matthew330

allright fellow tfp'ers. I need help. I need to pick out some flowers for my girlfriends mom's birthday. I'm kind of new to the whole flower thing, they all look the same to me. They need to be delivered tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a good site to go to for this, and maybe generally what type of flowers (from my understanding certain flowers mean certain things...i think i know enough not to get her red roses).

A direct link to a nice bouquet would be doubly appreciated.

Charlatan

Call a local florist. I don't trust ordering on the Internet. Better still find a local florist and go there in person if you can (all the better to see what they have).

Give them a dollar amount you are willing to spend (30 to 50 will give you an impressive amount of flowers)

Tell them to make an arrangement of cut flowers.

Tell them no carnations or roses (carnations are cheesy and common and roses are just too cliche).

I use this method just about everytime with clients, my Mom, etc. and it never fails.


PS: Don't worry that you don't know anything about flowers. If you want to know, like I said above, just visit a florist... they will show you what they have and can usually make solid suggestions.

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matthew330

but both my girlfriend and her mom are going to be two hours away. I just couldn't make it this weekend. But thanks for the "no carnations, roses" because i was considering this
(i also don't know how much they should be, but this did seem a bit overpriced at $72.50

dimbulb

Ditto!!

Try to get a local florist if you can. Preferably recommended by someone. Ask your gf, girls are definitely more familar with flowers.

As mentioned, give them a budget, and ask the florist for recommendations. Browse around the shop, and look at some flowers that you like. If there are some that you like, mention it to the florist. They'll make an arrangement around that. This worked like a charm for me, a total flower idiot.

I like the various sorts of lilies, for the visual impact that they make.

dimbulb

Waaaay overpriced. I guess its kinda late now, considering the weekend is tomorrow. Perhaps you should drive down today, or made arrangements with the local florist in advance.

Don't suppose you could get your gf to order the flowers? =p

ratbastid

Naw, a local florist should be able to do a same-day arrangement and delivery.

Here's my vote: An arrangement in purple and yellow, some irises, let the florist decide the rest. In the $40 price range. It'll be gorgeous--you can usually trust local shops to do it right--and you'll score massive points.

matthew330

Thanks everyone, helped alot. Ratbastid i did exactly that. I actually read to her your post and she said "You obviously got a recomendation from someone who is in the floral business."

matthew330

oh, and $59 total (including shipping), right about what i was expecting.

Charlatan

Hope she likes it...

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

God of Thunder

I know you've already ordered them, but to anyone else looking at this and thinking "I have a similar problem", trust what Ratbastid said. Go to the local flower shop and let them help you.

I know the owners of a local flower shop and they are very good at what they do. If the person you are sending to lives too far way, they can have the order wired to a local shop. Most are members of FTD or a similar service.

Many times I have called up the shop and told them how much I wanted to send and what the occasion was and had them deliver it sight un-seen. They deal with this on a daily basis and know what flowers are best for what type of situation.


as his sig says

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denim

I generally just use ftd.com. Works. The recipient generally ends up GUSHING about the arrangement, it's not THAT expensive, and it's pretty easy.

fishin

excellent choice, matt330!

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onetime2

I usually use 1800 flowers. They are a little more expensive than going through a local florist but the arrangements have always been outstanding and they haven't missed a delivery yet.

FTD and 1800 Flowers use local florists so there's a pretty good chance that whatever florist you go to is involved in one or both of these organizations.

It also gives you a little more leverage than just dealing with the local florist should something go wrong. Complaints to owners of Floral shops can fall on deaf ears but when complaints are coming from a corporation that supplies probably thousands of dollars worth of business to that local florist, results are more likely to follow.

Just my .02

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hartler

Thanks for the info....nice tips for future reference.

ShaniFaye

I use 1800flowers all the time via online and I've NEVER been disappointed.

and whats wrong with carnations? I love carnations

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abaya

matthew330, smart move on your part... and it doesn't matter so much what the flowers are, as it's the gesture that counts. I'm curious though, was this your gf's suggestion or your own idea? Let us know how the reception goes, eh?

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