让廉价的花朵变得昂贵的技巧

A few tips on how to make cheap flowers look expensive, demonstrated by florist Kelly Smith. Whether it's a birthday, wedding or anniversary; ensure that you buy the right flowers if you are on a budget.

Step 1: You will need 你将需要
An appreciation of penny pinching and money saving
An imagination 

Step 2: Invest Your Time 投资你的时间
Okay, so you want to get a bunch of flowers for that special someone. You could go down the local petrol station and pick up some sad, exhaust-scented carnations…OR, you could invest your time better and talk to an expert. You'll get a lot more for your buck, and you might even make a new friend.

Tell your florist how much you would like to spend- they will be happy to work around your budget.

Step 3: Think colours 考虑颜色
If you can't afford someone's favourite flowers, then you can go for their favourite colours instead. Your florist will be able to suggest a range of varieties to make up your bouquet.

Step 4: What is in stock? 存货有哪些？
Ask what flowers are in season- in high spring daffodils are a fraction of their usual price, as are zinnias in summer.

Be warned: Around Valentine's Day some florists double the price of red roses- seek out alternatives such as baby roses in an elegant planter

Step 5: Understand less is more 理解物以稀为贵
Understand less is more. One such approach is to employ blooms with big-heads such as hydrangea, sunflowers and dahlias- this means fewer stems and consequently a smaller price.

Know that you can have expensive flowers- just a very small number of them. The rest of your bouquet will be bulked up with much less costly foliage and accessories such as tissue paper, ribbons, raffia, feathers, butterflies and diamante.

This bouquet is made up of a couple of Gran Prix roses, bouvardia, oriental lilies and levcadendron. With a little knowledge, and imagination, you can have a bouquet presented with panache on a shoestring.

Step 6: Enjoy your success 享受你的成功
Knowing how much money is still safely stashed in your wallet, you can bathe in the warm glow of the recipient's delight.