Unique 1 Year Anniversary Gifts That Show Your Love

Updated by Lyndsay Cordell

The first year of marriage is filled with many exciting and new life experiences. In the last 365 days both of you have probably jetted off to a new place for your honeymoon. Perhaps you’ve moved into a new home together and are starting the nesting process. Whatever the last year has looked like, it’s time to commemorate it with a special gift. Celebrate your one year anniversary with a gift as special as your connection to each other with the help of Cratejoy.

Traditionally, first year couples give each other paper to celebrate their first anniversary. This can be anything from a hand-written card, a book, a love letter, or a paper ticket to a special event. The paper is said to symbolize a blank slate, a poetic reference to starting a new life together, almost as if you are writing your newly-joined life story. The threads in the paper is also said to symbolize the strength and connectivity between the couple.

For a more modern approach, couples have started gifting each other clocks instead of paper to represent their eternal love for each other. Gold is also considered the standard first-anniversary color so gold jewelry or watches are popular choices.

One Year Anniversary Gifts from Cratejoy

Surprise your loved one with a unique-themed subscription box from Cratejoy for your one year wedding anniversary.

Are they a budding artist? Gift them a monthly subscription to Nature Sketch Crate , a nature art class in a box. Each subscription comes complete with all the tools they need to paint a beautiful plant and animal art piece on high quality watercolor paper.

Perhaps they enjoy getting lost in the pages of a great novel. Subscriptions such as The Gentlemen’s Book Club , Used Books Monthly , and the Unplugged Adult Fiction Monthly Box are special gifts that keep on giving month after month.

Or better yet, help them get organized with a planning subscription box such as the Penspiration and Planning + Stationery Box by Cloth & Paper . Filled with planning essentials such as planner inserts, sticky notes, and notebooks, they’ll be able to keep everything organized for the year ahead.

Looking for more one year anniversary gift ideas? Check out our list below.

Nature Sketch Crate

Nature Sketch Crate

From $45.00 per box
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It’s hard to not find creative inspiration outside, and with the Nature Sketch Crate, they’ll paint a new plant or animal every month with instruction by an award-winning artist. This subscription box is wonderful for people of all ages and all artistry skill-levels.

Shipping: FIRST BOX SHIPS WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS. Ships from Long Beach CA estimate =US: 1-6 business days & Canada:1-4 weeks. Only US and Canada(Customer liable for any Customs Taxes and Fees). Please keep the address updated before the end of the month to ensure the correct delivery. Tracking is provided with all shipments.

Customer Review

“WOW! I absolutely loved this gift! Everything was very high quality and so beautifully packaged. After completing the lessons, I was inspired to go outside and sketch independently. The video lessons were so relaxing. Just the break I needed. I highly recommend this class!” — Harriet H.

Bubbles & Books

Bubbles & Books

From $26.91 per box
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Romance readers, rejoice! Bubbles & Books sends a slew of romance novels to subscribers each month, with 1-2 paperbacks, 5+ bonus romance ebooks, and an assortment of premium bath and spa products for a truly relaxing evening. Each month is a welcome surprise, delivering luxe items such as sheet masks, bath salts and bombs, handmade and whipped soaps, candles, teas, and (of course) bubble bath.

Shipping: Boxes ship between the 18th and 21st of every month.

Customer Review

"Great subscription for reading and relaxing! Perfect for those who love to soak!" - Juliana J.

The Intention Box: Stationery & Pen Subscription by Cloth & Paper

The Intention Box: Stationery & Pen Subscription by Cloth & Paper

From $45.00 per box
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Cloth & Paper is a nicely noted Penspiration and Planning box that combines beautiful letterpress paper goods with unique pens each month. Between 8-12 items arrive in each monthly subscription box and an array of writing tools and things like bookmark inserts and sticky notes are included in this sweet paper club.

Shipping: We ship the week following billing on the 1st every month. Order before the 4th to get this month's box. Be sure to check your shipment confirmation for exclusive digital content!

Customer Review

“I love love love this box! I started with just the pens because I am a pen freak but now I love planning and journaling with the beautifully curated boxes. Best of the best.” – Kelly C.

Scarlet Envelope: Secret Society Subscription

Scarlet Envelope: Secret Society Subscription

From $21.50 per box
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Shipping: We ship your first order within 3 days and the following orders on the 3rd of each month. All games come in letter mail envelopes. Because of that, the shipping is super affordable, however, it is only tracked in the USA and takes one-two weeks. If you need EXPRESS SHIPPING, contact us!

Stationery Treasure Box

Stationery Treasure Box

From $111.95 per box
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Shipping: Orders for the Feb/March Edition ship by 31st of March

The Book Drop: Adult Readers

The Book Drop: Adult Readers

From $30.99 per box
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Want a monthly book box that delivers that familiar indie bookstore vibe with each month's selection? The Book Drop is a unique monthly box that's manned by a team of avid readers who dig up just the right literary hidden gems to send to their subscribers. Available in a whopping range of 17 options, including everyone from early readers to adult fiction lovers, every delivery is like getting the best book recommendations from those in the know.

Shipping: Order today and your first book will ship between the 16th-21st. Future mailings will ship each month between the 16th-21st of each month. Tracking information is sent via email once your book starts its shipping process. Add one of our Surprise Grab Bags - they ship immediately.

Customer Review

"Can’t praise this service enough! The book selection is superb and always interesting. Supporting a small local business is also a plus." - Brennon B.

The Paper Crate - Card Making Kit

The Paper Crate - Card Making Kit

From $27.49 per box
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They'll learn to make some happy mail of their own with the card-crafting techniques found in The Paper Crate. Every month, they'll get card-making kits to create 4 uniquely designed greeting cards with items like stamp sets, embellishments, finishing items, and more. Simple instructions and thoughtful templates make these projects good for newbies and experienced crafters alike.

Shipping: Sign up by the last day of the month and we will ship our box to you on or around the 6th of every month!

Customer Review

"I love my first box. I was so impressed with the gifts on the first box and the high quality of paper, Asuka Studio. Very impressed. Contacted customer support and had no issues. I had fun with my box and cannot wait for the next one! Thank you so much!" - Nicole L.

SketchBox

SketchBox

From $20.00 per box
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SketchBox is a monthly art supply subscription box that empowers artists of any age with unique, full-sized art supplies to create a surprise project. It’s the perfect way to spark creativity and keep the inspiration coming!

Shipping: We ship our boxes on the 25th of each month to arrive by the 1st.

Customer Review

“I purchased a gift subscription for my daughter a year ago and she has asked for it again for her birthday. Each box that we have received has given her the opportunity to try out a medium she has never used before and convert her into loving charcoal (Sketchbox introduced her to it) and using ink vs. pencil. .” -Stacy

Used Books Monthly

Used Books Monthly

From $8.49 per box
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What sets Used Books Monthly apart is the personalization of the books chosen for each subscriber. When signing up, subscribers are prompted with a survey that includes over 20 genres to choose from, plus the ability to send the curators a message with details about reading preferences. Then each delivery is packed with 2 or 4 hand-picked, gently-used books for each subscriber, depending on the subscription chosen.

Shipping: We'll start assembling your order as soon as you subscribe, and we will ship it within 5 business days. Monthly renewals are on the 15th of each month and will ship on or before the 5th of the following month. You will get a tracking number via e-mail every time your books are sent out.

Customer Review

“The selections were perfect in the fantasy genre! I'm familiar with the titles and didn't read them before! Excited for what's to come next. Thank you!” – Tasnuva E.

For more gift ideas check out our wedding gift pages .