Not many couples have the privilege of celebrating 80 years of marriage. If you’re about to do just that, then it’s an absolutely jaw-dropping achievement that deserves to be celebrated. It means you and your partner have an unbreakable bond forged over eight decades of love and commitment, which is something so beautiful and rare that you’re about to enter an exclusive club with just a small amount of couples.

Even though not many get to celebrate their 80th anniversary, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a traditional gift associated with it. Much like every other significant milestone throughout your marriage, there are special gifts linked to your 80th anniversary that have a deep layer of significance and symbolism behind them. That means you can give your other half a gift that has oodles of sentiment when celebrating this once-in-a-blue-moon occasion.

Your 80th anniversary is also known as your oak anniversary, so there’s no real surprise that oak plays a big role. It’s also a unique gift that hasn’t featured as a traditional or modern gift for any of your previous milestones, so it makes for a wonderful choice to mark 80 years.

In this guide, we’re going to take a look at everything you need to know about 80th anniversary gifts and give you 25 suggestions for gifts that fit with the theme. That way, you can make sure your other half has a wonderful anniversary that’s as fitting as the milestone deserves.

If you’d like to learn more about all the other traditional and modern anniversary gifts throughout the years, read our complete year-by-year wedding anniversary gift guide.

What are traditional and modern gifts for an 80th wedding anniversary?

The traditional and modern 80th wedding anniversary gifts

Your 80th anniversary is a mind-blowing milestone to reach and one that only a handful of couples will have the luck and blessing to celebrate. For that reason, it’s only appropriate that you give your partner a gift that’s filled with extra special love and meaning. But, unlike with a lot of your other recent big milestone anniversaries, the theme isn’t centred around a precious gemstone. No, this time, the overall theme of your anniversary is oak, which is why your 80th is also known as your oak anniversary. This might be an unusual theme, but it’s one you can have a lot of fun and creativity with when it comes to giving your other half a gift.

Traditional 80th anniversary gift – Oak

The traditional 80th anniversary gift is oak, a strong wood that comes from – as you likely already know – oak trees. This is the first and only anniversary you’ve celebrated where oak makes an appearance, which makes it an extra special and unique gift to choose from.

Oak represents strength and stamina and how things can grow even more beautiful as they age. So, could there really be a more appropriate theme when celebrating 80 incredible years of marriage?

Modern 80th anniversary gift – Oak

Because there’s no point messing with a theme that’s already so perfect, the modern 80th anniversary theme is also oak. It’s not exactly a glamorous or precious gift, but the meaning behind it is beautifully poignant, which makes it such a wonderful choice. Oak is also a hugely versatile theme that lets you have a lot of creativity, so you’re in a great position to give your partner something they’ll love while ensuring your gift is packed with romance and meaning.

80th anniversary gemstone – Ruby

If you’re not sure about oak, you could give your partner a gift linked to the traditional 80th anniversary gemstone, which is ruby. Rubies are a stunning deep red gemstone and are one of the four precious gemstones (along with diamond, sapphire and emerald). They represent passion, wealth and protection, and are a great addition to loads of different types of jewellery.

80th anniversary flower – There isn’t one

Just like with your last few major milestones, there unfortunately isn’t a traditional flower associated with your 80th anniversary. But, not to worry – that means you’re free to be as creative as you like! Plenty of flowers are worthy of your 80th anniversary, from the classic rose to the bold and beautiful tulip. If you choose to give your other half flowers on your anniversary, whatever you choose is bound to go down well.

How do you choose a gift for an 80th wedding anniversary?

So few couples have celebrated their 80th anniversary that it can be tricky to work out exactly what sort of gift is right for such a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. While the traditional theme might be oak, there’s nothing written in stone (or wood, as the case may be) to say you have to stick to that theme. But, before you decide on what sort of gift to give your other half, here are a few points to consider that might help:

Have you and your other half agreed to give each other a traditional gift, or have you given each other traditional gifts in the past? If you have, then it might be important for the two of you to stick to the theme of oak.
Have you agreed to stick to a certain budget? Oak is a lot more affordable than the traditional themes from other recent anniversary milestones, which makes giving a gift associated with the 80th anniversary theme more manageable if you have a smaller budget.
Are you looking to give your partner a personalised gift? Oak is a great gift to personalise, which means you can give your partner something hugely sentimental.
Has your partner asked for something specifically? If they have, it might be a little tricky to give them something to do with oak, unless you get especially lucky.

Is a couple you love about to celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary? It could be your parents, grandparents or even your great-grandparents! Whoever it is, you might be on the hunt for a gift that shows them how special they are, and you might wonder whether you can join in with the theme and give them a gift related to oak. Well, the rules aren’t exclusive to the couple themselves, so you’re more than welcome to give them something that fits in with the theme. They’re bound to love whatever you give them, but something made from oak has that extra meaning which they’ll definitely appreciate.

25 ideas for an 80th wedding anniversary gift

If you know you want to give your partner a gift filled with love and meaning, but you’re not quite sure where to start, don’t worry. Oak is a great theme, and because it’s so versatile, it gives you plenty of ways to give your partner something they’ll love. Whether you have a small or larger budget, there’s a wide variety out there, so you can tell them exactly how you feel.

Here are 25 ideas for 80th anniversary gifts to make sure you have a truly special anniversary.

10 traditional and modern gifts for an 80th wedding anniversary

If you’re excited to give your other half a gift linked to the traditional theme of oak, you might initially scratch your head. What sort of gift can you give that’s romantic and filled with love? Well, it’s actually a brilliant theme, which has almost endless possibilities. So if you’re not quite sure where to start, here are 10 ideas to give you some inspiration.

1. An oak bowl

For something small, full of character and perfectly in keeping with the theme, this oak bowl makes for a fantastic gift that can be used however your partner likes.

2. Framed oak song lyrics

There’s no doubt a song that means the world to you and your other half. It could be a song one of you wrote, the song you had your first dance to, or something else that has special meaning. Immortalise what it stands for with framed oak song lyrics, which can be displayed somewhere at home.

3. An oak picture frame

For a gift your partner is sure to adore, take your favourite photograph and frame it in an oak picture frame, a small but hugely loving gesture to mark 80 years of marriage.

4. Oak artwork

Oak trees are beautiful and strong, so are often used as inspiration for art. The Oak is a lovely piece that honours this legendary tree and would be a stunning addition to any room.

5. Antique oak

Oak is a material which has been used to make things for thousands of years. Give your partner a piece of history with antique oak, which could be anything from an Elizabethan table to a Saxon figurine.

6. An item of oak furniture

Because oak is so strong and durable, it’s regularly used to make high-quality furniture. An item of oak furniture makes for a lovely gift, with a huge variety to choose from that could fit in any sort of room alongside a wide range of decor.

7. A bonsai oak tree

Some oak trees have stood for millenia, and are proud giants standing on the horizon. If you don’t have room for one at home, why not give your partner a bonsai oak tree? It has all the character and meaning of a mighty oak while not taking up loads of space in your garden.

8. An oak leaf and acorn pendant

For a subtle and touching nod to the theme, treat your partner to an oak leaf and acorn pendant, made from sterling silver and rose gold and embellished with white topaz. It’s a nice reminder of your milestone that your partner can wear to any occasion.

9. An oak egg and soldiers platter

With an oak egg and soliders platter, your other half can be reminded of your anniversary every single morning when they tuck into their dippy eggs. Delicious!

10. An oak garden bench

For a big and bold way to honour your oak anniversary, an oak garden bench can sit in your garden and act as a constant reminder of your major milestone.

5 personalised gifts for an 80th wedding anniversary

Giving a personalised gift on your anniversary is a brilliant way to give something unique, which acts as a great keepsake to honour reaching such an impressive milestone. Personalisation can include your names, a message, a photograph or something else that means a lot to the pair of you. Thankfully, oak is a great theme that lends itself well to personalisation. Here are five ideas for personalised gifts you can give on your 80th anniversary.

1. Personalised oak tealight holder

Tealights help you create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which you can pair with a personalised oak tealight holder that includes your and your other half’s initials.

2. A hand-carved oak heart

For a small, personalised and incredibly thoughtful keepsake, a hand-carved oak heart lets your partner know just how much you love them even after eight whole decades together.

3. A personalised oak key rack

A personalised oak key rack can be hung beside your front door and is one of the first things you’ll see when you get home. It can be personalised with your names or a message that declares your love for your partner in crime.

4. A set of custom oak coasters

With a set of custom oak coasters, you can choose any design your partner loves, including a photo or personalised message. Perfect no matter what your partner’s favourite tipple is!

5. A personalised Scottish oak pen

There’s nothing quite as stylish as a personalised Scottish oak pen, which has 24 carat gold fittings and can include a laser engraved message on the case.

5 80th anniversary jewellery gifts that contain ruby

The traditional 80th anniversary gemstone is ruby, a stunning precious stone with a beautiful meaning, which makes it a great choice of gift on your anniversary. Rubies are the perfect addition to almost every type of jewellery, and are lovely whether set in silver, gold or platinum. If you’re thinking of getting your partner something that contains rubies, here are five suggestions to help you make your gift one your partner will adore.

1. A pair of ruby earrings

Rubies really make jewellery pop, so a pair of ruby earrings make a real statement. They’re also not as common as diamond earrings, which makes them a unique choice to mark 80 years.

2. A ruby bracelet

For a real showstopper, spoil your other half with a ruby bracelet. There’s a wide variety available suitable for different budgets, so you’re bound to find something that suits your partner’s tastes.

3. A ruby necklace

Because rubies are so intoxicating, they deserve to be the star of the show when it comes to jewellery. That’s why a ruby necklace is a winning choice, as it highlights the utter beauty of these dark red stones.

4. A ruby brooch

A lovely addition to any outfit, this ruby brooch is made from sterling silver and contains three wine-coloured rubies. It absolutely screams of class and sophistication.

5. A ruby and oak ring

Combine the traditional gift with the traditional gemstone with this ruby and oak ring, which contains incredible detail and is available in white, rose or yellow gold and platinum.

Ruby really is a great choice when it comes to jewellery, and because they’re so popular you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding ruby jewellery that suits your partner’s style and taste. Almost every high-street and independent jeweller will have a great range available for you to browse. At Bridebook, we’ve partnered with a huge selection of jewellers, so make sure you check them out too, as they all have their own ruby jewellery for you to consider.

5 floral-inspired gifts for an 80th wedding anniversary

While there isn’t a traditional flower associated with your 80th wedding anniversary, that shouldn’t stop you from giving your partner flowers if you know they love them. Flowers are a great way to let your other half know how much they mean to you! But, there are a few ways to get creative with flowers and tie them into the traditional 80th anniversary theme. Here are five suggestions so you can ramp up your floral gifts for your big milestone.

1. Ruby red roses

Roses are a well-known symbol of love, especially red ones! That’s why ruby red roses make for the ideal floral arrangement and complement the theme of ruby.

2. Sanguisorba ruby reds

Sanguisorba ruby reds is an eye-catching perennial which is reminiscent of lavender, but instead of purple, it’s a deep shade of red. A great addition to any garden.

3. An oak flower bouquet

For a floral arrangement that will never wilt, an oak flower bouquet is a great gift that can always sit on a shelf as a reminder of your anniversary. It can also be personalised to include a message so you can let your partner know what they mean to you.