Short answer: The traditional list of anniversary gifts includes paper (1), cotton (2), leather (3), wood (5), crystal (15), china (20), silver (25), ruby (40) and gold (50), with the modern list marking year 17 as furniture. Pieces from Oak Wood Wine Barrels are the best fit for the wood and furniture years: the Stave Candle Centerpiece ($24.95) for a 5th, or a Wine Barrel Lounge Chair ($1,079.10) for a 17th. The chart below shows each year where a barrel gift honestly fits the theme.
Prices as of October 6, 2026; each link shows live stock.
Anniversary gifts by year: the full chart
Lists differ slightly by source; where two materials are listed for a year, both are included. The last column only mentions a barrel piece if it actually fits the theme.
| Year | Traditional | Modern | Barrel gift that fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | Clocks | |
| 2 | Cotton | China | |
| 3 | Leather | Crystal, glass | Stave Stemware Rack, $44.55 |
| 4 | Fruit, flowers | Appliances | Half-Barrel Planter, $316.50 |
| 5 | Wood | Silverware | Any barrel piece, from $24.95 |
| 6 | Iron, sugar | Wood | 3-Bottle Stave Wall Rack, $175.50 |
| 7 | Wool, copper | Desk sets | |
| 8 | Bronze | Linens, lace | |
| 9 | Pottery, willow | Leather | |
| 10 | Tin, aluminum | Diamond jewelry | |
| 11 | Steel | Fashion jewelry | Steel-Leg Center Table, $260.50 |
| 12 | Silk, linen | Pearls | |
| 13 | Lace | Textiles, furs | |
| 14 | Ivory | Gold jewelry | |
| 15 | Crystal | Watches | Stave Trio Rack, Glass Display, $193.05 |
| 16 | Silver hollowware | ||
| 17 | Furniture | Wine Barrel Lounge Chair, $1,079.10 | |
| 18 | Porcelain | ||
| 19 | Bronze | ||
| 20 | China | Platinum | |
| 25 | Silver | Sterling silver | Hoop Side Table, silver hoops, $391.50 |
| 30 | Pearl | Diamond | |
| 35 | Coral | Jade | |
| 40 | Ruby | Ruby | Ottoman in red velvet, $585 |
| 45 | Sapphire | Sapphire | Navy armchair, $1,079.10 |
| 50 | Gold | Gold | |
| 55 | Emerald | Emerald | Ottoman in green velvet, $585 |
| 60 | Diamond | Diamond |
If the last column is empty, the theme points somewhere else. Follow it.
Which anniversary years fit a barrel gift?
There is an honest match for eleven of the above years: two wood years, one furniture year, two glass years, the steel year, the flower year and four color nods.
Year 3: leather or glass
The modern list says crystal or glass. The Stave Stemware Rack ($44.55) shows their four best glasses, bridged between two bottles. Glasses are not included.
Year 4: fruit and flowers
Flowers have to grow somewhere. The Half-Barrel Planter ($316.50) is a half barrel that has been treated with marine varnish. It also doubles as a storage chest or, upside down, a table.
Years 5 and 6: wood
On the traditional list, the fifth year is wood, while the modern list has wood as the sixth year. Any barrel piece fits, from the $24.95 candle centerpiece up. For a 6th, the 3-Bottle Stave Wall Rack ($175.50) holds three bottles to open on the next three anniversaries. Our full 5th anniversary wood gift guide goes into more depth.
Year 11: steel
The Steel-Leg Center Table ($260.50) has black steel legs and a wire-brushed Wine Barrel top, so the steel year does come with a little wood.
Year 15: crystal
Show off the crystal they already have. The Stave Trio Rack, Glass Display ($193.05) mounts on the wall and stores a dozen wine glasses.
Year 17: furniture
The modern list has year 17 as the furniture anniversary, the only year for which furniture is the expected gift. There's a Wine Barrel Lounge Chair ($1,079.10) with memory-foam upholstery, storage under the seat and wheels. For a couple, the Hoop Table Set ($2,549.70) combines two barrel chairs with a hoop side table.
Year 25: silver
The Hoop Side Table ($391.50) has a Silver Hoop version: an oak top on silver-colored barrel hoops.
Years 40, 45 and 55: ruby, sapphire and emerald
These are color nods, not the stones. The Wine Barrel Ottoman ($585) comes in Luxury Red Velvet for a 40th and Luxury Green Velvet for a 55th. For a 45th, the Armchair with Hidden Safe ($1,079.10) is available in dark navy blue and has storage under the seat.
How should you use an anniversary chart?
As a guideline, not a rule. There are two common mistakes: not acknowledging the theme, which can look like you forgot, and taking it literally to the point where the gift is a joke. Choose the list (modern or traditional) with a theme that fits the couple and then pick items they will use.
When the theme doesn't fit the gift you have in mind, pair them up. Add a little something of the year's material along with the card, and let the main gift be something they will use every day. A handwritten letter (paper) next to a barrel chair still counts as a first anniversary gift. For the years with a blank in the last column, that pairing is the most honest way to include a barrel piece.
The budget question is usually asked first for the bigger milestones; see How Much Should You Spend on a Milestone Gift?
How do you time a furniture anniversary gift?
Order early and present a card on the day. Oak Wood Wine Barrels ships in-stock orders within five business days, free within the continental U.S. Larger orders, such as chair sets, are delivered by appointment, so you may arrange delivery before or after the date. Find more pieces in Best Sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Which anniversaries are the wood anniversaries?
The 5th on the traditional list and the 6th on the modern list.
Which anniversary is the furniture anniversary?
The 17th on the modern list.
What is a good 25th anniversary gift that isn't jewelry?
Something silver for the home they've built. One option is the Hoop Side Table with silver hoops ($391.50).
What is the traditional gift for a 40th anniversary?
Ruby. A playful nod to the stone, the red velvet barrel ottoman ($585) can be given alongside it or in its place.
Do I have to follow the chart?
No. Use it for ideas, then decide what the couple will actually use and keep.