The first year of marriage is a whirlwind. After the wedding, honeymoon, opening all of those beautiful gifts, writing out the thank you notes to the gracious gift-givers, and getting yourselves acclimated to being husband and wife, an entire year can feel like it passed by in the blink of an eye!
And before you know it, your first anniversary is right around the corner—the “paper” one. Now, if you told me before writing this that I was receiving a paper gift for a wedding anniversary, let’s just say I’d be less than pleased. Paper?? Not jewelry or something more substantial than the stuff you write things on? Pfft.
But then I did a little research, and silly me, was I misinformed about the whole paper thing? There are so many unique paper anniversary gifts to give—and here are our favorites that will make your still-pretty-new spouse feel special!
Make this anniversary something to remember with these 15 gifts that are so much cooler and more creative than just a card or some personalized stationery.
1. Your Love Story as a Book
Imagine a book where you’re the stars. It’s all about your love saga – from how you met to your “I do’s.” It’s a keepsake that’ll make you both go “aww” every time you read it.
2. Paper Jewelry
Sounds weird, but it’s actually pretty amazing—think origami, but make it fashion. It’s like wearing little pieces of your journey together.
3. Cookbook of Love
Are you both foodies? How about a cookbook with all your fav recipes, plus some you’ve been dying to try? Add in some pics and notes about your kitchen wins (and fails).
4. Tickets
Tickets are technically paper! Grab some tickets to a concert, a play, or a game. It’s not just paper; it’s a ticket to a fun experience and a new memory!
5. Everlasting Flowers
Flowers are great, but they wilt and die. Plus, you have to clean the vase they were in. But paper flowers? They last. Get a bunch that looks like the ones at your wedding, or just your partner’s fav flowers for a bouquet. If you aren’t particularly crafty, you may have to farm this out to someone who knows how to make pretty paper flowers.
6. Message in a Bottle
We LOVE this one so much! Write down all the mushy stuff you love about your partner, all your dreams for the future, roll it up, and pop it in an old bottle. Bonus if you live near a beach and can “accidentally” happen upon it while taking a walk.
7. Dreamy Paper Lanterns
Is there anything dreamier than sending paper lanterns into the night sky? We think not, so light up some paper lanterns after writing your hopes and dreams on them, then watch them float off into the night. Super romantic.
8. Puzzle of Memories
Take a photo of the two of you and have it made into a jigsaw puzzle! It’s a fun way to look back at your year together and spend some quality time actually completing it.
9. Journal for the Journey
Gift them a fancy journal—be sure to write something sweet on the first page to get them started.
10. Book Club for Two
Are you married to a book lover? If so, getting them a book club subscription is a perfect gift that keeps on giving.
11. Calendar of Memories
Make a calendar composed of snapshots of your best moments from your first year of marriage. Then every month, you get a daily reminder of something fun you did together. Cute!
12. Mosaic Masterpiece
For the super crafty, how about making a mosaic artwork from paper? It’s all the little bits of your story coming together to make something uniquely yours.
13. Theater Memories
If you’re Broadway babies, you can start collecting playbills from the plays or shows you see together. Then frame them to hang in your home or create a scrapbook.
14. Origami Fun
Yes, it’s more origami, so get yourself a how-to origami book and the papers so you can learn this amazing craft together. It’s a great way to spend time together and create something that’s def different.
15. Deck of Memories
Have a set of playing cards personally designed for you with pics or things that mean something to you both. Then, every game night becomes a trip down memory lane.
Final Thoughts
Your first anniversary is so much more than just a date—it’s an opportunity to look back at how amazing your first year as hubby and wife was and to look forward to all the great times still to come!
These gifts aren’t just things; they’re reminders of your story, your laughs, and even a few of those “we’ll laugh about this later” moments. Here’s to many more years of making memories and a happy “paper” anniversary!
