If You Insist on Getting Mom Flowers, Don’t Pay Full Price

Last week, we gave you ideas for Mother’s Day gifts that don’t require much money, yet make a big impact. If you had the best of intentions but are running out of time, flowers are still a good back-up plan. Just don’t pay full price.

Much like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day seems to be an opportunity for florists to jack up their prices a lot.  There are ways around that. Here are some tips for saving money on Mother’s Day Flowers.

Don’t Pick from the Mother’s Day Section

When you order online, most florists give you the option to shop by price and occasion. Choose a more generic occasion like Thank You or Just Because. I do this all the time, because you can often get the same arrangement for a cheaper price. The card can still say Happy Mother’s Day, but why pay more for the flowers?

Go With Grower’s Choice

Look for an online category called Grower’s Choice or Florist Choice. When you purchase this option, you’re letting the grower of the flowers or the florist making the arrangement use what is most available in their inventory. That can save you $10 or more. You don’t get to see the arrangement before you buy it, but the flowers are still fresh and the arrangements are more unique.

Don’t Order a Vase

Sending flowers in a box is something most people don’t expect. It adds a bit of elegance to your gift and costs you less money. If Mom has plenty of vases sitting around the house, she’ll be happy to put your flowers in one of them.

Call a Florist in Mom’s Zip Code

Delivery charges often double the price of your flowers. That’s how companies like FTD and Teleflora make their money. They design the arrangements you see online and charge you for the convenience of locating a florist in the area where the recipient lives. Find a florist local to your mom. Call them directly and ask them to deliver their own unique arrangement instead of something designed by one of the aforementioned companies. Many florists wave the delivery fee with a minimum purchase requirement.

Of course, if mom lives nearby, pick up a beautiful floral arrangement at the grocery store and hand deliver them with a hug. They’re just as beautiful as the flowers you get from a florist. They just come with a smaller price tag.