So, its that time of the year, when lovers out there get into a panic about flowers... so we thought we might help with some tips about how you can get the best flowers for your love...
Skip The Same Old Standbys. Unless your Valentine is crazy for red roses and only red roses, avoid them like the plague. The same goes for pink roses, and pink and red tulips, though to a lesser degree. You see, various players in the floral industry save up their Valentine's Day heavy hitters for days and weeks before the holiday, meaning that by the time you buy the red roses, they maybe have a few precious hours to live. Much better to buy something a little less traditional that was harvested more recently. Here in Singapore, most blooms are shipped in, so get the ones that arrive on the day you are shopping rather than ones that have been brought in and prepped days in advance.
Don't Fret If You Don't Know Their Favorite Flower. I've seen so many people have a near-panic attack when they realize they dont' know their beloved's favorite flower. It can be a helpful bit of trivia, but many people have several favorites, or no favorite. It's much, much more helpful to think about, and tell me about, your beloved's style. Is her home stark and modern? Does he dress in many colors at once? Does she like to run through forests barefoot, or would a manicured garden be more her scene? Adjectives like wild, modern, exotic, sweet, feminine, rugged, sunny, lush, or mysterious, whether they apply to your beloved's clothing, home, or personality, can help me put together the perfect arrangement.
Take Cues From Food. Scent is a major issue in the floral world. Think about what your Valentine likes to eat and drink. Does your darling prefer more savory scents? Many florists these days are carrying fresh rosemary, bay, mint, and oregano, so you can put together a bouquet good enough to eat.
Have Your Love Letter Ready. Chances are you'll be asked what you'd like to have written on the card if you are ordering your flowers to be delivered. Don't be shy — but do be prepared. It can be extremely difficult to come up with something romantic/meaningful/sexy/sweet on the spur of the moment, with someone waiting, so have your inscription written down ahead of time. This will also give you a chance to figure out the punctuation you prefer — exclamation points can make all the difference!
Be Explicit When You Order. If you need an arrangement delivered by 3pm, please be sure to tell your friendly neighborhood florist! Deliveries are generally arranged geographically (all the orders for the day gathered and then delivered via the most efficient route possible) so yours might not arrive until 6, after you've already left for the weekend.
Be Patient (Within Reason). If you didn't specify a time and your Valentine hasn't received a delivery yet, try not to worry. Valentine's Day, the days before, and even the day after, are a crazy time in the life of florists, a period of 12+-hour days without breaks.
Remember It's Only One Day, It's Only One Bouquet. Whether you're sending or receiving flowers, it can be tempting to put the pressure of the entire relationship on their delicate stems. Are the flowers she sent you a bit lackluster? That might say more about the depleted flower market and the exhausted florist than it says about her feelings for you. Did he not send your favorites? Maybe there are no pink tulips within a hundred miles. We do our best to make each bouquet perfect, but there are misses and miscommunications. Whether the flowers are wonderful or underwhelming, they're just flowers, and it's just Valentine's Day, and there's so much more to your love than that.
