If you're in a relationship (that's less than 5 years old) you may very well get a dozen red roses today (unless he's smart and you're forgiving, in which case he'll wait until tomorrow when they're half price which is actually regular price).
Red roses have come to be synonymous with Valentine's Day. They're right up there with cinnamon hearts and that little fellow Cupid. Because nothing says romance like a crossbow being pointed at you by a doll sized man who for some reason either due to illness or age has incontinence issues. Quite frankly, I think in this scenario, the wrong person is wearing the diaper.
Because of this, today I have for you,
How to Arrange A Dozen Roses
And let me tell you ... it ain't easy. Chances are if you get a dozen roses today, that's exactly what you're going to get. One dozen roses. No filler, no leaves, no fluff. Twelve Roses and a bunch of pretty tissue paper and cellophane. Because of this, in my opinion, one dozen roses are probably even more difficult to arrange than the dreaded Grocery Store Bouquet.
The biggest mistake people make when they get a dozen roses is they a) are afraid to cut the stems and b) put them in too large a vase.
Exhibit A.
Look familiar?
If you INSIST on leaving the stems long, tie them together with a string or piece of raffia about halfway up the stems. This will at least hold the roses in a slightly more pleasant shape.
They're still a tiny bit ridiculous in my opinion.
But I know there ARE a few of you out there who simply will NOT cut the stems. So this is for you.
A slightly more modern approach is to tie the stems together the same way, but allow the bouquet to lean against the side of the vase.
Like so ...
If you happen to have a few sticks or branches around this'd be a good time to use them.
Like so ...
A better bet is to CUT the stems of your roses and put them in a much smaller vase.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
And don't forget, you don't have to put all the roses in one vase. Splitting them up between a few vases can be quite a striking arrangement if I do say so myself. I'm using 3 identical vases of different heights here, but you can use anything you want. Just make sure there's something that connects the 3 vases. Colour, size or shape.
And if you want your roses to last as long as possible, do the Fussy Tussy Mussy.
Roses last the longest when you smash them together a bit, allowing each flower head and stem to support the other.
For Fussy Tussy Mussy instructions click here.
Now ... what if he/she only brings you one rose?
Well then, rip it apart and do this ...
For Rose Bowl Instructions click here.
And just before I let you get back to your work, or childcare or nightcap let me quickly tell you the story about how I got the red roses for this post. I went to buy them at my regular grocery store but when I got them to the cash they were considerably more money than they normally are. Something about the growers raising the prices for Valentine's Day, then the wholesalers and then the store. So I refused to buy them. It was 7 days before Valentine's Day!
I then went to my local garden centre in a huff. Roses there were still $12.99. Unless they were red. In which case they were $30. I stood in the cooler for a full 20 minutes deciding whether or not I could photoshop the orange roses to look like red for my Valentine's post. This led to a few questioning looks from the florist. I explained my dilemma and cheapness. She offered to give me some fully blown red roses for half price. Out of pity. I got a pity posy. And I was fine with that.
And just so you know, in case you didn't get any ... I too won't be getting red roses this year. I've instructed my boyfriend never to buy me red roses on Valentine's Day because of this exact type of money grabbing fiasco.
The very first year we were together we came up with a nice solution to my not getting roses on Valentine's Day. Instead I get a dozen roses during every other week of the year. I think it's a nice compromise. And it's certainly nicer than messing your pants from having a crossbow pointed at you.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
KAHNA EMERY
Some roses I bought a few months ago were white with red lined petals. They waned and drooped, all except one when a friend took it, a rubber band and tied it up side-down. It dried perfectly straight--I still have it. Thank you for this information. I just bought some yellow roses today with one sprig of Baby's Breath. Great solutions!
Johnd453
Hi, everything is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that's really fine, keep up writing. cgbdeeadaeea
Leanne
My birthday is Valentines day so something usually happens. The something is usually red roses. Even though I ask for a hazelnut cream candle... or a book... or peonies... or anything but red roses. Maybe if I point out the fact that he is getting ripped off he will stop buying them. I'm pretty sure he is more cheap than stubborn. ;)
jUDY
If you don't want your rose to droop you can wire them. Stick a piece of floral wire into the head and wrap it down around the stem about 1/2 way. It will hold the head and your bouquet will look great for quite awhile. If your roses aren't opening, recut the bottoms and put in room temp or slightly warm water. So you don't think the florists are the ones raising the prices...it is the growers and yes colored roses are cheaper on valentines day because red is more in demand. Nice ideas herefor arranging but if you receive a doz. roses and there are no greens included I would find another florist.
Terrie
Great tips for easy ways to treat that dozen roses. Great minds think alike and I also wrote a how-to for grocery store roses - but making a more traditional arrangement. You might check it out at YourDecoratingHotline.com.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Cheryl
I have share your feelings on price gouging on Valentines day. However this year I had to do a corsage the Saturday before for a dance my son was going to. I usually go and pick up roses up for a dollar and 50 cents each for corsages. But, because of the holiday they were 5.50 EACH wrapped. I toss most of what comes with them anyway. So, rather than buy 3 roses at 5.50 a pop I bought a dozen from a grocery store for 19 dollars partially blown and kept the remaining roses for the table. (Bought a piece of greenery for 50 cents.)
Because of the holiday corsage of the simplest form were 25 dollars at the local florist.
My corsages are getting better with each one that I make. The girl was very pleased with it. Whew.
Cheryl
http://ldsmomtomany.blogspot.com/
Rondell
Great post, thanks for sharing this, now I'll know what to do!
Laura
I got a card. And you look cute in your jammies.
Karen
Lol! Yup. Anyone who follows me on Twitter or "likes" my Facebook page was treated to a picture of me in my Valentine's present. :)
Follow me on Twitter here.
Follow me on Facebook here.
Ya know ... in case you're curious. ~ karen