2nd Anniversary Gifts for Him and for Her

The second anniversary might not seem huge for some people, but we think it's a great reason to celebrate. The honeymoon is over, real life is settling in, and there might even be a kid or pet added to the family by now.  

Cotton and china are the modern and traditional themes, respectively, for a second wedding anniversary. Many say cotton represents both comfort and strength, while china acknowledges that any relationship can endure some delicacy from time to time. 

Those themes are certainly represented here in fun and modern ways, along with some gifts more focused on the color (red) and gemstone (garnet) for a two-year wedding anniversary. 

Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: First Anniversary Gifts for Him and for Her

$98 from Uncommon Goods
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Let the honeymooners delved into sexy lingerie. By the second wedding anniversary, it's time for something more comfy and soft, like this gorgeous pajama set made of — you guessed it — 100% woven cotton. It comes in sizes small through XL.

Related: Great Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

$35 from Amazon

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It's a simple and functional (and red!) two-year anniversary gift for him that screams, "Look at me — I'm stylish!" 

$228 and up from Boll & Branch
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If ever you were going to splurge on some fancy 100% cotton sheets, the second anniversary seems like the time to do it. These from Boll & Branch are made from organic cotton and come in a number of different colors and patterns, from classic white to damask and botanical.

$19 and up from Amazon
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If you do like the idea of a more traditional china pattern but just don't want to splurge or store a full set, this cup-and-saucer is still special enough for a second-anniversary gift. Throw in a set of gold-plated spoons and you've got yourself and your mate a truly lovely approach to morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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$90 and up from Etsy

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If you're a couple that loves to travel, this two-year anniversary gift will help you record your travels and provide for many future conversations between the two of you as well as with friends and family. The framed gift can be personalized with a couple's names, and it comes with push pins to mark locations where you've made memories. 

$50 from Uncommon Goods
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If you're looking for a cotton-themed gift for him, we think these monogrammed socks are a pretty cool find. Made from Pima cotton — a type of cotton primarily grown in the U.S. — the set includes five pairs of socks and you can choose from chic black or a more casual gray. You don't have to stick to initials, either — customize them with a cheeky message of your choosing.

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$29 and up from Etsy
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Printed on 100% high-quality uncolored cotton in the U.S.A, this personalized gift takes the lyrics from your first-dance wedding song (or, presumably, any song that is special to the two of you) and makes that into a special piece of artwork with lots of meaning. You can choose from a few different sizes and framed and unframed options, and the final product is customized with your first names and a date of your choosing.

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$45 from Etsy

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If she loves a gemstone-based gift, she'll love this minimalist signet ring for her second wedding anniversary gift. Handmade, the ring is a best seller and comes packaged for gifting. 

$61 and up from Etsy
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You can never go wrong with flowers for an anniversary gift, but how about an arrangement that she'll both get to enjoy for years to come and that incorporates the cotton theme? This bouquet from Etsy seller Pine and Petal Weddings is handmade, hand-dyed, and created from sola wood flowers, cotton, and pine flowers. It's all arranged in a distressed white Mason jar before being sent to your home.

$11 from Amazon
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Handkerchiefs are one of those things that are super useful but that people rarely buy for themselves. This 100% cotton set of six handkerchiefs comes in six different style options and gets great reviews from buyers.

$38 and up from Etsy
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Here's another china gift option that seems more appropriate for the modern age — jewelry made out of broken dishes. The Etsy seller, DinnerWearJewelry, makes pendants, bracelets, earrings, and rings out of traditional china patterns with a pretty and chic result.

$69-$99 from NoteCube

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This is a personalized gift to make someone feel special. The concept is simple: You tell NoteCube about your recipient, and use the site's tools to edit and add notes (typically between 40-60 but NoteCube recommends at least 20). Finally, add some photos and choose a style of NoteCube. When everything is just how you want it, you finalize and pay for your order and it gets shipped. 

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$20 from Etsy
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What could possibly be sweeter — literally — than embracing the cotton theme in an out-of-the-box way with this gift set from a highly rated Etsy seller? The set comes in many different sizes and flavors, and some include free shipping. 

Related: 50 Cheap Valentine's Day Gifts for Him, Her, and Everyone Else

$40 from The Adventure Challenge
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If you've been married only a couple of years, there are still many adventures to embark upon together. This gift is a scratch-off book of just that — adventures in the kitchen, adventures in creativity, adventures out in the world. Each entry has a budget so you can choose based on your bank balance, and all adventures range from $0 to $50. As an added bonus, each entry includes a place for a photo, so even when you've completed the book, it becomes a keepsake you'll likely want to hang on to for years. 

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$145 and up from Etsy
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A lot can change in two years. Kids come along, pets are adopted, hairstyles change, and all of those life shifts can be represented in this adorable framed piece of embroidery from Etsy seller StitchFellas. Expect a 10-week lead time and be prepared to provide descriptions and photos that will help create a more accurate and treasured final product.

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$100 from Uncommon Goods
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Reaffirm the commitment you made to your significant other with this print, which features illustrations of 12 creatures that mate for life. It comes mounted in a walnut wood frame — measuring 19-by-13 inches — and is made in the U.S.A.

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$17 and up from Etsy
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If you and your significant other like trying to best each other in front of the gaming console, this adorable tee, which comes in a number of different styles, sizes, and colors, would make an amusing second-anniversary gift. Personalization in the form of your names and the month and date of your anniversary is free.

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$27 and up from  Etsy

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Not every second wedding anniversary gift has to be ornate or fancy. We love the simplicity of this red woven bracelet that let's you customize the gold bar (and remember, red is the two-year wedding anniversary color). 

$89 and up from Amazon
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Yes, china is a second-anniversary gift, but in this day and age, fine china seems so stuffy and unnecessary to some. But we love this modern take from Pokini that comes in classic white, basic black, or a dark-hued green. It comes in a 12-piece set and includes bowls and two sizes of plates.

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$20 from Amazon
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This simple, hand-stamped aluminum and copper penny keychain stating "2 down" and "forever to go" can be personalized with a set of initials, and you can even order one for yourself and your mate for a discounted rate.

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$25 from Amazon
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Yes, after a couple of years, you know each other's strengths, flaws, and everything in between pretty well, but this game — inspired by couples psychologists and meant to create "human connection in the digital age" — can help you grow your love, admiration, and respect for each other even more. It has 150 "conversation starter" cards with questions like, "how have you changed since we were first together," and "tell me one thing I did this past week that impressed you."

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$80/person from Airbnb Experiences
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Gifts you can unwrap are nice, but for something different and fun, how about an Airbnb experience that includes a private astrology reading? After the reading your host, Luiza, will mail you a "digital file with printing resolution of your natal chart painted that represents the uniqueness inside you." Those who have done it give it high ratings, call it a "magical" and "amazing" experience, and say Luiza is "kind-hearted" and "soothing and wise."

Price varies from Wine Insiders
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Just like with flowers, you can really never go wrong with wine as a gift, and Wine Insiders has some wonderful options that hit a lot of price points. Choose from around 130 wine "sets," a subscription club for wine year round, or you can just gather up a few bottles of your and your mate's favorite varietals and blends.

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$135 from Etsy

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Go ahead and prepare for many more years of chillin' together with one of these double hammocks that ships from Maui, Hawaii, and is made from 100% cotton. Choose from nearly 10 colors to suit your decor. 

$60 from Amazon

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Few products on Amazon get ratings like this — the Wally lace-up loafer has tallied up nearly 50K reviews with an average score of 4.8 stars. Buyers say they are comfortable, light, and airy. They come in just about every size, and in around 40 colors. What makes them a second-anniversary gift? Well, they're made of sturdy canvas, which is close enough to cotton for us — especially with reviews like that.