Let’s face it, anniversary traditions are a bit, well, traditional. While some symbols can be easily translated into a thoughtful or even sexy gift, others (like iron) are a bit more obscure.

To bring these customs into the 21st century, we enlisted help from etiquette experts Phineas Mollod and Jason Tesauro, authors of “The MODERN LOVER: A Playbook for Suitors, Spouses & Ringless Carousers” (Ten Speed Press, 2004). Here, their “Modern Anniversary Hit List,” a gifting array that spans traditional, modern and sexy. Let your imagination run wild. And congratulations.

1. Paper

Traditional: Monogrammed stationery

Modern: Floral origami; watercolor or charcoal artwork; weekend getaway to Elmwood Park, N.J., home of Marcal Paper Mills

Sexy: Snapping playful digital pics and printing them at home

2. Calico or Cotton

Traditional: High thread-count sheets

Modern: Plantation inn stay; 19th-century tapestry

Sexy: Lingerie shopping spree

3. Leather

Traditional: Monogrammed attache case or satchel

Modern: Leather pants (his and hers)

For your 10th anniversary, give an extravagant gift that meets the tin or aluminum theme: Take a Grand Canyon tour via ultralight aircraft.

Sexy: Cowboy and cowgirl dress up

4. Silk

Traditional: Pajamas or kimono

Modern: Persian silk carpet; lepidopterist (translation: someone who studies insects such as butterflies, moths, silk worms, and caterpillars) starter kit (butterfly net, round spectacles, loopy hat)

Sexy: Scented eye mask

5. Wood

Traditional: Lap desk

Modern: Chess, backgammon, billiards table

Sexy: Readying the fireplace for an atmospheric evening

6. Iron

Traditional: Wrought-iron bed frame

Modern: Tickets to Extreme Ironing Championship

Sexy: Ironclad promise for a weekend of sensual massage

7. Wool or Copper

Traditional: Lineup of cookware and cooking lessons

Modern: Welsh sweater; outdoor sculpture

Sexy: Flirty hilltop picnic on a rugged wool blanket

NonTraditional gift ideas, such as this Moroccan tagine, offer variety and spice to ordinary anniversary gifts.

8. Bronze

Traditional: Bronze household fixture upgrades

Modern: Sunless tanning spa subscription

Sexy: Saint Tropez holiday to relive your days of SPF 2 with cocoa butter

9. Pottery

Traditional: Bake-your-own clay pot; raku vase

Modern: Moroccan tagine (with hearty stew inside)

Sexy: New bedroom set from Pottery Barn

10. Tin or Aluminum

Traditional: High-performance luxury sedan; pressed-tin ceiling

Modern: Trip to Tinseltown; Grand Canyon tour via ultralight aircraft

Sexy: Furry handcuffs