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The Spruce / Margot Cavin
In the whirlwind of marriage, the second wedding anniversary often rolls around faster than the first. Despite this year getting less attention, it’s not an anniversary you want to forget. Keep your marriage on the right track with a symbolic gift to mark the occasion.
Traditionally, the second-anniversary gift is cotton. This versatile material represents both comfort and strength. Like threads of cotton woven together, so too will your marriage become more interconnected in time.
Modern gift lists mark the second anniversary with china or porcelain, which is both delicate and resilient. China reminds young couples to acknowledge the strength and frailty of their relationship.
For the second year of your marriage, we suggest gifts that are thoughtful, romantic and practical. The honeymoon stage might be ending, but keep the spark alive with some of these inventive two year anniversary gift ideas.
Watch Now: Couples Share What Makes a Perfect Anniversary Gift
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High Thread Count Cotton Sheets
If you married right out of college, it’s possible you don’t yet know what a difference a quality set of sheets makes. Toss out those cheap sheets and pick out a pair that feels as luxurious as they look. Your bed should be a haven, an escape from the stress of everyday life. Make it one.
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Bouquet of Cosmos and Lily of the Valley
Unless your significant other hates flowers, you can’t go wrong with a bouquet. The official flowers of the second anniversary are cosmos and lily of the valley. Cosmos are lively and represent a playful love. Lily of the valley is fragrant and symbolizes purity.
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Custom Pillowcase
Experts say you should make your bed every morning. When you come home after a long day, there’s nothing better than hopping into a freshly made bed. Let a custom pillow case like this one be a reminder to cherish your time together at night.
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Addition to Fine China Set
Dave Shafer / Getty ImagesMany couples get a set of fine china for their wedding. Take the set out and plan a dinner party. If you’re missing a key piece like the gravy boat, for instance, purchase that, so you can complete your set.
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Ceramic Coffee Mug
If you’re the type of couple that drinks coffee together every morning, a custom coffee mug will make a meaningful anniversary gift. You can be charming, witty, funny or romantic. Pick a saying or design that resonates with you, but also one that will bring a smile to your partner’s face.
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Porcelain Ring Holder
In case you didn’t know, you shouldn’t wear your wedding rings all the time. It’s especially important to take off your rings when you’re washing your hands or doing the dishes. A porcelain ring holder like this one is ideal to place by a sink so that when you do take your rings off temporarily, they are less likely to get lost.
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Garnet Jewelry
Garnet is the official gemstone for this anniversary, and it couldn’t be more romantic of a stone. The deep red hues symbolize passion and commitment. The other bonus is that garnets are relatively inexpensive. The underlying theme here is to work to keep the romance alive.
Garnet Jewelry from Amazon
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Cotton Fragrance
Cotton on its own doesn’t necessarily have a strong scent, but fresh linens do. Treat your loved one to a romantic fragrance inspired by the traditional gift of cotton. This particular scent is a citrusy blend of verbena and orange flower.
Cotton Fragrance from Amazon