Traditional, Modern and Symbolic Anniversary Gifts
Below is a list of both traditional and modern gift materials, as well as classic flower and gemstone symbols, which mark a couple’s 2nd wedding anniversary in countries around the world…
| Traditional Gift – UK |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – US |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – Australia |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – Canada |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – Spain |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – Germany |  | Cotton |
| Traditional Gift – France |  | Leather |
| Traditional Gift – Italy |  | Cotton |
| Flower Gift |  | Lily of the Valley |
| Gemstone Gift |  | Garnet |
| Modern Gift |  | China |
Page Index
- About 2nd Wedding Anniversary
- How to Celebrate Your 2nd Wedding Anniversary
- Common Questions About the 2nd Wedding Anniversary
- 2nd Anniversary Gifts for Him
- 2nd Anniversary Gifts for Her
About 2nd Wedding Anniversaries
The celebration of your 2nd year wedding anniversary is popularly known as the Cotton Anniversary. Like the interwoven fibres of cotton, the second year of marriage brings a couple closer together as their lives become increasingly intertwined. And, as cotton is at the same time both strong and soft, the couple are learning how to be flexible and adapt to each other’s needs.
The special colour for the 2 year anniversary is red: a warm and positive hue that is associated with our most physical needs and our will to survive. It exudes a potent masculine energy, is strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in will power.
How to Celebrate a 2nd Anniversary
One excellent 2nd year wedding anniversary idea is to invest in cotton-themed art for your home. You might want to buy a canvas print, or perhaps even commission an artist to make a treasured piece of art for the two of you.
Enjoy some quality time together, spending a weekend visiting galleries searching for the right piece. If this is a bit out of your budget, you could look for work by emerging or student artists. Etsy is a great place to find some modern arts and crafts at reasonable prices.
If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” Quoted by: Marc Chagall
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2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him, Her… and the Couple
China is a modern alternative gift that symbolises the 2nd wedding anniversary and can take many forms, from a vase to ornaments.
Perhaps you have a great gift in mind but it’s just not made of cotton? Well, you could simply buy a gorgeous cotton bag and use it to wrap up the gift. This is quite thoughtful and in keeping with the theme – with the added bonus of being useful afterwards.
Gemstones that make a wonderful 2nd wedding anniversary gift are garnet and rose quartz.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2nd WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Q: What is the 2nd wedding anniversary called?
A: The 2nd wedding anniversary is known as the Cotton Anniversary.
Q: What is the 2nd wedding anniversary gemstone?
A: The 2nd wedding anniversary gemstone is the Garnet, it is also a stone of strength and safety and a stone of prosperity and abundance.
Q: What is the 2nd wedding anniversary symbol?
A: The 2nd wedding anniversary is symbolised by the cotton anniversary.
Q: What is the 2nd wedding anniversary colour?
A: The colour synonymous with the 2nd wedding anniversary is Red or Linen White.
Q: What are the traditional and modern gifts for a 2nd wedding anniversary?
A: The traditional gift for the 2nd wedding anniversary is cotton, and the modern gift is a china.
Q: What is the 2nd year anniversary flower?
A: The classic flower for 2nd wedding anniversary is Lily of the Valley, it symbolises happiness.
2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him
What gift should I buy my husband for our 2nd wedding anniversary? The second anniversary could be viewed as a bit on an anti-climax following the excitement of your wedding day and then celebrating the first year together. It’s good to make an effort to celebrate 2 years together as it’s easy to overlook it.
Traditionally the 2nd anniversary gift is cotton, with the more modern take being china or porcelain. You don’t need to spend much money on a nice cotton or china gift for your husband. Here are some ideas to inspire you…
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Looking for further inspiration for gifts for your huband? Check out some more of our ideas below:
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2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Her
What should I buy my wife on our 2nd wedding anniversary?
Gifts for your wife to mark this anniversary can be either traditional or modern. Or, of course, you can always combine gifts. The important thing is to keep your romance alive with a well thought out, and appropriate, idea. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that 2 years is not a big deal. It’s a critical moment in your marriage and it’s imporant to show your wife that your love is still as strong as ever and that you truly appreciate her.
Look for a gift that shows thought more than value. Here are some ideas to get you started…
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There are many unique and thoughtful gifts that you can consider for your wife for your 2 year anniversary. Check out some more of our gift ideas here:
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2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him & Her
If you are looking to buy a gift for friends or for your children’s or grandchildren’s second anniversary, here are some unique and unusual gift ideas that would make a lovely present:
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Travel & Experience Gifts
A romantic getaway or an experience you can do together is a great way to celebrate your 2nd anniversary. Sharing an experience, especially a romantic one, is a fun way to enjoy this special day together without the need to buy a separate gift.
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Here are some further travel and experience ideas which will hopefully offer you some inspiration to make your special day just that little bit more special:
- Location visit (possibly to a cotton mill)
- Romantic hotel stay (attractive room with hot tub)
- Show and meal (candlelit dinner for two)
- Luxury afternoon tea for two
- Glamping break for two
- Pottery classes
- Spa day for two
- Hotel stay and art classes
Something Different & Unique
- Learn a new craft or take a course together involving a shared interest (pottery, for example).
- Visit an art gallery.
- Initiate a traditional annual celebration (theatre, adventure day, etc.).
- Share thrills with a helicopter ride.
Anniversary gifts reflect the emotional investment the couple have invested in each other. They symbolise the continuous growth of their commitment, and an accumulation of time and love which can never be replaced.
Each wedding anniversary year is marked by its own precious materials and the symbolic values associated with the specific anniversary date. Enjoy and celebrate your second year of marriage in style.
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About The Author
This page has been written by Justin Aldridge. Justin is passionate about helping couples to make their anniversary as special as possible. Justin enjoys being creative and coming up with different and inspiring ideas for couples to celebrate their anniversary in style each year.
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