11 Paper Gifts For a First Anniversary That Are Actually Exciting

3:00 PM, April 26 2013

By Natalie Matthews

I like the hierarchy of wedding anniversary gifts, except when that totem pole—paper for first year, wood for fifth, tin for 10th, gold for 50th, etc—inspires not just traditional and budget-conscious gifts but unimaginative ones, too. Case in point: those first anniversaries. Letter writing might be a dying art, but you'd never know it from the dozens of stationery shops planted throughout each and every American city. How much decorative paper can one couple use?

Of course, I'm sure some newly married couples are still exhausted from all the wedding hoopla of the previous year and don't really care if they get anything at all. But for those couples that do kind of, sort of care about anniversaries, we've rounded up a few more creative "paper" gifts to make the first one a little more enjoyable.

Hand-crafted origami jewelry: it's one of a kind, just like she is.

The perfect DIY sentimental present.

The soft lighting effect from this paper lantern lamp really sets the mood.

Non-stuffy versions might actually make you want to finish those wedding gift thank-you notes.

Tell him exactly why you love him with this silly, sweet and romantic write-in book.

There's a whimsical flair for adventure to this travel wallet that she'll love. (She'll love it even more if you spring for the plane tickets to go with it.)