Money Team, by Jess Sharp
Valentine’s Day – a day when love is in the air and money leaves your wallet.
Traditional flowers and chocolates are usually safe gifts to purchase.
But buying 12 roses is likely to cost between £60 and £130, so are there cheaper alternatives?
Sky News spoke to two florists about their recommendations for those on a budget or who want to spend some money.
How to save money on roses
Kent resident Nikki Meader says roses can be bought on a budget, but “sometimes one high-quality rose is better than 12 roses from a petrol station.”
“A single rose can send just as good a message,” she says.
Sold in most florists for around £5, it’s one of the cheapest options.
If you want a cheaper option, you can also find single artificial roses on Amazon for £3.49.
Cheap alternative to roses
If your budget is £30, Nikki says a bouquet of germinis, carnations and alstroemelli is a good option. Or anything with different textures would be good.
London-based florist Karen Woolven suggests that a bouquet of spring flowers, often grown in the UK, can also be a cheaper option.
“Look for bouquets from independent florists that include a mix of seasonal flowers. They usually include roses, but there are also usually some red flowers, which are equally striking,” she says.
midrange
A mid-priced alternative to a bouquet full of roses, Nikki says, is an arrangement of orchids, gerberas, alstroemeria and carnations for around £50.
Available in a wide range of colors, from pink and burgundy to bright green and orange, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste.
Nicky said this was the best looking bouquet for the money.
Karen says bouquets that combine fragrant oriental lilies, long-stemmed roses, and seasonal foliage are the best mid-priced options.
Priced at around £60 from independent florists, this range is elegant and sophisticated.
We also found examples of similar bouquets ranging from £40 to £75 on sites such as Interflora and eFlorist.
money doesn’t matter
If you want to make a statement, Nikki says, go “all in” with expensive roses, chocolates and champagne.
Karen suggests that choosing a bespoke design is the best option.
“Talk to your florist at the right time and they can see the recipient’s many likes and dislikes and work on creating the best personalized design for you,” she said.
Quality, quality, quality – and how to check it
Nikki says size doesn’t matter, quality matters.
Low-quality roses last only a few days and have smaller blooms.
High-quality roses bloom for several weeks, producing flowers and long stems, usually 60 to 70 cm.
Nikki says, “The longer the better. It doesn’t matter where you get it from, but you should focus on quality.”
Karen advises buying from a reputable independent florist as a surefire way to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product.
A good way to check a florist is to see if they are a member of the British Florists Association or the Good Florist Guide.
“Stop by the store before Valentine’s Day and look at the flowers,” she says.
“Flower heads and stems should be strong and upright, free of spots or visible blemishes. Leaves on stems should be light and not yellow or brown.”
