Use leftover gift tags to hang a sweet note on a homemade Mother’s Day bouquet.  Write a little note and tie it to one of the flowers in your arrangement for a pretty little detail that mom is sure to appreciate.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Enliven your table with an arrangement of mini bouquets set in juice glasses or small mugs.  These mini bouquets are adorable and economical: A few bunches of inexpensive spring flowers pepper your entire table.  Pick a few small-budded flowers in similar hues, such as tulips, daisies and daffodils.  Trim the stems short enough so the flowers will peek over the rims of the glasses or mugs.  If using mugs, place a small round metal floral frog in each mug to help shape and hold down the arrangements (the frog will show through clear juice glasses, so rather than using the frog, just fill them a bit tighter to keep the stems in place).

This is a great idea for a spring shower or brunch.  After your event is over, place one of the mini arrangements next to the sink in your bathroom and the rest on bedside or end tables around the house.

I totally forgot about this trick for making tulips bloom and stand upright until a facebook friend reminded me via her status.  Here’s the great tip: Place a shiny copper penny in the water with tulips to make the buds open and prevent the stems from flopping.  The copper in the penny acts as a natural antibacterial and will even extend the life of your fresh-cut flowers.  Using a shiny/ new penny will yield the best results.

Use pretty potted flowers for a centerpiece – either one large pot or several smaller pots with different flowers and/or herbs.  A potted plant works especially well for a party in the garden or any outdoor event, and will last longer than fresh-cut flowers.  Tie ribbons around the pot for added interest.  For a shower or birthday party, place a colored napkin under one plate on each table and let the guest who chooses that seat take the centerpiece home.

Photo Credit:  Flowers Quata (potted Hydrangeas)

No need to order a fancy arrangement from a floral shop.  Making a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece isn’t as hard as it looks.  Here’s how:  Buy 3 bunches of flowers, choosing fall colored flowers in coordinating shades, and make sure each bunch provides a varying texture to the arrangement.  Start by holding three of the bushiest or tallest flowers (same type), and begin gathering the other stems, one by one, in a vaguely symetrical pattern around the center stems.  Continue until you have used all the stems (or save a few for a small bed-side arrangement).  Trim stems at an angle under cold running water, and place in a vase filled with sugar water.

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/nov09_TheDinnerParty.htm

Creating a centerpiece for a fall dinner is as easy as picking up a bag of mini pumpkins at the grocery store or farmer’s market. These adorable miniature pumpkins – the most common are Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo – are inexpensive and hearty enough to last for weeks. Place the pumpkins on a simple cake stand or platter and pile them high. Tuck fresh leaves or cut branches of fall berries in empty spaces for a finished look. For a more modern version, use a white rectangular platter and place an odd number of pumpkins in a straight line, alternating with tea lights.

Soak herbs in a bowl or sink full of cold water to clean and revive them.  Spin the herbs dry in your salad spinner or secure stems with a rubber band and hang them upside down to dry. Be sure to dry the leaves completely to extend the life of the herbs. Most herbs, other than basil, last longer if store in the refrigerator and the leaves are loosely covered with an empty plastic bag.

Even if you live in a city, you can still have your own patch of grass to play with this Easter.  Use wheatgrass or another potted grass for indoor decorating.  It’s a simple, modern look perfect for this spring holiday.  Scatter some speckled candy easter eggs in the grass or hide chocolate bunnies for a festive look.  Spring flowers are beautiful, but this centerpiece is a little unexpected and will last long after the holiday. 

Wheatgrass may be available at your local farmer’s market or from a florist (most can get it by special order if they don’t stock it).  Health food stores, both large and small, usually carry wheatgrass.  If you can’t find any in your area order some online and have it delivered right to your door. 

Happy Easter!

It may not seem like spring is in the air, but daffodils are already in season.  Celebrate the beginning of spring by picking up a bunch this weekend.  Use them as a centerpiece for brunch or to perk up your dinner table.  For about $3 per bunch, these recession-friendly flowers are sure to put a smile on your face. 

Hip Tips:

• Daffodils look fresh and modern in a square or rectangular clear glass vase.  Their long, thin stems look great on their own, or you could fill the bottom of the vase with rocks for an earthier look.
• Keep daffodils in a separate vase and don’t mix them with other flowers.  Not only do they make more of an impact on their own, daffodils also emit a sap that causes other flowers to wilt (especially tulips). 
• Daffodils usually last 2-3 days.  They can last longer with a little extra care.  Snip the ends under cold, running water and immediately put them in water.  Keep them in a cool place away from direct heat and sunlight.  Put daffodils in the refrigerator overnight (in a vase) and cover with a loose plastic bag (reuse a plastic produce bag or a large ziplock).