14 Ways to Have a Perfectly Nostalgic Grandmacore Spring

Spring is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy the pretty, simple things of life, from baking with heirloom recipes to dressing in soft, floral patterns. Here’s how to incorporate grandmacore spring elements in your home for the prettiest season ever.

This isn’t a boring to-do list. Everything here should feel light and fun.

1. Choose Heirloom Flowers and Vegetables

When you choose heirloom flowers and vegetables for your garden, you’re not just planting but preserving history. These seeds have been passed down through generations. Think of planting sweet peas for their delicate blooms that grandma loved or tomatoes that taste like summer at your grandparents’ house.

2. Old Fashioned Garden Care

Start with the basics: good soil, a bit of planning, and lots of attention. Your vegetable garden can become a money pit or keep it frugal and simple. Try these old-fashioned methods for caring for your plants.

• Talking to your plants: Yes, it might sound like something out of a fairy tale, but try it. No living thing has ever minded a bit more attention and care.
• Fertilizing with eggshells: Crushed eggshells add calcium to the soil, which is great for peppers and tomatoes
• Using compost for nutrient-rich soil: Before chemical fertilizers, there was compost. Kitchen scraps, yard waste, and even old newspapers can enrich your soil.
• Planting marigolds for pest control: Marigolds are natural pest repellents. It works! You just need a lot of them.
• Using natural remedies for plant diseases: gardeners used to rely on things like baking soda sprays for fungal diseases and hand-picking pests off plants.

Stop looking for ways to make gardening easier and more hands-off. Instead, accept that it’s a lot of work and that the work can be enjoyable. Get out there.

3. Add Nostalgic Garden Elements

Your garden shouldn’t be sleek and stylish. Warm it up with some of these elements that will make you smile.

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• Vintage bird baths: A classic stone or metal bird bath invites feathered friends into your garden and adds a timeless elegance.
• Rustic garden benches: A weathered wooden bench tucked under a tree or amidst your flowerbeds offers a quaint spot for contemplation and relaxation.
• Wrought iron gates and trellises: Incorporating ornate ironwork adds a romantic, old-world charm to your garden, supporting climbing roses or ivy.
• Antique garden tools as décor: Hang old garden tools, like hand rakes, spades, or watering cans, on a fence or shed wall for a touch of rustic flair.
• Wind chimes: Choose wind chimes with a vintage look or melodious tone to add a soothing, auditory element to your garden.
• Sundials: A sundial is a nod to ancient timekeeping and an intriguing focal point in garden design.
• Lanterns: Scatter lanterns or install lampposts that mimic gas lighting to illuminate paths with a warm, inviting glow.
• Stone statues and figurines: Adding statues of cherubs, animals, or mythical creatures among your plants can create enchanting vignettes.
• Weathered wooden signs: Hand-paint signs with the names of your garden areas or favorite quotes about nature on reclaimed wood for a personal touch.
• Repurposed items as planters: Old teapots, boots, or bathtubs can be repurposed into unique planters, blending utility with whimsy.

Many of these are extremely out of fashion. Good! You can find them cheap, and your house won’t look like everyone else’s!

4. Declutter with Heart

It’s not about minimalism. It’s about freshening up your space and making room for the meaningful.

Most of what needs to be decluttered in our home is modern junk. Don’t throw out old things just because you’re in spring cleaning mode. Almost all of them are beautiful and useful.

Think twice before tossing out that old vase or stack of linen napkins. Can the vase be repurposed for a new bouquet of spring flowers? Could those napkins see the light of day at your next family dinner?

5. Make Natural Cleaners

Lemon, vinegar, baking soda—these simple ingredients can tackle almost any cleaning task, from brightening whites to making glass sparkle. You don’t need all those potions under your sink!

Here’s a list of simple, effective mixes you can try out:

• All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Works wonders on countertops, windows, and most surfaces. If you’re not a fan of the vinegar smell, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
• Glass Cleaner: Combine 2 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration) for streak-free windows and mirrors.
• Scrub for Tough Grime: Make a paste with baking soda and water for a powerful scrub that can tackle bathroom and kitchen grime without scratching surfaces.
• Wood Polish: Mix 1 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice for a natural, shiny finish on wood furniture. Apply with a soft cloth and buff gently.
• Carpet Stain Remover: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on stains, let sit for a few minutes, then clean with a brush or cloth.
• Drain Cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover and let it fizz for a few minutes, then flush with hot water to clear clogs.
• Mold and Mildew Remover: Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on moldy areas, wait an hour, then rinse or scrub away.
• Fabric Softener: Use 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle of your wash to soften clothes naturally. Don’t worry; the vinegar smell will vanish once the clothes are dry.
• Lemon Disposal Cleaner: Toss a few lemon peels into your garbage disposal and run it with water for a fresh, clean scent.
• Floor Cleaner: Mix 1 cup vinegar in a gallon of hot water for tile or vinyl floors. For wood floors, swap the vinegar for a mild dish soap.

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There’s something fun about mixing these up. More fun than using them, at least!

6. Bake Something Pretty

There are so many springtime baking ideas. Don’t let winter have all the fun.

Here’s a list of spring-themed baking ideas to get you started. These treats are perfect for enjoying tea on a sunny afternoon or sharing with friends and family at a spring gathering.

• Strawberry Sweet Rolls
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Lavender Honey Cookies
• Blueberry Lemon Bread
• Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart

These are all fresh, fun and pretty.

7. Make a Springtime Jam or Jelly

Making jams with spring’s fresh produce is really a special thing. It’s like bottling up all the brightness and freshness of the season. It’s a reminder of a time when eating seasonally wasn’t a trend, and it was just how things were done.

• Strawberry Preserves: A classic favorite. There’s nothing like slathering homemade strawberry jam on your morning toast.
• Dandelion Jelly: Yep, those yellow flowers in your yard can be turned into a sweet, honey-like jelly. It’s spring in a jar.
• Pickled Asparagus: Great as a snack or chopped into a spring salad.
• Mint Jelly: Fresh and vibrant, it’s amazing with lamb or spread on crackers.
• Violet Syrup: Beautifully purple, sweet, and floral, it’s perfect for adding color and flavor to cocktails or lemonade.

There’s something super satisfying about seeing all those jars lined up, knowing you’ve got a little spring waiting for you any time of the year.

8. Knit or Crochet with Spring Colors

The most granny activity on the list! I have truly no idea how to do any of the things on this list but I wish I did and I hope you try them.

Try one of these ideas:

• Open Weave Scarf
• Lacy Cotton Shawl
• Knit Flower Brooches
• Baby Blanket
• Crochet Market Tote

9. Make Something with Pressed Flowers

There’s something really special about pressing flowers. It’s like freezing a moment in time but in the most beautiful way. Mixing in pressed flowers with photos or notes is such a personal way to keep track of the memories.

• Frame Them
• Custom Greeting Cards: Glue them onto cards for a handmade touch
• Candle Making: Embed pressed flowers around the outside of candles
• Decorating Notebooks or Journals
• Transparent Bookmarks: Sandwich pressed flowers between two pieces of clear contact paper.
• Table Place Cards

In a world that’s all about digital, something like this feels extra special.

10. Have a Spring Tea Party

Tthink vintage teacups, homemade goodies, and real conversations.

• Vintage Tableware
• Homemade Scones and Jams
• A Variety of Teas
• Fresh Flower Centerpieces: Pick some wildflowers or make arrangements from your garden
• Finger Sandwiches: Try cucumber, egg salad, and smoked salmon with cream cheese.
• Old-Fashioned Desserts: Lemon bars, Victoria sponge cake, or petit fours.
• Tea Party Attire: Encourage your guests to dress up!
• Background Music
• Crafting Corner: Set up a small area where guests can try a simple craft, like making bookmarks or pressing flowers.

It’s a sweet way to celebrate the season and make everyone feel special. It’s like bringing a piece of the past into today, but it still feels fresh and fun.

11. Make a Reading Nook and Enjoy a Good Classic

Setting up a spot just for reading is a dream for anyone who loves getting lost in stories. It doesn’t take much – just a comfy place to sit and good light. Then, stack it with classics from authors like Jane Austen or Louisa May Alcott, and you’ve got the perfect pretty escape.

12. Decorate with Floral Patterns

Florals? For spring? While not groundbreaking, these can go anywhere and they add th most classic spring look of all.

Here’s how you can add this into your home.

• Throw Pillows: Make or buy a floral throw print cover.
• Bedding
• Curtains: Light, airy curtains with a subtle floral print.
• Dresses: A floral dress is a spring wardrobe staple.
• Scarves: If you’re not ready for a full floral outfit, a floral scarf can work.
• Tablecloths and Napkins.
• Tote Bags
• Art Prints

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They bring a bit of the outdoors inside and add a cheerful vibe to your day.

13. Try Some Real DIYs

All these ideas can help you create a super cozy home that you’ve created yourself

• Sewing vintage-style aprons
• Building a book nook
• Refurbishing an old piece of furniture
• Making your own herbal sachets: Fill small fabric pouches with dried lavender or your favorite herbs. They’re great for drawers or closets.
• Assembling a photo wall with antique frames: Collect some antique frames and fill them with family photos or vintage prints for a personalized gallery wall.

These are real, practical projects that add tons of personality to your home.

14. Add Even More Spring, Even It’s a Little Cheesy

When you’re a grandma, you can get away with it!

• Baby animals. A spring classic for a reason. You can find some pretty neat pictures or even small statues of ducklings, lambs, or bunnies. Hanging a couple of those pictures on your walls or putting a statue on a shelf can really make your place feel like spring has sprung.
• Lace. Swapping out heavy curtains for some light lace ones can change the feel of a room, letting in more light and adding a soft touch.
• Greenery. Don’t forget about the power of plants and flowers. Nothing says spring like fresh flowers in a vase.

Just add bits and pieces that make you feel happy and at ease.

More Grandmacore Resources

This is a growing trend, but it’s also a classic. Here’s more to explore.

• Sewing Projects with Classic Charm. Here are step-by-step instructions for simple, beginner-friendly sewing projects.
• How to Crochet
• Vintage Wildflower Wall Art

Hopefully, you’re walking away with some inspiration to make this spring a little more special and grandmacore. This is not a list of all the things you should do. Just ideas to celebrate the season. Have a beautiful spring!