Paper Anniversary Gift Ideas: Why a Hand-Cut Portrait Fits the First Year
Your first wedding anniversary is often called the paper anniversary. Paper stands for a blank page at the start of your story together, and it is light and fragile, like a new marriage. In Poland the first anniversary is often called papierowe gody.
The good news: paper gifts can be far more personal than they sound. Here are 8 ideas, from small gestures to a keepsake you can hang on the wall.
What is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary?
The traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary is paper. Paper represents the first blank pages of a marriage that the couple will write together. Popular paper anniversary gifts include love letters, framed prints, photo books, tickets to an event and hand-cut paper art such as a personalised couple portrait.
8 paper anniversary gift ideas
A hand-cut couple portrait. A portrait of the two of you, cut by hand from paper from your favourite photo, such as a wedding photo. It is made only for you and lasts on the wall long after the anniversary. See our Couple Portrait.
A love letter or a letter for every month. Write about your first year: the funny moments, the hard ones and what you look forward to.
Your framed wedding vows. Print or hand-write your vows and frame them.
A photo book of your first year. Collect the best photos from the wedding and the months after it.
Tickets for a shared experience. A concert, a play or a train ticket for a weekend away, with a handwritten note.
A map of a meaningful place. The place where you met, got engaged or got married.
A jar of notes. 52 small notes, one for every week of the coming year.
A portrait of your pet. If your dog or cat is part of the family, a Pet Portrait is a sweet surprise.
Why a hand-cut portrait makes a lasting paper anniversary gift
It is truly made of paper. The whole portrait is cut by hand from paper, so it fits the tradition exactly.
It is personal. It is made from your own photo, so it cannot be bought anywhere else.
It is ready to hang. It arrives in a 50 x 40 cm frame in one of 5 colours: Black, White, Walnut, Imitation Oak or Imitation Birch.
It lasts. Unlike flowers or a dinner, it stays on the wall as a reminder of your first year.
Which photo should I use for a couple portrait?
Choose one photo with both of you close together and both faces fully visible, in even light. A wedding photo, a hug or a kiss all work well. Faces that are far apart are harder to fit on the sheet. Our couple photo guide shows real examples of photos that work and photos that do not.
When should I order a paper anniversary gift?
Order at least 3 to 4 weeks before the anniversary. We check your photo within 2 working days, make the portrait by hand in 7 to 10 working days after approval, and tracked delivery takes 1 to 8 working days depending on your country. Check exact times in our shipping policy.
Paper anniversary gift for him or for her?
A couple portrait works for both, because it is about the two of you rather than about one person's taste. If you want a gift that is just for your partner, a Face Portrait or Head & Shoulders Portrait of someone they love, such as a parent or a child, is a very personal alternative.
Make your first anniversary unforgettable
Upload your favourite photo of the two of you. We check it before we start cutting.
Paper is the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary. It stands for the first blank pages of a marriage. Personal paper gifts include love letters, framed vows, photo books, event tickets and hand-cut paper art such as a personalised couple portrait.
Is a paper-cut portrait a good first anniversary gift?
Yes. A paper-cut couple portrait is made entirely from paper, so it matches the paper anniversary tradition, and it is made from your own photo, so it is unique. It arrives framed and ready to hang, so it lasts far longer than flowers or a dinner.
How early should I order a personalised anniversary gift?
Order at least 3 to 4 weeks before the date. MiniWishes checks your photo within 2 working days, makes the portrait in 7 to 10 working days after approval, and tracked delivery takes 1 to 8 working days depending on your country.
Can I use our wedding photo for the portrait?
Yes, a wedding photo is a great choice as long as both faces are fully visible, sharp and close together. Upload the original file from the photographer if you can, because it has the most detail.
