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The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
When commemorating an anniversary, it's important that the couple use the occasion to reflect on their time together, no matter how many years it's been.
Traditionally, the 8-year wedding anniversary is associated with bronze and pottery. Bronze is meant to signify strength in a marriage. Bronze is also stronger than both iron and copper – two symbols of earlier anniversary years of marriage, to show just how far you've come. The modern equivalent of bronze is linen or lace, which adds more opportunities for gifting. However, you don't have to follow these rules when searching for a present. As long as you find something personal and sentimental, your partner is sure to love it.
We researched the best gifts to commemorate eight years together, from traditional bronze and pottery to modern linen and lace, considering the meaning, quality, and return policy of each one.
Jasmine Pottery Studio Clay Pottery Kit for 2
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This Clay Pottery for Two kit includes all the materials, instructions, and video tutorials needed to make this pottery-themed date night a win. You won't need a kiln or oven for the easy air-drying clay included (although the site says it can tolerate kiln heat up to a certain temperature).
You have the option to choose from three paint packs according to color preference to decorate your plant pot. Get creative with different faces, designs, and colors for a completely unique art piece that has a functional use in your home. Users say the instructions are easy to follow, and the result is utterly adorable. Be sure to add a healthy succulent to complete the gift.
Price at time of publish: $47 for clay kit only
Michael Healy Claddagh-Oiled Bronze Door Knocker
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With its symbolic heart of love, the crown of loyalty, and hands of friendship, this unique bronze door knocker by Michael Healy emanates superior craftsmanship and a hearty increase in curb appeal. Traditionally worn as a ring, Irish folklore says the Claddagh must be gifted, never purchased for one's self—so this anniversary is the perfect time to gift it to your partner or a favorite couple, especially since bronze is the traditional color and gift to boot.
Price at time of publish: $120
Bellisimaby Kriss Lilac All Natural White Beeswax Candle
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Handmade with real lilac petals, natural beeswax, and two wooden wicks in each, this all-natural candle pulls in the purple lilac theme of the eighth anniversary. Select your choice of tin size, add melts to refill, or get more than one. These smell so much like lilacs—even before you light them—that guests will think there's a lilac tree waving in the breeze outside your window.
Price at time of publish: $19
Boska Ceramic Chocolate Fondue Set
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Best known for their cheese-carving tools, Boska has won worldwide recognition for their innovative products, found in nearly one hundred countries. Their Ceramic Chocolate Fondue Set comes with a ceramic pot and two stainless steel prongs so you can feed each other your favorite chocolate-dipped treats until the wee hours, and use them for a fondue party down the road. Note that the set must be hand washed only.
Price at time of publish: $40
Heritage Lace White Floret Shower Curtain
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Celebrate your special day by replacing your shower curtain with a gorgeous, intricately woven lace option, drawing on the modern theme for an eighth-anniversary gift. American-made, this shower curtain is machine washable on cold using a gentle cycle. Note that you'll need a liner to go with it.
Price at time of publish: $41
Uncommon Goods 100 Dates Scratch Off Poster
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Make sure you never run out of ideas for date night with this fun poster. Need something original? Grab a coin and scratch off one of these squares. You'll reveal a range of ideas, from hot air balloon rides to a night at the opera to a picnic of fish and chips on the beach. Each square shows a little illustration once you've scratched it off to jog your memory so you can keep track of which activities you've done and which are yet to come.
Price at time of publish: $15
Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set
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Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch bedding brings the coziest fabrics. This flannel is woven, brushed, and sheared in Portugal, having passed rigorous testing for harmful substances while remaining environmentally sustainable and fair trade certified. The flannel sheet set comes with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. Your purchase comes with free shipping and returns, plus a 30-night risk-free sleep trial to see if you really like the sheets.
Price at time of publish: $248+
Breck's Double Clematis Collection
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Plant these beauties together as a reminder of how long your love has been growing, and watch how they thrive for seasons to come. This collection includes four color-bursting varieties of clematis, the official anniversary flower for eight years of marriage, with mini pots for each and the promise of long bloom times.
These stunners are best grown in zones 4 through 8. They're said to be deer-resistant and likely to grow between 40 to 120 inches tall.
Price at time of publish: $50
Ohm Store Tibetan Singing Bowl Set
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Amazon
Create a haven of serenity for the couple who loves meditation, yoga, mindfulness, or just a little relaxation with this handmade Tibetan singing bowl. When circled with the mallet enclosed, this hand-hammered singing bowl produces sounds and vibrations said to promote relaxation.
Made of brass in a pleasant shade of bronze, this singing bowl draws on the eighth-anniversary theme. It comes in a compact size for super-easy transport, too.
Price at time of publish: $40
Open Spaces Nesting Trays Set of 3
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Madewell
Available in five different colors, this set of three chic nesting trays comes with free returns and a 30-day trial. Each set comes with a small solid ash wooden tray, a medium-sized firm recyclable plastic tray, and a large tray crafted of aluminum that can be used in any room of the house.
Price at time of publish: $48
Positive Prints Where We Met Map
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Create a map of your city and mark the spot where you met, zoom in and out, and frame it for your wall at home or office. First, choose your city or other map design or create a new one using the site's online tool. Then, mark your special spot with a heart and add your own map title. Results are made-to-order, high quality, and packaged to a high standard, keeping the print flat and frame-worthy (you can purchase it framed as well).
Price at time of publish: $49
Iona Gift Store Couple Coffee Mug
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This anniversary is time for a cute his and hers mug set, and this one comes with cute interlocking puzzle pieces. Choose from his, hers, color (white or black), and size (11 or 15 ounces). You can also add each other's names. The mugs are handmade of quality ceramic, printed on both sides and dishwasher and microwave safe.
Price at time of publish: $32 for 11 oz. white his and hers mugs
Apollo Lotus Bowl Tableware Set
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A lovely conversation starter and unique centerpiece, these bowls fit together to form a "lotus." In a nutshell, the beautiful lotus flower only grows in the mud—with mud being symbolic of the troubles, obstacles, or other struggles in relationships and life. So without the obstacles, there would be no gorgeous lotus, which symbolizes the enriched, full relationship enjoyed once obstacles have been overcome. Let this fun stack of bowls remind you of that as you enjoy many more meals together.
Price at time of publish: $58
Advanced Mixology Moscow Mule Copper Mug Set
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Amazon
Mix up an ice-cold Moscow Mule after work and these mugs will chill to match their contents' temperature for a long, cool sipping. (Pair it with a Moscow Mule cocktail kit for an even more complete gift). Handmade by artisans, these high-quality 100 percent pure copper mugs come with straws, coasters, and a matching shot glass.
Price at time of publish: $22
Uncommon Goods Custom Love is Art Kit
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Artistic couples will create a masterpiece together with this unparalleled kit. Follow the instructions to set up your boudoir art space, and then get to painting! Go ahead and get creative, and don't worry—this paint easily washes off skin and out of hair when you're done. Paint, once on the canvas, takes around four hours to dry, and the backing on the canvas is non-absorbent, so your paint won't bleed all the way through. Once dry, consider taking this fine art to your local artist or art supply store to be fitted onto a frame.
Price at time of publish: $70
Other Great Gift Options
Gift expert Elisabeth Jones-Hennessy, founder & CEO of GiftMeChic, says that while the traditional theme of the eighth-anniversary gift is bronze and the modern is lace, neither theme has to encompass the entire gift. Even something colored bronze or that features a touch of the material still counts. "From a lace or linen standpoint, this could translate to a piece of clothing from your partner's favorite brand," she adds. "It has the dual effect of touching on the tradition while also showing your partner how well you know the favorite things in their life."
When in doubt, opt for a nice dinner at your partner's favorite restaurant. For an added-traditional tie-in, try a new restaurant that uses linen napkins, or has "bronze" in the name. Or go visit a museum with ancient pottery on display.
Tips on Choosing an 8-Year Anniversary Gift
When shopping, you'll want to find items made of quality materials, built to last, and crafted by folks who know what they're doing. Indications that the product was made in the USA or has sustainability, fair trade, or other certifications are always a plus. A great way to do this and support local creators is to shop at Uncommon Goods. We recommend the Custom Love is Art Kit.
Don't forget to consider your partner's interests when shopping. You wouldn't want to prioritize the anniversary's meaning, just to gift something that your partner won't enjoy or use. For example, this mixology set from Advanced Mixology would be great for someone who loves to try new cocktails at home, while this personalized mug would be better for someone who prefers coffee and tea to tequila and vodka.
When buying an eighth-wedding anniversary gift, whether it's for your partner or to celebrate another couple's day, make sure to check for return policies in writing on every purchase before you get that wallet out. Sometimes these can be tricky to find (which is a red flag in some cases), but they can often be in the FAQ or hidden in the links at the bottom of a website. Especially when making a large purchase, it helps to consider the chance that you'll want to return it to find something your partner enjoys more.
Why Trust The Spruce?
KJ Callihan has enjoyed creating numerous gift guides both for The Spruce and otherwise. She has a background in counseling and education and loves shopping for just the right gifts for all of her friends and family. We also consulted a gift expert, Elisabeth Jones-Hennessy, Founder and CEO of GiftMeChic. Her background as a buyer for distinguished stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman ensures she has the eye for great gift-giving.