5 Year Wedding Anniversary Gifts: Traditional and Modern Ideas for a Meaningful Celebration

Reaching your 5th wedding anniversary is a major milestone—a celebration of half a decade of shared dreams, growth, and commitment. Whether you're planning a romantic night, a surprise gift, or just looking to honor the moment meaningfully, the right anniversary gift can say it all.

So what exactly should you give for a 5-year wedding anniversary? That depends on whether you're leaning into tradition or opting for a modern twist. In this post, we’ll break down both the traditional and modern 5-year anniversary gifts, explain their symbolism, and give you plenty of thoughtful and stylish ideas to choose from.

The Traditional 5-Year Anniversary Gift: Wood

Traditionally, the 5th anniversary is celebrated with wood—a symbol of strength, stability, and deep roots. Just like a tree grows stronger with each passing year, your marriage becomes more resilient and deeply rooted in trust and love.

Wood is a beautiful material for gifting because it's versatile, natural, and long-lasting. It works well for everything from home décor and keepsakes to fashion accessories and personalized jewelry.

Wood Gift Ideas for the 5th Anniversary

If you want to honour the tradition of wood while still being thoughtful and stylish, here are some great gift ideas:

1. Wood Jewelry
Wood jewelry is a meaningful and wearable option—especially when it's handcrafted and designed with care. Look for pieces that combine wood with metals like gold or silver for a modern touch.

Liel and Lentz’s Engravable Collection offers beautifully crafted wood necklaces, pendants, and bracelets that can be personalized with your partner’s initials, anniversary date, or a meaningful phrase. These pieces combine the warmth of walnut wood with elegant finishes, making them perfect for daily wear or special occasions.

Some of our favourites for the 5th anniversary are:

5 Diamond Bar - Yellow Gold



Engravable Gold Horizontal Bar necklace

Engravable Gold Bar Bracelet




2. Custom Wood Keepsakes
A personalized wooden box, photo frame, or wall art featuring your wedding vows or a favourite quote can be a touching way to reflect on your journey together.

3. Wood Accessories for Him
If you’re looking for a 5-year anniversary gift for your husband, consider a wood-inlay bracelet, cufflinks, or a valet tray for his everyday essentials.

Our favourites for 5th anniversary gifts for him are:

Blue Calcite Wood - with engraving

Onyx wood


Kyanite wood



4. Wood-Inspired Home Décor
Items like a custom-carved cutting board, a handcrafted bookshelf, or a framed map made from wood can blend function with sentiment.

The Modern 5-Year Anniversary Gift: Silverware

The modern gift for a 5-year wedding anniversary is silverware, symbolizing connection, nourishment, and shared meals. While it may seem unexpected at first, silverware as a gift represents the everyday moments that strengthen your relationship—dinners together, celebrations, and comfort food on quiet nights.

Silverware Gift Ideas

If you prefer modern symbolism or want to blend tradition with something contemporary, silverware-themed gifts can be both elegant and memorable.

1. Custom Silverware Sets
A luxury silverware set or custom-engraved flatware can elevate your dining experience while serving as a daily reminder of your bond.

2. Silver Jewelry
Jewelry in sterling silver is a chic way to honour the modern gift theme—especially when it’s meaningful and timeless.

Liel and Lentz’s Engravable Silver Bar Pendant or Silver Inlay Heart Necklace are beautiful silver-accented pieces that tie into the traditional and modern 5th anniversary theme. Combine this with a custom engraving for a truly personal touch.

3. Date Night Dining Experience
Treat your partner to a romantic dinner at a fine-dining restaurant with silver cutlery and a curated menu—or recreate the experience at home with new tableware and a handwritten love letter.

4. Personalized Cheese or Charcuterie Boards
Pair a beautiful wooden board with elegant cheese knives or silver serving utensils to bring together both traditional and modern themes in one thoughtful gift.

How to Choose Between Traditional and Modern Gifts

There’s no right or wrong approach when choosing between traditional and modern anniversary gifts. It all depends on your partner’s personality, your shared style, and the memories you want to celebrate.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Go traditional if your partner appreciates symbolism, rustic elements, or loves nature-inspired design.

• Go modern if you prefer minimalism, everyday elegance, or gifts with practical use.

• Blend both by choosing gifts that feature wood and silver together—like Liel and Lentz jewelry with walnut wood and silver or gold inlays.

Personalized Anniversary Gifts: The Best of Both Worlds

No matter which theme you choose, personalizing your anniversary gift adds an extra layer of meaning. Engraving a necklace, bracelet, or pendant with a date, name, or phrase transforms your gift from beautiful to unforgettable.

Here are a few engraving ideas for your 5th anniversary:

• “Five Years Strong”

• “Rooted in Love”

• Your initials or anniversary date

• Coordinates of a meaningful location

• A quote from your wedding vows

The Liel and Lentz Engravable Collection offers versatile pieces that can be customized and cherished for years to come. Whether you're shopping for her, for him, or even as a couple, these wood-and-metal designs blend tradition, modernity, and sentiment beautifully.

Your 5-year wedding anniversary is a celebration of resilience, connection, and shared growth. Whether you’re honoring tradition with a wood gift or embracing the modern elegance of silverware, what matters most is the intention behind your choice.

From handcrafted wood jewelry and personalized keepsakes to luxurious dining experiences and silver-accented accessories, you have endless ways to say, “I still choose you.”

Looking for the perfect 5-year anniversary gift?
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