniversary Gift?

paper notebook

The traditional theme for a 1-year anniversary gift is paper.

In all likelihood, the traditional, first-year anniversary gift is paper-themed because most couples probably just spent a lot of money the year before on their wedding day. The assumption would be that the couple is young and just starting out in life and probably needs to opt for a more affordable anniversary gift after that first year of marriage.

But “paper” affords a lot of creative and thoughtful gift ideas and giving options.

A first-anniversary gift has an opportunity to be rife with meaning or be a way to show that you know your spouse well. A paper gift can look like a lot of things. It could be a book that you think your partner would love or would hold a lot of meaning to them. Paper anniversary gifts can be a print of an artwork that they love. Paper gifts can be a cute jar of IOU coupons. The opportunities for thoughtful paper-related gift ideas are nearly endless between gift certificates, 1st-year photograph collections, and beyond. But, if for some reason, none of the paper suggestions above sound appealing to you for a first-anniversary gift, you have other modern gift options as well.

What is The Contemporary 1-Year Anniversary Gift?

If a traditional gift of paper doesn’t resonate with you, consider the modern theme for your 1-year anniversary gift: a clock.

While clocks may now scream “modern gift ideas” to you, they do represent the passage of time. You can use first anniversary gifts to mark the passage of time between you and mark the beginning of your long and happy marriage. That clock could be a literal clock that you have engraved with your wedding date, or it could be a watch or some other timepiece. Additionally, a clock anniversary gift could be something time-related, like a beautiful hourglass that could be used as a piece of home decor. No matter what time-related option you choose, it will undoubtedly make a sentimental gift.

Nonetheless, if you or your partner is satisfied with the clock on your phone, you still have other options for anniversary gifts.

1-Year Anniversary Gift Ideas

There’s no reason you should be confined to adhere strictly to a specific wedding anniversary tradition, be it new or old. You are not required to purchase a traditional first-anniversary gift or a modern first-anniversary gift, so much as your anniversary gifts should mark your paper anniversary prominently. Jewelry and other statement pieces always make for great gifts no matter what and will make sure your 1-year anniversary gift is one to remember and cherish.

Here are a few of our favorite ideas for your 1-year anniversary gift that we recommend.

First Anniversary Gift Ideas: Diamond Earrings And Pendants

4-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Certified Round Brilliant 4-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings

Our 4-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings come in 14K and 18K white and yellow gold options. These stunning round diamond stud earrings offer a timeless appeal and go with just about everything. Diamond studs are one of the most classic anniversary gifts and are always a welcome sight. The four prongs help securely hold our lab-created diamonds in place so you can enjoy them for a long time after.

3-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Certified Round Brilliant 3-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings

Out 3-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings also come in 14L and 18K white and yellow gold options. The 3 prong screw-back post helps keep the lab-grown diamond secure while allowing the diamond to shine and shimmer at all times. These 3-Prong Diamond Stud Earrings go with everything.

Oval Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Oval Diamond Stud Earrings

Our certified Oval Diamond Stud Earrings are offered in E/F colors with VS clarity to provide you with the highest-quality diamonds possible.  They come in either 18K white or yellow gold screw-back posts. The oval diamond is a unique shape for an earring without being overly flashy and makes one of the most classic anniversary gifts more modern and unique. The best part is that oval-cut diamonds appear to be a larger carat than they are.

Pear Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Pear Diamond Stud Earrings

Our Pear Diamond Stud Earrings are certified, offering E/F colors with VS clarity. These pear-shaped diamonds are mounted with 18K white gold or yellow gold screw-back posts. Also known as teardrop diamonds, our Pear Diamond Stud Earrings feature one rounded end and one sharply pointed end to create a brilliant, shiny marquise shape that so many find lovely.

Princess Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Princess Diamond Stud Earrings

Our Princess Diamond Stud Earrings offer a modern cut with a square top that dazzles and shines. These earrings resemble an upside-down pyramid beneath the lab-grown stone’s surface. These Princess Diamond Stud Earrings are offered in E/F colors with VS clarity and mounted to either 18K white or yellow gold screw-back posts.

Emerald Diamond Stud Earrings

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Emerald Diamond Stud Earrings

Our dazzling Emerald Diamond Stud Earrings are certified emerald-cut and offer E/F colors and VS clarity while mounted on 18K white or yellow gold. Our Emerald Diamond Stud Earrings feature several parallel facets that create an extra shiny step-like appearance within the stone itself. This particular cut gives our Emerald Diamond Stud Earrings an expansive appearance that helps them look larger than they are, making them an attractive option for one of your anniversary gifts.

1/2 ct. tw. Minimalist Convertible Jacket

A 1/2 ct. tw. Minimalist Convertible Jacket Earring in yellow gold with a row of sparkling lab-created diamonds, designed to transform from a linear dangle to a chic hoop earring

The 1/2 ct. tw. Minimalist Convertible Jacket is part of our Minimalist collection. These Convertible Jacket Earrings add a level of sophistication that effortlessly elevates any outfit, embodying versatility and modern elegance with their innovative design that transitions from sleek dangles to chic hoops.

Single Noctis Earring Jacket

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Single Noctis Earring Jacket

Anniversary gifts like our Single Noctis Earring Jacket do not come around often. This earring jacket is also part of our Diem collection. They add a sense of excitement to your everyday earring wear with an extra eye-catching set of lab-grown diamonds. The Single Noctis Earring Jacket comes in both 14K white gold and yellow gold.

Ortus Y Necklace

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Ortus Y Necklace

The Ortus Y Necklace is part of our Diem collection. This pendant necklace can draw its attention with its decolletage of 28 pave-set diamonds ethically grown in the Clean Origin labs. It comes on an 18″ chain of either white gold or yellow gold.

3/4 CT. TW. Luminescent Halo Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Luminescent Halo Pendant

Our 3/4 CT. TW. Luminescent Halo Pendant features 17 shimmering, shining, lab-grown diamonds organized in a classic halo shape. You can purchase the 3/4 CT. TW. Luminescent Halo Pendant with either 12K white gold or yellow gold. This halo pendant necklace will look fabulous no matter the occasion.

1/2 CT. TW. Eternity Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Eternity Pendant

The 1/2 CT. TW. Eternity Pendant features 24 dazzling stones set into an eternal ring. What testifies to love more than the symbol of eternity? This eternity ring holds 24 beautiful lab-grown diamonds and is a fantastic addition to any jewelry collection. You can get your partner a 1/2 CT. TW. Eternity Pendant in either 14K white gold or yellow gold.

1/2 CT. TW. Perfect Heart Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Perfect Heart Pendant

The 1/2 CT. TWThe 1/2 CT. TW. Perfect Heart Pendant necklace is a beautiful and endearing addition to any jewelry collection. What says “I love you” more than a heart-shaped pendant necklace? Give the gift of glittering love as one of your first anniversary gifts with this pendant. The 1/2 CT. TW. Perfect Heart Pendant features 16 lab-grown stones on an 18″ chain of either white gold or yellow gold.

1 CT. TW. Cross Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Cross Pendant

The 1 CT. TW. Cross Pendant is a great way to share a symbol of your shared belief and celebrate your union together as a family.  The 1 CT. TW. Cross Pendant features 12 lab-grown stones. Like many of our other pendant necklaces, the 1 CT. TW. Cross Pendant comes with an 18″ chain in either 14K white gold or yellow gold. You can adjust the chain to 16″.

1ct Solitaire Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Solitaire Pendant

The Clean Origin 1ct Solitaire Pendant is a classic pendant necklace with a single stunning lab-grown diamond. The 1ct Solitaire Pendant comes with an 18″ chain in either white gold or yellow gold. The diamond found in the pendant comes with a VS/SI clarity and I/J color.

2 CT TW Classic 3 Stone Pendant

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - 3 Stone Pendant

Our 2 CT TW Classic 3 Stone Pendant is beautiful, elegant, and wonderfully sparkly. The 3 stone pendant brings the right amount of shine and shimmer to any occasion. Celebrate your big day with a one-year anniversary gift that honors your past, present, and future with a trilogy of diamonds.

More 1-Year Anniversary Gift Ideas: Men’s Wedding Anniversary Bands

Jewelry isn’t just for women. There are plenty of jewelry options out there for men as well as for first-anniversary gifts. Here are some of our favorite men’s anniversary rings.

Low Profile Milgrain Men’s Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Low Profile Milgrain Band

The Low Profile Milgrain Men’s Band is a bold and modern design for the bold and modern man. This sleek, high-polish gold ring will look great on the hand of any man, especially yours. Remind him with your first anniversary gifts and how much you cherish him.

Grey Men’s Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Grey Band

The Grey Men’s Band is a classic men’s ring with a fantastic satin finish, high polish grooves, and a slightly domed band. This one-year anniversary gift comes in white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold.

Jacob Men’s Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Jacob Band

The Jacob Band also features a classic satin finish that adds to its high polish grooves running along the center of the band. The Jacob Men’s Band comes in either 14K white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold.

Julius Men’s Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Julius Band

The Julius Men’s Band features a classic satin finish and high-contrast polished bands running along both sides of the 4mm band. This band also comes in 14K rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold.

Alex 6MM Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Alex 6mm Band

The Alex 6MM Band is the perfect 1-year anniversary gift for your former beau/now-husband. The Alex 6MM Band has a woven texture, contrasting the high polish edges. An excellent reference to your paper anniversary, this ring has ridges like the spine of a book.

Bands And Bracelets

1 1/2ct White Gold Petite Diamond Bracelet

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Petite Diamond Tennis Bracelet

The 1 1/2ct White Gold Petite Diamond Bracelet is a 7″ bracelet that adds a sense of beauty and style to any outfit. A diamond bracelet from Clean Origin will feature an I/J color and a VS/SI clarity. This particular diamond bracelet has a total of 102 diamonds.

Classic 3CT Tennis Bracelet

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Classic 3 CT. TW. Tennis Bracelet

The Classic 3CT Tennis Bracelet features 65 beautiful diamonds that will encircle the wrist in sparkle and shine. The full diamond bracelet comes to 7.1″ in length and comes in either white gold or yellow gold.

Serendipity Diamond Ring

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Serendipity Diamond Ring

The Serendipity Diamond Ring is the perfect anniversary gift for someone looking to add a modern sparkle to an otherwise traditional band design. One-year anniversary gifts rarely can pull modern and traditional styles together so beautifully. It’s a sleek 2mm wide and contains a total of 7 lab-grown diamonds. The Serendipity Diamond Ring comes in a variety of metals, including 14K white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and 18K white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. You can even get this band in platinum.

Embrace Solitaire Band

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Embrace Solitaire Band

The Embrace Diamond Ring is a beautiful set of 16 lab-grown diamonds set onto a twisted set of infinity-style metalwork. As anniversary gifts go, it is a real winner. The Embrace Diamond Ring comes in both 14K and 18K white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum.

Entwined Diamond Ring

1-Year Anniversary Gift Idea - Entwined Diamond Ring

The Entwined Diamond Ring is a great way to show how your lives have been entwined with one another over the past year. This anniversary gift comes in 14K and 18K white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum.

Get a 1-Year Anniversary Gift You Know They’ll Love

You love your spouse. You know it. They know it. And you get to show and receive that love day after day and year after year to them. A thoughtful paper or clock-themed first-anniversary gift may be just the thing they need for their one-year anniversary gift.

But if you want to get them something extra special, give them a gift from Clean Origin.

Clean Origin is the source of beautiful, ethical lab-grown diamonds and diamond jewelry. No matter what you’re looking for, Clean Origin can help you find it. Shop our collection of diamond jewelry today and find the perfect gift for any special occasion. And if you like to plan ahead, here are some gift ideas for your second wedding anniversary.