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The 26 Best Iron Anniversary Gifts for Your Sixth Anniversary

Iron Anniversary

Brides / Kevin Liang

The practice of giving a specific gift for each anniversary goes back to the Victorian era when it was popular to gift items that increased in value over the years. Following this tradition, you may have already purchased paper, cotton, leather, linen, and wood gifts for your first five years of marriage. The traditional gift for the sixth wedding anniversary is iron, which symbolizes strength, confidence in your love, and the "ironclad" life you've built together.

"Anniversary gifts are about empowering the couple to share emotions," says gift-giving expert Marisa Lytle. "The stories behind these traditional materials help guide that emotional bond celebrated in each anniversary." With this sentiment in mind, we researched the best iron gifts to give your spouse or any couple celebrating this milestone, from stunning cookware to tasteful décor.

This porcelain-footed bowl from L'Objet is nothing short of stunning. A gift they might not splurge on for themselves, this décor piece features an asymmetrical style and aged iron-like appearance.

While it's possible your spouse already owns a Dutch oven, nothing compares to the design of this Staub option. Whether they love tomatoes or cherish homewares with a dash of kitsch, this cast-iron kitchen essential is a perfect gift.

With cylindrical bases and domed shades, these sleek, modern lamps would spruce up a bedside table in any of the available shades (black, olive, and cream). Each lamp's soft glow provides enough light for reading or winding down before bed.

If Taco Tuesday is a fixture in your household, this cast-iron mortar and pestle will help perfect your guacamole. Sleek and easy to store, this tool is a gift that any home chef would appreciate.

This cast-iron pizza pan is helpful on the grill or stovetop and is perfect for aspiring chefs tired of ordering delivery. The set also features an iron comal and a curved, shallow pan that can heat tortillas and make perfectly crispy bacon, to name a few. The pre-seasoned surface only gets better with age.

Nothing says forever like this heritage-quality cast-iron cookware. The shallow, covered braising pan (with 20 enamel colors to choose from) is perfect for the chef who favors making slow-cooked meats, baking frittatas, and perfecting their cinnamon roll recipe.

Design lovers will spark their green thumb when they see this ultramodern footed planter. It comes in several colors, including poppy red, a Palm Springs-style green, and black.

Any home chef can appreciate a chic saucepan, and we love this Le Creuset option in the brand's signature array of vibrant enamel colors. Choose between two sizes, or pick up both for a gift upgrade.

Handcrafted in South Carolina and burnished to a copper-like finish with a unique polishing process, this sleek cast-iron pan is both a kitchen essential and a work of art. 

Personalize this beautiful keepsake iron bowl with a sweet message, your anniversary date, or your names. Display it on your dining table as a catchall for trinkets or a serving piece.

Equipped with round and oval Dutch ovens and a 12-inch skillet, this bright cast-iron kitchen set can take your home-cooked meals to the next level. Choose the pieces in your desired jewel tone: mustard, blueberry, or broccoli.

Complete with a cast-iron pot, burner, and four forks, this fondue set is perfect for cozy date nights at home. While it's not typically an everyday kitchen fixture, we guarantee it'll be used for special occasions for years to come.

Any spouse with a maximalist home aesthetic will be obsessed with this leopard-adorned iron tray. Suitable for anything from office papers to house keys to jewelry, this piece is both ornamental and functional—the perfect gift, in our opinion.

This cast-iron grill will fulfill every griller’s fantasy: It smokes, braises, roasts, fries—you name it. At 18 inches high and 13 inches wide, it’s even small enough to tote to a tailgate or camping trip.

Couples who love hosting will cherish this iron serving piece as a sixth-anniversary gift. Crafted from hammered iron, it's both rustic and modern in design, perfect for displaying charcuterie or other small appetizers at gatherings.

In the feng shui tradition, the horseshoe is considered a tool for inviting positive energy and prosperity. Choose from 18 hanger options, from grosgrain ribbon to luxe stitched leather cord.

Created by the iconic French cookware brand Staub, this oven-to-table piece doesn't skimp on design. We love this dish because of its versatility—its slim, oval size is ideal for small casseroles, mashed potatoes, baked fruit crisps, and cobblers.

No barbecue fan's stash is complete without a grill press. Available in bright red and forest green, this cast-iron tool can cook everything from burgers to paninis to perfection. Plus, it features a bamboo handle that won’t get hot for easy handling.

Slip your favorite couple photo into this simple, modern frame for a sweet and sentimental gift. Available in two sizes, it will look perfect hanging above the mantel, on the nightstand, or as part of a larger gallery wall.

Gift her a luxe new flat iron as a fun play on the iron theme; we guarantee she'll use it often. We love how the styler has a preset temperature of 365 degrees to make her hair smooth and shiny without heat damage. This tool heats up within 30 seconds and goes into sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, so it’s efficient and safe.

This whimsical card is ideal for those keeping the gift-giving low-key for the sixth anniversary. Use the blank interior to keep the puns going or to write a note expressing your love for your partner.

For couples who love to cook, stock their kitchen with this timeless cast-iron Dutch oven from Le Creuset. Available in 21 gorgeous colors, the fully enameled cookware piece is commercial-grade and dishwasher-safe. 

This cylindrical iron vase from Contempee is a classic and elegant piece that will enhance any couple’s décor. The vase comes in three colors—pale taupe, matte black, and white—and stands nearly 17 inches tall and 6 inches wide with a narrow opening at the top. 

The couple that plays together, stays together. Enjoy a friendly game of pickleball with your own custom set of paddles, featuring a design and lettering of your choice. Each set comes housed in a canvas cover.

This set of crystal-clear champagne flutes will make for the perfect anniversary toast. Made of full-lead crystal, these beauties boast a slim, sculpted design.

If your spouse plays golf, you can't go wrong with this set of golf balls. The 12 balls can be personalized with three letters and come in a wooden keepsake box. Besides being a useful gift, they show that you are honoring your partner's favorite pastime.

What to Look for in Iron Anniversary Gifts 

  • Modern and Functional: Themed anniversary gifts sometimes feel overly traditional or sweet. Keep the look fresh and modern by focusing on iron anniversary gits with clean, geometric lines and bold shapes.
  • Sentimental: On the other hand, you may lean towards more sentimental iron anniversary gifts if you both cherish meaningful keepsakes and gestures. “Tool sets are useful but not very meaningful unless you love to do DIY projects together,” says Lytle. “Choose a piece with some sentiment attached to it rather than a purely functional item.” 
  • Conversation Starters: When searching for the best couple anniversary gifts, “pick an item that creates a conversation,” says Lytle. “Wall art is especially nice because the sentiment is usually obvious, and it can be displayed where it reminds a couple of the occasion each time they see it."
FAQ
  • Why is iron the traditional sixth anniversary gift?

    “This anniversary is meant to symbolize the strength of a couple’s relationship and the strength of each partner,” says Lytle. “For a sixth anniversary, it is traditional to gift products made with iron or iron accents.” 

  • What are some unexpected iron anniversary gifts?

    “A versatile gift option for both men and women is serving trays,” says Lytle. “These trays can be dressed up with treats the couple can share on their anniversary, filled with snacks for a movie night or game day, and put on display to hold keepsake décor items.”

    Another suggestion: “Wall art with iron accents is a great gift option and provides an everyday reminder of an anniversary milestone,” she says. "Vases made of iron are also statement-making conversation pieces when paired with floral arrangements.” 

Why Trust Brides 

Jessie Quinn is a contributing writer covering everything from what jewelry to wear on your wedding day to the best invitation options. Jessie considers gift-giving her love language and finds great joy in finding the perfect gift for her loved ones. Madison Barber updated this article in 2024 to ensure every product met Brides' standards.

  • Marisa Lytle is a gift-giving expert and former VP of consumer engagement at gift brand DEMDACO.

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