40 gifts for the cottagecore-obsessed — including the whimsical Selkie Puff Dress
Live out your dreamy fantasy.
By
Jae Thomas
on
Jae Thomas
Shopping Editor
Jae Thomas is a Colorado-based Shopping Editor for Mashable. They specialize in pet tech, smart fitness gear, finding the perfect gift, and sourcing the top deals on shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Jae has worked at Mashable since 2020, where they've written countless deals roundups and product reviews. Before Jae came to Mashable, they received a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote food and lifestyle content for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire.
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Bake, tend to plants, grow your own mushrooms, and create a fairytale cottagecore life.
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Bloomscape / Emile Henry / HOWARD BERK & TODD PITTARD / Pioneer Woman / Selkie / Uncommon Goods
Girls don't want boyfriends, girls (and boys, and nonbinary folks) want cottagecore presents.
If you've scrolled TikTok or Instagram at all over the past two years, you've probably seen creators (especially young people) baking from scratch, gardening, picking up screen-free hobbies like knitting, and making it all look romantic and dreamy. That's cottagecore, an aesthetic trend dedicated to romanticizing "uncomplicated" country living. Think foraging berries to make homemade jams, growing vegetables, and sipping tea all day — essentially becoming a vaguely '70s-styled Alice in Wonderland character.
Cottagecore became trendier during quarantine, as people looked for not only an escape from day-to-day life, but also a way to idealize staying at home. The aesthetic imbues cozy, grandma-ish style with Gen Z cool: The most popular cottagecore TikTokers wear gorgeous prairie dresses, go on whimsical picnics in fields, and make even boring activities look idyllic (thanks, in part, to filters). No work, no stress, only quaint, Instagram-friendly pastoral living.
If there's someone in your life who's gone down one too many rural-life-cottage-living-forest-nymph internet rabbit holes, they're probably into cottagecore. Find a gift for them below.
Topics TikTok
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Credit: SELKIE
Selkie Puff Dress
For Flitting Around The Forest
Sure, the strawberry dress may be the blueprint, but all the cottagecore girlies are obsessed with the Selkie Puff Dress now. It gives magical woodland princess vibes, and comes in tons of different colors and lengths.
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Credit: BLOOMSCAPE
Bloomscape pothos collection
For Growing Whimsical Vines
The cottagecore aesthetic almost always includes plants with long vines taking over interiors. (It's like the forest reclaiming its place, duh.) Grow your own plant decor with this collection of trailing plants from Bloomscape. Once they reach their full, lush potential, you'll feel even more satisfied, since you nurtured them along the way.
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Credit: HOMARDEN
Copper watering can
For Watering Your Plants In Style
You can't take care of plants without a watering can. This copper one will have you looking every bit the farmer: The gooseneck style will help you water potted plants without spilling or making a mess, and the rounded handle makes it easy to adjust your grip based on the height of the plant you're tending to.
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Credit: IVOLADOR
Retro propagation stand
For Pretending To Be An Eccentric Botanist
To achieve true cottagecore glory, you should have approximately one million plants. OK, that might be an exaggeration, but being a plant parent is part of the trend. Propagate your plant children to create new plants with this vintage-inspired propagation stand, and soon your entire home will be full of greenery.
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Credit: AEROGARDEN
Aerogarden Harvest 360 indoor hydroponic garden
For Growing Your Own Veggies
Don't live near a farm? No worries, just bring the farm to you. This Aerogarden's attached grow light means you won't have to fuss about whether your seedlings are getting enough light. Plus, the control panel lets you know when your veggies need water or plant food.
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Credit: NAIDILER
Green ivy leaf vine string lights
For Nailing The Look Without Real Plants
If you have a black thumb or just don't have the time to take care of plants, you can still achieve the perfect woodland look in your home. These lights look like real ivy leaves and come in a curtain of 12 strands, so you can make an entire wall resemble a twinkly, magical forest.
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Credit: MOMMASOWLNEST
Cottagecore mushroom wooden kitchen spoons
For A Woodsy Kitchen Accessory
We'd like to live inside a little mushroom drawing. These wooden spoons are handmade and feature wood-burned mushroom sketches to bring cottagecore design to your kitchen. There are five different mushroom options, and you can add a name or quote for free for an extra personal touch.
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Credit: NEWGEM
Cross-back apron
For Flour Spills
Once you get the hang of baking from scratch, you might find that it's difficult to keep all that flour off your clothes. This cross-back smocked apron will keep your clothes clean — and it looks darling, too.
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Credit: THE PIONEER WOMAN
The Pioneer Woman 16-piece baking set
For All Your Baking Needs
Baking is a cottagecore must, and this vintage-inspired floral baking kit from The Pioneer Woman hits the nail on the head in terms of aesthetic. It comes with four measuring scoops, four measuring spoons, a measuring cup, two spatulas, and a ceramic baking dish. You'll be whipping up cookies, breads, and pies from scratch in no time.
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Credit: WILLIAMS SONOMA
Homemade sourdough bread kit
For Making Delicious Sourdough
Making sourdough bread is hard, but if you still want to get into bread baking, this kit will help streamline the process. It comes with a proofing basket, a basket cover, a bread lame, replacement blades, a bench scraper and a dough scraper. You'll be a master baker in no time.
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Credit: EMILE HENRY
Vintage ceramic pie plate
For Baking Fruit Pies
To truly attain the pie-cooling-on-the windowsill-ambiance, you should actually make a pie. This vintage-inspired design is somehow both elegant and adorable, and it'll make a homemade tart or pie even more Instagram-ready.
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Credit: LE CREUSET
Le Creuset dutch oven
For Using Up That Sourdough Starter
Did you know you can make bread in a dutch oven? If you really want to get fancy, consider a Le Creuset classic: It's sturdy, conducts heat well, and looks elegant, so you can keep it on your stove in plain view. Aside from bread, it's also great for making hearty soups and stews, which are winter cottagecore essentials.
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Credit: UNCOMMON GOODS
Heart-shaped linzer cookie baking kit
For Cute Cottage Cookies
All good cottagecore folk bake homemade sweets for their friends and family. This linzer cookie baking kit gives you a head start on these dainty treats, with pre-measured ingredients and easy instructions. All you need to do is add butter and eggs, bake, then decorate with raspberry jam.
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Credit: CAROLINA MFG.
Paisley bandana
For A Practical Accessory
If you've been on cottagecore TikTok at all, you've definitely seen someone wearing a bandana as a hair covering. The accessory is equal parts vintage chic and farmer gal — plus, it'll keep your hair out of your face while you're baking or gardening.
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Credit: AMAZON
Cottagecore patterned mask
For Staying Safe And Stylish
Just because you have to wear a mask when you're in public doesn't mean you need to give up your quaint countryside style. This one has a real Alice in Wonderland, enchanted forest vibe. Look at the little rabbit!
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Credit: LIRIKA MATOSHI
Lirika Matoshi strawberry midi dress
For Trendy Cottagecore Fans
The dress that started it all went viral in 2020 and is still an iconic piece of cottagecore fashion. With its fanciful tulle, fruit motif, and classic tea-length skirt, it's as if Strawberry Shortcake grew up and started throwing chic tea parties at her woodland bungalow.
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Credit: CAVALLINI PAPERS & CO.
Vintage-inspired botanical print
For Showing Off Your Love Of Nature
These vintage-inspired designs are ideal cottagecore decorations to hang on your walls. This one's wildflower-themed, so you can absorb some botanical knowledge, too. (There are plenty of other Cavallini options, like dandelions, mushrooms, and succulents.)
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Credit: GLOSSIER
Glossier Cloud Paint
For Classic Rosy Cheeks
Cottagecore makeup is dainty, minimal, and a little ethereal. You don't need a full face to take part in the trend, but a good cream blush is a necessity. Pat a little Cloud Paint on your cheeks for a rosy glow, or use it as a creamy eyeshadow.
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Credit: OPPS
Glass vases with rope details
For Decorating With Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers are a must in a cottage (or a cottagecore apartment). Grab some simple, elegant vases with farmhouse details to keep fresh blooms in. This set has six different sizes, so you can have flowers in every room, or use some for blossoms and some for propagating plants.
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Credit: HOMESICK
Grandma's Kitchen Homesick candle
For Smelling The Nostalgia
If you don't want to go through the whole process of baking from scratch, but still want your home to smell like there's a pie in the oven, try this Homesick candle. The Grandma's Kitchen scent smells like warm apple pie and snickerdoodles, and will make your apartment feel like it's a little cabin in the woods with fresh baked goods cooling on the windowsill.
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Credit: URBAN OUTFITTERS
Butterfly specimen tapestry
For Quirky Decorators
Don't want everything to be plastered in florals? If you have enough flower-themed decor in your home, opt for this butterfly specimen tapestry instead. It's a slightly more eccentric option than the classic plant varieties.
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Credit: BEARABY
Bearaby Cotton Napper weighted blanket
For Snuggling Up
The cottagecore lifestyle isn't all baking and gardening. You'll also spend substantial time staying cozy indoors. This weighted Bearaby blanket will deliver warmth, comfort, and cozy vibes; plus, it'll look at home in any cottage (read: apartment).
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Credit: HIWARE
Tea infuser teapot
For Tea Parties
Brewing tea to sip all day can make even the dreariest of seasons feel special. This chic teapot comes with a removable infuser capsule, so you can make all your favorite loose leaf varieties in the pot on the stove. Since you can see what's happening inside, it's a particularly good option for blooming teas.
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Credit: VADHAM
Loose leaf tea gift set
For Fancy Sipping
You can't have a teapot without the tea, so treat yourself or a loved one to some high-quality loose leaf tea to brew. This set comes with two different flavors of chai and a green tea blend. The individual gold tins are sophisticated, too, so when the tea is gone, you can reuse them for storage.
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Credit: THREE DONKEYS
Gingham checkered picnic blanket
For Lounging Outside
Gingham is another unofficial pattern of cottagecore, and this picnic blanket is an instant classic. Lay it out, crack open a book, and enjoy cute little finger sandwiches with a friend. :')
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Credit: ENTHUR
Embroidery starter kit with patterns
For Making Your Own Home Decor
Even if someone's not trying to go full cottagecore, a screen-free hobby is never a bad idea. Embroidery is a pleasant way to keep the hands occupied; plus, you'll end up with delicate, color-coordinated decorations for yourself or loved ones. Just imagine yourself in a rocking chair on the porch of an old cottage, embroidery in hand.
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Credit: ZORMY
Wicker picnic basket set
For The Full Picnic Experience
Picnicking is an essential cottagecore activity. Make the prep easier with an all-in-one picnic basket kit, which includes plates, utensils, and an insulated compartment for your food. Charcuterie board picnic, anyone?
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Credit: NINTENDO
'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'
For Virtual Cottagecore
If you haven't played this very relaxing Nintendo Switch game yet, you need to. Craft the right DIY projects and your virtual town will become a cottagecore fantasy — and it doesn't hurt if your villagers are super cute. We wish real life was as fun and charming as this game...
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Credit: FANGAMER
'Stardew Valley' for Nintendo Switch
For Living Out Your Farm Dreams
You don't actually have to live in a sprawling, rural area to take part in the farmcore trend. Stardew Valley lets you live out the farm life fantasy from your couch. Live off the (virtual) land, learn how to manage your fictional grandfather's farm, and build your town's community in this low-stakes role-playing game. Your character can even settle down and start a family.
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Credit: BOOK OF THE MONTH
Book of the Month subscription
For Cozy Nights
What better way to live the country life than to snuggle up with a compelling read every night? A subscription to Book of the Month will get you one (or more, your choice) book per month, shipped to your door. Prices are $49.99 for 3 months, $89.99 for 6 months, or $169.99 for 12 months if you're a really dedicated reader.
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Credit: LDNWILDFLOWER
Pottery kit
For Getting Your Hands Dirty
Even if you can't avoid screen time (who can these days?), keep your idle hands busy in the off-hours with this pottery kit. Learn to make cups, plates, and dishes for trinkets, then decorate them yourself. With a little practice, you could even make a full set of gifts for family and friends.
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Credit: MINDFULKNITS
Knitting starter kit
For Evolving Into Grandma Form
What is there to do in the countryside to keep oneself entertained? Grab this beginner kit and get started on handmade crafts (like knitted hats and scarves) just in time for the holidays, or give the kit as a gift for the person in your life who's looking for a new hobby.
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Credit: ANNIEMESTUDIO
Cottagecore stationery kit
For Handwritten Notes And Letters
Handwritten letters are a lovely way to keep in touch. If you really want to pretend you're Anne of Green Gables, write your pals a thoughtful note on this gorgeous stationery and pop it in the mail. It doesn't get more cottagecore than a wistful letter dotted with strawberries and flowers.
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Credit: HOWARD BERK & TODD PITTARD
Oyster mushroom log kit
For Bringing The Forest Inside
This kit comes with a log that contains oyster mushroom spores. Soak the log and stow it in a dark place and you'll soon see delicious oyster mushrooms start to appear. You can harvest your mushrooms about every six weeks, and if you re-soak the log after each harvest, it can produce mushrooms for up to three years.
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Credit: TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Swift's 'Folklore' on vinyl
For Getting The Vibes Right
This album basically screams "I live in the forest." The unofficial soundtrack of the cottagecore trend, Taylor Swift's Folklore serves all the longing, nostalgic, countryside feels you desire. Times were simpler pre-Spotify, right?
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Credit: FUJIFILM
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
For Capturing The Aesthetic
Are you even cottagecore if you don't have pics to prove it? Snap some photos of your tea party setup or your latest baking project, then use them as home decor. This instant camera prints out small polaroid photos and comes in over 10 different colors, so you can choose one that fits your home's palette.
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Credit: PULCHRITUDIE
Teacup and saucer set
For Tea Parties
Looks like it came from Grandma's house? Check. This set of four vintage teacups will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your cottagecore home, and it'll look great when friends come over for tea. Live the dainty life and drink fancy tea out of these cups while you write handwritten love letters.
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Credit: CARONSHOP
Frog and Toad sweatshirt
For Literature Lovers
Frog and Toad were the OG cottagecore literature kings, and we will always pay tribute to them. This cute sweatshirt comes in a bunch of different colors and shows the lovable duo flying a kite — a perfect cottagecore activity if we ever saw one.
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Credit: URBAN OUTFITTERS
Toadstool Mushroom Stool
For Feeling Like You Live In The Woods
If you can't actually live in a cottage, make your home feel like one with this cute mushroom stool. You'll definitely feel like a little fairy sitting on it.
Jae Thomas is a Colorado-based Shopping Editor for Mashable. They specialize in pet tech, smart fitness gear, finding the perfect gift, and sourcing the top deals on shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Jae has worked at Mashable since 2020, where they've written countless deals roundups and product reviews. Before Jae came to Mashable, they received a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote food and lifestyle content for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire.
When they're not testing products or writing about online shopping, you'll find Jae whipping up an elaborate meal, hiking, camping, or training their dogs, Miso and Dashi. Reach out to them on X at @jaetaurina or by email at [email protected].
