FLOWERS make a lovely gift and bring buckets of joy.
But they aren’t cheap and can feel like cash down the drain if blooms quickly wilt.
Here is how to save cash and give your stems a longer life.
MAKE IT LAST: If you’re given a bunch of fresh flowers you can keep them going with a few easy tricks.
First, remove leaves from stems so there is no foliage below the water line of your vase.
Flowers should be away from sources of heat and out of direct sunlight.
READ MORE SUN SAVERS
SUN SAVERS
Four ways to keep your dog well fed without breaking the bank
SUN SAVERS
From beauty to books, save yourself a fortune with these advent calendars deals
Keep an eye on the water and change if it’s starting to look cloudy.
Remove individual flowers when they have no life left, and you can mix remaining stems with a small and cheap bunch of fresh blooms to create another full bouquet.
DRY OUT: Some flowers look just as good dried out and this means you can keep them on display for far longer.
Hydrangeas, eucalyptus leaves, baby’s breath and roses are among the varieties that work well for drying.
Most read in Money
THREE CHEERS
Hunt to freeze alcohol duty, hike minimum wage and cut NICs in mini-Budget
LIVING IT UP
Millions of Brits set for pay rise as Minimum Wage is increased
CASH FLOW
Millions of Brits set for cash boost with benefits to rise – will it affect you?
MONEY MATTERS
Relief for Brits as personal tax cuts are CONFIRMED for Autumn Statement
Before flowers wilt, take foliage from stems then simply hang them upside down in a dark, dry place for around two weeks until they are completely dry.
FRIENDLY FLORIST: Don’t be afraid to ask your local florist for advice on the cheaper varieties of flowers.
It’s also worth finding out if there are certain times of the week when the florist discounts older stock to clear it.
FORAGE: Hunt in your garden or woodland areas for plants such as holly that can be used to create cheap but just as beautiful seasonal bouquets.
The bright-red berries help create a pop of colour but you could also make use of gold or silver paint.
Igor Podyablonskiy, florist from My Flowers, says: “Fresh flowers might be thin on the ground in winter but why not gather foliage, small branches or pine cones to give to people as gifts?
“Spray-paint them and allow them to dry before placing in baskets or vases.”
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
FILL your home with scents such as sparkling winter berry and cinnamon stick with this Yankee Candle gift set.
Down from £60 to £27 at Boots.
SAVE: £33
Cheap treat
SHLOER rose sparkling grape juice is now half-price at Morrisons, yours for £1.25.
SAVE: £1.25
What’s new?
GIVE your locks a treat with FFOR’s range of haircare products free from paraben and sulphate chemicals.
There is 25 per cent off all products from Friday until Monday at fforhair.com with code BFFOR25.
Top swap
STEP into the festivities with these gold platform heels £45.50, from Monsoon.
Or try JD Williams’ platform sandals £36.
SAVE: £9.50
Leah’s little helper
GET your Christmas shopping started with three-for-£12 deals on toys and gifts at The Works. Includes this Rainbocorns sewing creation character, for £7. Offer runs until November 29.
Shop & save
WRAP up in this check blanket scarf, down from £24 to £12 at Accessorize.
SAVE: £12
Hot right now
UNTIL Friday, save £5 on any Hobbycraft workshop over £10. Use the code BF5OFF.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
Source: Read Full Article
