Photo By Bella Fiori Florist

The Internet has added a twist of which many unscrupulous businesses have taken advantage. Yet few consumers are aware of any pitfalls with this method of gift giving.

At lunch recently with friends, I asked the question: How would you send flowers for Mothers Day? Most replied that they would simply call or go online to order from a national 800-number or website. Several sets of eyes widened when I explained that, by using one of those companies, they would likely spend an additional 20 percent to 30 percent more for their Mother’s Day flowers than if they simply contacted a florist directly in the town where their mothers lived.

How do you find a trustworthy florist in another town? Here are a few dos and don’ts:

Don’t Use Directory Assistance to Order Flowers

Asking the 4-1-1 operator (or your country’s equivalent) for the name of a florist in, say, Concord, Mass., won’t necessarily connect you with an actual florist in that town. Instead, you may be sent to an order-gatherer—that is, a company that takes orders for flower arrangements and adds fees that amount to as much as 30 percent of the price before sending the order to a local florist. (Thus, an arrangement listed as $39.99 can actually end up costing you $60 with the extra fees. Yet the national company doesn’t pass any of these extra charges to the florist who makes and delivers the bouquet. Thus, once that florist deducts another $10 to $15 to pay a driver to deliver it, he will only receive about $25.99 to $29.99 to create your floral gift.)

These companies list themselves as being local florists, but they aren’t. (Some even fraudulently list physical addresses that don’t exist or are for other businesses in an effort to be appear as legitimate floral retailers.)

Kale Roses, Hypericum, Dahlias, Thistle, Poppy and Scabiosa Pods | Courtesy of Bella Fiori Florist

Do Go Online to Order Flowers — But Be Wary

When you perform an Internet search for a florist, what you see is not always what you get. Many order-gatherers try to look like legitimate local florists. You’ll even find online directories that allow you to search by ZIP code or city — but the search findings actually result in “cloaked” names of these national floral-brokerage firms.

You can easily identify whether an online listing is for a legitimate florist shop simply by calling the number listed and asking, “What’s your street address so I can come look at your arrangements in person?” If the person to whom you are speaking can’t — or won’t — give you a street address, you know it’s not a real florist. So keep calling until you find one.

Another option for online searching is to look for a florist association in the state to which you want to send your mother flowers. Most state, city or regional florist associations offer a listing of their members. These are all real-life florists with brick-and-mortar shops who can fulfill whatever order you send their way.

A website that helps direct consumers away from order-gatherers, Florist Detective, also lists a few other options for finding a local florist online.

Carnations for Mother’s Day | Credit to DeShow.net

Don’t Unwittingly Use a “Drop-Shipper” to Send Flowers

A drop-shipper is a company that packages flowers in a box, overnights them using a freight firm, such as FedEx or UPS, and drops them at the recipient’s door. These companies—such as ProFlowers.com — advertise nationally on radio, TV and in magazines. Their websites show lovely flowers arranged in a vase. But what you are actually sending is a cardboard box filled with flowers and a separate vase — if you pay extra for it.

The recipient has to prepare the flowers by cutting off the bottoms of the stems, stripping off foliage that falls below the water line, adding floral preservative to the vase water and then arranging the flowers herself.

Some of these companies include cool packs and water tubes on each stem to help maintain the freshness of the flowers during their logistical journey. But others do not, and all are subject to being delivered when the recipient isn’t home. That means flowers are left at the door in weather that can be extremely detrimental to their longevity. The result is a box of dead flowers that is more of an insult than a happy surprise.

Pink Roses for Mothers Day

Do Call Your Local Florist to Send Flowers (But Don’t Ask for Referrals During Superbusy Holidays)

Florists are slammed with business during holidays. So asking your local florist to recommend or provide the name of an out-of-town florist is like asking a dentist in the middle of an oral surgery to look at your chipped tooth.

Gerbera Daisy for Mothers Day

Of course, if you love your local florist and don’t mind paying an extra fee for her service, call and ask her to handle the request for you. She will be happy to do so and usually can guarantee delivery of your order. Most florists either have a network of national florists on whom they rely for these situations or they belong to a wire service (floral relay companies), such as FTD or Teleflora. As mentioned, you may pay an extra fee to have your florist send the order for you, but to many busy consumers, the convenience is worth it.

If you call your florist during less busy times of the year, he is likely to be happy to help you by providing the name of an out-of-town florist. However, make sure you do him a favor, in return, by using him the next time you need flowers delivered locally. (Remember to save the name and number of that long-distance florist, though, for the next time you need to send a bouquet.)

Don’t Fall for National Advertising or Daily-Deal Discounts When Ordering Flowers

Those wire services mentioned earlier — FTD and Teleflora, for example—legitimately connect local florists with one another to aid them in sending orders to out-of-town customers. However, their dot-com equivalents — FTD.com, Teleflora.com and other big-name firms such as 1-800-Flowers.com—are not the same. These online affiliates are among the order-gatherers mentioned previously. They add those extra fees to the cost of an arrangement, send the order to a “receiving” florist to fulfill it and charge you a boatload of extra fees in between.

Similarly, take care when you see advertisements for discounted offers, particularly on the daily-deal websites. Recently, the floral industry has seen instances where the company offering the deal sent consumers to a different website than its regular one — a website where the prices were higher. Thus, consumers actually got a worse deal using the discount. (Of course, the regular site still charged hefty extra fees. So avoid these sites no matter how tempting the discounts look.)

Pink Carnation | Credit to DeShow.net

Do Ask Friends for a Referral in Sending Flowers

With so many social-networking sites available today, it’s easy to find a friend or friend-of-a-friend in the city where you want flowers delivered. Go on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or another social-media site. Ask if someone can recommend a local florist that you can call.

Once you have the name of a quality-minded florist you can trust, keep it in a safe place for future use. Then, whether you are sending an order today, tomorrow or next year, you can ensure you are spending money on a bouquet for which you can be proud — and that your mom will be proud to show off.

Written by

Gina Kellogg

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the “Like”, “Tweet”, “+1” buttons or sharing it using the share icons below. Want to read more articles like this? Then Subscribe, and get our articles directly to your inbox or RSS reader.

Related posts:

1. How to Find a Florist & Save Money Sending Flowers
2. Valentine’s Day Aftermath: Don’t Give Up After a Bad Bouquet
3. How to Give Stylishly Chic Mother’s Day Flowers

Her taste in flowers probably is just as fashionable. She wants a floral arrangement that—when delivered—will make friends and coworkers “Ooooh!” and “Ahhhh!” with heart-felt envy rather than merely polite admiration.

Mothers Day Flower Ideas

Stylish Ideas for Mother’s Day Flowers

What do the most fashionable flowers for Mother’s Day look like that will make mom the envy of her office? Check out this review of some of the trendiest styles that you can request from your local florist:

Mother’s Day Flowers With Pavé Passion

The pavé look is an especially high-style option. Pave designs feature short-stemmed blossoms, all arranged at the same height in a tightly packed design. Usually, you’ll see them in a short container, often square or rectangular in shape. Some florists get even more creative and place them into unique containers such as hinged-lid boxes. If the mom in your life has a favorite flower, ask whether it would be appropriate for a pavé design. Request colors that will complement her home’s décor, including a base or vase that reflects her style.

Sweetheart Rose Pave Flower Arrangement | Credit to ShannonsShanonigins

A Worthy Mother’s Day Wreath

Wreaths are not just for hanging on doors, and they don’t have to come only in round shapes. Florists can create them in squares, triangles, ovals or any silhouette you desire. Wreaths are especially beautiful set flat on a tabletop with tapered or votive candles nestled in the center.

Give your florist some design free will, and you’ll be more likely to present mom with something especially memorable this Mothers Day. For example, tell your florist whether the recipient loves a cottage-garden style or sleek, modern look. Using varying heights of flowers and textures, your floral designer can create a one-of-a-kind wreath that will leave your mom speechless.

Contemporary Wreath | Credit to Herta Vasiloudis

Mother’s Day Flowers With Ikebana Accents

Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging cut flowers in rhythmic, decorative designs. But even if your loved one isn’t an Asian enthusiast, she will still appreciate the delicate shapes and textures that Ikebana designs evoke. Again, tell the florist of the recipient’s favorite flower so that the floral designer can incorporate that blossom into the arrangement. And request a container in which the flowers can be designed that will work well in the mother’s home décor.

Fabulous Underwater Flowers for Mother’s Day

One of the most elegant and chic designs you can request for a Mother’s Day recipient is the tall cylindrical or square vase in which flowers are “suspended” underwater. These designs can last an especially long time, depending on the type of flowers chosen for display. Orchids and callas are especially elegant, and the florist can incorporate twisted and spiraling wire as a sculptural element, along with other bling, such as colored or natural stones or glass pebbles.

Submerged Orchids | Credit to Elaine25

While mom will appreciate any flower arrangement you choose for her, taking the time to order something that reflects her personal style is a route destined to bring back fond memories of your thoughtfulness for a long time — or at least until next year.

For more creative ideas for Mother’s Day, take a look at our Mothers Day Gift Ideas: 10 Great Ways to Spoil Her.

Written by

Gina Kellogg

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the “Like”, “Tweet”, “+1” buttons or sharing it using the share icons below. Want to read more articles like this? Then Subscribe, and get our articles directly to your inbox or RSS reader.

Related posts:

1. Mothers Day Gift Ideas: 10 Great Ways to Spoil Her
2. Send Flowers for Mothers Day — Without the Hidden Fees
3. Valentine’s Day: Just One More Reason to Give Flowers

Moms don’t expect much from us, yet they are always ready to give us the world, and have likely been doing this for most of our lives. Well Mothers Day, which falls on the second Sunday of May each year, is the perfect opportunity to treat your mother to something very special to show her just how much she is appreciated.

This year Mother’s Day falls on the 13^th of May and to help get your creative juices flowing, we have put together a list of great Mothers Day gift ideas which we hope will inspire you on your quest to spoil your mom.

#1  Send Her Flowers

.

A classic Mothers Day gift is the gift of flowers. You can’t go wrong by sending her favourite flowers whether roses, carnations or lilies in a beautifully arranged flower basket, vase or terracotta pot, especially if you can’t be with her on this special day. Here are some excellent flower ideas: Stylish Ideas for Mother’s Day Flowers.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Mothers Day Flowers

#2  For the Creative Mom

.

If your mother enjoys arts and crafts like beading, card making and scrapbooking, show her you’re interested by joining her for a class or take her shopping for beads, special paper and scrapbooking materials. Spending quality time together doing something she loves will mean the world to her.

#3  Picnic in the Park

-

Plan a well organised picnic in the park or botanical gardens. Pack her favourite food and snacks. She will love the fresh air and time she gets to spend with you. Alternatively, take her out to her favourite restaurant.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Picnic Menu Ideas

#5  Mother’s Day Weekend Away

If you live in another town or city, buy her an aeroplane ticket to visit you, or surprise her by organizing for you and all your brothers and sisters to spend Mother’s Day weekend with her.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Student Flights

#4  Pamper Hamper or Gift Set

Buy her a gorgeous pamper gift hamper with luscious, aromatic, soothing bath products to enable her to relax and unwind.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Mothers Day Gift Hampers

#6  Midlands Meander

Spoil your mother with a trip through the Midlands meander if you live in Durban or near Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. Stop at the little stalls along the way, and be sure to visit the Howick Waterfall and take her somewhere for lunch, tea, cakes or scones etc.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Midlands Meander

#7  Make a Scrapbook or Photo Album

-

Collect recent pictures from all your moms’ children and grandchildren and compile a lovely photo album or scrapbook with all the pictures and any other tit bits you can put together.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Scrapbooking Ideas

#8  A Mother’s Day at the Spa

-

A lovely way to spoil your mother is to treat her to a day of pampering at the Spa. To make it even more meaningful, clean her house or give her bedroom a make-over, buy new linen, bedside tables, lamps, add nice photo frames with pictures of all her children or hang her favourite art on the wall while she is away.

Florist Chronicles recommends: Mangwanani African Spa

#9  Mothers Day Cruise

–

If you can afford it, and want to treat your mother to the holiday of a lifetime, book her on a luxury cruise to an exotic destination. Many tour operators put great Mothers Day cruise packages together, so do a search on the internet for Mothers Day Specials in your area. If you are in South Africa, we definitely recommend a cruise on the MSC Melody from Durban with stopovers in Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius and then back to Durban. Bookings are now open for the 2011/12 season and you can grab a special 40% early booking discount!

Florist Chronicles recommends: MSC Melody

#10  Give the Gift of Time

Finally, one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your mother is the gift of time. Just simply do something with your mom that you never have the time to do or have been avoiding because it doesn’t interest you or seems like too much effort. Life is short; we must appreciate every opportunity we get to spend with the people we love.

-

Well we hope you enjoyed this article, and that we were able to inspire you with these ideas for Mothers Day. Just remember, the perfect Mothers Day gift that will mean the most to your mom probably isn’t the most expensive or elaborate one. Think along the lines of doing something that you can’t or don’t normally do for her or with her. Not only will you be spending precious quality time with her, but you will also be creating memories that will last forever…

As we always say, “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!”

Hey, we’d love to hear your own Mothers Day ideas, so please share them with us in the comments box below, or come back after Mothers Day and tell us what you ended up doing. If you are a Mom, what would the perfect Mothers Day be for you?

PS: If you enjoyed this article, help spread the word by clicking the “Like”, “Tweet”, “+1” buttons or sharing it using the share icons below. Want to read more articles like this? Then Subscribe, and get our articles directly to your inbox or RSS reader.

Related posts:

1. 14 Great Valentines Day Ideas
2. How to Give Stylishly Chic Mother’s Day Flowers
3. Send Flowers for Mothers Day — Without the Hidden Fees