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Brides / Francesca Fasciglione
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While the first wedding anniversary often comes with a big celebration, such as a trip abroad or a luxe staycation—and, of course, that top layer of wedding cake—the second is no less unique and deserves to be celebrated. The traditional second-anniversary gift is cotton, making this a prime time to splurge on upgraded bedding or a cozy throw for snuggling up on the couch. However, the modern gift is china, so you can add to your entertainment stash or find a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. But by all means, when celebrating your anniversary, feel free to think outside the box, and remember that going with a personalized, custom gift is always a foolproof plan.
Laura Jennings, the founder of Knack, recommends incorporating the traditional theme into a cozy article of clothing. Another great option? “If you’re going to buy yourselves something together to celebrate your anniversary, it’s great to splurge on luxurious sheets or bedding—it’s something you’ll both appreciate for a long time,” she says. To help you find the perfect gift for your favorite person, we researched and narrowed down the best second-anniversary gifts, considering the theme, functionality, thoughtfulness, personalization, and overall value. To evaluate the quality of the products and custom details, we tested some of our top picks in our New York City lab.
This piece of artwork is a fun and unexpected take on the cotton theme. It uses cotton string to create the shape of any state, with a heart placed over the city of your choosing. Customize one with the special place where you met, married, or live. Ultimately, we think this artwork would be a great gift for someone who appreciates a more rustic interior design style. Our tester customized it with the state of Kansas, where her family has a farm. "It's nice that you can tell it's handmade," she noted. We appreciated the quality; the piece was made of a hefty, evenly stained wood plank.
However, we did feel like the piece was a bit expensive for the simplicity of the materials (wood, string, and nails), but we liked the creative approach to a traditional map. It's great value if you're seeking a super personalized gift specific to an important place.
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Delight your spouse with this romantic floral tote from the exclusive minted + BRIDES Gifts Collection. It's made with 100 percent cotton, features a brushed-copper snap closure, and can be personalized with a foil-pressed leather name tag for an added sentimental detail.
Incorporating both the cotton and personalization elements, this oversized blanket is customized with your initials and wedding year. After testing, we noticed the graphic print on this blanket really stands out. We felt that the execution of the design was crisp and clear, however, the material felt a little cheap and synthetic. It's pretty affordable for the size, but we would have liked something with a softer and more plush touch.
Our tester also found that font and design options were limited, but that the throw would be a great choice for a couple with a traditional aesthetic. Because this is a bold decor piece, we would recommend getting to know the couple's home style before committing to it.
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Dotdash Meredith
This elegantly bound book features high-quality pages and a choice of linen or leather covers. For a personal touch, have a custom title foil-stamped on the front. Our tester used the photos from her own wedding to try out this product. She was impressed with the luxe linen cover and the thick, superfine card stock pages. She also felt that the quality of the photos was high: "The images are clear and have a matte finish to them," she said.
Although we liked the photos in general, we didn't always love the cropping. "There was a lot of white space and some photos were too small for the page," noted our tester. The album is also a bit pricey. But given the heavy card stock interior and high-quality cover, we can definitely see where the value comes from.
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Dotdash Meredith
A non-cheesy way to rock matching outfits, these super cool hoodies are embroidered with your wedding date in Roman numerals. There are eight soft colors to choose from, as well as crewnecks and T-shirt options if you're looking for a different style.
When it comes to upgrading your bedding, this blanket is the perfect accent piece. Available in three sun-washed colors, each with the same geometric print, it’s an easy way to add a fun visual touch to any neutral bedding. Made of organic Portuguese cotton, the blanket is stonewashed to make it extra soft, and the perfect weight to add extra warmth in the winter or use solo in the summer.
Have your wedding song, wedding vows, or even just a heartfelt message transformed into a gorgeous print. When testing, we really liked the organic, botanical style of the print and the rustic, romantic feel that it has to it. Our tester customized the print with her brother and sister-in-law's vows. They had a small backyard ceremony and then a larger party for extended family and friends. Because many of the people at the reception weren't there for the ceremony, they displayed this print with their vows at the welcome table.
We found that the print looked best when it was framed and seen from a bit of a distance. "When you step back, you get a sense of the delicate design," our tester shared. "Up close and unframed, the paper seems a little cheap." Granted, it would be more expensive, but we would have liked to have seen a letterpress or hand-drawn version vs. a printed text.
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Dotdash Meredith
You simply can never go wrong with diamonds. This delicate, 14K gold band features five inlaid round diamonds, which makes for a romantic and exquisite gift. It is beautiful on its own, but it also works well amidst the rest of your ring stack.
These trays are a meaningful—and practical—gift for your wife or husband. Choose from a variety of shapes and sizes, then add custom text on the inside. The message is printed on organic cotton, in keeping with the second-anniversary theme. When testing, we liked that it could be used by different genders and the text is completely customizable. While our tester felt that the tray was sturdy, she was surprised by the size. "It's way larger than I expected and will take up a lot of room on a nightstand." She explained that it's not really a ring dish, but instead a tray that can corral phones, glasses, and other bedside items.
We were a little concerned that the cotton surface could get stained or ruined easily. We wish the base was covered in a clear, more durable material. "Accidents happen—I'm just imagining spilling a water glass on my nightstand and wondering how this would hold up," said our tester. We felt that it would be an impressive gift overall, just maybe something the recipient would want to handle with care.
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If you don’t need to completely revamp all of your bedding but do want to upgrade your sheets, go with this set. Made of already-soft percale cotton, the fabric only gets better and softer with time and has the added benefit of being nice and cool to the touch—a boon for hot sleepers. While it comes in eight neutral shades, you can’t go wrong with the crisp and clean pure white.
This beautiful compass can be engraved with pretty much any type of photo or text in the font of your choosing, including in your handwriting, making this feel extra personal. The leather case is an optional add-on, though one that’s well worth it.
You probably already have a coffee maker in your kitchen, but we love the idea of gifting this to any java junkie to keep on hand in their office. It comes with an electric pour-over kettle, dripper, and carafe, all in a modern and minimal matte black design.
Give the gift of comfort. This super-soft cotton pajama set comes in four different colorways with side pockets and tailored cuff details. And, it’s machine-washable (which is always a plus).
Pillows can make or break your living space. And this cotton knot pillow is definitely a maker. Not only does it give your space a sleek look, it’s designed to be a gently weighted cotton pillow with a rubber foam, which relieves stress and targets your senses.
The second wedding anniversary is an excellent time to turn attention to your bedding, and this stylish pick will add both flair and comfort to your shared boudoir. In two print options, you'll add a touch of whimsical charm to your bedspread. This set is made from 100 percent cotton, so you know it's built to last like your union.
This lush bathrobe comes from a hotel chain that exudes luxury—the Four Seasons. Made with 100 percent velour jacquard cotton with a terry interior, it's wrapped in an elegant package ready for gifting. Get a pair of these unisex white bathrobes for days spent relaxing at home.
What's better than snuggling under a blanket? Snuggling under a weighted blanket for a better night’s sleep. This eco-friendly blanket from Bearaby is made from ocean-bound plastic, is GRS-certified, and is also certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. It comes in six solid colors and two weight options, 20 pounds and 25 pounds.
This delightful frame from Venus Et Fleur has 14 petite preserved roses surrounding a 2-inch by 3-inch space to feature a mini photo from your wedding, engagement, or another milestone. Available in five different rose color options, you can upload a photo when ordering or add one yourself. Display this lovely frame on a shelf or hang it vertically or horizontally with the built-in hooks.
For a unique gift, you can’t go wrong with Uncommon Goods. This kit is the ideal gift for a plant-loving couple. It comes with everything you need to grow kokedama balls—the Japanese technique for growing container-free petite plants in soil covered with moss.
This 8.2-inch porcelain dessert plate will make an elegant and treasured second-anniversary gift. The theme of the design is warm Mediterranean summer, and the bold yellow color will brighten any table. The screen-printed decorations are applied by hand in France.
This SMEG 10-cup drip coffee maker is a stylish and useful gift. It features a retro design (which matches other SMEG appliances) and comes in seven colors (including red, mint green, and pink). You can also brew smaller amounts and adjust the coffee's strength from delicate to intense depending on your preference.
This lovely mini candle is hand-poured, comes in 10 different scents—including sandalwood, grapefruit, and orange blossom—and has a burn time of 30-plus hours. Made in Newport Beach, California, each candle is crafted with phthalate-free fragrance oil and a lead-free wick. Personalize the candle with your name and wedding anniversary for a wonderful keepsake (plus you can order one or several).
What to Look for in a 2nd-Anniversary Gift
- The Traditional Theme, Cotton: From crisp white sheets and cozy throws to handmade paper gifts, it's easy to find something that will fit this theme. It's also a great time to refresh some household items such as towels and kitchen linens that you may have received from your registry two years ago.
- The Modern Theme, China: If you're looking for something a little different, think beyond dishes and platters. And a little customization goes a long way. Add a personalized touch by monogramming a bedside table tray or ring dish, suggests Jennings.
- Personalization: If you want to gift something that's more of a departure from the traditional and modern anniversary themes, personalization is key. A monogrammed accessory, a piece of unique artwork, or another custom item will stand out and feel like you've gone the extra mile.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Melanie Rud has nearly 15 years of journalism experience covering the beauty and lifestyle space for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She also recently planned her own wedding. Contributing writer Dagmara Cintron also updated this article.
- Laura Jennings is the founder of Knack, a custom gift-giving company specializing in personalized gifts and curated boxes.