Whether you’ve spent the past half-century traveling the world together, growing your family, or supporting each other’s career and life goals, reaching your 50th wedding anniversary is a major accomplishment. You’ve likely encountered highs and lows over the years but figured out how to handle whatever comes your way while keeping your bond strong. And we think that’s worth celebrating with a great gift.
Since it’s known as the “golden anniversary,” it’s no surprise that the traditional gift for the 50-year mark is gold. To help you find the perfect gift for your husband or wife or a special couple in your life, we’ve combed through our extensive archive to find the best gold things (as well as less expensive gold-tone and gold-plated options) we’ve written about here at the Strategist. And if your 50th anniversary is still a few decades away, we’ve also compiled gift guides for milestones along the way, including first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, 20th, and 25th anniversaries.
For the couple that tells time the old-fashioned way
Leave the phone checking to millennials and Gen-Zers. These analog watches keep the time on your wrist, right where you like it. The oversize men’s Nixon style has a “simultaneously understated and bold ’70s vibe,” while tiny crystals add just a bit of sparkle to our gold-tone women’s watch.
For the couple with advanced style
While our Resident Cool Guy Chris Black is known to have expensive taste, he’s also a wealth of knowledge on inexpensive products that look way fancier than they cost. One is this affordable, high-quality men’s belt with a gold buckle from Maximum Henry, a New York–based brand that Chris says “makes classic belts in a myriad of colors and styles that all come in around $200.” For wives, try these even less expensive gold earrings (which are actually designed for babies) recommended by writer Alice Gregory, who calls them sweet and delicate. If those aren’t exactly her style, we also like these affordable (but expensive-looking) hoops from Walmart.
For the minimalist couple
If you’ve been eyeing a Serge Mouille chandelier but can’t stomach the $7,000 price tag, this gold-accented fixture is another designer favorite that’d be perfect for a contemporary space. “It’s very modern, and large enough to engage a super-open loft,” says designer Orlando Soria.
For the minimalist couple (in a small space)
For under $100, this shiny gold fixture with frosted globes adds elegance to a small dining room without being overwhelming.
For the couple that flies south for the winter
It doesn’t get much more classic than a pair of gold-rimmed Ray-Ban aviators, and they’re a style that works for both men and women. Stylist Donnell Baldwin says he’s been wearing his “for more than seven years,” and Strategist junior writer Chloe Anello has had hers for “four and counting!”
For the couple that hosts holiday dinners
For special occasions when the whole family gathers around the table, break out this pretty brushed-gold flatware that’s beloved by Amazon reviewers. One writes, “The Moda set is a gorgeous, classic shape and adds a bit of class to every type of place setting.” Considering that the set comes with pieces for eight people, it’s a very good deal.
For the couple that’s redecorating
We think these super-affordable velvety chairs with brushed-gold frames work in the bedroom (“the open back can serve as a deterrent from letting clothes pile up”), but they’d also look great around a glam-style dining-room table.
For the jet-setting couple
You’re not likely to lose your luggage when you use these gold-accented black croc tags recommended by writer Bridget Arsenault. “Each comes with an address card that’s disguised by a flap, keeping personal information slightly more concealed,” she says. “And the gold hardware makes them stand out from other all-black tags.”
For the letter-writing couple
In our ranking of the top 100 pens, we said we’d save this elegant rollerball for “signing expensive checks on a well-appointed desk.” But feel free to treat yourself and use it for everyday correspondence, too.
For the crafty couple
Artsy types will love using these gold-handled scissors from Danish brand (and Strategist darling) Hay that will also look cool peeking out of a pen cup.
For the couple that ends the day with a cocktail
This compact bar cart with a gold finish has just enough room to prepare libations for two. We included a similar round cart in our roundup of affordable living-room décor, but it’s nearly sold out on Amazon so act fast if you want to pick one up.
For the couple that takes their cocktails to go
Writer Laura Perciasepe raved that this insulated thermos kept her premixed vodka-soda “ice-cold” during a hot day at the beach. It also keeps coffee hot and water chilled for hours (Strategist editor Alexis Swerdloff previously wrote that “it’s truly mind-boggling how cold my water stays in this thing”). In Champagne gold, it’s more giftable than your standard bottle.
For the couple that likes mood lighting while dining
We recommended a more dramatic gold candleholder for decorating your Thanksgiving table, but these feel appropriate for everyday meals.
For the couple that’s downsizing
If you’ve pared down your accessories to a few daily essentials, this matte-gold tiered tray offers just the right amount of storage space. We once called it “a better way to display some of your knickknacks and odds and ends.”
For the couple that dabbles in skincare
Strategist writer Rio Viera-Newton swears by these under-eye patches for getting rid of dark circles. “I keep these in the fridge so they’re nice and cold when I use them — adding another level of luxury to the experience,” she says. The key ingredients? Snail mucin and real gold.
For the couple that’s really into skin care
If jade and rose-quartz face rollers leave you feeling underwhelmed, try this 24-karat vibrating gold bar that writer Mackenzie Wagoner says chilled her out “like a strong dose of CBD.” She explains that it’s “designed to leave your skin lifted, toned, contoured, and revived.”
For the couple into alternative medicine
Yana Shept, the founder of beauty-review Instagram account @gelcream, swears by these acupressure rings, which she describes as “self care fidget spinners.” According to Shept, the tingling pain the ring imparts helps decrease stress and diverts attention away from headaches.
For the couple that bakes together
Since professional chefs and home cooks agree that it’s the best on the market, we’ve declared that “KitchenAid is to stand mixers as Kleenex is to a tissue or ChapStick is to lip balm.” Even if you were gifted one back when you got married, use your golden anniversary as an excuse to treat yourselves to this shiny upgrade.
For the couple that can’t stop making cookies
This baker-approved sheet pan comes in an array of sizes, including a half-sheet perfect for those with smaller, New York City kitchens. Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem calls it the “perfect nonstick” and says that it produces “the perfect bake every time.” Eric King, food photographer and baking blogger at Easy Gay Oven, likes it because it “cooks steadily, so it doesn’t burn the bottoms of cookies.”
For the power couple
For the couple that spends their weekends organizing
The not-too-flashy gold handles elevate this simple acrylic tray — which can be used for corralling tchotchkes into place or serving breakfast in bed.
For the couple without outdoor space
This handsomely designed grow house is perfect for growing herbs like watercress and rosemary and can be hung on the wall for small-space dwellers. “It has a solid, quality feel,” says Sprout Home general manager Sofija Sutton, adding that it’s well suited to apartment living.
For the couple with too many coffee table books
This gold étagère-style bookcase is the perfect place to store those floating decorative bowls and seven-pound architecture books.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
