The number nine is considered lucky in many cultures around the world, and we bet you’re feeling incredibly lucky to be reaching nine years married to the love of your life. It’s also extra exciting as in just one year the two of you will be celebrating 10 whole years of marriage.
To mark such a special milestone in your married life, what kind of gift should you give your partner? Should you give flowers or chocolates or something else entirely?
Well, did you know there are actually specific gifts that couples have been giving each other for their 9th anniversary for more than 100 years? These gifts have extra special meaning and really let your other half know just how much you care.
So, in this guide, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know about the traditions surrounding 9th anniversary gifts, so you can surprise your partner with something thoughtful, loving and symbolic. We’ll look at the traditional and modern gifts, as well as the traditional gemstone and flower so you can find something perfect for your other half. We’ll also offer you 50 suggestions to help get your creative juicing flowing.
To learn all about every anniversary tradition from 1 through to 90 years, read our complete year-by-year wedding anniversary gift guide.
What are traditional and modern gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary?
If you’re looking to give your other half an extra special gift to mark your 9th anniversary, you might choose one of the traditional or modern options that are filled with historical meaning. Then you can have an anniversary that will be truly romantic and memorable.
Traditional 9th anniversary gift – Pottery or willow
There are two choices when it comes to traditional 9th anniversary gifts: pottery or willow. Pottery symbolises how your marriage has been molded into something beautiful and strong, and willow represents how flexible and strong you both are, which is clearly true since you’re celebrating nine wonderful years.
Modern 9th anniversary gift – Leather
If you’d prefer to give your partner the modern anniversary gift, you can do so in the form of leather. Leather is flexible, strong and durable, so makes for a lovely and touching gift. There are also plenty of options available, as well as some great vegan leather gifts.
9th anniversary gemstone – Lapis lazuli
If your partner would love some jewellery or an accessory, you could give them something set with the traditional 9th anniversary gemstone, lapis lazuli. This is a beautiful purple stone that sometimes contains flecks of black or gold, and represents royalty, courage and wisdom. It also works well in a huge range of jewellery so you’re bound to find something your partner adores.
9th anniversary flower – Bird of paradise
The traditional anniversary flower for celebrating nine years is the striking and eye-catching bird of paradise. This stunning flower was named because of how it resembles an exotic bird, and symbolises paradise, freedom and faithfulness. Plus it looks absolutely amazing and your partner is bound to love it.
How do you choose a gift for a 9th wedding anniversary?
Just one year away from your ten year anniversary, you might be wondering what the perfect gift might be. Do you get your partner something particularly special and meaningful, or wait until next year? Here are a few points to consider when making your decision:
- Are you sticking to the 9th anniversary themes? They’re slightly tricky themes, so it might take some creative thinking to give your partner a pleasant surprise.
- What’s your agreed budget? Some pottery, willow and leather gifts can be pricey, as can jewellery and flowers, so you might have to think outside the box.
- Are you going to give them something personalised? Personalised gifts are an anniversary favourite, and some of the themed gifts for celebrating nine years are easier to personalise than others.
- What does your partner love? Your partner might not be a fan of pottery, willow and leather, which might make sticking to the theme even more difficult.
It might be that someone close to you is about to celebrate nine years together with their partner, and you’re wondering whether or not you should join in on the anniversary gift-giving traditions. The answer is a resounding yes, you definitely can! Giving a couple in your life a gift linked to traditions is a brilliant way to let them know how much you love them.
50 ideas for a 9th wedding anniversary gift
With your 9th anniversary right around the corner, hopefully you’re not too stumped about what kind of gift to give your partner. You might want to give them a gift linked to willow, pottery or leather, but you might be struggling to come up with a unique idea that they’d love. Well, that’s where we come in – so here are 50 ideas for a 9th wedding anniversary so you can give your partner a gift to remember.
10 traditional gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
If you’d love to give your partner an anniversary gift filled with tradition, pottery or willow are your go-to on theme gifts. You can probably think of one or two ideas for pottery, but what about willow? Here are 10 ideas so you can give your partner a traditional gift to mark nine incredible years.
1. Personalised indoor plant pot
Nothing brightens up a room quite like a plant, and they’re proven to lower stress and blood pressure, which means you should always consider having some at home. So, a brilliantly on-theme gift is a personalised indoor plant pot, which you can customise with the year of your wedding and a unique message.
2. An Emma Bridgewater Mr and Mrs mug set
Emma Bridgewater is a hugely celebrated designer who specialises in modern pottery, so anything from their range is sure to be well received. But, something classy and simple, like the Mr and Mrs mug set, is useful and right on theme.
3. An at-home pottery painting kit
For a fun and creative way to spend your anniversary, an at-home pottery painting kit gives you everything you need to design unique and character-filled pots and do something different in each others’ company.
4. A personalised anniversary plate
A brilliant way to remember your anniversary every time you serve food or entertain is with a personalised anniversary plate. It’s colourful, stylish and hand-painted by an in-house artist, so you know you’re getting something truly unique.
5. A stunning garden planter
Errington Reay & Co is the last remaining salt-glazed pottery in Britain, and their range of garden planters is absolutely incredible. You can pick up a huge planter to fill your garden with life, or something small like an ammonite, which is also super affordable and totally in keeping with the theme if you’re looking for more of a token gift.
6. A handcrafted willow tree pen
Willow trees are huge, graceful trees and their wood is pale with a beautiful texture. A handcrafted willow tree pen is smart and stylish, and comes in a case that can include a personalised message.
7. A willow bird feeder
Does your partner love feeding the birds and encouraging as many as they can to visit your garden? A natural way to give the birds some tasty fat balls is with a willow bird feeder, which is big, high-quality and blends right into the trees.
8. A willow pendant
The texture of willow means it can be smoothed and polished incredibly well, and a willow pendant is so smooth you might mistake it for ceramic. The wood retains its natural pattern, so is subtle and neat, and fits with almost any type of outfit.
9. Willow movie poster
If your partner grew up in the 80s or 90s, then they might have fond memories of the classic fantasy movie, Willow, starring Warwick Davis. If so, then you’ll give them a great surprise with a Willow movie poster they can hang on the wall – and it’s totally appropriate for the theme.
10. A personalised willow bookmark
Willow is a very flexible wood so it’s perfect for making into different designs, and a willow bookmark won’t damage or dog-ear pages. Plus it can be personalised to include a message so your partner will have a reminder of your 9th anniversary whenever they pick up their latest tale.
10 modern gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
For a modern twist on the anniversary theme, you might want to consider giving your partner something made of leather. Leather is also the traditional anniversary gift for three years, so if you didn’t give your partner something leathery themed at the time, the option is here again. Here are 10 ideas so you can give your partner something made from leather (or faux leather if you’d prefer).
1. A faux leather photo album
Photo albums have become something of a lost art, but we’d always recommend making an exception when it comes to your wedding or anything related to your big day. Why not print off some of your favourite photos from the last decade and put them in a nice faux leather photo album and give your partner a touching trip down memory lane?
2. A vegan purse or wallet
Is your partner’s wallet or purse looking a little tired or worse for wear? If so, now might be the time to treat them to a brand new vegan purse or wallet, so they can have something new to get out of their pocket or handbag when they pay for your big anniversary dinner that evening!
3. Vegan leather shoes
A good pair of shoes can be hard to find, and a pair of vegan leather shoes look great, feel comfortable and will last for ages.
4. A vegan leather laptop bag
If your partner spends hours of every day working on their laptop, you’ll know just how precious it is to them. Maybe they often take it with them to the office, or trips into the city for meetings or to type away in a coffee shop. If that sounds like your partner, then a vegan leather laptop bag will protect their pride and joy as they drag it from here to there.
5. A leather rose
Roses are a well-known symbol of love, so why not combine that with the modern 9th anniversary theme and give them a leather rose to celebrate? They’re available in various colours and are super unique – with the added bonus that they’ll never wilt.
6. A leather anniversary card
Another difficult decision to make for your 9th anniversary is what type of card to get your partner. Do you go lovey-dovey, funny, sexy, sassy… it’s tough! One option is to combine the card with the modern theme and give them an engraved leather card packed with historical and symbolic meaning.
7. A leather notebook
A great notebook can be really hard to come by, so take the opportunity and spoil your partner with the most luxurious leather notebook ever. They’re actually so luxurious that they might not want to even write in it. There are also tons of unique personalisation options so you can really make it one-of-a-kind.
8. A personalised leather keyring
A cute and pocket-sized gift your other half can keep with them wherever they go is a personalised leather keyring. It might be small, but it’s massively sentimental and we know your partner would just love it.
9. A leather photo frame
Leather isn’t exactly the most obvious choice for materials when it comes to photo frames, but it really does work. A leather photo frame is incredibly smart and would look fabulous holding one of your best wedding photos.
10. A leather phone case
It’s a fact of modern life: many of us can’t do without our phones. Help your other half protect their phone with a leather phone case. Ok, so it’s not the most glamorous gift on this list, but it’s practical and totally on theme.
5 affordable gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
You might love the idea of giving your partner a 9th anniversary gift linked closely to the themes, but pottery, willow and leather can often be pricey, especially if you have a strict budget. But don’t let that put you off the idea – if you know where to look, you can pick up a brilliant gift that fits a tight budget. Here are five suggestions if you’re looking for an affordable, token 9th anniversary gift.
1. A ceramic 9th anniversary keepsake
For something sweet, personalised and perfectly on theme, a ceramic 9th anniversary keepsake might just be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s something you can personalise to include your names and the date of your wedding, and it can be hung up somewhere or kept close by so your other half always knows how much you care.
2. A tiny let love grow vase
Have you ever seen anything more adorable than a tiny let love grow vase? This ceramic vase is super small, but is an ideal token gift for your special day. Whenever you head out on a romantic walk, you could pick a single wildflower to always make use of your thoughtful gift.
3. Faux vegan leather coasters
Faux leather is durable and strong, which means it’s a great material to use for a set of four faux leather coasters. They’re affordable and on theme, and are something you and your partner can use at home every day.
4. A personalised leather charger patch
Do you and your partner regularly argue about which charger is yours? Or maybe they’re always misplacing theirs and have to keep borrowing yours? Something super simple and tied closely to the theme is a personalised leather charger patch, so your partner never has to wonder whose is whose again.
5. A personalised vegan leather heart bookmark
Every bookworm loves to get stuck into a good book, but bookmarks have a habit of slipping out and sometimes even getting lost forever (seriously, who keeps taking them?). A personalised vegan leather heart bookmark slips over the corner of the page, keeping everything in order and preventing unwelcome dog ears.
5 DIY gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
Giving your partner a gift associated with willow, pottery or leather is a lovely way to add extra meaning to your anniversary. You can ramp that up even more by making a gift yourself. But where on earth do you start making something on theme, especially if you don’t have any experience making something from pottery or leather? Well, there are some things you can do without the need for special kit or experience. Here are five ideas to help you get in the crafting mood.
1. A DIY leather necklace
Leather makes for a unique piece of jewellery, and it’s really quick and simple to make a DIY leather necklace using any pendants or charms you know your partner would appreciate. Check out a video tutorial for an idea of what you need to get started.
2. A DIY leather keyring
To make a small on-theme gift your partner can keep with them whenever they leave the house, a DIY leather keyring is a great shout. For a truly professional finish you can use pro tools, but you don’t need to – this video tutorial on YouTube shows you how to make three different types of leather keyrings, ranging from beginner to pro.
3. A willow basket of treats
Willow is a great material to use for making baskets, and while it might take some skill and experience to make the basket itself, you could use a willow basket as a starting point, which you could fill with your partner’s favourite treats. Chocolates, sweets, jewellery, fruit, games, puzzles… whatever they love, you could put something together to truly spoil them.
4. A DIY model using air-drying clay
Remember when you were a kid and how much fun you had making stuff out of Play-Doh? Call back to those times and make your partner a cute model of their favourite thing that they can display forever! The best thing is, air-drying clay doesn’t need to go in a kiln, so it’s something everyone can have a go at.
5. A DIY pottery vase
Reckon your at-home pottery skills could make something a bit more advanced than a model? Grab a pottery starter kit and let your imagination run wild to make your partner a thoughtful gift. Then fill in a form to apply for the next series of The Great Pottery Throwdown.
5 experience or activity gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
Your anniversary is a great excuse to get out there and try something new (not that you need it). And there are loads of ways to tie in the 9th anniversary themes so you can spend time doing something with a deep and historical meaning. Here are five suggestions for ways you and your partner can spend your anniversary doing an experience or activity together.
1. A pottery class
Fans of the classic 80s movie Ghost will know just how romantic pottery can be. Ok, so you might get a few looks if you do that during a pottery class, but it’s your special day after all. Getting down and dirty with pottery making is a lot of fun and you have something to show for it at the end.
2. A pottery painting experience
Making your own pottery is one thing, but if you and your other half are more into the painting and decorating side of things, a pottery painting experience is probably right up your street. They also fire your creations so you can take them home and display them with pride.
3. A willow basketry course
We bet you thought we’d never be able to include an experience related to the willow theme, so you might be surprised to find out that willow and basketry experiences are absolutely a thing! They look like a lot of fun and we can almost guarantee that your partner won’t have done anything like it before.
4. A leatherwork course
Leatherwork is an ancient craft, and a really tricky but rewarding skill to have. A leatherwork experience is fun and challenging, and you and your other half can spend time together learning something that very few people know.
5. The Emma Bridgewater factory tour
We’ve already featured Emma Bridgewater products on this list before, but did you know you can take a look around their famous factory? An Emma Bridgewater factory tour shows you the ins and outs of this famous brand and is a cool and unique way to spend time on your 9th anniversary.
10 9th anniversary gifts that contain lapis lazuli
The traditional gemstone to give for nine years of marriage is lapis lazuli, a dazzling purple stone with the occasional streak of black or gold. It’s a truly stunning stone that’s often set in all different kinds of jewellery and accessories, so you shouldn’t have to look too far to find a piece that your partner would love. Here are 10 suggestions for pieces that contain lapis lazuli, which could be gold, silver, platinum, or anything else that fits within your budget:
- A necklace
- A bracelet
- Earrings
- Cufflinks
- A ring
- A broach
- A locket
- An anklet
- A nose stud
- Belly button ring
Despite being so fabulous, lapis lazuli isn’t actually all that expensive, so even if you have a smaller budget you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something your partner will love. Of course, there are some pieces that can be pricier, but it totally depends on what you’re looking for. Most high street jewellers, as well as independents, will have a range of jewellery and accessories that have lapis lazuli for you to consider. Here at Bridebook, we also work with a number of amazing jewellers who have unique selections of lapis lazuli jewellery.
5 floral-inspired gifts for a 9th wedding anniversary
The traditional flower for celebrating nine incredible years of marriage is bird of paradise, an absolute showstopper of a flower which – as the name suggests – looks like a graceful and exotic bird. Because they’re so delicate with their big heads, they’re not often included in bouquets, but can be stunning when used in the right way. And when they’re allowed to be the star of the show they really are beautiful. Here are five suggestions if you’d love to treat your partner to this fabulous and striking flower.
1. Birds of paradise arrangement
A birds of paradise flower arrangement is far from simple, because it’s such a captivating and unique flower. It looks like it’s been lifted from the pages of a fantasy novel, and will draw attention in any room. It’s something your partner is bound to love and appreciate.
2. A birds of paradise pendant
If your partner loves birds of paradise but you want to give them some jewellery, why not combine the two and give them a birds of paradise pendant? It’s a subtle way for them to wear a piece of jewellery with extra special meaning and goes with almost any type of outfit.
3. Delicate glass birds of paradise
How do you make a beautiful and delicate flower even more beautiful and delicate? You carefully make it out of glass, of course. A glass bird of paradise is small and colourful, and will look fantastic sat on a shelf or in a cabinet.
4. A birds of paradise canvas
The perfect way to add vibrancy and a pop of colour to any room is with a birds of paradise canvas. It’s slightly abstract, but once you know it’s a bird of paradise you’ll always see it.
5. A bird of paradise cushion
Your partner will never see this one coming – if they’ve mentioned needing a new cushion recently, a bird of paradise cushion is comfortable and tasteful, and totally on-theme for your 9th anniversary.
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