Wood is the traditional gift for a fifth wedding anniversary: five years in, a marriage is said to have put down roots, like a tree. The best wood anniversary gifts are things you will both live with every day rather than a novelty, and every idea below has real wood at its heart, from hand-blown glass fused onto pieces of gamal wood to glass terrariums on tung wood. Here are ten ideas from £15.30 to £76.80, for her, for him and for the home you share. Prices were correct when we published this guide, and each product page always shows the current price.
The short answer
For the two of you: the extra large glass piece on a double stand (£76.80), two hand-blown glass bowls on one long piece of wood. For her or him: a ring dish on wood for both wedding rings at night (£29), a V-shaped vase set in an upright block of wood (£52) or a glass bowl in a carved wooden hand (£48). For something that keeps growing: a moss terrarium in the extra large ball top on dark tung wood (£45).
Why wood for a fifth anniversary?
On the traditional list of anniversary gifts, paper comes first, cotton second, leather third and wood fifth. Wood stands for strength and growth: after five years a marriage has roots and is still growing. Some modern lists suggest silverware instead, but wood is the one most people know, and it leaves far more choice than you might expect. It also suits a gift for the home, which after five years is the thing you have built together.
For the home you share
1. Two bowls on one piece of wood, £76.80
The extra large molten glass piece on a double stand sets a hand-blown glass bowl at each end of one long piece of gamal wood, about 75cm from end to end. Two bowls on one piece of wood is hard to beat as a fifth anniversary gift. Leave the bowls empty as a sculpture on a sideboard, or plant a succulent in each. It weighs about 10kg, so choose its spot before it arrives.
2. A low glow for an anniversary dinner, £30
The triple candle holder holds three tealights in a low row of glass dishes on one piece of wood, just right for the middle of a table for two. Keep flowers and greenery well clear of the flames, and never leave it burning unattended.
3. A large glass bowl on a wooden stand, £35
The large glass bowl on a wooden stand lifts a generous hand-blown bowl on wood for a console or sideboard. Fill it with pine cones in winter, or leave it empty to catch the light.
For her or for him
4. A ring dish for two wedding rings, £29
The ring and trinket dish on wood is a small glass bowl, about 9 x 11cm, on a piece of wood about 11cm high: a place for both wedding rings at night on a bedside table or dressing table. For less, the small molten glass bowl on wood (£15.30) does the same job.
5. A bowl in a carved wooden hand, £48
The molten glass bowl in a carved wooden hand stands about 23cm tall: an open hand carved from wood, cradling a hand-blown glass bowl. Five years of holding hands is reason enough, and it makes a natural home for keys or jewellery in a hallway.
6. A sculptural vase, £52
The V-shaped vase, about 24.5cm tall, is a clear glass V set into an upright block of wood. It works as a sculpture on its own, or with a single branch.
7. A hanging vase, £48
The hanging vase on wood brings a single stem, a few flowers or a trailing cutting up to eye level, a quiet daily reminder on a hall console or shelf.
8. A vase on whitewashed wood, £35.75
For flowers on the day itself, the medium vase on whitewashed wood takes three tulips or a small bunch of daisies, the flower most lists give for a fifth anniversary. Its pale wood suits a light, Scandi-style room.
Something living, on tung wood
A plant is a fitting wood anniversary gift, because it keeps growing. Our terrariums on tung wood pair clear glass with a solid wooden base. Plants are not included, so choose one together.
9. A moss terrarium, £45
The extra large ball top terrarium, about 23 x 23cm on dark tung wood, closes with a wooden ball stopper and holds a whole moss landscape. Our guide to making a moss terrarium turns it into an afternoon project for two. The medium ball top (£24) is the smaller version.
10. A vase terrarium in a block of dark wood, £35
The glass vase terrarium in dark tung wood sets a slim, wavy, green-tinted glass vase into a solid block of wood, about 23cm tall, lovely with an air plant on moss or a few dried stems. The large version (£45) stands about 32cm tall.
Making it personal
- Write the card yourself. We do not offer gift wrap or gift messages, so add a card of your own: five things you love from your five years is a good start.
- Add daisies. A few in a vase on wood finish the gift on the day.
- Plant it together. A terrarium, a bag of moss and an afternoon is a gift and a plan in one.
- Set the table. A candle holder on wood and dinner at home can mean more than a night out.
Caring for glass on wood
Keep any water inside the glass and the wood dry: wipe spills straight away and never stand a piece in water. Hand wash the glass with warm water and a soft cloth. Our care guide for wood and glass has more.
Ordering in time
We dispatch within 1 to 2 working days, and UK delivery is a flat £4.99, usually arriving 3 to 5 working days after dispatch, so order a week or so before the anniversary to be safe.
Common questions
What is the traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift?
Wood. It stands for strength and growth, and it covers everything from furniture to small pieces such as a glass bowl on wood or a terrarium on a wooden base.
What is the modern 5th anniversary gift?
Some modern lists give silverware, but wood is still the best known and the easiest to find.
What flower is for a 5th anniversary?
The daisy is the flower most lists give for a fifth anniversary. A few in a bud vase on wood combine the flower and the traditional material.
What can I buy my husband for our 5th anniversary?
Something for the home you share, such as the double piece on wood, or something sculptural for his desk or shelf, such as the V-shaped vase. Our gifts for him guide has more ideas under £30.
What can I buy my wife for our 5th anniversary?
A ring dish on wood for her bedside, a vase on whitewashed wood with daisies, or a bowl in a carved wooden hand. Our gifts for her guide has more.
Browse every piece of molten glass on wood and every glass terrarium, or see our guide to gifts for someone who has everything.
