16th Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide: 35 Traditional Wax & Modern Silver Ideas
Celebrate 16 years of marriage with a traditional wax anniversary present, or with the modern gift of silver holloware
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.
If you're fast approaching your 16th wedding anniversary, then congratulations! After 16 years of marriage you must know every single thing there is to know about each other, but that still doesn’t mean buying a wedding anniversary gift for your other half is easy and straightforward.
Whether you need a bit of help when it comes to choosing your next anniversary gift or you’re shopping for a 16th wedding anniversary gift for a couple you know, we have a few ideas to choose from.
If you’re all about tradition, the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is wax. Candles are an obvious choice here, and they undoubtedly make great gifts, but you could always think outside the box with waxed clothing or accessories, or pampering beauty products made with beeswax, for example.
On the other hand, if you want to go down the modern route, you could choose silver holloware. Holloware is essentially any kind of tableware that isn’t flat – think bowls, coffee pots, candleholders and more.
Whichever you choose, we’ve got you covered below. Scroll on for plenty of inspiration for him, her, and modern silver options for couples. Happy shopping!
- Wax Anniversary Gifts for Him
- 16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
- Modern 16th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas
Wax Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Looking to keep your 16th wedding anniversary gift traditional? Then take a look at some of our favourite wax wedding anniversary gift ideas for him and her.
16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts For Him
1. Soul: The Joyful One Candle 440g – Eym
Packed with mood-boosting neroli, orange blossom and ylang-ylang, this all-natural, three-wick candle from Eym is designed to evoke feelings of happiness and calm. The stylish packaging isn’t too wild either, so it’ll sit nicely in any kind of space. Oh, and did you know neroli is also known for its aphrodisiac qualities? Say no more…
2. Moss Candle 270g – Still London
If you want to pick up a brilliant wax anniversary gift for him, while also supporting a small business, the Moss candle by East London beauty salon and wellness destination Still London is an earthy and aromatic option with hints of black pepper, oakmoss, pine and patchouli. The brand has three candles, of which Moss is the favourite.
3. Shaped Pillar Candle 1kg – H&M Home
If he loves a sculptural centrepiece, this bright green pillar candle from H&M – designed to look like a Doric-style column – makes a great statement. Since it’s such a great price, you could pick up a couple of different sizes and colours for maximum impact. It’ll look great on a coffee table, mantlepiece or open shelf.
4. Blakewood Waxed Jacket – Barbour
For a fashionable yet functional present, a waxed cotton jacket is a great spin on a traditional 16th anniversary gift for your husband. The beloved style doesn’t get much better than the options available at Barbour – and the Blakewood is our pick for spring.
5. This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle 220g – Marks & Spencer
If he’s in need of a really good night’s rest, give the gift of quality sleep for your 16th anniversary with the help of this lavender and chamomile blend candle from This Works. The powerful combination of essential oils will have him winding down and drifting off in record time.
6. Diptyque Figuier Candle 300g – Liberty
An ode to beautifully fresh fig trees, this woodsy scented candle from Diptyque features notes of fig wood, fig bark, fig leaves and fig sap, and is housed in a glossy green version of the brand’s signature packaging.
7. Personalised Anniversary Mini Celebration Box – The Little Picture Company
How adorable is this 16th wedding anniversary celebration in a box? If you're planning a low-key celebration with an evening in for just the two of you, this little box will help make your night extra special. Personalised with your names, inside you will find balloons, table confetti, matches and a lovely (wax!) candle that you can light to create a cosy atmosphere.
8. Malin + Goetz Leather Candle 260g – Cult Beauty
If he likes his fragrances sophisticated, Malin + Goetz’s Leather candle is definitely worth a sniff. Luxurious, distinctive, and oh-so masculine, as well as a solid base note of leather, it features additional notes of warming amber and sandalwood.
9. Paul Smith Early Bird Candle 240g – Selfridges
Fill his space with a scent that evokes heady memories of fresh morning rain with the Early Bird candle from Paul Smith. We love the vibrant colour of the jar and how it catches the light of the flames when lit. The contrasting lid doubles up as a coaster, too.
10. Blundstone Waxed Suede Chelsea Boots – Toast
Warm, stylish, and able to handle the unpredictable great British weather, he’ll be ecstatic with these waxed suede Chelsea boots from Aussie label Blundstone for your 16 year anniversary.
16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts For Her
11. Hot Spell Candle 200g – Bella Freud
OK, so she might have a Bella Freud jumper or cushion on her wish list, but if your budget doesn't stretch that far for your 16th anniversary, a candle could be the perfect compromise. Inspired by the summer heat, Hot Spell is sultry, sophisticated and a little bit fruity with notes of grapefruit, lemon, ginger, and musk.
12. Mon Cheri Hand-Painted Candle – Bable London
Perfect for dinner parties or just dotting around her space, these exquisite hand-painted candles from Bable are already reaching sell-out status. If this sweet cherry print isn’t her vibe, the tapered candles come in a bunch of lovely, fun designs.
13. Venus Body Candle – Etsy
Interlude Candles is an independent brand on Etsy that offers more than just your average candles, including these stunning Venus bust designs, which the founder is happy to pour in your chosen scent and colour.
14. Atelier VM Waxed Cotton Bracelet – Liberty
Worn alone or stacked with her favourite pieces, this waxed cotton bracelet from Atelier VM is adjustable, features a 9-carat gold heart and comes in an array of colours. A sweet and sentimental gift for your 16th anniversary.
15. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Candle 2.1kg – John Lewis
If you’re looking to really splash out on your wax anniversary present then this gorgeous four-wick candle by Jo Malone will add sophistication to any room. Its statement size means not only will it last for ages, but the pot will make a great holder for a plant when it eventually runs out. Bonus points if your bride had peonies in her wedding bouquet!
16. Burning Rose Candle 240g – Byredo
Loved for their chic, minimalist aesthetic, Byredo’s cult candles are a failsafe anniversary gift for her. The Burning Rose candle features a heady floral scent, including notes of violet and rose absolute, wrapped up in sumptuous leather and dark woods like birch and ebony.
17. I Do Candle 265g – Anthropologie
If you’re going to choose a background scent to cosy up with, while reminiscing about your big day, make it the I Do candle from Anthropologie. Crafted to spark a sense of nostalgia and warmth, this heady floral option includes notes of peony and musk.
18. Wild Flowers Candle 300g – Liberty
There was once a time when flowery scents conjured up something sweet and ladylike – but not so anymore. With notes of wild rose, jasmine petals and cedarwood, the Wild Flowers candle from Liberty’s own range is elegance with an edge.
19. Bee Lovely Nourishing Collection – Neal’s Yard Remedies
Give her the gift of some much-needed TLC for your 16th wedding anniversary with this set from Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely collection. As well as a hand cream, body lotion, and bath and shower gel, it also features the brand’s multitasking Bee Lovely All Over Balm, made with nourishing beeswax and orange oil.
20. Santa Rosa Candle 280g – The White Company
The White Company’s candles are a popular gift choice for almost any occasion, and for good reason. The Santa Rosa candle – the latest fragrance from the brand – is an uplifting, floral delight with notes of tuberose, orris and jasmine.
Modern Silver 16th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
21. Vera Wang Love Knots Toasting Flutes – Wedgwood
If there was ever a vessel worthy of your celebratory 16th wedding anniversary bubbly, these pretty, silver-plated flutes from the Vera Wang Love Notes collection at Wedgwood are it.
22. Arthur Price Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker – Selfridges
If you (or the happy couple) are partial to a homemade cocktail or two, you’ll need a great shaker for the job. Our pick would be this silver plated copper cocktail shaker by Arthur Price, which comes beautifully presented in a gift box.
23. Penguin Home Professional Cookware Set – Amazon
It might have been a while since the happy couple (or your aspiring chef other half) treated themselves to some new kitchenware, so why not treat them to this mirror-shine, five-piece set made from heavy duty stainless steel for their 16th anniversary?
24. Georg Jensen Bloom Bowl – John Lewis
For a stylish and modern 16th anniversary gift, this mirror-finish stainless steel bowl from Georg Jensen is beautiful and comes in three different sizes. Depending on the size you choose, it would be ideal for dips and nibbles, as a fruit bowl, or simply as a decorative item to sit on a coffee table or sideboard.
25. Hammered Champagne & Wine Cooler – Culinary Concepts London
For the couple who love entertaining, this leather-handled champagne and wine cooler from Culinary Concepts London would make a stunning addition to the home and a great anniversary present.
26. Vera Wang Treasure Box – Wedgwood
Another piece from Vera Wang at Wedgwood – this time in the form of a silver-plated trinket box that’s perfect for holding rings and jewellery on sideboards or bedside tables. It has the prettiest pearl lid, too.
27. Sterling Silver Honeypot Lid – Fortnum & Mason
For a modern 16th anniversary gift that incorporates both the silver and wax theme, this adorable sterling silver honeypot lid from Fortnum & Mason is individual and fun. It’s designed to fit on to any of the brand's 200g and 275g jars of honey – so why not pick up a pot to pair with it? Breakfast has never looked so glam!
28. Mirrored Cobra Pitcher – Georg Jensen
This stainless steel pitcher is a sleek and chic 16th wedding anniversary gift. We adore the fluid shape and calming Nordic style – and it makes a great a carafe for wine lovers. Make this gift extra special by teaming it with a bottle of the wedding wine.
29. Alessi Moka Espresso Coffee Pot – John Lewis
This modern and stylish espresso coffee pot is the perfect wedding anniversary gift for any coffee aficionado. It comes in three sizes (three, six or nine cups) and we love the graphic shape.
30. Silver Plated Sugar & Creamer Set – Newbridge Silverware
The simplicity of this sugar and creamer set mean’s it’ll blend seamlessly into almost any style of tableware. It's sure to make their afternoon cuppa feel like a special occasion.
31. Personalised Silver Armada Dish – Hersey Silversmiths
A gorgeous dish made in solid silver, this works just as wonderfully sitting on a counter as an ornament as it does being used as a serving dish. Personalise it with a special message for your partner or the happy couple on their anniversary.
32. Personalised Napkin Rings – Hersey Silversmiths
Another 16th wedding anniversary gift option from the quality silversmith brand, this time in the form of these lovely napkin rings, designed to elevate any table setting. Personalise with names, dates, or whatever message you wish.
33. Silver Plated Heart Tea Infuser – Fortnum & Mason
For the tea-lover in your life, this adorable silver heart-shaped strainer pairs perfectly with a box of Fortnum’s loose-leaf tea for an elevated brew. It also comes beautifully packaged in the brand’s signature eau de nil coloured gift box.
34. Silver Plated Elephant Candle Holder – Jonathan Adler
Yes, silver candle holders are classic, but for a modern alternative, we can’t get enough of Jonathan Adler’s range of silver-plated animal-inspired designs. Our favourite is the elephant – mix and match with the other candle holders for an eclectic arrangement or pair with the matching elephant serving bowl. Cute!
35. Silver Plated Champagne Stopper – Mappin & Webb
It’s always nice to pick up a luxury item for a wedding anniversary that the couple or your partner would never consider buying for themselves. This silver-plated champagne stopper is one such piece – just remember the bubbly to go with it!
What Gift is for 16th Wedding Anniversary?
The traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is wax. Typically, this might include presents such as candles, wax seals, wax melts, and burners, but you might also consider items such as waxed cotton clothing or accessories, including bags or jewellery, or beeswax beauty products.
The modern alternative for a 16th wedding anniversary is silver holloware, which refers to any kind of silver tableware that isn’t flat. Example gifts might include items such as wine coolers, serving dishes, coffee pots or napkin rings. These don’t have to be sterling silver or silver-plated pieces, either. The colour silver is widely associated with the 16th anniversary, so stainless steel holloware and metal gifts with a mirror finish will work equally well.
Want to make your anniversary even more special? Look at these romantic hotels for a lovely escape together.
