What are some creative anniversary ideas?

There are a lot of ways to get creative with a 17th-anniversary gift. One option is to gift them an experience—whether it's romantic or adventurous, it's an opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together. Bonus points if your gift helps them check something off of their bucket list like skydiving lessons, tickets to the orchestra, or cooking classes.

Do I have to follow traditional and modern gift-giving guidelines by year?

Absolutely not! The guidelines are great to reference as you generate ideas or if you’re feeling stuck, but you’re really the best judge of what they will or won’t love. It’s much more important to get them something they’ll use or enjoy than to stick to the rules.

The 16 Best 17-Year Anniversary Gifts

Couple standing next to tall grass and the sea — Oliver Rossi / Getty Images

Comfortable. Supportive. Perfectly suited to your tastes and needs. Descriptions of someone’s favorite chair or their partner of 17 years? With any luck, the answer is “both.” Perhaps that’s why furniture is the modern and traditional gift for the 17th anniversary. Like a great significant other, a good piece of furniture makes a house a home and stands the test of time. So, an outstanding piece is the perfect way to celebrate a relationship that never goes out of style.

Still, it can be tricky and expensive to invest in such a large gift, especially if you aren’t totally sure what spouse wants—or you're buying an anniversary gift for a couple. If you don't want to splurge for an ottoman or an armchair, try gifting something that features Carnelian—the gemstone associated with this anniversary. Or go totally off-theme with an object they've been coveting or a personalized present that shows how much you care. To help, we’ve collected a great assortment of furniture pieces, jewelry, and custom gifts that they'll be sure to love.

Read on for the best 17th anniversary gifts.

Introducing Minted + Brides: Shop our exclusive collection of customized gifts for the couple, wedding party, and more.

Our Top Picks

Edloe Finch Albany Velvet Loveseat at Edloefinch.com (See Price)

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54kibo Woven White Pendant Light at 54kibo.com ($598)

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Serena & Lily Hanging Chair at Serena And Lily (See Price)

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Grand Patio Folding Bistro Set at Amazon (See Price)

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Mercury Row Deschenes Bar Cart at Wayfair ($205)

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Hampton Bay Square Steel Gas Fire Pit at Home Depot ($499)

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Jeremiah and Kassy Reynolds Custom Bourbon Barrel Lazy Susan at Uncommon Goods ($150)

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West Elm Ladder Leaning Bookshelf 25" at West Elm ($329)

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Benzara Round Mango Wood Coffee Table at Walmart ($346)

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Edloe Finch London Lounge Chair at Edloefinch.com (See Price)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Edloe Finch

View On Edloefinch.com

What better way to celebrate the furniture anniversary than with a loveseat? This piece from Edloe Finch is just perfect for cuddles, and its modern design will blend seamlessly with the rest of your home decor. Available in blush pink, emerald green, or navy blue velvet, this loveseat makes an excellent statement piece. It also comes upholstered in gray, woven fabric, and tan vegan leather for those who like something a little less dramatic.

54Kibo

View On 54kibo.com $598

This unique light fixture is handcrafted in South Africa and inspired by the traditional woven jewelry found in the region. The industrial-style bulb at its center provides a modern twist, and its frame relies on both wooden rings and thread to mirror a necklaces' shape. Best of all, the rings serve as a meaningful symbol of the love and unity a couple shares.

Courtesy of Serena & Lily

View On Serena And Lily

This double-hanging rattan chair will make leisure time even better than usual. It’s perfect for soaking in summer evenings on the patio or reading in the sunroom together. The chair’s natural rattan and crisp, white trim lend a bright, tropical feel to any indoor or outdoor space, and it comes with industrial-strength ropes that can hold up to 800 pounds.

Grand Patio 3pc Metal Folding Bistro Set

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot $142 View On Walmart $143

Who wouldn’t want to sit down at this adorable bistro set and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or breakfast with their favorite person? The pieces in this set are easy to fold and store—and the powder coating on sturdy steel means they're also rust-resistant and can be left outside. The set comes in lots of fun colors too, like lemon yellow, mint green, sky blue, and bright red.

Wayfair

View On Wayfair $205

A stylish bar cart is perfect for couples who love to stay in and practice their mixology skills together. This glitzy one is a unique piece that will add a little glamour to any home. With its octagonal shape; metal, champagne-finished frame; and mirrored shelves, the cart evokes the art deco of the roaring '20s and brings that lively, speakeasy feel right into your living room.

The Home Depot

View On Home Depot $499

Is there anything more romantic than chatting by the fire on cool evening? This farmhouse-style, propane-powered fire pit is going to make it so easy to do just that. It also makes a great space for friends and family to gather outdoors for s'mores or hot chocolate!

Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods $150

Both Bourbon lovers and entertainers will love this rustic lazy Susan. It’s handmade from white oak bourbon barrels, which are sanded, finished, and stamped with a customized message that can include their family name, home city and state, and marriage year. They’re going to be so excited to take this baby for a spin.

West Elm

View On West Elm $329

If your spouse is a book lover who always has more reading material than shelf space, one or two of these ladder bookshelves will be a most welcome gift. Their minimalist, modern design is simple and chic, and they’re slim enough to fit in any space. Choose between shelves with a stone frame and sand shelves or an espresso frame and white shelves.

Benzara

View On Walmart $346 View On Benzara.com

This high-quality, minimalistic piece sure is a beauty. It’s crafted out of solid mango wood and has a dark brown finish that highlights its textural variations and grain patterns. The table’s round shape and relatively small size will open up the living room, while its wide, smooth top can hold plenty of drinks and snacks.

Edloe Finch

View On Edloefinch.com

If you’ve ever wondered whether or not a piece of furniture can be sexy, you’ve probably never seen this lounge chair. The London chair will instantly add class to any room in the house. Its tobacco-colored, top-grain leather would make anyone drool, and its striking gold frame surrounds the chair with clean, contemporary lines. The chair’s plush, foam cushioning makes it luxuriously comfy, too.

Liz Beth Jewelry Co Carnelian Crystal Necklace

Etsy

View On Etsy $40

Carnelian is the gemstone associated with the seventeenth anniversary. It symbolizes warmth, joy, and endurance, which makes it the perfect way to celebrate a lasting and loving bond between two people. Wives are sure to adore this gorgeous, dainty necklace has a 14k gold-filled chain and features a single, raw carnelian stone, dipped in 14k gold for a little extra sparkle.

Touch of Vintage Design Personalized Family Movie Night Pillow Cover

Etsy

View On Etsy $23

Now presenting the perfect present for a couple of cinephiles! If movie night is a big deal in your household, you'll really need this living room accessory. This cotton canvas throw pillow has a traditional marquis design and reads “Family Movie Night With the [Family Name].” And, it’s perfect for propping oneself up during weekend viewing marathons.

Etsy

View On Etsy $51

This carnelian bracelet is just perfect for those who like things sweet and simple. A string of raw, rough-cut stones rests on elegant sterling silver or 14k yellow or rose gold chain. The bright orange gemstones in this piece really pop—it looks great by itself or layered with some simple bangles.

Catherine Murphy Rooted in Love Swing Sculpture

Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods $125

This handmade copper sculpture is a sweet reminder that even the simplest pleasures are better with good company. A swing hangs from the branch of a tree with heart-shaped roots, and on that swing sit two figures holding hands. You can also choose to add up to three extra, smaller figures to represent the family this loving couple has built together.

Sofia Style by Georgi Men's Carnelian Gemstone Bracelet

Etsy

View On Etsy $24

For a bracelet with a more casual, earthy feel, this beaded piece is a great option. It has 8 mm gemstone beads that are threaded onto an adjustable band of black macrame for a comfortable and secure fit. It’s a great everyday piece.

Dexter

View On Familysealrings.com

If they’re into old-timey things like knights, swords, or Arthurian legends, they’ll be blown away by a bespoke carnelian signet ring. Send Dexter Rings an image of your loved one’s family crest or choose one of the crests featured on the company’s website. They’ll hand engrave the design onto a carnelian stone and set it in the metal of your choice. This is a one-of-a-kind gift your dearest will cherish forever.

What to look for in a 17th-anniversary gift

If you are planning to celebrate this anniversary with a piece of furniture, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

Your partner or the couple's needs

First, try to determine what your person or couple needs. If they’re still storing all of their spirits in a crowded cabinet, it might be time for a bar cart. If they have stacks of books lining the walls of their office, they could probably use an extra bookshelf. If nothing is missing from their home, consider what could stand to be replaced. Is the coffee table covered in rings and scratches? Was the nightstand severely dented in the last move? Maybe they’ve mentioned hating that troublesome bottom drawer in their dresser or that lumpy, 12-year-old couch.

Size

Remember to be mindful of the size of a piece. Imagine what room(s) it might go in and have a range of suitable measurements in mind. No matter how perfect the piece, if it’s too big or too small it might not add to the home in the way you hope.

Style

Make sure you have a very good sense of a person or couple’s style before buying furnishings for them. Do they hate mid-century designs or love the French country house look? Do they prefer neutral or bright tones? Are they more into solids or patterns?

You can answer a lot of these questions by paying close attention to the pieces they already have in their home. You want to make sure that whatever you buy them fits the rest of their decor, after all. If you still feel unsure, it’s always best to ask. Better yet, you can buy a gift card from their favorite furniture store and let them pick something out for themselves.

FAQ

What are some creative anniversary ideas?

There are a lot of ways to get creative with a 17th-anniversary gift. One option is to gift them an experience—whether it's romantic or adventurous, it's an opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together. Bonus points if your gift helps them check something off of their bucket list like skydiving lessons, tickets to the orchestra, or cooking classes.
Do I have to follow traditional and modern gift-giving guidelines by year?

Absolutely not! The guidelines are great to reference as you generate ideas or if you’re feeling stuck, but you’re really the best judge of what they will or won’t love. It’s much more important to get them something they’ll use or enjoy than to stick to the rules.

Why Trust Brides

Mckenzie Eggers isn’t an interior designer, but sometimes she thinks she could have been. When she and her partner moved into their first home, she spent hours searching for the perfect pieces to fill it with, from rustic and industrial light fixtures to cozy chairs. When it comes to anniversaries, she's an expert at finding the perfect, thoughtful present for each year.