by Dawn Meisch

Valentine's Day is almost here, so it's time to think about decorating. A great way to bring romance into your house is to use flowers. Whatever your favorite is - traditional red roses, colorful Gerber daisies or unique choices like lilies, orchids, or tulips - your house will seem warmer and cheerier with their addition. Here are a few ideas to keep your flowers looking their best.

Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh

After a trip to the florist or the grocery store, you don't want your flowers to wilt days after you've arranged them. To keep flowers fresh, here are a couple things to keep in mind.

Buy the freshest flowers you can find. When choosing a bouquet, pick one with flowers with some unopened buds, but not the immature green buds which will never open. Check the health of the leaves. Discoloration could mean the flowers are older than you may want. Ask your florist when shipments of your favorite flower are expected so you can pick them up soon after delivery.

Flowers like cold water and cold temperatures. Place them in cold water while arranging and in the refrigerator before using them. Trim the stems every few days to keep water flowing to the flower. Add one tablespoon of the flower food packet that came with the flowers from the florist shop. It helps to curb bacterial growth, encourages stems to drink water, and nourishes the flowers.

Simple Flower Arrangements

After you've chosen the perfect bouquet of fresh flowers, choosing the best way to display them comes next. One way to make your flowers standout is to be creative with your flower arrangements. Buy one or two bouquets and then decide on what containers to arrange them in.

If you are looking for an impressive centerpiece for your Valentine's table, use Fiesta® Countertop pieces to display your flowers and add white tea lights to help create a romantic atmosphere. Arrange some small clear bowls with large daisy or rose blooms floating on the water to complete your charming table.

For less formal decor, you can use objects you may have around the house. Gather several clean glass bottles and remove the labels. Place a single flower in each one, then arrange together on a window sill or on a dresser in a guest room. For a more rustic look, clean and remove the labels from tin cans. Place a bunch of flowers in each can then wrap pink, red, or white tulle around them and tie a bow. Instead of tins cans, plain pots work just as well. If you don't have tulle, red or pink ribbon would also look great.

Flowers enhance the beauty of any house, and you don't need to be a professional florist to make a beautiful presentation. Whatever display you decide on, fresh flowers will easily help you to make your house ready for the most romantic day of the year.

Plan ahead for holidays and family events with the Cozi shared family calendar.