Whether you’re searching for gifts for men or gifts for women, the first anniversary gift comes with a lot of pressure. It celebrates that initial big, milestone year of marriage and sets the tone for anniversaries to come, so there’s a lot riding on that first one. But when it comes to the second anniversary, all best are off — time to relax and have fun!
If you’re following the list of traditional anniversary gifts by year — which offers a series of symbolic materials and themes for each year, starting with light and delicate ones and getting stronger as they go on — the second anniversary gift is cotton. It’s sturdier than the first anniversary material (paper), but it’s still flexible, symbolizing the fact that your bond is getting stronger, but you’re not yet set in your ways. In addition to cotton, the American National Retail Jewelers Association — which came out with its own, more practical “modern” gift list — the material of the year is china. Red, garnets and bouquets of cosmos are also associated with the second anniversary.
There’s a lot of leeway in there for some great 2-year anniversary gifts, including these, which feature Good Housekeeping Institute award winners, editor’s faves and some items just for fun.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Cloud Cotton Robe
The Good Housekeeping Institute include this in its list of best robes because the cotton is ultra-soft, and it’s not too hot or too cool. The style is unisex and comes in 10 colors, so you can find either matching or coordinating styles with your spouse.
Get some important words — your wedding vows, an inspirational quote that has meaning for both of you or song lyrics — printed on a cotton rose, which can hang from a glass globe wherever you choose. Bouquets of cosmos are nice, but this is better, because it’ll never wilt.
Best 2-Year Anniversary Gift for Him
Crew Socks Subscription Box
You can get a gift you give once on your anniversary, or get something that offers little moments of delight for an entire year. Sock Fancy will send a new pair of fun, combed-cotton crew socks to your door each month. It also comes in women’s sizes.
Nantucket Ice Cream Bowl
If you aren’t going for a cotton gift, the modern option is china. And when you think of bone china, you might think of fancy dishes and formal occasions, but this Wedgwood ice cream bowl shows that you can keep it cool and fun. They’re also microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
GH Tested
Hydrocotton Towels
The Good Housekeeping Institute loves these towels because they’re soft and plush, and they remained so after many runs through the wash. And with 13 colors to choose from, you should be able to find some to match your decor, too.
You can choose the skin tones, hair color, clothing and hobbies of the two characters on this blanket, then walk away with a portrait of yourselves on cotton and polyester. You can also get it as (non-cotton) framable wall art instead of a blanket.
Teal Cotton Velvet Floor Pillow
Perfect for making a reading nook by a window or for making a party area when friends come to visit, this cotton velvet floor cushion is a versatile addition to any boho room. You can also get a matching quilt for the ultimate cozy spot.
Personalized 2-Year Anniversary Gift
China Trinket Dish
If you’re looking for an upgrade to your ring holder, sub in this pretty china trinket dish, which you can personalize with initials and a date. The personalization comes in black, gold, rose gold and silver.
GH Tested
Classic Core Sheet Set
You use the bed every day, so why not make it the most luxurious one possible? Brooklinen’s sheets always get the highest marks from the Good Housekeeping Institute, which also recommends the top-performing Luxe Core Sheet Set for those who have a bigger gift budget. Testers appreciated the durability and feel of the fabric.
For a subtle way to honor your wedding date, get it printed in roman numerals on a cotton fabric canvas. It’s the perfect addition to a home office.
Unisex 2-Year Anniversary Gift
The Weka Tote Bag
Great for trips to the office or quick grocery runs, this cotton canvas tote is sturdy enough to make it your every day bag. It comes in six eye-catching prints, has a zip pocket inside and can even fit a 15″ laptop.
Bone China Tea for One Set
It’s like an English tea party in a fancy little package. Plus, you can always add on another cup and saucer to make it tea for two!
Best 2-Year Anniversary Gift for Women
Monogrammed Pajamas
Pajama Set in Cotton Poplin
And then for him, this cotton poplin PJ set has the perfect, not-too-baggy fit. You can also get it with a monogram for a bit of personalization.
Great Couple’s Gift
Bacon & Eggs Matching Couples T-Shirt Set
Bone China Barrel Coffee Mug Set
If coffee is more of your drink of choice, this marbled bone china and 24 karat gold-plated mug set will look stately on your counter next to your coffee pot. But a note of warning: You can put them in the dishwasher, but not the microwave, so drink the coffee right away.
Sunburst Oval Garnet Stud Earrings
Blue Nile
Since garnet is the gemstone associated with the 2-year anniversary, if you’re looking for an alternative to cotton or china, these earrings might be a fit. The oval-cut garnet is surrounded by a halo of white topaz.
Weighted Blanket
If you’re looking for more ways to get a better night’s sleep, YnM’s weighted blanket might do the trick. It comes in a range of different weights, sizes and colors, so you’re bound to find one that’s your perfect match — just like your spouse.
If you’re the couple that spends all your time together in the kitchen, get these dish towels, which pay homage to your home state. You can even get a set of them to commemorate the states where you were born and the state you live in now, if they’re different.
Personalized 2-Year Anniversary Gift
Personalized Cotton Throw Blanket
This throw blanket, either 50″ x 60″ or 60″ x 80″ in size, is perfect for when you want to sink in on couch together and watch TV all day. There’s nothing like snuggling under your own monogram!
Bravo’s Top Chef Apron
This cotton twill and polyester apron was made in collaboration with Bravo’s Top Chef, and it has plenty of pro-approved features, like pockets big enough for tools and utensils and a lay-flat neck strap. If Top Chef isn’t your thing, Hedley & Bennett has other apron collections, including collaborations with The Grateful Dead and Sesame Street.
Porcelain China Table Vase
When you gift this stately vase, you might want to add a bouquet of cosmos — the flower of the second anniversary — to go with it.
2-Year Anniversary Gift for Men
Jetset Jogger Pants for Him
By now, you’ve seen all his “comfy clothes” from his bachelor days. If it’s time for an upgrade, opt for these chic joggers, which come in a stretch cotton and have a tapered fit and zippered pocket. You can also get them in four colors.
Zodiac Boyfriend Sweatpant for Her
If she’s the one looking to be comfy, you can upgrade her cozy clothes and celebrate her star sign with Good American’s 100% cotton Zodiac Collection. You can also find a matching sweatshirt to go with it.
Collegiate Pouches
These are especially meaningful if you met at college, but they also work if you came from separate unis or even if you have a favorite collegiate team. They’re good for organizing chargers, change and any other small items you need to stash away stylishly.
Cosmos Paper Flower Template
If you’re feeling crafty, you can use this template to make a gift bag for your present that looks like it’s overflowing with cosmos. It’s way better than wrapping!
Personalized 2-Year Anniversary Gift
Personalized Lyric Art
This is on canvas, not cotton, but you can still honor your wedding with an artistic representation of your wedding song. Your names and wedding date appear on the tape “label,” and the words from the song are printed on the reels.
Garnet Cufflinks
If he’s into the Art Deco style, these garnet cufflinks will be the perfect way to finish off the look he can wear to the next wedding. The cufflinks come adorned with a 8 x 10 mm garnet in a sterling silver setting.
Personalized 2-Year Anniversary Gift
Personalized Initial Pillow
For just a little something to go with your bedding set or on your couch, this personalized pillow will give a sweet shout-out to your names and wedding year. It comes in four colors: natural, gray, sand or white.
Wildflower Bouquet
When it comes to sign the card, your greeting doesn’t have to be so … flat. This 3D paper card can be personalized and sent, and then it can be popped open and used as your anniversary centerpiece.
Marisa LaScala Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for Good Housekeeping; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Scoop Sky is a blog with all the enjoyable information on many subjects, including fitness and health, technology, fashion, entertainment, dating and relationships, beauty and make-up, sports and many more.
