Ah, the first wedding anniversary — that pivotal time when you’ve transcended the honeymoon phase and settled comfortably into the reality of shared toothpaste tubes.
Needless to say, this milestone is a big one (ie: your gift better be good).
But since you’re new to the whole wedding anniversary thing, you may not know that the traditional anniversary gift for the first year of marriage is paper.
Yep, you read that right. Paper.
A material that’s seemingly mundane, but is actually profoundly symbolic of young marriage: a blank slate ripe with possibility.
And while the concept is lovely in theory, the reality of finding a cool paper gift for a man is a different story.
Fortunately, here at Irreverent Gent, we love a challenge, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of cool, creative, and unusual paper anniversary gifts for every type of man.
And for those of you who could care less about tradition — or just want to save the trees — we’ve added a bonus list of non-paper gifts, too.
So get yourself (and your credit card) ready, because this list is guaranteed to have a gift idea he’ll actually love — and won’t just use as a fire starter.
The (Absolute) Best 1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
Rounding up the most creative, cool, unique and unusual paper anniversary gifts for your S.O.
Paper Anniversary Gifts ↓
Custom-Made & Personalized Paper Gifts for Him
Love Note Cufflinks
You’ve heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but what if he could wear your heart on his?
These adorable cufflinks include a tiny personalized message from you, whether it’s a love letter, poetry, or lyrics from a special song.
It’s the perfect paper anniversary gift for a dapper guy.
Sheet Music Art
Turn the magic of your first dance into visual art by having the sheet music of your wedding song printed and framed.
Personalize it with your names and wedding day date to create the perfect gift.
Wedding Vow Art
Your wedding vows are some of the most important words you’ll ever speak, and now you can be reminded of them each day.
Create this beautiful, minimalist artwork by using a simple template that’s easily customizable.
Download the digital file, have it printed and framed, and voila! A stunning art piece made entirely by you.
Stationery Set
It may be a traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary, but this personalized stationery is a stylish way to elevate his correspondence game.
Whether for work or personal use, he’ll appreciate the refined sophistication and quality.
Sound Wave Art
Turn your first dance song or the sound of your voice into a stunning art piece.
You can further customize it by adding text, choosing from six background colors, and even including a QR code card that he can scan to hear the sound wave.
Handmade and printed on thick fine art paper, it’s a stunning paper gift that will take his breath away.
Star Map Art
Your love was written in the stars, and now you can capture it in this unique art print.
Select your wedding date or the day you first met, and receive a beautiful print of the night sky as it appeared on that special day.
Map Art
If he’s more into geography than astrology, this map art of your love story will be right up his alley.
Choose three meaningful locations, like where you had your first date, where he proposed, and where you were married, and have them featured on this cute print, complete with frame.
Newspaper from a Special Day
Straight from the New York Times archives, the front page from the day he was born or an eventful day in history is a great idea for a first year anniversary gift.
Whether he’s a history buff or just the nostalgic type, he’ll cherish this special keepsake for years to come.
Personalized Comic Book
Any comic enthusiast will get a kick out of this personalized graphic novel featuring the two of you as the main characters.
It’s a fun and unique way to tell your love story — not to mention, a great conversation starter.
On The Green Golf Score Book
For the meticulous golf enthusiast, help him keep score like the pros with the On the Green leather record book.
With space for scores and notes for 56 rounds of golf, it’s a special gift that will make his golf buddies jealous.
Plus it has the option to add a monogram for a personal touch.
Scrapbook
What better way to say “happy anniversary” than with a leather-bound scrapbook?
You’ll have a great time filling the pages with pictures and ticket stubs, so you can look back on your adventures whenever you want to take a trip down memory lane.
We love how the high-quality genuine leather gives this keepsake a beautiful vintage vibe that will never go out of style.
Shutterfly Photo Book
You’ve got hundreds of photos just sitting on your phone, so put them to good use with a professional looking photo book from Shutterfly.
A modern twist on the traditional photo album, you can customize it yourself or take advantage of their free 24-hour designer service to create the perfect first wedding anniversary gift.
Love Story Book
Let your shared memories come to life with a book that tells your unique love story.
He’ll treasure the beautiful illustrations and narrative that recount your special moments together.
Custom Concert Poster
If he’s a music buff, a custom-made concert poster is a unique gift idea he’ll never expect.
Include the date and venue of a concert you attended together for an extra personal touch.
Desk Calendar
This adorable calendar featuring your favorite photos is a creative way to spruce up his work desk or home office.
With a different image for each month and displayed on an attractive copper and walnut stand, it’s a meaningful gift he can enjoy all year long.
Custom Playing Cards
If the two of you enjoy playing card games, this customized deck of playing cards puts a fun twist on the traditional first anniversary gift.
You can feature one of your favorite wedding photos on the back, as well as your names and anniversary date to make them truly one-of-a-kind.
(Psst.. this makes a great wedding gift, too!)
Personalized Card
Finding the right card at a store can be a pain, so why not create your own?
Printed on quality, lightly textured cardstock, this fully customizable card lets you include your own wording and icons to represent your relationship.
You can also choose to have a blank page inside or for a small fee, add a printed special message in a script typeface.
More Fun Paper Anniversary Gifts
Book of Poetry
Words have a way of weaving magic, and poetry can be a vessel of profound emotion.
If your man has an appreciation for poetry, you can’t go wrong with a collection of romantic poems celebrating the beauty of eternal love.
Date Night Cookbook
They say food is the way to a man’s heart, so why not spend a date night in the kitchen trying a new recipe?
With more than 120 recipes for two, it’s the perfect way to cook up some romance without needing a reservation.
Engraved Leather Journal
For the man who loves to write, a premium, leather-bound journal filled with high-quality paper can be a practical and sentimental gift.
It’s an invitation to express his thoughts, dreams, and musings, and it’s beautiful to boot.
Date Night Ideas
Just because you’re a married couple doesn’t mean you can’t still date each other!
This unique card game with 35 fun ideas for dates is a great way to keep things fresh and shake up your Friday night routine.
Paper Flowers
Flowers may seem ordinary, but there’s nothing cliche about these handmade paper roses made from pages of discarded classic novels.
They’re the perfect traditional 1st anniversary gift, and the best thing about them is they don’t need watering!
Stadium Blueprint
Celebrate your shared love of sports with this unique gift.
Choose your favorite team’s stadium to create the perfect addition to your home bar or man cave.
Japanese Origami Kit
Origami is an art form that transforms paper into a masterpiece, and this interactive gift is ideal for a man who appreciates creative challenges.
This booklet containing 144 sheets of high-quality paper and step-by-step instructions is suitable for all ages and skill levels and a fun way for you to spend time together.
Rare Vintage Books
For the bibliophile, a selection of leather-gilded classic books makes a thoughtful gift.
From Moby Dick to The Great Gatsby, these vintage editions are a meaningful way to show you appreciate him.
Relationship Journal
As the bliss of a new marriage starts to wane, continue to deepen your connection with the help of this beautiful relationship journal.
It’s filled with tips, date ideas, and thought-provoking questions that will spark meaningful conversation and allow you to look back on the passage of time to see how you’ve grown as a couple.
(Printed) Event Tickets
Make lasting memories with tickets to his favorite band or sports team.
The perfect date night, he’ll be grateful for the unforgettable experience and time shared with you.
Just make sure they’re printed if you want to stick to the traditional theme.
Coffee Table Book
What’s a coffee table without an interesting coffee table book?
There are endless topics with beautiful imagery to choose from, so it’s easy to find one that speaks to his personality and interests.
Leather Day Planner
An organized couple is a happy couple, so help him stay on top of things with this handsome leather day planner.
A day planner and diary in one, it includes a calendar, appointment pages, and space to keep track of important dates (like your second anniversary!).
Print Magazine Subscriptions
If he enjoys staying up to date on current affairs or the latest fashion trends, magazine subscriptions make clever first anniversary gift ideas.
Choose from thousands of titles tailored to every hobby and interest, from literary icons like The New Yorker, to men-specific publications like Esquire.
Autographed Trading Card
Make your sports fan fall in love with you all over again with an authentic signed trading card from his favorite player.
It’s a memento he’ll want to show off and display proudly.
And for those who buck tradition:
Non-Paper 1st Anniversary Gifts ↓
Whiskey Decanter Set
A sophisticated decanter and glassware set is a great option for any whiskey connoisseur.
Ideal for decanting his oldest scotch or whiskey, he’ll be excited to break it out for every special occasion.
Coordinates Bracelet
Commemorate your special place with a stylish leather bracelet featuring engraved coordinates.
Whether it’s the longitude and latitude of your first date, wedding location, or family home, it will be a piece of jewelry that’s meaningful to you both.
Engraved Tie Clip
An easy way to a stylish guy’s heart is with an elegant tie clip.
Choose from various materials and styles, and add his initials or a special message for a one-of-a-kind accessory.
Luxury Silk Pajamas
If your hubby appreciates the finer things, he’ll love the feeling of these luxurious silk pajamas.
They’re available in several different sizes and colors so you can find the perfect pair to ensure ultimate comfort.
Customized Blanket
For the homebody, a customized cotton throw blanket is a unique and personal gift you can both enjoy!
Add your names and the year you were married to create the perfect accessory for cozy nights in.
Mr and Mrs Apron Set
For couples who enjoy cooking, these adorable chefs’ aprons are practical and unique first anniversary gifts.
They feature handy pockets and adjustable straps, plus they come with matching oven mitts and a pot holder.
Safety Razor Shaving Set
If he prefers to shave the old school way, he’ll love this safety razor and grooming set.
Complete with pre-shave oil and after shave, boar hair brush, and handy stand, he can get a barber-quality shave at home, any day of the week.
Cologne
Not just your average cologne brand, Hawthorne makes men’s fragrances for both work and play.
Take a quiz on your beau’s behalf and they’ll provide scent recommendations tailored to his body chemistry and lifestyle.
It’s a modern gift for the modern man.
Engraved Charcuterie Board
A personalized cutting board is a useful anniversary gift for anyone who likes to cook or entertain.
Engrave your family name, wedding date, or a sweet message to make it a special piece he’ll love to show off.
Cocktail Shaker Set
Learn to craft impressive cocktails together by gifting him this stylish shaker set.
Complete with all the essential tools, you’ll become the ultimate mixologists in no time.
Bespoke Dress Shirt
For the guy who’s always well-dressed, a bespoke cotton shirt tailored to his exact measurements is a great gift idea.
More than just a nice shirt, he’ll appreciate the attention to detail and the thoughtfulness every time he puts it on.
Tiffany & Co. Money Clip
If your man likes a little bling, this sterling silver money clip is the perfect choice for an anniversary gift.
Personalize it with a special engraving to create a one-of-a-kind treasure he’ll have for a long time.
Adventure Experience
For the thrillseeker, surprise him with an out-of-the-box gift like a unique adventure experience.
From bungee jumping to white water rafting and even trapeze, the perfect adventure is waiting to be ticked off his bucket list.
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