The 29 best 50-year anniversary gifts for celebrating half a century together

CNN

a day ago

50th anniversary gifts quick picks
To celebrate the promises you made 50 years ago: Minted Your Vows: Square Orientation Custom Foil Print
For the couple who remembers the decades through music: Uncommon Goods Personalized Gold LP Record
If they don't want more stuff: UrbanStems The Peony Sky
For the bookworm: Made by Mary Birth Flower Bookmark Romance is eternal, and so should be finding meaningful ways to celebrate marriage milestones. Whether you're the gift-giving type of couple or prefer to show affection through a different love language, wedding anniversary gifts themed by year offer a special way to honor and celebrate the time you've spent together.
'Fifty years — that's legacy,' etiquette expert Elaine Swann said. As both the traditional and modern anniversary gifting theme, gold gifts speak to the preciousness of a half-century partnership that has thrived through life's inevitable changes, ups and downs. 'It's perfect because it represents something that's stood the test of time,' Swann said.
'To me, anniversary gifts have always felt like little markers along the path of a shared life,' Leigh Batnick Plessner, chief creative officer of Brooklyn-based jewelry brand Catbird, said. 'I love that the tradition is deeply human,' she said, referencing the centuries-old custom in which husbands would give their wives a silver wreath on their 25th anniversary and a gold one on their 50th. 'It represents a quiet but meaningful celebration of endurance and devotion.'
Ahead, our selection of thoughtful 50-year anniversary gifts ranges from literal to symbolic, with each giving you the chance to consider what will truly delight your life partner — or any couple you know celebrating this milestone.
Framebridge Antiqued Oval Tabletop Frame
You can't go wrong with framing a family portrait, wedding photo or special quote, said etiquette expert Myka Meier. She recommends putting whichever would be most meaningful to your spouse in a gold or gold-accented photo frame — and we love this vintage-inspired option from Framebridge. Simply upload the photo of your choice, and Framebridge will take care of the rest.
Papier Monogram Navy Leather Notebook
When it comes to a super special anniversary gift, etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts recommends taking a trip down memory lane — literally. 'Revisit somewhere like your honeymoon spot,' she said, 'complete with a golden travel journal.' This notebook from Papier can be monogrammed with gold foil, making it a great choice for partners who prefer a subtle gold touch.
Plumeria Original Art Original Violet Oil Painting
Violets are the traditional flower for 50th wedding anniversaries, commonly seen as symbolizing faithfulness and loyalty. This hand-painted oil painting is a unique way of honoring the time-honored tradition.
Made by Mary Birth Flower Bookmark
Sometimes, the best gift is just one that acknowledges your partner's favorite hobby, pastime or passion. For those who love nothing more than snuggling up with a good book, this golden brass bookmark can be personalized with both their birth flower (or an anniversary-appropriate violet) and up to three characters.
Arhaus Jules Frame
Meier said a framed poem or letter might seem like a simple gift — but it's thoughtful, personal and gives you a chance to share your innermost thoughts and feelings with your life partner. A sleek frame like this option from Arhaus is the perfect vessel to showcase the keepsake of your choosing.
World Market Antique Gold Peacock Trinket Dish
Gold doesn't need to mean flashy or expensive. This trinket dish is fun, full of personality and perfect for holding everyday essentials like jewelry, keys or loose change.
Michael Aram Heart Frame Ornament
Whether you plan to hang it up year-round or during the holidays, we're suckers for a heart-shaped gift. This ornament is made from gold-hued metal with a heart motif and is a charming way to put your love center stage.
UrbanStems The Peony Sky
Meier recommends 'a bouquet of golden-hued flowers' for those who might not be into a more traditional gold gift. This stunning multicolored bouquet features beautiful yellow roses amongst an array of flowers, including peonies, white roses, ranunculus and delphinium.
Dearest Forever Personalized Family Tree Art
A celebration of the family and legacy you've created together, this family tree can be personalized to include four, five or even six generations. There are a couple different print sizes in addition to fonts, and you can work with the designers to get your piece just right before framing and gifting it.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Sargent Rose Brooch
Brooches are such a classic way to accessorize, and this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art store is a true showstopper. It pays homage to a late 19th-century painting by American painter John Singer Sargent — perfect for the art lover.
Williams Sonoma Wilshire Jewel-Cut Gold-Rim Champagne Flutes, Set of 4
Grotts recommends Champagne flutes — monogrammed if you can — to 'toast to 50 years with something as sparkling as your story.' Each of these four glasses is hand-cut with a slightly different pattern and complete with a 24-karat gold rim.
Apollo Sundials Custom 50th Wedding Anniversary Engraved Gold Sundial
Chances are you or the couple you're shopping for doesn't have an engraved sundial — yet! Perfect for placing in an outdoor garden or yard, each item is customized with your very own message on the front and calibrated for the location in which it'll be placed.
Brooks Brothers Sterling Silver Engravable Rhodium-Plated Tie Clip
An understated accessory for more formal occasions, tie clips are a simple way to bring the polish of any menswear look to the next level. This sleek option is made from sterling silver with a gold plating. Because we love the opportunity to make any present a bit more personal, it can be monogrammed too.
Olivia Riegel Botanica Box
Keepsake boxes like this one, which features a gold-cast pewter flower, are a perfect anniversary gift. Include a handwritten letter, a piece of jewelry or a thoughtful trinket inside for extra points.
Pottery Barn Hawthorne Oval Wall Address Plaque
For those who don't typically love gifts, we'd recommend opting for something that's both practical and thoughtful. This elegant and customizable plaque is a sweet way to celebrate the place where you've created countless memories and built a life together.
Classic Touch Clear Glass Vase With Removable Gold Leaf Base
If flowers are a common way to celebrate milestones in your relationship, opt for an elegant gold or gold-accented vase to accompany your latest bouquet. Whether it's their favorite flower or a violet-inspired bouquet (paying homage to the flower associated with this landmark anniversary!), this is a thoughtful way to go the extra mile.
Uncommon Goods Love Grows Together Wall Art
This charming piece of wall art captures all the themes of a 50th wedding anniversary gift — growth, strength and a deepening relationship over time. It's a beautiful daily reminder of your shared journey and a testament to the fact that love does grow together.
Artifact Uprising Signature Layflat Photo Album
What better way to remember memories from the past 50 years than with a photo album? You can opt for an elegant keepsake like this layflat album, which has gold detailing on the cover (a subtle way to reference the gifting tradition!) or make a custom scrapbook like Meier recommends.
Uncommon Goods Personalized Gold LP Record
This personalized gold record is a thoughtful and unique way to celebrate the soundtrack of your relationship. In addition to customizing the record's title, you can select up to five songs — perhaps one for each decade — to include on the record label.
Mark & Graham Sarah Chloe Monogram Cufflinks
When it comes to the perfect 50-year wedding anniversary gift for men (or anyone who wears suits), Meier recommends engraved gold-tone cufflinks. This monogrammed option is a smart alternative you can customize with two or three characters.
Minted Your Vows: Square Orientation Custom Foil Print
Wedding anniversaries are the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on the commitment you made to each other half a century ago. This custom print, made with real gold foil, is a stunning way to honor that day and the journey you've been on together since.
Skylight Digital Picture Frame in Gold
Digital picture frames are an incredible way to remember and celebrate the milestones of everyone in your life, especially if it involves friends and family across the country or the world. This chic gold option is intuitive, user-friendly and easy for loved ones to keep you up-to-date on all their special moments.
The Million Roses Heart Gold Box
Made from real roses and uniquely preserved to last for up to three years, these gold roses are a grand gesture that'll last way longer than fresh flowers. You can display throughout your home or as an impressive centerpiece.
Fossil Men's Carraway Quartz Stainless Steel Three-Hand Watch
A stunning piece of gold-toned jewelry doesn't have to come at designer costs. This stainless steel watch strikes the perfect balance between wearability and sophistication that works equally well in everyday and more formal settings.
Tiffany & Co. Olive Leaf Stud Earrings
When it comes to classic 50th anniversary gifts, you can't go wrong with jewelry, said wedding planner Laura Gardner. 'I would buy something they can wear,' she said. These elegant yet practical stud earrings feature beautiful pearls surrounded by 18-karat yellow gold olive leaves that symbolize peace and abundance.
Catbird Dollhouse Oval Gold Locket
Plessner, Grotts and Meier all recommend a gold locket as the perfect anniversary gift. You can include photos from your wedding day on one side with photos from today on the other, or choose a photograph and message with special sentimental meaning. Regardless, it's 'something she can wear close to her heart,' Plessner said.
Rolex Pre-Owned Datejust 79173
'Gifting a watch for an anniversary isn't just about telling time, it's about telling your story,' James Thomas, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Reklaim, said. 'The right timepiece marks your shared milestones with meaning, elegance and intention.' Rolex describes this stunning option — made with stainless steel and 18-karat gold — as the first self-winding wristwatch to feature a date display.
Frank Darling The Dad Band
'There's beauty in simplicity, and few things are more timeless than a pair of classic gold band[s],' Kegan Fisher, co-founder and designer of jewelry brand Frank Darling, said. 'I love the idea of coming full circle at 50 years with matching rings engraved with each other's names — which is complimentary at Frank Darling — and that are meant not just to wear, but to pass down,' she said.
Brilliant Earth Homme Engravable Tag Pendant in 14-Karat Yellow Gold
Plessner recommends engraving a piece of jewelry or a medallion with a special pet name as a sweet way to celebrate something only the two of you share. 'I hope me and my husband have pet names for each other at our 50th anniversary,' she said. 'Anniversary gifts are a moment to pause the day-to-day and reflect — not just on what your partner means to you, but on why you chose each other to begin with,' Fisher said. 'It's less about the gift itself, and more about the meaning behind it.' So use this landmark as an opportunity to consider your partner's unique interests, passions and hobbies.
If you're stuck on where to start, Meier suggests the reason behind this celebration. 'Think about what the milestone represents, and what would feel meaningful and enjoyable to your spouse,' she said. This isn't necessarily going to be something you would want, though it can also be memorable to you. 'It can be something traditional, practical, creative, or sentimental,' she said. 'There's no one-size-fits-all.'
Ultimately, it isn't about the price tag. 'Anniversary gifts are more than presents,' Grotts said. 'They're a sentimental mile marker, not just a calendar date.' Whether you're honoring gifting traditions or creating your own, 'the best present is one that honors the journey,' she said.
For this article, we consulted the following wedding, etiquette and jewelry experts to gain their professional insights.
Kegan Fisher, co-founder and designer of bespoke bridal and fine jewelry brand Frank Darling
Laura Gardner, a wedding and event planner and owner of Love, Laura
Lisa Mirza Grotts, also known as the 'The Golden Rules Gal,' a renowned etiquette expert, author and public speaker
Myka Meier, a globally recognized etiquette expert, two-time bestselling author and founder of Beaumont Etiquette
Leigh Batnick Plessner, chief creative officer of Brooklyn-based jewelry brand Catbird
Elaine Swann, a nationally recognized lifestyle and etiquette expert and founder of The Swann School of Protocol
James Thomas, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Reklaim, a secondhand platform for luxury designer goods
We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why CNN Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds. For this article, contributing writer Noelle Ike interviewed the pros to find the best wedding anniversary gifts for celebrating 50 years of marriage.