2. Second anniversary: cotton
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Don't bother with a handkerchief or cotton shirt. Take your love to the American south where cotton plantations sprawl for days. Sadly, you can't drink in the history of cotton without the unpalatable taste of slavery, but if you need an excuse to go to New Orleans, it's where a third of all of America's cotton was traded.
3. Third anniversary: leather
Argentina, South America
Yes, a handbag would be nice for your third anniversary, but a trip to Buenos Aires would be even nicer! Famous for its beef industry, Argentina is the place to take your love for that new handbag - and a steak cooked medium-rare. Ask for it cooked "jugoso", which means juicy, then head out into the night to tango. Ahem.
4. Fourth anniversary: linen
Ireland, Europe
The unimaginative may hunt down a set of table napkins, but if you took your love to Ireland and bought fine Irish linen from a little shop in Dublin you'd be in the good books for at least another year. Linen actually is woven flax and, although the raw materials are largely imported by Ireland today, the ancient techniques and machinery established by the country's monks of old are still employed there.
5. Fifth anniversary: wood
Northland, New Zealand
A cheeseboard would be nice, but a trip to Tane Mahuta would be way more memorable. It's also a little closer to home, which might appeal to the wallet. Stay at Waipoua Lodge on the Kauri Coast and adopt a kauri tree through the Waipoua Forest Trust to celebrate your five years, not to mention doing something good for the world.
For more anniversary ideas see Megan's blog
