How to find the best deal on Mother’s Day flowers
In 2008, $35.6 billion worth of floral items were purchased in the U.S., and I’m betting Mother’s Day was one of the leading occasions. If you’re thinking flowers as one of this year’s Mothers’ Day gift ideas, we have a few tips to pass along to help you get your money’s worth.
Where can you get the best price?
I ran the numbers for a dozen long-stemmed red roses delivered to my Midwest home from three online flower vendors. The online version of FTD, which wouldn’t divulge its “service fee” until I’d almost completed an order, charges $49.99 without a vase, with a service fee that goes up from $14.99 on the Thursday before to $17.99 on Friday and $29.99 on Saturday. These flowers are delivered by UPS or FedEx.
1-800-Flowers charges $59.99 for a dozen “Rose Elegance Premium Long Stem Red Roses” in a vase, with a $14.99 service charge. Its flowers are delivered by a florist. Teleflora also charges $59.95 for 12 standard red roses in a glass vase, with a $14.99 delivery charge; Saturday delivery is the same price as other days of the week.
Apparently, the glass vase costs $10. I can buy one for 50 cents at Goodwill.
I then called my local florist, Market Blooms in Columbus, who told me they would supply a dozen roses in a vase delivered on the Thursday before Mother’s Day for $50 plus $8 delivery and sales tax.
My conclusion? Shopping local florists makes a lot more sense — in this case, about $17 worth. Call early and be sure to ask if there is a difference in delivery cost on Thursday vs. Friday vs. Saturday.
What do you look for when shopping for flowers?
One vendor classes flowers this way:
Flower — size, tightness, state of opening, free of insects and disease.
Leaves — Good color (not pale), well formed, no young tips that wilt, free of insects and disease.
Stems — Straight, resistant to bending, free of insects and disease.
The larger, tighter, open roses with green well-formed leaves and long, straight firm stems are going to be worth more.
I asked Jennifer Sparks, the vice president of marketing for the Society of American Florists, how can a shopper determine if the flowers he/she is considering buying are fresh? She replied, via e-mail:
It’s a little like buying produce — trust your eye. Look for stems and petals that look vibrant and fresh, versus slightly wilted or tired looking. For roses, check the heads with a slight squeeze for a firm bud. If it is mushy, it is further along in its life. Also, check around to see how the flowers are being kept — are they in a cooler or cool area in containers with clean water? It is best to buy from a florist or establishment that knows how to properly care for flowers and offers a satisfaction guarantee.
I also asked Sparks — what’s the deal with those people who sell flowers at freeway exits?
Usually they set up “shop” the day before or of a major holiday. They do not pay taxes to help the local economy like established local businesses. While the price may seem like a good value, they have often bought the flowers at a discount because they are past their prime, and are not properly cared for and sit in the sun all day which is not good for the flowers. Because of this, those flowers will likely have a very short shelf life and, because the vendor will likely be gone the next day, if consumers have a problem with the flowers, they have no recourse.
And I had to ask her –what is the effect of the Icelandic volcano on flowers this spring? I was thinking perhaps the tulips from Holland would be damaged. Sparks replied:
The impact really came from planes being grounded for a week so product couldn’t get in and out. But there is so much breadth, depth and resourcefulness to the floral industry that other than some logistical challenges, consumers’ needs were able to be met during that time. There are an incredible amount of alternative sources, as tulips and many other flowers are available from South America, Canada, California, Washington and other states.
For those of you concerned about flowers and the environment –
Those flowers in your arrangement may well have traveled a long way before gracing your table. Sixty-seven percent of flowers sold here are domestic, with 77% of those coming from California., and 61% of the remaining third come from Columbia. Its neighbor Ecuador supplies another 17%. According to one study, for those imported flowers “air transportation alone creates 3.1 pounds of carbon per bouquet.” Ouch.
I asked Sparks what Mother’s Day flower selections would come at the least environmental cost? She replied:
Domestic flower growers and the major ones who import their product into the U.S. are environmentally and socially responsible. It makes good business sense. To be able to provide the consumer with great selection and quality, flowers do come from across the country and the world. If you are looking for flowers that are locally grown, ask your florist what options are available for that time.
If you really want to be environmentally friendly, though, stop by my house for a bouquet. I’m growing these round yellow flowers right in my lawn, and you can have all you want.
If you’re dead set on buying your mom a handsome bouquet, though, your local florist is probably the place where you’ll find the best combination of price and quality. If you choose to buy at a grocery store or other bulk retailer, keep in mind the tips above on what to look for, so you can choose a display that will last long enough to give your mom a chance to brag on it.
With new golf courses springing up in and around Clark Philippines and an ever-increasing patronage by tourists from neighboring South Korea, Clark Freeport is short on hotel accommodation.
Even with the addition of 27 holes in 2009 and 2010, there is an acute shortage golf tee times for at least 5-6 months each year. Local players compete with frustrated (golf) tourists from Korea and China for tee times. Unfortunately Clark Philippines doesnβt have the luxury of vast tracts of land suitable for this type of development.
Mimosa offers 36 holes of championship golf, visitors can pay and play, busy during the weekends but not that difficult to get on or join up with a group to form a 4-ball. The new FAKCC offers 27 holes of world-class golf.
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion
You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
What many tourists and residents of Manila, Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines found out over the holidays when they traveled out of town going north to Pampanga for a short getaway and a nice vacation was that there is a highly recommended hotel in Clark is also a very night out place.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.
This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
Yats International Leisure Philippines
For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
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