As the holidays approach, we may feel that we do not want to spend money on flowers, which sometimes are considered nonessential. However, even one flower presented as a gift can be sweet for a flower-loving recipient. Just one rose floating in a small bowl, presented with a heartfelt message, written or verbal, will be treasured.
- Scour your cupboards as well as second-hand stores for small round clear glass containers, preferably with flat bottoms so they travel well in a box or on the floor of a car.
- Find some bubble wrap and cut it into small 1.5 inch or 2inch squares.
- Poke a hole with scissors into the middle of each square.
- Buy a bunch of red roses; marked-down ones are fine as long as you peel off any damaged outside petals. Since they are floating in water, they will last well. (You can also buy a bunch of baby’s breath to put with it but this is optional.)
- Cut an inch and a half or so off the stem of the rose—carnations work also—and poke the stem through the hole in the bubble wrap.
- Half fill the container with water and float the bubble wrap square with the inserted flower, on the water.
- Poke a few bits of baby’s breath with short stems into the water around the sides of the bubble wrap square to disguise it if you wish. Although just the flower on its own is quite perfect.
If the stem is down far enough in the water, the single flower will last well.
You could teach a child to make this sweet gift too!
