Bargain Blooms for Mother's Day
Mom may want diamonds, iPads, or even just one lousy phone call for Mother's Day. FTD. 08 on the bloom portion, up 8%. "Flowers have always reigned as one of the top gifts," says NRF spokeswoman Kathy Grannis. What you order online is not always exactly what you get. "Make sure that you know where the bouquet is coming from, and what it will look like when it arrives," she says. Here are some of recommendations for getting a better deal on flowers this year:. Coupon codes are prevalent among flower-delivery sites, Grannis says. 17, up 6% from last year, while people buying a bouquet and another gift will spend $18. com is currently $15 via PlumDistrict. Deal vouchers usually cannot be combined with coupon codes, however. That makes it simple to arrange. Another idea for novices: go big, with two or three bunches of the same kind and color of flower. Some also tack on extra charges of up to $20 for arrival on popular days -- namely, the weekend of Mother's Day -- or for guaranteed arrival by a certain time of day, he says. (Sparks says local florists typically don't charge such premiums, but there may be a discount for having an arrangement delivered before the holiday weekend. Those buying only flowers will spend an average $27. They're a safe bet -- what woman doesn't love flowers? -- as well as an easy add-on for picks like jewelry, dinner out or a spa gift certificate, she says. Check daily-deal sites, too: $30 worth of flowers at Teleflora. com presently has an offer for 20 percent off most orders; ProFlowers. com, up to 50 % off specific arrangements. Consumers counting on say, sunflowers or an all-pink bouquet may want to call the florist or make a note in the online order highlighting that request. But there's a bright spot for shoppers: as opposed to red roses for Valentine's Day, there is no signature flower for Mother's Day, meaning you shouldn't expect to pay elevated prices compared with other times of the year, say experts. |