How To Save Cash on Flowers

With so many holidays promoting the gift of flowers and so many special occasions that warrant the same, people have been spending a small fortune on flowers for decades. Sure, it’s great to send mom a bouquet for Mother’s Day and it’s common for husbands to send roses just because but there is a better way to get a better deal on the beautiful buds.

Here are some easy tips for saving cash on flowers deliveries:

Stick with the local florist. The online flower sites and big dogs like FTD and 1-800-Flowers do make big promises and you can call them at 2 am but essentially it all comes down to this: the big companies add a surcharge to the customers but call on the local florist too. You can do the same thing for free.

Specials are on Friday. At the end of the week, florists are ready to clear out their stock so Fridays and even Saturdays are the best time to ask for a deal.

Restock is Mondays. If you have a specific arrangement in mind, place your order on a Monday and you’ll stand a better chance getting what you want.

Ask for a Deal. Florists usually have no problem giving discounts to senior citizens, local organizations, and loyal customers. But you likely will not get a deal without asking for it first.

Make Flowers Last. Cut stems on an angle and be sure to change the water every other day. When you do change water, wash the vase with soap and water to remove bacteria that will kill the flowers. Use the preservatives the florist provides as directed. If you run out of preservatives, mix ¼ cup of 7 Up with ¾ cup of water and 2 drops of bleach.

Position Counts. Don’t put your flowers in the window. The sunlight is okay but its heat will kill the flowers. Also, never set your arrangements near a bowl of fruit. Fruit emits ethylene gases that kills the flowers.

Too Many Vases? If you are the recipient of regular flower deliveries, you may be up to your eyeballs in clear glass vases. Check with your local florist and see if they will recycle them for you.

No Smell? If you get arrangements that are not very fragrant, don’t worry. Flowers these days are meant to have long stems and longer lives and breeding practices have changed the way flowers smell.