How to save on Valentine's Day roses
It takes the loss of about $100 for a man to finally stop and say, “Good Lord, what is the deal with roses, anyway?”
Chances are that lightning bolt goes off in the days leading up to February 14th, the only time of the year most guys have a reason to buy them. Unless, as Jay Leno might say, you’re Tiger Woods. (Click here now.)
They say the rose has long been a symbol for beauty and romance. The ancient Greeks and Romans identified the flower with Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love who no doubt insisted a dozen-piece floral arrangement should cost at least three figures.
Fact is, you’ll need to shop around to get a good deal on roses come Valentine’s Day. SmartMoney.com has a list of ways to cut your costs this year, and no piece of counsel is as important as the not-so-explosive advice of “compare prices.”
According to the site’s Kelli B. Grant, florists use “complex algorithms” based on their early order numbers to set rose prices for the days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
“As the holiday approaches,” Grant says, “they may offer sales on arrangements that haven’t sold well, and pump up prices on those popular bouquets with dwindling supply.”
Nowhere is this trend more evident than Canada, where the dent roses’ll leave on your pocket will be only as big as you let it.
Consider two different-yet-similarly-named national flower delivery sites, RedRosesCanada.com and CanadaRoses.com …
A 12-rose arrangement at RedRoses is listed at $109.95, a far cry from $75, the least expensive dozen of the flower you can find on CanadaRoses.
The lesson? Look around for the best price. “Getting a good deal on flowers this Valentine’s Day requires that you not linger too long when you stop to smell the roses,” writes Grant.
Be sure to check out the rest of SmartMoney’s tips, but here are a few of their most notable recommendations:
“Get a weekday delivery.” – Since V-Day falls on a Sunday this year, weekend rose deliveries are jacked up in price. Get your flowers Friday or before.
“Slash stem length.” – Often times, the longer the rose stem, the more expensive the bouquet. Save cash by getting shorter flowers and stashing them in a smaller vase to compensate for lost size.
“Think pink.” – Red roses are the costliest by a far margin, according to many florists. Consider a different coloured arrangement – like pink, yellow or lavender – to conserve money.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: judith morgan | Feb 2, 2022 5:29:46 PM
Ihave been buy roses for years, and the only place I ever buy roses now is Cosco or Safeway.They are usually half the price of other places.Judi
Posted by: Lisa | Feb 2, 2022 5:35:47 PM
OK. If money is THAT much of an "object"...don't buy your sweetheart any roses this Valentine's. Believe it or not, she wants you to not care how much you spend because she is supposed to be worth a million dollars! lol Having said that...probably because of my attitude, my husband hasn't bought me anything for Valentine's Day in years. (So, quite possibly the laugh is on me.)
Happy Valentine's to everyone!
Posted by: Person | Feb 2, 2022 6:29:01 PM
Roses arn`t exactly the best thing in the world want my advise try chocolates or a stuffed anmal with I love you or something like that
Posted by: margaret phirbny | Feb 2, 2022 6:33:55 PM
Why wait for Valentine's day when you can buy a variety of seasonal flowers for a better price any other day or week of the year! she won't mind so much if you miss one week, (Valentine week) provided you think about her throughout the year. When you do buy flowers, support smaller local shops who maintain community involvement rather then Costco or Safeway. Flower shops carry a much superior quality product while you get what you pay for (cheap) from grocery stores.
Posted by: DEBBIE | Feb 2, 2022 7:12:49 PM
My birthday is the day before valentines day so I never ever got special treatment for Valentines day. There are times that I did not even receive a birthday present let alone a valentines present. I am sure that your speical someone would apprecialte it on what ever day she or he received it.
I think that the preices are higher and it is all commercial to get you to buy.
Happy Velentines day !!!
Posted by: Elaine | Feb 2, 2022 7:37:44 PM
I would by far prefer to receive roses that come with both quality and service with a friendly smile
from a local florist rather than something picked up real cheap at Costco. A local florist will take the
care and attention that both roses and I deserve to have.
Posted by: Ron | Feb 2, 2022 7:58:58 PM
I have been a florist for years owning my own shop. The Valentine's prices are first set at the wholesale level. They rise drastically at peak florist holidays. Flowers must be ordered weeks
ahead to ensure supply. If I waited to see how many early orders there were, I would have
zero roses to sell. Your information is grossly incorrect. We also set adversed prices weeks
ahead. How else would be be able to print flyers, book ad copy space, etc?
Posted by: Cookie | Feb 2, 2022 8:27:39 PM
Valentine's day is a lovely, frivolous holiday that shows a woman she's beautiful and thought about. Scrimp on things at other times of the year, but not on Feb. 14th. Also, I love the idea of unique colours like pink or orange roses. Especially if you're still unsure about the course of the relationship. Remember, when you love / care for someone, a few bucks now and again shouldn't matter.
Posted by: Mike Mayock | Feb 2, 2022 9:32:56 PM
So all you did was make a Jay Leno joke, link to a youtube video of a rim shot, and then proceed to condense an already existing article from another website? Another tough day at the office...
Posted by: Catherine | Feb 2, 2022 11:59:27 PM
The costco roses are gorgeous with many different colors to choose from, and run only $25 for a dozen. I would much rather receive those than have my honey waste $100. We have better things to do, like putting that money towards vacations, dinners out, investments, ect. In fact, I will probably buy him a dozen on the 14th. Elaine, you're silly and frivolous. With that attitute, I doubt you're worth it...........It should be the thought that counts............Last year we invited another couple over and cooked a 6 course gourmet meal, complete with homemade chocolates, it was excellent. Don't get caught up in the hype, people!
Posted by: Lynn Oliver | Feb 3, 2022 7:05:31 AM
If my sweetie spent $100 bucks on flowers I'd kill him. I love the idea of sparking romance and having a holiday dedicated to it seems a bit silly (however my emotional side recognizes that men need reminders for this sort of thing, they just don't think like we do.) I would love for him to buy a few of my favorite flowers (he would have to show he remembers what they are and therefore thinking specifically of me) Chocolates are good, but again only the ones I like. Teddy's are cute but I don't collect them so they should only be bought for women who like that sort of thing.
The best thing I love about Valentines Day is the card, I love the idea of him searching for the perfect saying. Again he put thought into what I would like.
On the other hand I work just as hard to find something that fits him. He likes dark chocolate. Hates flowers and teddy bears, and funny cards are the way to go with him!
I hope this helps a bit!
Posted by: Practical | Feb 4, 2022 11:29:49 AM
I have been quite happily married for 28 years and can count on one hand the number of times we have officially celebrated Valentines Day. I get flowers (not roses) about 4 times a year for no particular reason. I cook him gourmet dinners randomly for no particular reason. Every year around this time we make a pact NOT to do anything for Valentines Day, making sure we are both on side with the concept. No regrets so far...sorry Hallmark!