On holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day flowers are a go-to gift for many. And for good reason. They’re beautiful, easy to find, and you can’t go wrong. Nobody is going to return them.
But on the other hand, some of us women are getting a little tired of flowers. We’re not really allowed to say anything because it’s the thought that counts. We don’t want to be rude. But they come with an expiration date, and that’s both a waste of money and depressing. So here’s the top reasons women hate receiving flowers.
We know no thought was put into the gift.
Flowers are easy to find, choose, and send. You can even schedule them years in advance so you can never “forget” an important day. The most personal thing about them is the card which most of the time is filled out via an online order form. Anyone can pick up flowers at the last minute too. Any grocery store or gas station likely has a half decent bouquet that could pass for a gift. And any woman can spot these last minute bouquets, but we don’t say anything because we have to be polite. Because it’s the thought that counts.
They’re a waste of money.
We’re lucky if the flowers we get last for a week. So by the time February is over, your Valentine’s Day gift is long dead. This past Valentine’s Day my husband spent over $60 on a dozen red roses. I appreciate the thought. Really, I do! But now we have to get the dryer repaired and the car’s in the shop. And what do I have to show for those flowers? Just a charge on the credit card. But at least my husband felt better about himself for getting me something on Valentine’s Day.
They’re a lot of work.
Most flowers require some maintenance even if they’re going to die in just a few days. You have to cut the stems to make sure they can absorb the water. You have to fertilize the water also. But don’t fertilize it too much! And you have to constantly monitor the water level in the vase. So someone is giving you a gift that requires quite a bit of work, yet is going to inevitably die before next Sunday. But before that you have to find the right vase. Maybe the flowers came with one, although if they did it likely doesn’t go with the décor of your house. And any vase you do have will undoubtedly be the wrong size. It’s a never ending battle.
So what should you get us instead? Well, in the spring plants are a great idea. The weather’s warming up and it’s time for everyone to start heading outside. But this year, think about what your wife, mother, or loved one really likes. Apples, grapes, nuts? And choose a fruit tree instead. This way, you’ve made the gift personal. The plants are an investment. They won’t die in a few days and they’ll even produce fresh fruit for the gift recipient to eat!
Image courtesy of rakratchada torsap at freedigitalimages.net