2nd Anniversary Gift
Cotton is the traditional 2nd anniversary gift, with china as the modern alternative. UC Davis plant biologists call cotton the most important fiber plant in the world.
Why cotton for the second anniversary?
Cotton grows as fluffy hairs on the seeds of the cotton plant. Each fiber is a single cell, and one seed carries about 10,000 to 20,000 of them, according to UC Davis plant biologists. The fiber is about 90% cellulose, with small amounts of water, wax and minerals.
On one 1910 list that Time quotes, the 2nd was straw, not cotton.
Cotton labels, and lead in vintage china
- "100% cotton" or "all cotton" on a label means cotton only, apart from trim. FTC rules allow no tolerance on single-fiber claims, so a blend must list each fiber's percentage by weight.
- Names like Pima, Egyptian or Sea Island must appear with the word cotton, and the FTC says they must be truthful. A label reading "100% Cotton (50% Pima)" means only half is Pima.
- Buying vintage china (the modern gift) to eat from? The FDA warns that antique, worn or brightly decorated red, orange or yellow pieces may leach lead. Pieces stamped "Not for Food Use" are decorative only.
2nd anniversary gift ideas
- Soft cotton bedding, robes or a picnic blanket
- A cotton tote or T-shirt printed with a date or a place that matters to you both
- A cotton hammock for slow weekends
- A china dinner set, or a matching pair of mugs (modern)
When is your 2 year wedding anniversary?
More date tools: Anniversary Calculator, Birthday Calendar, What Day Was I Born.
Anniversary gifts for other years
2nd Anniversary Gift questions
What is the 2 year anniversary gift?
Cotton, or china from the modern list. A cotton boll takes about four months to split open and expose its fibers, which then lose their water and die, UC Davis plant biologists explain.
What thread count should cotton sheets have?
No federal rule sets a best number, but the count should be honest. The FTC said in 2005 that multiplying the thread count by the number of plies in each yarn could mislead shoppers. A 300-thread, two-ply sheet should not be sold as 600 thread count.
Published October 9, 2026. Last updated October 29, 2026.