Paper Anniversary Gifts For Him 🌠 🌠 🌠 Best Wishes to All of You

Paper Experience Gifts

Tickets

The ideas for this gift are basically endless, and it means you have so many options for making your partner happy AND setting yourself up for a new cool memory with them. Baseball tickets, theater tickets, movie tickets, museum tickets, tickets for a weekend away, tickets to take the train somewhere, hockey tickets, comicon tickets, whedoncon tickets, cheesefactory tour tickets. What is your partner into? What is something that they have on their bucket list that you can help them achieve?

Buying an experience gift makes so much sense. You really just finally got through all of your wedding gifts, and do you really need more stuff in your home? Plus, early in your marriage is a great time to do these things- want a life with some spontaneity and adventure? Here's your chance to get it started. In retrospect, I can't believe I bought anything else when this paper idea is just so stinking good.

Reflect on the Past, Present, and Future

Every year, we look through our wedding photos, chat about the day, and point out just how tragic my bangs looked by the last dance. It isn't anything overly wrought with emotion (The Boy does not do wrought), but it is fun. In a few years, our kids might be interested too, and that will be really fun.

We also have an anniversary journal, like this one from Uncommon Goods. We write in it every year and add one picture. Every year, it is fun to go back and read it, but I honestly think you could use any notebook you like to the same purpose. It's the going back and reading that makes it fun.

Wedding-Inspired Art

Depending on your personalities (and how your guests gifted), an art piece of one of your wedding photos might be really special. You end up with a lot of wedding pictures, but a special piece of art might be a nice edition to your room as something just for you. Etsy, of course, has tons. Some of these might make good inspiration so you can make something yourself, or you can buy something- just poke around and you will find something good.

Find something your style as a pair. Write a nice note. They will be thrilled. Way to go, wedded person.

A Love Letter

Really think on it, and write your partner a letter worth keeping for the rest of their lives. You can write it on a napkin- it doesn't matter! Have the courage to pour your heart out, even though you don't have to.

Write Letters to the Future

If you are trying to do something special without breaking the bank, how about writing short letters for the next 10 anniversaries? Write what you think you will be doing then, so you can laugh about it later, or write about your favorite memories of the first year so you two can reminisce.

Finish your Paperwork

The Boy gave me an amazing first wedding gift by finishing some official business. Some people change their name, but some don't. If it is something you did or want to do, this can make for a truly romantic and bonding gift. Never thought you would hear that about paperwork, did you?

You could also pay for your passports, which is both practical and pretty romantic.

Sentimental Paper Gifts

Photobooks

Planting a Tree with a Time Capsule

This would really only work if you were living in a house you planned on being where you are living a long time, but this is a pretty adorable idea if that is the case. If not, it may still be nice to go and plant a tree somewhere in honor of the first anniversary. Maybe somewhere you can return to? I know some people even plant a tree around their wedding, but this seems like a perfect activity for a first anniversary, because a tree is a love letter to the future (also, air).

Practical Paper Gifts

Practical gifts can be a contentious issue in a relationship- I mean, if you aren't on the same page, this is the quickest trip to a ruined anniversary. One of my favorite couples has absolutely outlawed practical gifts, but I think you can still go this route without being boring or banal. In fact, practical gifts can be really thoughtful and cool, but it totally depends on your partner.

Paper Clocks

I found a clock made out of paper and other beautiful ones made out of wood (its all trees, right?) I actually bought The Boy one of these, and they are even cooler looking in real life.

A Reading Tablet

Some sort of reading tablet is honestly a great idea if you have a big reader. They have been great for planes, and if you are planning to spawn, nothing is better for those midnight feedings than being able to read. A different route, but a good one.

Personalized Desk Calendar

So cute if you put anniversaries and special holidays and stuff like that on it. Even better if you actually make it really subtle, so they can really have it there at work with no one else noticing how special it is. If you want holidays on it, Shutterfly is a good choice, if you want something cooler and more modern, check Artifact Uprising.

Paper Jewelry

Ok, if you really want to go the jewelry route, you can still do on theme! It's not what I would choose, but it is fun to look. Because, Etsy. Some of the Etsy stores even have paper anniversary themes. Here are a few I love-

It's hard to believe these are even made from paper. Very elegant.

These necklaces from beccasblend look like wearing confetti, in a good way.

Paper Statement makes funky paper jewelry out of old book pages. Perfect for a modern or minimalist spouse!

VintageOoakDesigns uses old book pages in the designs for their jewelry. I like the combination of modern shapes, bright colors, and vintage paper. It shouldn't work, but it does.

Alright, these lists, much like your wedded bliss, are just getting started. This is going to be fun! If you want more wedding and anniversary ideas, check out the Green Wedding and Anniversary page. If you just want more gift and shopping inspiration, check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists page.

Are you looking for a creative paper first anniversary gift? If you want something truly unique and different, handmade is the way to go. This DIY handmade paper first anniversary gift is something your spouse will treasure for years to come! (Includes step by step tutorial!)

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary! My husband and I just celebrated ours, so if you’ve been struggling to think of a creative first anniversary gift, I have very recently been in your shoes.

Did you know that almost every year of marriage has a traditional gift associated with it? While you absolutely don’t have to adhere to these traditional gifts when you’re searching for your own unique first anniversary gift, I do think it’s fun to check out this list!

For many of us, the first year of marriage is a series of firsts and adjustments as a newlywed couple. My husband and I have been together for nearly six years and have two children together, but there’s still something so special about marking our very FIRST wedding anniversary!

Your first wedding anniversary (which is also known as the paper anniversary) truly marks a milestone in your life as a married couple, and deserves a very special first anniversary gift.

Why is Paper a First Anniversary Gift?

Paper has been a traditional 1st anniversary gift for over 100 years! Just like a piece of paper, you can think of your first year of marriage as a blank canvas on which to paint your future. And like paper, the early years of marriage can be fragile yet withstanding.

Think of an old letter or card that you’ve held onto for years. If you handle that piece of paper with care and love, that sheet will be able to maintain the words written upon it for a lifetime. If you are too rough or neglect it, the paper may fade, tear or break apart completely.

And who doesn’t love a great metaphor?!

DIY Handmade Paper First Anniversary Gift– 12 Amazing Moments from Our First Year of Marriage Box<

For our first anniversary I wanted to do something special and unique for my husband. I spent hours pouring over beautiful items I could order online, but I kept coming back to the idea of creating a handmade first anniversary gift instead.

The biggest problem? We have two toddlers, so I knew I didn’t have the bandwidth to take on a huge project!

That’s why I loved this idea! From start to finish the entire project took less than 2 hours. I love how this DIY “12 Amazing Moments from our First Year of Marriage” paper first anniversary gift turned out!

Supplies Needed to Make this DIY Paper First Anniversary Gift

• A medium paper mache box

• Scrapbook paper

• Scissors

• Markers

• Glue Stick

How to Make a 12 Amazing Moments from our First Year of Marriage Anniversary Gift

Assembling this gift is really easy and fun. You'll love the memories that come flooding back as you put this gift together.

• Think back through your first year of marriage, and pick 12 highlights. They can be absolutely anything you want to use! I tried to pick a mix of funny things and sentimental ones.

• Take a sheet of your scrapbook paper and fold the corners in to make a diamond in either direction. Unfold the corners. This will give you a square in the center to write your memory in! Use a separate full sheet of paper for each of your 12 memories.

• When you're done writing down your memories, fold your paper into a little envelope. To do this, fold two of the corners on opposite ends in to make a diamond. Turn the paper so that the open corners (the top and bottom of the diamond) are vertical. Then, bring the bottom open corner up and fold over, and then the top corner down.

• Place each folded memory in the box however you would like!

• To decorate the cover, simply cut out some of your remaining scrapbook paper to make an accent sheet. Using your glue stick, glue the scrapbook paper to the top of the paper mache box top. I also chose to handwrite a little note in the inside of the cover for my husband, too. I cut out a small piece of paper that same size as the inside of the box lid and used my glue stick to secure the surprise note inside.

What is a good paper anniversary gift?

Remember: paper symbolizes a clean canvas to write out your own story. Have your very first wedding anniversary gift speak to that!

I personally wanted to create something handmade to mark the occasion in my own marriage, but there are so many wonderful and unique paper anniversary gift ideas like:

• Custom illustration of your two (or your family)

• Tickets to a special event

• Photo book

• Letter in a bottle (my husband gave me one on our first dating anniversary, and it's my favorite gift he's ever given me)

• A couples journal

• A scrapbook of adventures together

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gift to make it meaningful. Many of the gift ideas I referenced above are both budget friendly and allow for customization. When in doubt, get creative: grab some paper, write a beautiful love letter and hide it somewhere your spouse will find it by surprise on your anniversary. Trust me, it will be as meaningful as any gift you buy!

Anniversaries mean something different for everyone. A good paper anniversary gift is one that truly speaks to your love for your spouse.

On our wedding day and celebrating our first wedding anniversary.

Ideas to Celebrate Your 1st Anniversary

Love this DIY Handmade Paper First Anniversary Gift, but stumped on how to celebrate on the actual day? Here are a few of the best ideas I came across while brainstorming for our own first anniversary celebration.

• Relive the day by viewing your wedding video or looking through your wedding album

• Chow down on the top tier of your wedding cake!

• Plan a dinner at the same venue that you held your wedding reception or where you had your first date

• Go for a picnic with paper plates and cups

• Create paper love notes to lead your spouse around the house on a special treasure hunt

• Find a photographer and plan an anniversary photo shoot!

Personalized Love Letter

What better way to commemorate your special day than with a personalized love letter? This thoughtful gift is a great way to put your passionate love into words, making it one of the best one-year anniversary gifts. A great option to make this personal gift all the more beautiful is to write your love letter on the front page of a gorgeous personalized journal. Keeping with the paper theme, a journal is a perfect gift your loved one can add to over the following years.

Custom Art Prints

A custom piece of art, depicting your first dance song or the night sky on your wedding date, makes a special gift. This unique gift offers a creative way to symbolize your special occasion. There are so many options when it comes to art prints. Check out these personalized faceless portraits. Or perhaps these vintage anniversary newspaper posters are more to your taste. Whichever paper art you choose, there will surely be the perfect choice for your loved one.

Paper Flowers

Paper flowers are a great gift that can last a lifetime, much like your love for each other. These can be customized to mirror the bouquet from your wedding day, taking you down memory lane. A paper bouquet will never wilt much like your love for each other.

Scrapbook of Memories

A scrapbook filled with your favorite photos from your first date to your wedding day and the happy moments in your new marriage is a great idea. This paper theme gift is a meaningful way to celebrate your special day. This One Year Down scrapbook fits the 1st-anniversary theme perfectly. Or perhaps you're an adventurous couple, and this gorgeous Adventure scrapbook is more to your taste. Either way, a scrapbook is a perfect way to record your special moments together. A momento you can share with your grandkids one day.

First Edition Book

A first edition of your partner's favorite book can be a thoughtful gift. Especially if a particular book holds a special place in your shared story. You may have met at an open mic poet's evening, or your loved one is a massive Harry Potter fan. A First Edition book is a paper gift your book lover will cherish for many years.

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Modern First Anniversary Gift Ideas: Clocks

While paper gifts are the traditional 1st anniversary gift, in some cultures, clocks are the modern first-anniversary gift. These gifts symbolize the passage of time and the many good times to come. Here we have compiled our favorite clock idea gifts to wow your loved one.

Personalized Wall Clock

A personalized wall clock with your names and wedding date is a practical gift and a daily reminder of your wedding day. If your taste is a little more adventurous, you could tick the clock and paper boxes with this colorful wall clock made by hand out of colored cardstock.

Table Clock

Perhaps a large wall clock isn't quite what you are looking for. You may prefer a table clock that adds a touch of classic elegance to your home office or living room. This modern theme gift can be a daily reminder of your special day.

Sundial

A sundial is a unique gift that symbolizes the passage of time in your marriage. It's a beautiful option to commemorate your first year together. With options such as this 1st-anniversary sundial or an engravable sundial such as this vintage-looking sundial, this unique gift will surely lead your relationship in the right direction.

Watch

A stylish wristwatch is a great gift and a practical way to celebrate your first anniversary. With an engraved special message or date, it becomes a sentimental gift. A testament to the journey you're making together, moment by moment and day by day.

This floral women's wristwatch is a perfect choice with its paper-looking floral pattern display, your covering both the ‘paper' and ‘clock' traditions for your one-year anniversary gift.

These customizable Men's Wristwatches allow you to personalize this gift for your husband. Adding a photo of yourself or a special moment you have shared in your relationship journey adds a personal touch to this practical gift.

Matching Couples Wristwatches might be more your thing. If you both need a watch, purchasing matching watches for each other is a cute way for you both to get a practical gift that reminds you of your better half.

Hourglass

An hourglass is a beautiful symbol of the passage of time, a poignant representation of your shared first year in your marriage and the many more to come. Every grain of sand marks a moment in time, making it a visual and tangible embodiment of your time together. As the sand flows, it can remind you of the special moments you've shared and those yet to come.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're leaning towards the traditional gift of paper or the modern gift of clocks, your first wedding anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate your love uniquely. Remember, it's not just about the gift itself but also about the story it tells and the memories it symbolizes. So whether it's a love letter, a custom art print, or a personalized clock, the best first wedding anniversary gifts are those that celebrate your shared journey.

For more wedding gift ideas, check out some of these other posts:

Paper Anniversary Gifts For Him