What is the gift for 12 years of marriage

Our favorite gifts from Uncommon Goods, Etsy, Lunya, Goldbelly, and beyond

Updated on 04/01/22

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The Spruce / Amelia Manley

A dozen of years with someone special is nothing to scoff at, so celebrate this major milestone in style with the perfect present.

To help guide your search, we researched the best gift options for him and her, keeping in mind the intended recipient, tie to tradition, and price of each. Our favorite gift options include a traditional pearl necklace from Ten Wilde, a new set of luxurious sheets from Brooklinen, and an espresso coffee maker from Alessi Pulcina.

Here, the best 12th anniversary gifts.

The typical 12th anniversary gift is silk or linen, but the modern version comes in the form of pearls. Pearls are a timeless accessory, but they are also easy to modernize with simple and attractive jewelry pieces.

For the woman who loves statement accessories or one who appreciates simple classic jewelry, this Ten Wilde pearl necklace can appease both tastes. The pearls are certainly classic but the addition of the gold hammered detail makes it trendy, but also stand out from the other pearl necklaces on the market.

Jewelry is always a great anniversary option and this simple option will match with anything in her wardrobe, ensuring she gets ton of use out of the gift. And compared to other pearl necklaces, this one won't break the bank. It is a perfect way to traditionally honor the anniversary through a modern and thoughtful lens.

These unique cufflinks make it easy for him to wear his heart, or your special message, on his sleeve. The envelope cufflinks open up to reveal a small, customized message printed on wood. You can upload a short phrase or image and have it printed on the letter.

After at least 12 years together, there’s a chance you might feel like you’re running out of date night ideas. If that’s the case, there’s a subscription box just for you. Simply answer a questionnaire and Happily’s Datebox delivers a date in box to your doorstep. The dates switch up every month and are a fun surprise.

An anniversary is a great excuse to indulge in a gift you may have wanted for some time. These bed sheets from The Luxe Collection by Brooklinen will up your bedding game with their 480-thread count construction, which feels smooth on your skin when you're cuddled up together. Available in 12 colors and patterns this satisfies the "traditional" gift of linen. And since this is an item you'll use on the daily, it's s a gift that keeps giving.

"Brooklinen claims that these sheets are “buttery smooth.” In our experience, this holds true, including after the first wash. These sheets felt like a cozy, soft cocoon when we crawled into bed."—Avery Stone, Product Tester

In a digital world, letter writing can feel outdated, but there’s something so endearing about a handwritten note. This Etsy item includes handmade paper, a wax stamp, ink, and more to write a note to your love. This is such a small, but meaningful way to say I love you and the wooden box allows for safe keeping of a letter they’ll surely want to hold on to.

A new sound system that is Alexa-enabled will be a gift for both of you. The Sonos One provides high-quality sound for the home which allows you to add on and sync other speakers to outfit your whole house. Ask Alexa questions like, "what's the weather?" or just just enjoy the amazing sound quality of the speakers.

Basic pajamas are okay, but a gorgeous robe? That’s something that can get someone excited. This robe from Lunya is a cut above the rest because it’s so luxe and comfortable. The 100 percent silk robe has an interior tie and exterior belt for security, as well as pockets and stylish elastic cuff sleeves.

Whether you’re running a bubble bath for your partner to enjoy solo or for the two of you, it’s not complete without a bath caddy. While some are purely functional, Macklin’s is also quite stylish, thanks to the stark white bamboo. The tray has slots to hold a wine glass, phone, beauty essentials, and a console to prop up a book or magazine.

Foodies or couples who are just tired of cooking will absolutely love Goldbelly’s six month subscription. The company is known for delivering food from some of the country’s best restaurants. And the subscription does just that, on a monthly basis. Each box feeds up to four people and can range from Maine lobster to Memphis barbecue or sweet treats from an Instagram-worthy bakery.

This is a fun gift that will either make a couple laugh out loud or at least get an “aww.” Maybe even both. Choose a background (sitting on the couch, skiing the slopes, etc.) and upload a picture of the couple, which will then be turned into a portrait. But not just any portrait, they’ll be painted as yellow cartoon characters.

Presenting a special bottle of vino? Then this wine box will be a nice accompaniment. Besides earning major style points for presentation, the hand carved pine box can also be customized with names. The exterior also fittingly features two love birds.

You've had 12 years of gift giving, and by now 12 years of coffee together. If your coffee game is stale why not perk it up with this beautiful stovetop Alessi espresso maker. Your love can brew their favorite coffee in the comfort of their pajamas with this stunning piece. Not only is it convenient, it will also save you money from getting your caffeine fix outside. Keep it on your stovetop as a design space or stow it away when you are done, the choice is yours. 

With 12 years under your belt, why not mark off all of the places you've traveled which will help you figure out where you haven't been (and want to go!). This fun travel poster map comes with 90 pushpins to mark everywhere far and wide you have traveled. What makes this map extra neat is the ability to customize it in 15 different colors to suit your home's decor. Hang it in the living room as artwork, or in the kitchen to motivate you to plan your next trip. And if you are looking to spend more this year, why not gift it with some airline tickets for an added surprise. 

A pair of pearl studs is a classic gift that will work for any style. She can wear these with jeans and flats on the weekend, paired with her work attire on the weekdays, or added to her dress for date night. With their simple design these a pair she can leave on day after day. 

When buying real pearls you need to look for certification to ensure they are the real deal which these have. This set is from The Pearl Source, is imported from cultured pearls in Japan and comes with a 14K backing making them suitable for those who are sensitive to certain man-made materials. You can choose what size pearls you want and the backing (white or yellow gold) to tailor to your pricing and loved one's needs. What's best is these come in a pretty box, so she'll be impressed no matter what! 

If you and your sweetie are tired of the ordinary jewelry and tie gifts you tend to give each year why not go a little out of the box with this silk pillowcase that follows the "traditional" gift of silk for the twelfth year but is far from basic. Silk pillowcases give you a restful night sleep and help you awake with fewer wrinkles on the face as well as prevent damage from happening to your hair overnight.

Those who have made the switch are not sure how they lived without these and are happy not to have a creased face in the morning. While this gift is a bit random, the best gifts are those that you didn't know you needed till someone bought it for you. 

Intended Recipient

All gifts aren't created equal — and an anniversary present is no exception. Before you start shopping around for the perfect pick, consider who you're giving a gift to in the first place. Is this your spouse? Long-term partner? Or, are you hoping to celebrate a special couple on their 12th anniversary? Chances are, the intended recipient will help guide your buying decision. For example, you might get your romantic partner a more sentimental present than you would, say, your aunt and uncle.

Tradition vs. Innovation

To be or not be traditional? That really is the question. Silk and linen might be the standard anniversary presents when ringing in a 12th anniversary, but modern gift-getters tend to learn toward pearls. But, if you and your special someone are not ones for tradition, feel free to get them something that caters to their interests.

Price

Of course, no conversation about buying the perfect present is complete without discussing the price. While you should always pick up a present that fits comfortably in your budget, who you're shopping for might dictate how much you inevitably spend. For example, you might be willing to spend more money when treating your own partner to an anniversary present.

FAQ

• What's the traditional 12th anniversary gift? 

  Legend has it that most couple would ring in their 12th anniversary with something silk or linen. But, if you want to give your anniversary gift a modern edge, some gift-givers would opt for pearls. Fortunately, these broad categories leave a lot of room for interpretation. A fancy linen shirt? Luxe silk sheets? A pearl-adorned wallet? Check, check, and check.

• What should I get my partner for our 12th anniversary?

  Silk, linen, and pearls might be the 12-year status quo, but you don't have to follow the norm. Instead, it's way more important to get your significant other a present they'll actually be excited to open. And, since you know them best, tapping into their hobbies and interests should be no major feat.

• What should I get friends for their 12th anniversary?

  Want to give a special power couple in your life some extra love for their 12th anniversary? You have plenty of options. While silk, linen, or pearl-themed presents will offer a nice touch, a thoughtful card or tickets to an art exhibit are also thoughtful. Remember, this isn't your anniversary so you don't have to feel pressured to pull out all of the stops here.

This roundup was written by Patrice J. Williams. She has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. She loves helping her friends and family find unique, thoughtful, and wallet-friendly presents. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she writes commerce articles, including product suggestions and reviews, for other outlets as well as appearing on air for The Today Show, WEtv, and she was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City. Additional reporting was done by Kelsey Mulvey, who has contributed décor and lifestyle content to The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Real Simple, Wallpaper*, Elle Decor, MyDomaine, and AD PRO.

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