Next-level your bouquet game
If you’re in a hurry or looking to cut costs, buying yourself flowers is probably the first thing to go. Which is why a bouquet makes a great gift, especially at the last minute, since grocery stores open early and close late. I’ve been burned by premade bouquets that had started to mold from sitting too long and not noticing until I unwrapped them at home. For the very best gift, I prefer to buy an assortment of flowers and arrange them myself.
Let’s talk arrangements. Have you ever met a bouquet you didn’t like? Neither have I. Professional flower arranging can easily become a life’s work, but these arranging basics will do plenty well to make someone’s day. You can elevate your arrangement for a special occasion without spending the $80-$150 on something custom. The arrangement below cost me less than $40, including the vase.
Choosing stems
The 3-2-1 method
Aim to pick roughly 3x greenery (filler), 2x accent stems (smaller, more uniform), and 1x focal stems (bigger, more eye-catching). Greenery is more or less nestled around the perimeter while accent and focal stems draw your eye toward the top. (I start on the outside and work my way in, but others will tell you the opposite—do what feels natural to you.) Try mixing and matching colors at the store to find a cohesive palette. If you’re not sure, try different shades of the same color (for example, dark pink + light pink + blush, or bronze + coral + peach). White goes with everything.
Greenery, accent stems, & focal stems
White & green
This combo feels so fresh and classic that it’s a good pick for any occasion. Plus, it’s really easy to pull off—throwing together almost any combination of white and green will look stunning.
Many of the same variety
Repeating the same silhouette many times makes a big impact and leaves your recipient with a feeling of abundance, even if you didn’t spend much. Fuller flowers like hydrangeas, dahlias, or peonies make this technique a snap because you only need a few stems to fill a vase, but lots of any variety can be lovely.
Wildflowers
Wildflower season makes it easier to achieve a one-of-a-kind, bohemian look from whatever you find around your neighborhood. And there’s no pressure to make it feel perfect—it’s supposed to be wild. But if it’s feeling too wild, tying a simple ribbon around the vase will help pull it all together.
Dried flowers
Dried flowers last for months and make a great gift during the off-season when fresh flowers are more expensive. However, I’ve only been able to find them at farmer’s markets or online. Since they never wilt, you might consider buying a bundle when you see them so you have it on hand when a gift opportunity arises.
A few tips before you start arranging
Picking a vase
Unless you’re giving a small bundle of flowers, opt for a wide mouth vase to make the arrangement look fuller. I usually use a Mason jar or thrift store vase because it’s inexpensive and there’s no need for the recipient to return it later. Keep in mind heavier stems, like sunflowers, will require something larger. For anything wider than a Mason jar, tape a grid over the mouth to help prop up the flowers in the middle. Keep a small vase handy for the stems that aren’t tall enough or don’t fit in the arrangement.
Adding a tape grid to wider mouth vases can help prop up the stems in the middle.
Trimming stems
Trim stems at an angle just before placing them in a vase with cold water. Trimming stems at slightly different heights will take the “I just bought these at the grocery store” edge off—that way, some stems can nestle in while others stand tall, creating more depth. Remove any leaves below the water line to make the bouquet last longer.
Don’t bother with perfection
This is real life, people! And life is kind of imperfect. If your bouquet is a little sparse or lopsided, guess what? Your recipient will be so appreciative that it won’t matter. And if not, how good of a friend are they, really? (There, I said it).