Pottery makes a good anniversary gift in almost any year, and in the traditional anniversary list it is the official gift for the ninth. A platter or cup set carved with your names and wedding date works for the first year and the fiftieth alike, because it is about the marriage, not the material.
At The Potter’s Hands Studio in Oxford, Mississippi, April Dupuis makes handmade wedding pottery that couples often order for anniversaries too. Every piece is thrown on the wheel and carved by hand, so it carries the kind of care an anniversary deserves.
Here are ideas by year, plus how to plan ahead.
Where pottery fits in the anniversary traditions
The traditional anniversary gift list assigns a material to each year. Pottery belongs to the ninth, often paired with willow. A few other years connect to clay in ways that are easy to work with:
- 2nd, cotton. Cotton blossom is one of April’s carved motifs, a natural fit for a couple with Mississippi roots.
- 4th, fruit and flowers. Carved florals are the heart of April’s work: magnolia, dogwood, camellia, lilies and blooming vines.
- 9th, pottery. The obvious one.
- 20th, china. China is a kind of ceramic, so a handmade piece answers the tradition in spirit.
- 50th, gold. April offers gold leaf detailing as an add-on to carved pieces.
You do not need a tradition to give pottery, of course. But it is nice when the gift has a reason built in.
Ideas for the early years
The first few anniversaries are about building a home. Give something they will use in it.
First anniversary. If you have been meaning to commission a wedding piece and never got to it, this is the year. Wedding pieces at the studio can be shipped in time for a first anniversary. A carved wedding-date platter with your names and date is the classic choice.
A couple’s cup set. Two cups for coffee every morning, carved with names and a date. For something ready to ship, the Bouquet Collection Cup Set is wheel-thrown stoneware with hand-carved florals, high-fired and food-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
A keepsake from the day. If you still have your wedding bouquet, April preserves wedding flowers in resin, inlaid into a carved platter, cup set or earrings. Our guide on how to preserve your wedding bouquet explains what to know.
Ideas for the milestone years
The tenth, twenty-fifth and fiftieth carry more weight. These are the years for a piece with a little more in it.
- A carved platter with both dates. Your wedding date and the anniversary you are marking, with the flowers from your wedding or your garden.
- A line that has carried you. A line from your vows, a song lyric, or something one of you said years ago. Carved into the porcelain slip, it becomes part of the piece itself.
- Gold leaf for the golden years. A fiftieth anniversary platter with gold leaf detailing ties the gift to the tradition. Pieces with gold accents should be hand-washed.
- A gift from the whole family. Children and grandchildren can go in together on a commission for their parents. It is a good way to give one meaningful piece instead of several small ones.
How a custom anniversary piece is made
Each piece follows the same careful process:
- Share the story. Names, dates, flowers, colors, and any line that matters. April sketches a design for approval before any clay is thrown.
- April throws and carves. The piece is wheel-thrown in stoneware, coated in white porcelain slip and carved by hand using sgraffito. Where she cuts, the darker clay shows through.
- Glazed and fired. The finished piece is glazed, kiln-fired twice and shipped to you.
The studio uses stoneware, porcelain slip and lead-free, food-safe glazes.
That matters for an anniversary gift, because the best ones get used. Most of the tableware is safe for the microwave and the dishwasher, so a carved platter can go from the anniversary dinner straight into everyday life. Only pieces with gold or metallic accents need hand-washing, and preserved-flower pieces are for display rather than the table.
Plan ahead for the date
Anniversaries have a fixed day, so give yourself room. Custom pieces typically need 6 to 8 weeks, counted back from the anniversary you are celebrating. Busy seasons can add time, so earlier is safer.
If the date is close, a ready-made piece from the shop typically ships within 3 to 5 business days. A gift card is another option, so your spouse can choose a piece or begin a commission with you. If you are shopping for a newly married couple instead, see handmade wedding gifts the couple will keep.
Questions people ask
What anniversary is pottery?
In the traditional anniversary list, pottery is the gift for the ninth anniversary, often paired with willow. A carved piece also suits other years, like the 2nd (cotton), 20th (china) and 50th (gold).
How far ahead should I order a custom anniversary gift?
Reserve 6 to 8 weeks before you need the piece in hand, counting back from the anniversary you are celebrating. Busy seasons can add time, so earlier is safer.
Can names and dates be carved into the piece?
Yes. Names and dates are carved into a serving platter or a couple’s cup set by hand, and you can add a carved scripture line or gold leaf detailing.
When you know the year you are celebrating, start a commission and tell April the story, or browse the shop for something that can ship soon.