The 19 Best Anniversary Gifts for Parents and In-Laws

If your parents have been together for a long time, their relationship has taught you much of what you know about love. You may admire the strength of their bond and the depth of their affection for one another, and the support they both give you (especially during your wedding-planning year!). So, naturally, you want to celebrate them and their bond with a special gift as their anniversary approaches. But what qualifies as an appropriate anniversary present for your parents or in-laws? And how do you select a gift that will appeal to both parents? 

Obviously, the answers to these questions will vary from one set of parents to another. You might be shopping for foodies, plant-lovers, whiskey connoisseurs, goofballs, adventurers, homebodies, or sentimental souls. It’s the thought that counts, of course—but to help, we’ve picked some of our favorites for every type of couple.

Read on for the best anniversary gifts for parents.

Final Verdict 

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, sentimental present, the Soundwave Art Canvas, Wedding Vow Picture Frame, or Personalized Love Letter Blanket are all wonderful options that celebrate your parents’ love for one another in unique ways. For parents who enjoy activities more than things, consider The Adventure Challenge— it will give them an opportunity to connect and spend some quality time together. And foodies will love Harry and David’s Market Tote, eCreamery’s personalized ice cream pints, the Some Like it Hot Gift Set, or a batch of cookies made with a personalized cookie cutter.

What to look for in an anniversary gift for parents

We know, we know. Shopping for one parent is hard. So, how on earth are you supposed to find a gift for both of them? The trick is looking for something they can experience together. Rather than buying one gift for Mom and another for Dad, think of something they both like and find a way for them to enjoy it with each other. That’s why food baskets or kits, items for the home, and couple’s activities all make amazing anniversary gifts. They allow your parents to reminisce about the good times and to make new memories as well. 

It’s also ideal to select a gift that honors the past they’ve shared or one that allows them to experience something new as a couple. The first type of gift is a wonderful way to celebrate their love and all the hard work they’ve put into their relationship. The second helps them continue growing as a couple and revives some of those sparks that may be harder to come by after many years of being together.

What are other good gift ideas for parents?

If you’re struggling to come up with non-product gift ideas, you can always check out a list of the traditional and modern gifts that correspond to each anniversary year. Feel free to get creative and interpret the lists however you see fit. For instance, the 35th anniversary traditionally calls for a coral gift, but that doesn’t mean you have to get them a chunk of the Great Barrier Reef. You might get them under-the-sea-themed cupcakes or matching coral-colored t-shirts with a funny message.

If the gift guidelines aren’t working for you, it’s helpful to articulate for yourself what an anniversary celebration is really about. For us, it’s about remembering and preserving the love two people share. So when thinking of a gift, try to think of ways to celebrate their past together of ways to bring them closer together in the present and future.

What are traditional and modern anniversary gifts for the 25th, 30th, 40th, and 50th years? 

The traditional gifts by year, for the 25th, 30th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries are silver, pearls, rubies, and gold. The modern gifts are the same for the 25th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries, but the modern gift for the 30th anniversary is diamonds rather than pearls.  

Why trust Brides?

Buying presents for loved ones is one of Mckenzie Eggers’s all-time favorite activities. She puts a lot of time and thought into choosing the perfect presents for friends, family members, and her partner, and she sees gift-giving as an important way to show her favorite people how much they mean to her. She also takes great joy in helping others find the perfect gifts for their loved ones.