A 5th year wedding anniversary is a cause for a thoughtful gift. You made 260+ weeks as a (mostly) happy couple—you’ve established a strong foundation for your life together so why not memorialize this milestone with a thoughtful gift. It's worth celebrating 🍾

If you’re looking for inspiration, we’re here to help.

What kind of gift is best?

Just like the wedding itself, when it comes to celebrating milestone anniversaries, options will vary widely depending on your budget, personality, and how much runway there is before the event (obviously, personalized gifts will require a little bit more time).

Traditionally, the fifth wedding anniversary is most often associated with gifts of wood, but in contemporary times, it is also associated with silver.

Here’s a guide that shows the years of marriage along with both the traditional wood gifts and contemporary gifts associated with each.

Why wood?

We have the venerable Emily Post, also known as the etiquette maven, to thank for wood’s designation as the choice for fifth wedding anniversary gifts. If you didn’t know, Ms. Post literally ✍️ the book on etiquette. In fact, her 1922 book is titled Etiquette.

While Post didn’t enumerate her reasons for the choices, it’s safe to say that many attributes of wood's strength, natural beauty and durability over time made it an appropriate choice.

If you’re looking for a good place to start, here are to key questions to ask yourself:

🫶 Is your spouse sentimental or more practically minded?

⌛ How much time do you have before you need this gift?

We’ve curated a list of thoughtful gifts that cover all of the options above. We’ve got sentimental gifts, practical gifts as well as gifts that you’d be able to buy at the last minute if you don’t have a lot of time before presenting the gift.

Sentimental 5th wedding anniversary gifts

If your husband is sentimental, there are many thoughtful ways to weave in aspects of your own love story to your heartfelt gift. The best part? Many of these choices will also make for beautiful additions to your home decor.

Here’s a question to get the creative juices flowing:

What aspects of your special day were particularly meaningful to you? Was it your first dance? the vows you wrote? The flowers? The readings from the ceremony?

What are some notable moments you’ve had together (and their dates)? Examples could be: your engagement, moving into a new home, memorable trips, or children’s birthdays.

With these in mind, here are some gifts that can be personalized to incorporate those elements to make a last impression.

Family name wooden sign

Family name sign by HonestWoodcraftGoods.

Oozing with character, this personalized address coordinate sign made from a California wine barrel stave is the perfect way to display your family name while adding both warmth and individuality to your home. Pictured below they’ve incorporated their last name and anniversary year on a beautiful upcycled oak wine barrel stave.

Wood coasters

Personalize hardwood wooden coasters with your family name, wedding date, lyrics from “your song,” lines from your vows, a particularly meaningful bible verse, etc. Coasters are the best go-to gift choice if you love to entertain, or if you have a home bar that needs a personalized accessory.

Display your favorite photo in a wooden frame

A traditional printed photo displayed in a wooden frame is a solid option if you’re short on time. You can get photos printed the same day from Kinkos or CVS. Michaels, Cost Plus, or Kohl’s are great places to shop for a beautiful wooden photo frame. HomeGoods is another good choice if you’re on a budget.

Wooden Photo Cubes

For a more contemporary take on the photo idea, head to Etsy and search for “Customized Wooden Photo Cubes.” As you’ll see there are a variety of fun ways to have your favorite photo memorialized on a wooden surface! Of course, Etsy has a number of shops that offer a variety of styles and price points. Shop early for best selection and to allow for time to produce and ship.

Wooden love spoons

Another traditional gift that has an interesting backstory to go with it, Welsh love spoons are decoratively carved wooden spoons traditionally presented as a gift of romantic intent. The love spoon is normally decorated with various symbols of love and were traditionally intended to showcase the skills of the carver.

If your spouse loves to cook or bake, these are not only functional kitchen essentials but also serve as heartfelt keepsakes.

Nowadays you can include a personal touch by including details such as names, wedding date, and phrase: "The Perfect Mix."

Crafted from high-quality wood, these spoons add a natural and personalized touch to any kitchen.

Practical 5th anniversary gift ideas

If your husband prefers a more practical gift, there are lots of options to choose from and some can also be personalized to reflect details that make it feel even more thoughtfully chosen.

Knife Block (made with real wood)

With this free standing knife rack, you can keep your knives front and center at all times.

This standalone knife holder features hidden embedded magnets so you can safely and securely hold several knives on both sides. Made from heirloom quality dry aged walnut, the rich grain details and warm chocolate-y colored hues will add warmth and texture to your kitchen. It is sure to impress your husband as a gorgeous knife display on your kitchen countertop when not in use. Personalize it with your family name, wedding date, your favorite verse to make it even more meaningful.

Wooden docking station

A wooden docking station will give your husband a “place for everything and everything in its place.” The docking station offers a spot to keep wallets, keys, watches, jewelry, stationery items, AirPods, pens together all in one place. Also, his phone can be charged when it is resting on the dock but the clever design will keep the cord hidden out of sight. You can choose from a variety of hues of hardwood species, opt for walnut if you prefer something dark or maple for a golden, caramel hued. Look for species that have waves or curls in the grain which will greatly enhance the character of the piece.

Wooden watch

Move over Apple watch, the wood watch is a timeless choice for a 5th anniversary gift. If time allows, you can personalize either the face or the back of the timepiece with details like: your wedding date, anniversary date, years of marriage, etc making it a beautiful piece and lovely gift idea.

Wooden cufflinks

If your husband aspires to be the best dressed man in the room, then he will definitely appreciate the finer details, like wooden cufflinks. The woodsy, warmed toned palette will finesse his attire with sophistication. Pair them with a wooden tie clip and you have the perfect addition to the sharp dressed man’s wardrobe not to mention a thoughtful five-year anniversary gift.

Wooden case for AirPods

Yes, you can even find a case for something as contemporary as AirPods made from real wood! The case gives full protection for these rather delicate devices while giving you the more traditional material look and feel of a natural resource like walnut wood. An excellent choice if your spouse is hard to buy for.

A word to the wise about gifting

While we’ve curated a list for husbands of all kinds, we would be remiss if we did not mention some ideas for the case if your husband’s love language is not “receiving gifts.”

Tip: Give the gift that matches your partner’s Love Language

Back in 1992, marriage counselor Gary Chapman, Ph.D., introduced this theory in his book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. According to Chapman, people experience love in different ways, and he identified five categories through which individuals both receive and express love:

words of affirmation,
acts of service,
receiving gifts,
quality time,
physical touch

By understanding and practicing each other's love languages, you can foster a deeper connection as a couple. Through his work as a couples’ counselor, Dr. Chapman noticed that partners often misinterpreted each other's needs, not due to lack of effort but because they had different ways of experiencing and receiving love. Based on this observation, he hypothesized that teaching couples to express love in ways that resonate with each individual would lead to more harmonious relationships.

Let's delve into the five love languages according to Dr. Chapman and explore ideas for the best 5th anniversary gift that expresses them to your partner.

Words of Affirmation involve using positive and encouraging words to acknowledge love and care. Compliments and words of encouragement go a long way. From simple expressions like "I love you" to more elaborate statements such as "I appreciate your care and love for the people in your life" or "I am grateful for you," words can make a significant impact.

If your partner’s love language is Acts of Service, detailing their vehicle may be the best gift!

Acts of Service are all about lending a helping hand. If actions speak louder than words in your book, this might be your love language. Doing something to alleviate your partner's burdens and show you care can be as straightforward as: taking care of a time-consuming errand for them, having their vehicle detailed (hiring a professional or DIY), mowing the lawn or taking care of the chores they normally do.

For those with the love language of Receiving Gifts, it's not about the price but the thought behind the gesture. People who appreciate this language value visual symbols of affection, especially when thoughtfully chosen by their partner. See the many suggestions we’ve curated earlier in this blog post. Any of these meaningful gifts can hold great significance.

Quality Time emphasizes the importance of undivided attention. If quality time is your partner's love language, they feel most appreciated when they have your full presence, attentiveness, and mindfulness. Put away distractions (ahem, like your phone), make it a special date, prioritize eye contact, sit close, and actively listen to engage with your partner. More than ever, let them know they are a priority in your life.

Physical Touch is all about feeling comfortable and secure through physical connection. For individuals whose primary love language is physical touch, reading body language is crucial, and the intimacy of touch affirms and strengthens their bond. Making an active effort to cuddle, hold hands, kiss, or offer to give them a massage. You could also book a massage at a spa. This is the perfect gift idea if you’d like to have something tangible to offer. Whatever you decide, you’ll be giving them an anniversary that will help fulfill their emotional needs too.

Understanding and speaking each other's love languages (especially around a milestone event like your 5th wedding anniversary) will set you up for many more years of marital bliss.

Happy celebrating!

About the author

Husband and wife team Jason and Erin have celebrated many anniversaries over the years! They created Honest Woodcraft in 1999 with a simple goal of bringing nature home. Their hardwood products are a natural choice for entertaining as they are durable, functional and stylish enough to take center stage. Visit the shop or give them a follow on Instagram or Facebook.

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