Florists are are ready to respond to your budget needs with many options besides the traditional dozen long stemmed roses in that fabulous crystal vase.  While this is still the #1 gift for Valentine’s Day, other options with a more modern appeal abound.  Here are some money saving ideas for gift giving this year:

Pre-plan your gift giving and order early.  You’ll get the best prices and guarantee delivery when you order early.  Find a local florist near your delivery area and contact them directly.  You’ll avoid getting lost in a sea of orders at the .com services.  Most of their orders are filled by your local florists so why not buy direct?   We can tell you exactly what is available in our area, what your best values will be, and only promise you what we can deliver.

Try not to buy your flowers on a street corner or from under a tent.  It is important that your flowers be kept in carefully controlled climates until you’re ready to place them in your home or office.  When your roses spend the day outside, they lose approximately 5 days of their vase life.  Call ahead and have your florist prepare an arrangement just for you. You’ll reduce your wait time and get exactly the flowers you want.

Do you have a coupon from an online flower source?  Call your local florist and ask him if he’ll honor it.  You might be surprised at how many will do this for you.

Instead of splurging for the whole dozen roses, ask your florist to create a beautiful arrangement of 6 red roses and 6 other more affordable flowers, such as pink carnations and/or white daisies.  During the Valentine’s holiday season, there are only a few flowers whose prices jump sky high.  Roses, lilies, calla lilies, orchids, and a few other premium flowers really do get expensive, but you’ve got options.  Carnations have made a comeback due to their spicy fragrance, their new and beautiful colors, and their incredible vase life.  Designed with a creative touch and a few more luxurious flowers in the vase, carnations are an affordable for every budget.

Tulips are extra affordable in most parts of the USA during the month of February.  Tulips are very pretty, especially when mixed in with other flowers.  A vase arrangement of tulips, fresia, and roses will be fragrant, beautiful to look at, and will have a long vase life but it shouldn’t destroy your wallet.  Ask your florist about holiday vases or colored vases to add a special quality to your gift.  These are usually very reasonably priced.

If you’re ready to blow the budget, go for the gold standard: a dozen long stemmed roses in the classic gold box decked out with a beautiful red satin bow.  WARNING:  You must not mail these to your love; they have got to be hand delivered for that “OMG!” reaction.  The look on your lover’s face when they see that beautiful gold box is something straight out of Hollywood. Include a box of chocolates and a teddy bear for extra hugs and kisses.  We offer this combination in our shop for less than $90 delivered.  Your local florist should have similar options.

Want something unusual? Think about calla lilies, orchids, proteas or anthuriums.  These are all very popular flowers, have a long vase life and can be designed in unique, contemporary arrangements.

Sending flowers to your Mom this year?  Think traditional beauty.  A classic arrangement of star gazer lilies and roses will show her your love and appreciation.  Oriental lilies have a long vase life so even after the roses are gone, Mom will have a fragrant reminder of her wonderful child nearby.

Want to send something to that special man in your life?  Your florist will have lots of affordable, masculine floral options available as well as chocolate or coffee gift baskets, snack baskets, sports themed baskets and eco-friendly indoor plants or dish gardens.  Dad’s love to receive Valentine’s gifts, too, so don’t leave them off the list.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Hope to see you soon!!!