Wedding Anniversary Traditions - Year 2 - Cotton

With our fab selection of stationery and paper products we get quite a few couples looking to us for paper gifts to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. But it might be more surprising to see how much we have to offer for the second year too - the cotton wedding anniversary. It is thought that cotton is a good choice as it is durable and associated with prosperity, a fitting symbol for the second year. But another theory is that the cotton plant requires many hot, sunny days to bloom, just as the marriage bond needs sustained warmth and happiness to blossom.

On our shelves is a fine selection of stationery filled with cotton paper pages. Cotton paper can be made from the cotton plant itself or from used cloth, often called 'rag paper'. It is stronger and more durable than wood-based paper, but importantly it contains much less acid, making it ideal for archival purposes and, in the case of our gifts, for valuable writings and albums.

One of our most popular ranges of journals is our Sari collection. The journals come in all sizes and colours but all are covered in recycled Indian sari fabric.

Mini 'Sari' Notebook

But inside each notebook is a chunk of cotton 'khadda' paper, made from recycled rags from the vast garment industry. The paper is pure unbleached cotton and contains no chemicals but may have splashes of colour from flower petals sprinkled into the pulp. It is a beautiful paper for writing or drawing, but very affordable.

Fair Trade Extra Large Sari Journal

We also stock lovely leather journals also filled with cotton paper like this gorgeous deep tan chunky journal. You can even see the marigold, aster and bougainvillea flowers and threads of silk and grass in the paper.

Large Embossed Leather Journal

There's no need to sacrifice colour for natural cotton stationery. This sweet little gift journal comes in hot pink and is embossed with a lovely traditional design.

Medium Hot Pink Leather Journal

If you like a more classic style of writing paper this beautiful set of Original Crown Mill is ideal.
Original Crown Mill specialises in luxury stationery, replicating the paper produced in the royal paper mills of 17th century Belgium. Presented in a stylish gift box featuring the royal logo of the Original Crown Mill is a writing set of 100% cotton paper, beautifully soft, yet very durable. The paper is incredibly smooth, watermarked and suitable for all types of pen, including fountain pens, as well as printing. This luxury box contains 100 A5 writing sheets with 50 matching envelopes, a versatile and elegant choice suitable for a second wedding anniversary gift.

Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton Luxury A5 Writing Set

Another luxury brand is Cartiera Amatruda, situated in the ancient duchy of Amalfi, Italy, one of the oldest and most renowned papermaking centres in Europe.The paper manufacturing tradition of the Cartiera Amatruda dates back to1380 and each deckle-edged cotton sheet bears a distinctive Amalfi "Amatruda" coat of arms watermark crafted with the utmost care, using many of the traditional methods developed in the Middle Ages. The paper is made from the finest cotton rag and sized for the best possible writing quality, making a beau luxury gift set.

Amalfi Writing Set

One of these ideas is sure to please on your second wedding anniversary; why not finish off your gift by wrapping it with one of our pretty cotton ribbons?

Pretty Heart Ribbon

Pretty Cream 'With Love' Ribbon

 

Wedding Anniversary Tradition - Year 1 - Paper

Have you ever wondered why certain wedding anniversaries are celebrated with particular gifts? There are many suggestions for the origins of these customs in the UK, but most seem to agree that the earliest known examples date back to the Germanic region of medieval Europe, when a wife was given a silver wreath on reaching her 25th year of marriage and a gold one on her 50th. Over time a number of other yearly traditions were added, especially by the Victorians, inspired perhaps by the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations. But it was in 1937, that the American National Retail Jeweler Association issued a more complete list, no doubt spotting the commercial possibilities. 

Debrett's lists the UK choices as follows:
1 paper                  
2 cotton   
3 leather   
4 flowers, fruit   
5 wood   
6 sugar   
7 wool, copper
8 bronze, pottery      
9 willow, pottery                 
10 tin      
11 steel   
12 silk, linen
13 lace                     
14 ivory    
15 crystal 
20 china
25 silver
30 pearl
35 coral
40 ruby
45 sapphire
50 gold
55 emerald
60 diamond
70 platinum

 It probably seemed natural that the longer the marriage, the more valuable and durable the gifts should be, hence the choice of paper for the first year. It has also been suggested that paper is symbolic of the marriage being still fragile and easily torn, but also that it is an affordable option for struggling newlyweds. 

In the first of our series, we look at some ideas for gifts for the Paper Anniversary.

The first thought that springs to mind is of course just to send a lovely romantic card. We can do funny...

1st Anniversary Card

classic...

With Love Anniversary Card

romantic...

Red Rose Anniversary Card

or cheeky!

'Sweet Cheeks' Card

'You Make My Heart Go Boom' is a paper gift with a message; a neat little volume full of quotes, messages and musings to tell your other half that they rock your world.

You Make My Heart Go Boom Book

Here is a little novelty paper anniversary gift just for saying 'I love you'. Sitting in a red foiled heart box, it opens out like a concertina, each page with a message, beginning 'There's been something on my mind' and ending with 'I love you'.

Another popular choice is an original newspaper from the day you were married. See what other momentous events took place alongside your wedding!

Original Newspaper - Any Date

Some think that one of the reasons for choosing paper for the first wedding anniversary is the idea of documenting the marriage. So why not keep a diary especially for recording special moments, words and events of your early married life? Choose from a traditional leather five year One Line A Day diary...

One Line A Day A Five Year Memory Book

or this quirky One Tweet A Day version.

One Tweet A Day: A Five Year Memory Book

 Here is another sweet token for a paper wedding anniversary. Inside the pretty red heart foiled box is a little message that opens like a concertina, each page with a message, beginning with 
'There's been something on my mind' and ending with 'I Love You'.
 

Mini 'Three Little Words' Boxed Paper Book

A piece of Word Art could be a really appropriate choice as a paper anniversary gift. This A3 size print has a sweet message and can hang as it is or you can frame it to suit your home.

'I Love You Simply' Word Art A3 Print

These framed Word Art blocks make real statement! They are framed in the recycled antique timbers from Victorian roofs for a rustic, distressed effect. These two messages are particularly suitable to celebrate your first year.

'You Had Me At Hello' Framed Word Art

'Love Makes The Ride Worthwhile' Framed Word Art

No-one but you knows just why you chose the one you did, so why not write your own book? Inside this one are 50 prompts for you to fill in, such as 'I never get tired of your...'You have the greatest taste in...' and 'I love now you believe in...'. You can make it cheeky, romantic or a bit of both but you'll end up with a really personal, unique paper anniversary gift.

What I Love About You

Take a look here at all our gorgeous ideas for your 1st Wedding Anniversary; there is sure to be something that is just right for your new life partner.
'