By Stacey Donovan and Cat Hollyer on July 18, 2021
Traditional: Leather
Modern: Crystal/Glass
Read on for unique ideas for giving 3rd anniversary gifts—as well writing anniversary messages and celebrating the happy occasion.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
3rd anniversary gifts and ideas for spouses
What to give
Budget
- For a natural, casual accessory, give a bracelet of braided leather.
- A blank journal with a leather cover is a great gift for anyone who likes to write.
- A pair of wine or co*cktail glasses is convenient for toasting your first year together.
Splurge
- Get them a leather jacket that’s as cool as they are Well, almost as cool.
- Or surprise them with a pricey, impractical pair of shoes or or bag they’ve had their eyes on.
- Make that glassware duo high-end—or find a crystal decanter for your favorite adult beverage.
What to write
What to write in a 3rd anniversary card
- “I love being on the road of life with you—and I love how we always find adventure along the way.”
- “We can have an amazing time together, whether we’re on the vacation of a lifetime or at the DMV.”
- “Every time you walk through the front door, I still get butterflies like it’s the first time I ever saw you.”
What to write about in a 3rd anniversary love letter
- Three things they do that make you laugh
- Three small moments that had a big impact
- Three new things you’d like to try together
How to celebrate
- Write each other love letters—the more over-the-top, the better. Then store them in a leather album or portfolio because leather is the traditional third anniversary gift.
- Take a cooking class together and learn how to make your favorite food. (Bonus: Because you’re in a class, you’ll get lots of help, so it’ll definitely turn out yummy.) Toast your marriage before you dig in.
- Grab a backpack and boots and plan a hike or camping trip, and bring plenty of delicious eats and beverages to enjoy under the stars.
More ideas for anniversaries
- Don’t forget the card!No celebration is complete without a keepsake-worthy card with a handwritten message telling your partner just how much their love means.
- For help putting your feelings into your own words, seewhat to write in an anniversary cardandhow to write a love letter.
- Check out these creativeanniversary datesandanniversary traditions.
3rd anniversary gifts and ideas for friends and family
What to give
- Give leather luggage tags personalized with their names or monogram.
- Give a gift card to a shoe store. In a greeting card, add a message: “You’ve been walking side by side for three years now…time for some new shoes!”
- Grab a bottle of their favorite beverage and give it with a crystal bottle stopper.
What to write in a 3rd anniversary card
- “Wishing all the love in the world to the loveliest couple we know!”
- “Thinking back to that beautiful day three years ago…and ahead to all that’s in store for you!”
- “So happy for you and for every amazing moment you’ve shared.”
Stacey Donovan has been a writer and editor at Hallmark for more than 20 years. She also writes romance novels (under a pseudonym), and has collected a wealth of obscure knowledge in the process.
Shop 3rd Anniversary Gifts
See allYou may also like
See more-
Halloween DIY witch broom Halloween treat bag
Nothing beats an elevated but easy Halloween treat bag—especially if you can make it as cute as this one! Inspired by...
-
Back to School 9 college care packagesfor every student you know
There are very few things you can be certain of as a college student. Major? Undecided. Best campus dining hall? Depe...
-
Card Ideas Sending Cards and Letters: Our Best Advice and Ideas
Maybe you’ve made it a goal to develop a letter writing habit. Maybe you have someone you feel the need to reach out ...
-
Calendar Flip Let’s celebrate, y’all! July 2023 Holidays and Celebrations
Get ready for friends, family and fireworks—and break out the red, white and blue for Independence Day. It’s time ...
-
Christmas Meet the North Pole Tree Trimmers Band!
That’s Gil on guitar, Stuey on sax and Hank on harmonica, and together they’re bringing Christmas music and magic to ...
-
Christmas What Your Tree Says About You: Nightmare Before Christmas Edition
Jackson and Ellie are back to introduce this year’s Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Keepsake Ornam...
-
Card Ideas 10+ reasons to send or share a card and brighten someone’s day
One of the best things you can do is put more care into the world. And whether you know someone who could use some en...
-
Christmas What Your Tree Says About You: Star Wars Edition
If you’re a Star Wars™ fan, this is a must-watch video.
-
Friends 50+ fun things to do with friends
It’s hard to describe in only a few words how amazing I feel when I’m with my friends, but I’ll try: Inner child comf...
-
Christmas 6 festive Christmas punch recipes for a very merry crowd
Make everyone merry with these five holiday drinks
-
Drinks Fruit punch that’s perfect for a party
Who among us doesn't remember being a kid and chugging a giant glass of cold fruit punch on a warm summer day? Whe...
-
Drinks Christmas Eve eggnog punch
There are several variations to this eggnog punch, allowing you to customize it to your taste buds. We started with e...
-
Drinks Warm and comforting wassail punch
Nothing sets a warm holiday mood like wassail—a fancy mulled cider. The tang and tannins of the fresh fruit, the warm...
-
Drinks Sparkling pomegranate punch perfect for any party
We've created a spritzer-like co*cktail to serve a crowd with Red Zinger tea, pomegranate juice and chilled Prosecco. ...
-
Thanksgiving 4 free printable Thanksgiving activities for the kids table
The kids’ table is the place to be at Thanksgiving: all the fun and none of the responsibility. And because sometimes...
-
4th of July Free printable 4th of July decorations
Most of our ideas for summer entertaining include the words "casual" and "easy." But on patriotic holidays, we gotta ...
-
Drinks Warm up a holiday crowd with this hot rum punch
Every guest will feel special when you serve them a steaming mug of delicious hot rum punch, topped with a grilled pi...
-
Drinks Mix up this mulled wine holiday punch for a festive gathering
Pomegranate seeds add a holly-berry touch to this mulled wine and citrus punch. Any spicy red wine can serve as the f...
-
Gifting The Office gifts and decor make WFH way more fun
From 9-5, our favorite show is The (Home) Office. 💼 📄 Add some fun to WFH with products and decor from The Office, av...
-
Baby Watch them grow: Our favorite monthly baby photo ideas
Of course you’re going to capture a gazillion photos during your baby’s first year. But there’s something about snap...
