The Cottagecore Art of Slow Gifting: A Mother’s Day Flower Arrangement

In our fast-paced world of next-day shipping and last-minute purchases, there’s always something special about creating a gift with your own hands—especially when it’s for someone as cherished as your Mom.

This Mother's Day, I'm embracing the cottagecore spirit of “slow gifting”—a philosophy rooted in thoughtfulness, nature, and nostalgia. Rather than buying a ready-made bouquet, I took the time to craft a flower arrangement that reflects not only beauty but memory, warmth, and the quiet love that lives in everyday moments.

A Tribute to Cozy Traditions

Growing up I didn’t learn floral design from my Mom, but we shared something just as beautiful—gardening. We would spend our Saturdays together browsing through greenhouses and garden centers, soaking in the scent and the colors of spring. Those outings were unhurried and full of conversation, whether we were admiring perennials or choosing hanging baskets for the porch.

This arrangement, in a way, brings those moments to life.

The Arrangement: Inspired by Mother-Daughter Afternoons

The flower selection was chosen not just for color harmony, but for the feelings they evoke:

• Coral tulips and gerbera daisies – Vibrant, like the happiness shared during a drive to the nursery.

• White stock and veronica – Serene and understated, they mirror the quiet grace that mothers often embody. Also, my mother's favourite flower color.

• Peach Carnations – A classic symbol of admiration and affection; and a soft color that is a traditional favorite for Mother's Day.

  
  

I also chose a thrifted glass bowl —because cottagecore isn’t just about aesthetics, but sustainability and the charm of repurposing.

The "Heart" of Slow Gifting

Slow gifting is less about perfection and more about presence. It’s about:

• Choosing flowers with meaning

• Taking time to arrange them with intention

• Thinking about the recipient as you work

• Allowing the process to be as much a gift as the final product

An arrangement may not last forever, but the thought behind it lingers. In a world that often rewards speed, slow gifting reminds us that the most beautiful things are made with time and love.

Make It Your Own

Consider pairing your flowers with:

• A handwritten note tucked amongst the blooms

• A new book you both would love, or an old favorite

• The thrifted (and often unique) vase for that extra cottagecore charm

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Whether you’re crafting this arrangement for your mom, your grandmother, a mother figure in your life—or even yourself—know that you are honoring a tradition of care, creativity, and connection. That’s what Mother’s Day is really about.

And perhaps, like me, you’ll find that this simple act of arranging flowers becomes a moment of peace amidst the busy rhythm of life. A pause. A breath. A bloom.

Let’s remember the moments spent together that may seem ordinary, but become extraordinary in memory.

Happy Mothers Day,

Tricia

Everlea Journal