Gold Pile Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 Ok, I don't know it all. I hope others will share their flower giving tips too. Aside from the rare curbside sale from a backyard gardner, the best values can be found at major supermarkets. Look for plants that might seem a little sparse, but have nice colors or a nice container. Depending on your location/season you can often fill these plants out with free greens that grow near the road. I've tried evergreen branches in the winter...but it really doesn't look good. In a pinch, leafy spinach from the same supermarket can fluff up a plant real well. Only do this if there's a good sale on the spinach. I recently did the spinach trick along with a few found acorns. A nice gift it made. It wouldn't be right to swipe filler plants from parks etc..except if you live at a condo (Like me)... your condo fees pay from the landscaping, so why not take a few. Once I put an abandoned birds nest in $12 plant/container. Probably doubled it's value for free. The brightly colored stones in some fish tanks can add dazzle to a cheap, dull container/plant.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 There are many pretty varieties of lettuces and herbs like parsley and cilantro. And the person receiving the bouquest could actually USE the stuff to cook with. WAY better than the traditional bouquet. Pinecones are good too. The arts and crafts stores have great stuff to put on too. And it's cheap. Or you could try growing your own stuff if you're really looking for a cheap alternative. OR just give the recipient packets of seeds to grow their own flowers. That would be the easiest and cheapest. Just thrown the seeds in a cheap basket and throw a ribbon on the handle and pouf, you'e done.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 You know broccoli and cauliflower would be beautiful in a bouquet too. Don't understimate the edible bouquets. Just wrap a ribbon around the stems and viola! An edible bouquet! And so prettty too. Swiss Chard also is good. Go to the gourmet section for those that have the multicolored stems. It would make a beautiful presentation. If you're trying to send a sexual message along with your bouquet, stick a nice big fat zucchini in there. She'll get your message and appreciate it I'm sure. Good luck and have fun!
Author Gold Pile Posted December 3, 2005 Author Posted December 3, 2005 OR just give the recipient packets of seeds to grow their own flowers. Now that's just silly. Unless she had a green thumb.
Author Gold Pile Posted December 3, 2005 Author Posted December 3, 2005 You know broccoli and cauliflower would be beautiful in a bouquet too. Don't understimate the edible bouquets. Just wrap a ribbon around the stems and viola! An edible bouquet! And so prettty too. Swiss Chard also is good. Go to the gourmet section for those that have the multicolored stems. It would make a beautiful presentation. If you're trying to send a sexual message along with your bouquet, stick a nice big fat zucchini in there. She'll get your message and appreciate it I'm sure. Good luck and have fun! Might have a decay/smells problem with these. But I like the ribbon idea! I'll look around for a deal on ribbons, then I'll have plenty to colorise and fluff up cheaper flowers...for years.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 Well, I don't see anyone else giving you cheap flower giving advice, yet you knock down all my ideas. Beggars can't be choosers. Broccoli and Cauliflower last a long time. At least as long as roses, if not more. Just put them in a cheap vase with ribbon. The seed packet idea is GREAT. For heaven's sakes...a CHILD could grow zinnias or marigolds. There's nothing to it. You know you could plant the seeds yourself and just give her the container with soil and seeds already planted. That way, when they come up a week or 10 days later, she'll think about you. But you'll probably shoot down that idea too.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 GP, what do you mean you'll look around for a "deal" on ribbon! You are NOT buying a car for heaven's sakes! It's just f'in' ribbon for crying out loud. I mean cheap is cheap but REALLY! In fact, if I were you, I'd go the expensive route on that one item. Find the BEST ribbon you can find. Maybe something with real gold thread or something that way your cheap broccoli or cauliflower bouquets will REALLY shine! She'll think you're the most original thinker! (There's a slight chance though that she might think you're cheap and/or nuts but I highly doubt that if you use the good ribbon.)
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 Sorry to post again but the ideas keep flowing on this one! Since you're not above stealing, have you thought about stealing some old plastic bouquets off someone's graveyard? I mean I would pick one that looks neglected. One that you think people don't really visit anymore. Here's a tip: Walk through the cemetery and if you see some plastic spring flowers on a grave, that's usually a good sign since it's December now. Don't take any flowers that are from this season because that means people are visiting the grave and updating the flowers according to the season. So look for some tulips or other spring type good quality plastic flowers. Now, that's really being thrifty! Usually I'm against stealing but the dead person obviously won't know. And like I said, clearly no one is visiting anymore with those out of season flowers. So do you like that one? Bet you never thought of that, huh?
Outcast Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 Better yet - walk through old folks' homes and take the flowers out of the vases while they sleep. They probably have Alzheimer's anyway and won't notice. Rinse out your peanut butter jars real well and they'll make beautiful vases!
Yamaha Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 I see nothing wrong with your advice if your heart is in the giving. If it is just a cheap thing then the giving is null and void. Give because it is in your heart and not a means to and end.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 Better yet - walk through old folks' homes and take the flowers out of the vases while they sleep. They probably have Alzheimer's anyway and won't notice. Rinse out your peanut butter jars real well and they'll make beautiful vases! Now that's just plain MEAN! It just goes to show you how ignorant people are about certain diseases. People with Alzheimer's can still SEE for pete's sakes! Although yes, they may have forgotten they even HAD any flowers to begin with (so I see your point now) but still. That's mean. Those people are still alive and need that kind of joy in their lives. Some people's cruelty and insensitivity just floors me! Also, I think jelly jars are prettier than peanut butter jars. They're really classier looking.
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 I see nothing wrong with your advice if your heart is in the giving. If it is just a cheap thing then the giving is null and void. Give because it is in your heart and not a means to and end. I'm not sure I follow Yamaha. Are you saying that as long as his heart is in it that the price of the gift doesn't matter? Because I agree with that. Also, it will really let him see if he's dealing with a golddigger or not. I mean he says he's trying to change his ways and I admire that.
Author Gold Pile Posted December 3, 2005 Author Posted December 3, 2005 I mean he says he's trying to change his ways and I admire that. I am?? .....
Hot Coco Posted December 3, 2005 Posted December 3, 2005 I am?? ..... I thought you were. Maybe I misunderstood. I thought you didn't want golddiggers anymore? Sorry if I got that wrong. Do you still want golddiggers? Then you're going about it all wrong!
Basic Posted December 4, 2005 Posted December 4, 2005 Some of this is crazy. But flowers do have a high mark-up. No spinach, no fish tank stones, no food, but you could beef up things with wild greens if you did it tastefully. I would think a single high priced quality flower would be better than a cheap looking "beefed up" bowl-o-flowers.
jayteresa Posted December 4, 2005 Posted December 4, 2005 Metallics are in at the moment, so go and gather long sticks and twigs and spray them gold or silver, sounds odd but they look so effective both alone or within a flower arrangement, trust me I do interiors and people seem to love it! Cheap yet classy!
Basic Posted December 4, 2005 Posted December 4, 2005 Metallics are in at the moment, so go and gather long sticks and twigs and spray them gold or silver, sounds odd but they look so effective both alone or within a flower arrangement, trust me I do interiors and people seem to love it! Cheap yet classy! Good Idea! maybe Mr. Pile can spray gold paint on lots of stuff:lmao:
jayteresa Posted December 4, 2005 Posted December 4, 2005 Of course, sparkley shiney stuff is always good!
Author Gold Pile Posted December 5, 2005 Author Posted December 5, 2005 Paint on the flowers/twigs is a great idea, but on "everything"...well thats just tacky boys!
Outcast Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 maybe Mr. Pile can spray gold paint on lots of stuff :lmao:
Hot Chocolate Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 I've been thinking...forget flowers. That's so passe'. Why don't you uproot a tree and give her that? Public parks are FULL of them and you pay for those trees with your taxes anyway! So it's not even like you're stealing, right? I mean think of the message that sends. You could put a ribbon around that and give her a whole TREE! You could offer to plant it in her front yard or something. That's WAY better than some cheap flowers or vegetables or herbs or painted twigs...ANY day! And a tree will last so much longer...probably longer than the relationship, right?
Sandyshine Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 Ok, I don't know it all. I hope others will share their flower giving tips too. Aside from the rare curbside sale from a backyard gardner, the best values can be found at major supermarkets. Look for plants that might seem a little sparse, but have nice colors or a nice container. Depending on your location/season you can often fill these plants out with free greens that grow near the road. I've tried evergreen branches in the winter...but it really doesn't look good. In a pinch, leafy spinach from the same supermarket can fluff up a plant real well. Only do this if there's a good sale on the spinach. I recently did the spinach trick along with a few found acorns. A nice gift it made. It wouldn't be right to swipe filler plants from parks etc..except if you live at a condo (Like me)... your condo fees pay from the landscaping, so why not take a few. Once I put an abandoned birds nest in $12 plant/container. Probably doubled it's value for free. The brightly colored stones in some fish tanks can add dazzle to a cheap, dull container/plant. You're funny. and CHEAP!
erika2610 Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 Now that's just plain MEAN! It just goes to show you how ignorant people are about certain diseases. People with Alzheimer's can still SEE for pete's sakes! Although yes, they may have forgotten they even HAD any flowers to begin with (so I see your point now) but still. That's mean. Those people are still alive and need that kind of joy in their lives. Some people's cruelty and insensitivity just floors me! Also, I think jelly jars are prettier than peanut butter jars. They're really classier looking. I know I really don't have any advice to the OP.. but this post just caught my eye. It doesn't matter if AD people won't remember they had flowers.. it it just a horrible thing to say. When AD get things like that, it really perks them up sometimes. makes them happy. And I agree with the Jelly jars..
ms_jnj Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 I would think a single high priced quality flower would be better than a cheap looking "beefed up" bowl-o-flowers. Yeah....honestly I wouldn't know what to do if a guy showed up at my door with a bunch of...spinach. Smile polietly of course...but... And besides if youa re buying fish stones ($3-$6) and a $12 pot...why don't you just use that $15 - $18 to buy her a single rose with a spray of baby's breath? If you found one for $15 you could use the extra $3 and buy a pretty ribbon...since you are into ribbon and all. At any rate, not trying to offend but, generally I think she'd appreciate a rose more than a pot of spinach with fish stones or a packet of seeds. ...though I think you were not serious when you posted this...
Outcast Posted December 5, 2005 Posted December 5, 2005 All right. For those of you who don't have the playbook: OP makes ridiculous suggestions about bogus ways to be cheap about flowers (only a total nutjob would give someone SPINACH). Others chimed in with even more ridiculous suggestions to point out the ridiculosity of the first suggestions. IT'S JUST JOKES. Thank you.
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