Gather, Give, Grow: Creating Beautiful Bouquets with What’s Around You

A simple guide to creating simple, meaningful bouquets—right from where you are.

Remember what Arthur Ashe once said?

“Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”

That’s the heart of the Give Two Challenge—it’s not about perfection, extravagance, or having a picture-perfect cutting garden. It’s about sharing what you do have, right where you are, with open hands and a kind heart.

Kindness doesn’t have to be loud or expensive to be powerful. In fact, some of the most meaningful gifts are the quietest ones—gathered with intention and offered with care.

Even if your garden isn’t blooming yet (or maybe you don’t have one at all), there’s still beauty to be found all around you. Take a closer look at your yard, your landscaping, or even along the roadside. A short walk with curious eyes might surprise you with all the little treasures waiting to be shared.

Seasonal Spring Favorites to Include in Your Bouquets

Blooming Branches
Forsythia, spirea, cherry, and plum are often among the first signs of spring. Their soft blossoms or tiny leaves add height and movement to any arrangement—and they’re especially lovely in a simple jar or recycled bottle.

Daffodils
These bright, cheerful blooms are abundant this time of year. Just let the stems sit in their own water for 24 hours before combining them with other flowers—this helps neutralize the toxic sap they release.

Hyacinths
Fragrant and full of texture, hyacinths are a beautiful option for both potted and cut arrangements. One or two stems make a lovely, generous statement.

Hellebores
These quiet, nodding blooms are among spring’s most elegant treasures. Harvest them early in the morning and sear the stems in boiling water for a few seconds to help them last in the vase.

Dried Grasses or Seed Pods
Remnants from last season—like grasses, seed heads, or even bare branches—can add charm, movement, and depth to your arrangement.

Garden Herbs
Parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme add scent, softness, and texture. Herbs are humble, beautiful, and often growing abundantly, making it easy to fill out a bouquet.

Tulips, Ranunculus, and Anemones
If you have these in your garden or pick up a few at the store, they make stunning focal flowers—but they’re not required. A single flower, shared with love, is just as powerful.

Only Have One or Two Stems? That’s More Than Enough

You don’t need armfuls of flowers to make a difference. In fact, a single stem in a simple vessel can be just as beautiful and meaningful as a full bouquet. If you’re working with just one or two blooms, you’re still absolutely part of this movement.

Here are some of our favorite upcycled vessels that make perfect bud vases:

  • Empty kombucha bottles

  • Glass latte bottles

  • Sparking water bottles

  • Empty spice jars

  • Vintage creamer or syrup jars

  • A set of salt and pepper shakers from your local dollar store

With a little creativity and care, anything can become a beautiful vase—and every flower you give carries a message of hope and kindness.

What Is the Give Two Challenge?

The Give Two Challenge is a simple, heartwarming invitation to share kindness with your community. It works like this:

  • Gather two stems or two bouquets
    Use what you have—seasonal flowers, blooming branches, herbs, or dried elements. Even one or two stems in a simple vessel can make a meaningful gift.

  • Attach a Growing Kindness bouquet tag to each arrangement
    These tags give your flowers a voice, explaining the heart behind your gift and inviting the recipient to pass the kindness on. You can download and print them for free when you sign up.

  • Give one bouquet to someone in service to your community
    A quiet thank-you to someone who shows up for others—whether you know them well or not at all.

  • Invite them to give the second bouquet to someone who might need a little extra kindness
    This is where the magic multiplies—your kindness doesn’t stop with you, it ripples outward as you invite someone to share the joy of giving and they help to give to someone in need of kindness.

  • Share your story
    Your experience might be the spark someone else needs to join in. [Click here to share your Give Two story.]

It’s a small gesture with a big ripple. You never know how far one act of kindness can travel.

If you haven’t already, you can sign up for the Give Two Challenge here to receive your free bouquet tags, easy giving tips, and a chance to share your story with our community.

Together, we’re growing something beautiful—one stem, one bouquet, one act of kindness at a time.