From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 202515 Thoughtful (and Easy) DIY Anniversary Gifts to Show Your Love
Gifts from your hands and your heart.
Photos, From Left to Right: UrbanKangaroo, PopShopAmerica
When it comes to celebrating your anniversary, romantic gifts can take on many different forms. From splurge-worthy presents from your spouse's wish list to small-but-sweet personalized anniversary gifts that show you really know them, your options are endless. Another gift category we love: DIY anniversary gifts. There's just something about a present made with your own two hands–they're such a simple way to show you care.
Not particularly skilled in the crafting department? No worries! We're rounding up some thoughtful, and surprisingly easy, DIY anniversary gift ideas that only look like they took a lot of effort. From premade kits that include step-by-step instructions to ideas you can execute from your own backyard (that's right—no shopping necessary), these creative presents will have your spouse feeling all the love on your anniversary.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
1. Photo Book
Photo: Artifact Uprising
Whether you're celebrating one year married or a decade together, a thoughtfully crafted photo book is a DIY anniversary gift your spouse is sure to love. Look to a company like Artifact Uprising to create a bespoke book that'll act as an heirloom for generations to come. You can choose from a variety of different layouts, colored linen covers and foil stamping. Plus, you can arrange the photos inside however you like to tell your story best. Bonus: You can even add text to the pages, so feel free to include a recounting of your adventures or anniversary quotes that speak to your marriage milestone.
2. Hand-Picked Bouquet
Flowers are an anniversary classic—and for good reason. They're an easy way to bring cheer and happiness to your partner and instantly make the occasion feel even more celebratory. This anniversary, skip the florist in lieu of a bouquet you pick and arrange yourself. You can hit up your backyard for your collection of blooms or look for a local pick-your-own-flower farm to surprise your spouse with a lush bouquet without ravaging their prized rose bushes.
3. Wedding Keepsake Library
Photo: Uncommon Goods
As many newlyweds know, the to-dos don't stop once the wedding is over. If you and your partner have swapped vows in the past few years, chances are you're probably still looking to do things like create a wedding album or round up meaningful keepsakes from your wedding day. Surprise your spouse by taking the lead on the latter with this handy keepsake library from Uncommon Goods. Covered in cloth and featuring acid-free drawers and fabric bags, it acts as a safe haven for your sentimental nuptial details, like your vows, day-of accessories and even florals (if you still have them). Even better: The front can be emblazoned with your family name for an added personal touch.
4. Whiskey-Making Kit
Photo: DoYourGin
If your partner loves a good cocktail hour, they're sure to appreciate this DIY whiskey kit from Etsy. It comes complete with everything you need to infuse a bespoke blend to gift to your love—including a variety of woods and additions like chili, orange peel, coffee and more. Don't forget to save the extras for a blend you two can infuse together once your first bottle is finished. How's that for a fun date night?
5. Meaningful Letter
Sometimes the most treasured gifts aren't really things at all. If your significant other is partial to words of affirmation, take this anniversary as an opportunity to tell them in detail how you really feel. Pen them a thoughtful love letter, paying special attention to recounting meaningful moments from your last year together. Head to a craft shop to splurge on some good paper (ya know, the weighty stuff) and finish it all off with a thoughtful moment of presentation (like having it waiting as they sit down for their morning coffee). Not sure where to start with your sentiments? We have tips for how to write a love letter your spouse will want to read over and over.
6. Custom Recipe Box
Photo: Rifle Paper Co.
Calling all foodies! If your partner is the go-to chef in your house (or is constantly lamenting about how they can't find any of their favorite recipes), then this DIY anniversary gift will be quite the treat. Simply buy a pretty recipe box (we love the options from Rifle Paper Co.) and write down their favorite dishes and special family meals on the accompanying cards before gifting it. This project can be as big or as small as you want—you can include just the written instructions or plan a few months in advance to make and photograph all the dishes to add an image to each card. Who knows—you may even improve your cooking skills along the way.
7. Garden Upgrade
This next DIY anniversary gift is perfect for any home-proud spouse that enjoys pouring love back into their space. Swing by your local plant nursery and spring for a few beautiful plants to add to your landscape as a surprise for your partner. You can add to a collection they already have going (like the hydrangea grove they spend hours tending to) or use the year's anniversary flower as inspiration for the varietal you choose. Either way, they'll appreciate the extra elbow grease.
8. Custom Painting
Photo: Uncommon Goods
If the idea of creating a painting for your spouse gives you hives, hear us out—this kit is basically like the adult version of a paint-by-number kit, so it's almost impossible to mess up. Here's how it works: Simply send along a favorite picture (whether that's a throwback from your wedding day or a sunset snap from a recent vacation) and the team at Patrick & Peter will transform it into an easy-to-paint illustration to help you create a masterpiece of your own to gift your love. It even comes with 30 expert-chosen paint shades, so you can skip the trip to the craft store. Easy, breezy handmade anniversary gift.
9. A Year of Dates
For many couples, there's no better gift than quality time spent together. If that sounds like you and your partner, then this homemade anniversary gift is one for the ages. The best part? It couldn't be more simple: Head to your local craft store to pick up a cute box or jar, then fill it with enough date night ideas to last the whole upcoming year (either one per month or even one per week, if inspiration strikes). They don't have to all be big—think a picnic in the park, an at-home movie night or even a romantic stroll on your favorite walking trail.
10. Meaningful Pottery
Photo: Chimahaga Shop
For a DIY anniversary gift that's absolutely layered with meaning, look no further than this Kintsugi kit from Etsy. An ancient Japanese tradition, Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with a bar of thin gold, which bonds the cracks and broken pieces, creating a stunning new work of art. To us, it's the perfect analogy for a strong marriage, which goes through its own trials and tribulations, only to become stronger (and more beautiful) on the other end. Practically, this kit is a great date night activity to do together or a DIY anniversary gift that'll help you repair that piece of wedding china you accidentally broke (whoops).
11. Posh Picnic
Encourage a chill moment of connection (and a lot of snacking) by gifting your partner an alfresco meal for your upcoming anniversary. Snag a cute picnic basket at your local home store, then fill it to the brim with their favorite bites like cheese, crackers, fruits and more. A local park is a perfect place to chow down or you can choose a spot more meaningful to your relationship, like the beach where you proposed or a drive-in movie theater that happens to be playing their favorite flick.
12. Homemade Bath Bombs
Photo: UrbanKangaroo
If you've been looking for a way to encourage your spouse to take a little R & R, this DIY bath bomb kit from Etsy could be just what the doctor ordered. The comprehensive collection comes outfitted with everything you need to make eight to 12 bath bombs (depending on the size you choose), including a relaxing lavender-vanilla essential oil. Whip these up for your spouse to really impress, then set aside a night dedicated to their relaxation where you take the lead on the business of home (like bedtime routines for the kids or cleaning the kitchen), while they focus on a much-deserved moment of zen.
13. Sentimental Shadowbox
Photo: Amazon
Every couple has its quirks, including which mementos they hang onto as hallmarks of their relationship. This anniversary, why not strike a sentimental note with a DIY shadowbox dedicated to your cute collectibles? Whether you two have saved a ticket from every concert you've been to together or love to collect matchbooks when you go out to eat, a shadowbox is an easy (and thoughtful) way to pay homage to all the memories you've shared. You can create your own by purchasing a shadowbox online or team up with a company like Framebridge, which allows you to send in your trinkets for an expertly arranged piece of art.
14. Hand-Poured Candle
Photo: PopShopAmerica
Candles are one of those little luxuries that practically everyone enjoys getting—particularly if they're hand-poured by your favorite person in the world. This DIY anniversary gift makes crafting the perfect flame for your twin flame a cinch, since it comes complete with the wax, essential oils and vessels you need to make up to six candles. You can choose from a selection of 22 scents (including classics like lavender and vanilla and more nuanced picks like patchouli and ylang-ylang) and finish off your candle with the included dried botanicals.
15. Tie-Dye Masterpiece
Photo: TheLoveOfColours
Attention '90s babies: Tie-dye is all grown up and cooler than ever. Your playful spouse will love receiving a groovy creation made by you and this indigo dye kit from Etsy makes it easy. It comes complete with everything you need to achieve this bespoke style of tie-dye, including sugar, pickling lime and Indigofera tinctoria powder, which helps you score that coveted inky-blue hue. The kit itself boasts enough ingredients to successfully dye up to five yards of fabric, so choose a few things you know your partner will love—like an apron and dish towels or a workout set—and get mixing.
