Specific kinds of gifts for specific wedding anniversaries are ancient in origin--silver and gold anniversaries are at least as old as recorded history. But for anniversaries before the 25th, the gift-giving traditions are not as long, and not as set in stone. While guidelines do exist for what gift to give a couple at their second anniversary, gracious gift-givers will adapt their gift to the couple's needs and interests.
Traditional
Cotton or straw are the materials traditionally listed by etiquette queen Emily Post in her anniversary gift list from the 1920s. This can be interpreted in a variety of ways, of course. You may choose to gift the couple with cotton table linens, clothing, bed linens, kitchen linens, or perhaps a cotton quilt or wall hanging. Matching T-shirts, embroidered pillow shams, a woven cotton tapestry, throw, pillow or afghan all would be thoughtful gifts for many couples. If looking for a straw gift, try a picnic hamper with a set of picnic ware inside, a finely made straw hat or a set of Old World straw Christmas ornaments. Another straw gift choice would be a set of woven straw place mats or a doormat with a welcoming message on it. When you choose a gift, consider the household it is going to. If the couple in question is young and starting out their household, items like blankets, tablecloths and sheet sets would be a more helpful gift to them. For older, established couples, perhaps on their second marriage, choose more gift-like items such as pillows, wall hangings or picnic sets.
Modern
China is a contemporary gift for a second anniversary. It is also the traditional gift for a 20th anniversary celebration, but the gift possibilities for a newly married couple should ensure you don't repeat yourself at the 20th anniversary. While many couples today don't use fine china in the manner previous generations did, china can still be a decorative piece, as in a personalized anniversary plate to mount on the wall or display in a cabinet. Or, family members may consider the second anniversary a chance to gift the couple with some heirloom china items such as a tureen, tea set or pitcher. For more useful gifts to a young couple, let tableware stand in for china, and present them with a set of matching salad or dinner plates, soup bowls or mugs. An established couple might enjoy more luxury items such as china vases, ornamental platters or porcelain figurines. Coffee and tea sets straddle the line between useful and decorative for most any couple.
Flowers and Gemstones
The American National Retail Jewelers Association of the 1950s came up with a gemstone gift list for each anniversary, and the first several years are quite inexpensive. The second anniversary gift suggested is rose quartz or garnet, and they are meant to be a guide for husbands to give wives jewelry featuring those stones. If you find the traditional themes are too limiting, feel free to base a gift around these stones or the flowers associated with a second anniversary: cosmos or daisies. Some references also include lily-of-the-valley. Couples who like to garden might especially like a potted planting of these flowers, all of which are lovely and easy to grow year after year.
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