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Today I'd like to discuss a phrase I heard over the holidays. "I don't like to send flowers, because they just die" So apparently this person felt it was a waste of his money to buy flowers. At the time, I didn't come to the defense of my profession. I was a guest and felt it inappropriate to argue the point. As a florist, I have heard this being said more than once in my career, but this time it made me stop and think. Are flowers a waste of money??? I don't think so.
Yes, flowers DO die. They are a living part of nature. They have a beginning and an end. AND if you take proper care of them they can last and provide much joy during their "stay".
Let's looks at some of the other types of "gifts" that society has deemed appropriate as opposed to giving flowers...
For instance, chocolate. .MMMMmmm! I love chocolate but it has to be GOOD chocolate...and that runs in the same price range as flowers. So, price wise, it is comparable. You travel to your favorite Candy store and make your purchase. Happiness factor? I would give it a 10...but what about those on a diet or diabetics? Not a good choice for those guys. Now-how long does it last? Once the box is opened, it is soon over. Offering friends and family members a piece will destroy a box in a matter or a few days. So, the lasting quality just isn't there.How about a nice dinner out? Everyone loves to dine out, but it can be very expensive (a meal for ONE person can equal the price of a beautiful bouquet) and then you have to pay for the rest of the guests or yourself - doubling the cost and the experience lasts for JUST that evening. And we all know how long that meal will last and where it will end up, don't we? Happiness factor again I'd say 10 because you are spending quality time with people you love..Not bad!
Jewelry?? Now there's a gift that lasts! It is also a gift that COSTS! This is definitely a gift of choice for any special lady (a 10 for sure) BUT you need to get out that credit card, because it will take a while to pay this gift off. So, not really cost efficient, but HAS last-ability (that's a new word I just made up - not in the dictionary I'm sure)!! You can show it off to others; but then you might be considered a "show off" :) You can't go wrong with jewelry.
NOW, let's take a look at flowers from beginning to end. They are easy to order - you don't even have to leave the house OR you can order from your desk at work OR when you are on the GO. Call or place an order via our website and BAM that task is DONE. OK, so you call to place an order...you can check the website to see about what you can get for the money you have to spend....Kelly will make you something according to your budget amount. We have done single stem Roses with greens & baby's breath for as little as $5. You can hardly buy a CARD for $5 these days. Let's say you want something DELIVERED...Our minimum for a delivered order is $35 and if you are sending to a Gap resident (our hometown) there is NO DELIVERY fee. So, the order is placed, the cost is reasonable (remember it fits YOUR budget), what's next? Kelly will put together an order fulfilling your requirements...bright and cheery? serene? whatever you require. At that point your order is delivered to "that special someone". The recipient is HAPPY to get flowers! If they are sent to the workplace - EVERYONE gets to see that someone cared enough to send flowers!! Then the flowers go home and once again, the happiness is shared! Pretty good bang for your buck, don't you think? They are placed with care for all to see and appreciate their beauty, time and time again. With proper care they should last a week or longer...just don't forget to change the water every 2 days and make a fresh cut so they can drink!
So...going back to the original thought here, let's take a look at the value of buying flowers for your loved ones versus other purchases. You don't have to leave your home to order, whereas eating out or purchasing chocolates require a trip to either the store or the restaurant. Your flowers give joy when received, as do chocolates and maybe even restaurant outings. That joy from flowers can then be shared with others - chocolates and jewelry make the grade here, but not so much the eating out experience. And finally the longevity of the gift given...well flowers last probably a lot longer than those chocolates, and DEFINITELY longer than that meal!!! Besides that you usually end up with a lovely container from your flowers that can be reused or recycled again and again!
Perhaps the next time I hear this being said, I WILL come to the defense of my profession and mention all the reasons stated here as examples of why buying flowers is one of the BEST uses of your money when purchasing a gift!
