If you don’t know the term ‘cottage core’ is defined as: an aesthetic centred around simple living, harmony with nature and romanticising the countryside. So in this gift guide you will find lots of nature inspired items from florals to woodland themed, cosy home décor, crafting kits & timeless fashion pieces with a vintage feel.
The idea behind all of my Gift Guides this year is that they are mostly championing independent makers & creatives and they are universal to whether it’s Christmas gifting or gifting for any other occasion. I will be adding to and updating the links and images in each post over the course of this year so you can bookmark these gift guides to come back to for gift inspiration throughout the year!
I have tried my best to pick pieces that all have an estimated delivery time (for UK residents) for before Christmas (at the time of posting). However please bare in mind the Royal Mail postage strikes this year and independent sellers on Etsy can’t guarantee your orders will arrive in time for Christmas under these circumstances!
National Trust Membership
A couple of years ago, for my birthday, my parents gave me a National Trust Membership and it’s been one of my favourite and most used gifts! You get access over 500 Gardens & Properties under the care of the National Trust which you can visit anytime you like. There are plenty of places to explore locally and around the UK whether you enjoy learning the history of the houses or discovering beautiful & unique gardens.
Clothing
Cottage Core fashion is usually based around 20’s & 50’s fashion (with a bit of a Regency or Victorian vibe here and there!) very long floaty dresses, billowy peasant blouses, oversized cosy knitwear, puffy sleeves, floral embroidery and vintage corsets.
I found some great pieces that fit this aesthetic. Firstly let’s start with this gorgeous French Renaissance Corset - it has a beautiful vintage floral pattern and lace up front detailing. Pinafore style aprons are really popular styled over long floaty dresses and this Mushroom Print Apron or Blue Cotton Apron are a perfect options. Wear it over this Long Sleeved Red 50’s Dress or Green Linen Dress.
For cold days in the winter I’d definitely pick up this Check Blanket Scarf in a pink & neutral tones. A great winter dress would be this Blue Plaid Dress and I love this cosy Vintage Embroidered Cardigan too. For cosy nights by the fireplace in winter I love these Cream Cable Knit Slipper Socks and to keep your hands warm these Handmade Wool Mittens are adorable. Alternatively you could go for these Butterfly Brocade Gloves for a more elegant look.
Accessories
This Mushroom Basket Bag has been all over Instagram for a while now and I finally caved and bought myself one last spring. I can confirm it is as cute as everyone made it look! If you’re looking for a more traditional basket bag then this Large Half Moon Straw Bag is perfect.
Hats are a major component of a cottage core wardrobe! Here are a few of my top choices: Hepburn Style Straw Hat, Bow Ribbon Straw Hat, Wool Cloche Hat, Squirrel Beret, Woodland Creature Beret. If your recipient is more of a hair bow kind of person then here are some pretty options: Black Velvet Hair Ribbon, White Lace Hair Scarf, Red Long Tail Hair Bow.
I think two of the most ‘cottage core’ books have to be Little Women and Pride & Prejudice and I absolutely fell in love with these incredible Classic Book Bags, that replicate the look of the actual book itself, particularly the Little Women Book Crossbody Bag. There is a matching Little Women Purse and some of my other favourites include the Pride & Prejudice Purse and a Sherlock Holmes Book Bag.
Jewellery
I’m excited to share all the beautiful jewellery gifts that I found: Green Faerie Wing Earrings, Adjustable Daisy Rings, Mushroom Earrings, Real Pressed Flower Necklace, Real Mushroom Resin Necklace and Vintage Lady Cameo Necklace. There is a brand called Fable England who make the cutest enamel pieces like these Enamel Bee Earrings, Teddy Bear Brooch & Strawberry Necklace.
Brooches are a small way to add a little cottage core vintage to your outfit, pin them to a coat, blouse, dress, collar or bag. I really like: Vintage Pearl Circular Brooch, Running Rabbit & Mushroom Brooch, Hummingbird Brooch, Blue Aster Flower Brooch, Green Ginkgo Leaf Brooch, Floral Cameo Brooch, Swallow Bird Brooch.
Fancy a surprise gift? Try this Cottagecore Jewellery Mystery Box. Filled with jewellery pieces, accessories and mini dried flower bouquet but the specifics remain a surprise!
Activities
I’ve found some fantastic cottage core inspired crafting activity kits and sets for you. Starting with a Personalised Calligraphy Set which comes with a journal, quill pen and ink, a perfect starter set. Some lovely cross stitching kits including this Trust Cross Stitch Kit created by my friend Lucy over at Hoops & Crosses. If you know someone who would fancy trying their hand at creating their own wax seals on envelopes to make them look extra special then take a look at this Wax Seal Stamp Kit. For a while now I’ve been thinking about getting into bullet journaling and I think I’ve found the perfect thing to get me started, this Weekly Bullet Journal has everything you could possibly need as a beginner I think with lots of prompts and specific things to fill in. Pair it with this Vintage Style Journal Pack for cottage core vibes. I also found this Build Your Own Terrarium Kit which is something else I’d like to try out!
A beautiful watering can would be a great gift for someone who enjoys getting out in their garden and looking after their outside space. This Green Watering Can is lovely and simple and also come in a Copper Watering Can option, or if you’d prefer a design then I found a Hand-painted Floral Watering Can and a pretty Personalised Watering Can with Wreath Art. If indoor plants are more their thing then a cute little Plant Mister would make a great gift. If your recipient prefers to be in the kitchen baking then why not get them a gorgeous Floral Cake Stand to show off all their bakes or this timeless Heritage Pie Dish.
Prints
I’ve discovered some beautiful cottage core style prints. Some of which I think I’m going to have to grab for myself! My favourites include: An idyllic Farmhouse Cottage Print, a Set of 4 Flower & Bee Prints (including sunflower, lavender & two different bees), Set of 6 Mushroom Wall Art Prints, English Country Manor House Print, Pink Dianthus Botanical Print, beautiful 1800’s Landscape Painting Print and Vintage Oil Painting Landscape.
Whilst we’re on prints I couldn’t go without mentioning my own Print Shop: Whimsical Willow Prints. They’re all my own seasonal photography prints and I think they have a real Cottage Core vibe, especially the Sunflower Prints. I have set up a special 30% off discount code for anyone shopping via this blog post! Just use code: BLOG30 at checkout. I have lots more ideas for the shop going forward into 2023 so please give it a follow so you can keep up to date!
Candles
Some of my favourite candle picks include: Mushroom Shaped Candies (these are so cute I think I’ll be picking some up myself!), Pressed Flower Soy Wax Candles, Floral Painted Candlesticks, Sun & Moon Candle and Apothecary Jar Birth Flower Candle.
Something every cottage core aesthetic devotee needs is a Handheld Candlestick Holder. They add that Victorian era vibe to you décor which is so cottage core!
Homeware
First let’s start with Macramé! My sister has a shop called Love and Luna where she makes a whole variety of macramé creations, including: Macramé Plant Hangers, Macramé Coasters, Wall Hangings, Bookmarks and Christmas Tree Decorations all in a range of different colours.
I love this Squirrel Forager Mug and it would pair beautifully with this Hedgehog Log Slice Coaster or Toadstool Log Slice Coaster. I also came across a really cute Mushroom Glass Cup with Ceramic Lid & Dish which looks so unique!
Dried flowers are always a winner for me. Not only do they last for years if cared for well but I think they look so aesthetically pleasing! Here are some favourites: Pastel Wildflower Boho Bouquet, Natural Pampas Bouquet, Dried Eucalyptus Floral Bouquet, Dried Lavender Bouquet, Small Dried Flower Arrangement with Vase and Pampas & Prairie Bouquet.
If you wish to fragrance your home but prefers alternatives to candles then you could go for a reed diffuser like this Daisy Reed Diffuser, In The Woods Reed Diffuser or Velvet Peony Reed Diffuser which has real flowers & foliage in making them such a beautiful piece to display, they are also vegan. I also love these Apothecary Jar Reed Diffusers - I actually own one in the fragrance Starry Night.
I found some really pretty bookends including: Plant Pot Bookends - these are real, half plant pots you can add soil and a small succulent too! Personalised Oak Bookends with Vase - a glass vase set in the end to add flowers to which I think is really cute.
This adorable Musical Owl Snow Globe would sit beautifully on a mantlepiece. Personally, I think snow globes can be for all year round not just Christmas. Looking for something decorative that could go inside or outside? Check out these Toadstool Lanterns which you can add a tealight or led candle to. I also adore this Pressed Flower Candle Lantern.
Everything Else
A couple of little books I like include: Escape Into Cottage Core and The Little Book of Cottage Core, both of these would make the cutest coffee table books for any cottage core lover.
Looking for a cute cottage core style phone case? I have found a wonderful Woodland Garden Phone Case which would pair perfectly with this Mushroom & Frog Popsocket.
I love the sound of this Cottagecore Mystery Box which is filled with vintage finds, trinkets & accessories but the specifics are a surprise! I also found a Regency Mystery Box which is a similar idea but more of a Regency & Victorian theme.
Clothing & Accessories
More Cottage Core Gifts
