2nd Wedding Anniversary

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 – Spain		Cotton
Traditional Gift – Germany		Cotton
Traditional Gift – Russia		Paper
Traditional Gift – France		Leather
Traditional Gift – Italy		Cotton
Flower Gift		Lily of the Valley
Gemstone Gift		Garnet
Modern Gift		China

About 2nd Wedding Anniversaries

The celebration of your 2nd 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 this 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 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.

If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” Quoted by: Marc Chagall

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.

2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him

What gift should I buy my husband for our 2nd wedding anniversary?

Traditionally the 2nd anniversary gift is cotton, with the more modern take being china or porcelain.

Check out our other anniversary dates for additional gift suggestions if you cannot find the right one here.

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.

We have more great gift suggestions below.

2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts for Him & Her

Don’t see anything here that fits the bill? Check out our other anniversary dates for additional gift suggestions.

Travel & Experience Gifts

• Location visit (possibly to a cotton mill)
• Romantic hotel stay (attractive room with hot tub, etc.)
• 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

Jewellery

The traditional 2nd anniversary gemstone is garnet.

• Earrings
• Pendants
• Rings
• Necklace
• Tie Pin
• Cufflinks

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.

Next Anniversaries

3rd wedding anniversary
4th wedding anniversary
5th wedding anniversary
6th wedding anniversary
7th wedding anniversary