10th Anniversary Gift Ideas: Tin and Aluminum Gifts for Him
Ten years married deserves more than a card from the drugstore. The traditional gift for a 10th wedding anniversary is tin or aluminum: metals that bend without breaking and hold up for years. The modern alternative is diamond jewelry. If diamonds aren't the plan, an engraved aluminum gift is a thoughtful way to follow the tradition.
Why tin and aluminum for 10 years?
The traditional anniversary list gives each year a material that gets stronger as the years go on: paper for the first, wood for the fifth, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th. Tin and aluminum for the 10th stand for a marriage that's durable and flexible, strong enough to last and able to bend without breaking. Some lists name tin, some aluminum, and many name both.
Aluminum gift ideas for him
A wallet engraved with your story
An aluminum wallet gets used every day, so the engraving gets seen every day. With Project 1-of-1 ($79) you design the engraving yourself: add up to three photos and five lines of text and see exactly how it'll look before you order. Ideas for a 10th anniversary:
- Your wedding date and both names
- The coordinates of where you got married, met or got engaged
- A wedding photo or a photo from your first trip together
- A line from your vows
- "10 years" with your initials as a monogram
The laser removes the wallet's anodized color to show bare aluminum underneath, so the design comes out bright silver and won't peel or wear off. For photo tips, see our guide to personalized metal wallets.
A love note he'll actually carry
A love note wallet card is a credit-card-size piece of black aluminum engraved with your message, names and a date. It slides into any wallet, so it works even if he's attached to the wallet he has. The "Where it began" style adds the coordinates of a place that matters to you both.
The pair
Tuck a love note card inside an engraved wallet. It's the 10th anniversary gift twice over: aluminum outside and in.
A ready-made design
If he'd rather have something cool than sentimental, the Loadout Series ($44) has engraved designs ready to go, from NASA-inspired wallets to geometric patterns. The plain Stealth ($34) comes in six colors.
More tin and aluminum anniversary ideas
- A framed print of your wedding venue or first home on brushed aluminum
- A tin of his favorite tea, coffee or candy, with a handwritten note inside
- An engraved aluminum water bottle or travel mug
- A tin box of ten notes, one for each year, each with a memory from that year
- Tickets or plans for a trip, presented in a vintage tin
Timing your order
- Engraved wallets and cards are made to order and ship the next business day.
- USPS Ground Advantage usually takes 2–5 business days within the contiguous US, so order at least a week ahead.
- US orders of $25 or more ship free.
- Personalized items can't be returned, so check names, dates and spelling before you order. See our shipping policy and return policy.
Questions
What is the traditional 10th anniversary gift?
Tin or aluminum. The modern gift is diamond jewelry.
What does tin or aluminum symbolize?
Durability and flexibility: a marriage that's strong enough to last and able to bend without breaking.
Is an aluminum wallet a good 10th anniversary gift for a husband?
Yes, if he carries a wallet. It follows the tradition, he'll use it every day, and engraving makes it personal. Our wallets also carry a lifetime structural warranty.
What should I engrave?
Your wedding date and names, the coordinates of where you married, a wedding photo, or a line from your vows all work well. Keep text short so it engraves large and clear.
