It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...With Flowers!

Article Presented by:
Wesley Berry, AAF

Which holiday is the biggest for flower sales? I'll bet you're thinking Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Well, those two are certainly big, but it's Christmas that draws more customers into flower shops than any other holiday. Perhaps that's because flowers bring a festive feel to any room they adorn while also making people feel happy and welcome. With that in mind, florists are already beginning to plan their stock and design beautiful displays to help you choose the perfect flowers for your home this holiday season.

According to Rebecca Cole, the host of Surprise by Design on the Discover Channel, this year's floral trends for Christmas will be all about returning us to the Christmases of our childhoods. She says, "Because we're returning to our roots and hosting intimate celebrations at home, we'll see more traditional colors, and greenery, whose scents bring us back to our childhood."

Christmas has traditionally been associated with green pine boughs, ivy, and holly. Making greenery a part of the winter season dates back centuries to days when people believed that bringing foliage into the home during the cold winter months would ensure the return of healthy green foliage in the spring. As a result, we still use green as a big part of our Christmas decorating color schemes.

To help you bring flowers and greenery into your home for Christmas this year, Cole offers these ideas:

Use fresh and fragrant pine in your centerpiece. To add some color to the greenery, include flowers that complement the colors and décor of the room.

Visit your florist to purchase bundles of evergreen, cypress, and mistletoe. Use them in various rooms around your house. They'll look great draped over a doorway or placed on your mantel.

Use small evergreen topiaries or tiny Christmas trees decked out in bows and flowers to line your mantel or the line down the center of your table.

Use poinsettias in the color variety that best complements your home. They're available in many colors, including pink, peach, white, plum, speckled, marbled, and, of course, the traditional red.

Your florist will have many additional suggestions for beautiful Christmas decorations that use flowers and fragrant greens. If you've got a particular spot in your home that you would like to showcase, bring a picture of it with you to the florists and ask for their suggestions. You might also find it helpful to measure the space to ensure the arrangement you choose will fit properly. Keep in mind that your florist will be very busy during the holiday season, so you may want to place your order a few weeks in advance of your holiday event.


About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. As a member of the Henry Ford Hospital Community Relation Board he has contributed to the community at large. He owns both a brick and mortar and an internet flower delivery business. Visit Wesley Berry Flowerson the web at www.800wesleys.com.

A Gift Of Flowers Is Better Than An X-Box

Article Presented by:
Wesley Berry, AAF

One of today's hottest items, and among the most requested gifts, is the X-Box game system. Although video games are a lot of fun, the money it costs to buy an X-Box would be better spent on flowers. In fact, according to a study titled the Home Ecology of Flowers Study conducted for the Society of American Florists (SAF) Flower Promotion Organization (FPO), flowers have an amazing affect on those who include them in their lives.

The study was conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., who is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and a practicing psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. One of the findings of the study was that they fuel compassionate feelings in people. Participants in the study began to experience more feelings of compassion towards other people after living with flowers for less than one week.

The study also showed that flowers help people to feel less anxious, worried, and depressed when they were at home. When participants were at home with flowers they quickly began to feel less negative. Because they wanted to see the flowers as much as possible and as soon as they woke up each day, the participants placed their flowers in areas where they would be spending a great deal of time, such as the kitchen, dining room, and living room.

Another finding of the study was that they improve the energy and enthusiasm of people who live with them even when the flowers aren't present. Participants felt better and happier in their workplaces just because they had flowers at home.

To help spread the great news of the positive impact of flowers, Dr. Etcoff will serve as the spokesperson for the SAF/FPO alliance for a major public relations campaign set to begin soon. The campaign will make the findings of the Home Ecology of Flowers Study public and keep generating information about flowers. Included in the campaign will be a press kit for print media, a satellite television tour, and other materials.

Incredible news like this is definitely cause for celebration. May I suggest a party complete with gifts? But, forget the X-Box, give flowers, instead.


About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. His shops provide flower delivery worldwide through Flower Delivery Express. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com

Energy Costs May Cost You Your Youtube And Your Flowers, Too

Article Presented by:
Wesley Berry, AAF

We're all struggling with rising energy costs. For some, that could mean giving up the luxuries we enjoy, like the Internet connection that allows us to use YouTube. But, for people in the flower business, the cost could be even higher.

Increasing energy costs are having an enormous impact on the floral industry. Running a greenhouse requires a great deal of energy for heating and other operations. Unfortunately, those costs have to be passed on to the consumer. And, since consumers are also struggling to pay their own energy bills, they have less money left over to purchase flowers.

According to the Floriculture and Nursery Crops Outlook report that was released on September 22, 2006, rising energy costs are having a similar affect on the flower industry as they are on the food industry. Alberto Jerardo, author of the report, wrote, "In 2005 and 2006, higher petroleum prices led to greater price inflation in the food and agriculture sector as costs rose for fertilizer, storage, processing, and transport, among others. Thus, as in 2005, demand in 2006 will be subdued despite abundant floral and nursery crops. As a result, prices of greenhouse and nursery crops will again be unable to rise enough to offset their higher production costs."

Other findings disclosed in the report are:

The value of imported fresh cut flowers is more than double the value of domestic fresh cut flowers sold. Domestic flowers had a value of about $385 million while imports had a $750 million value.

Flower growers in the Southern parts of the U.S. are enjoying the fastest sales growth, while those in the Midwest also experienced some increased sales. On the other hand, growers in the West and Northeast saw a decrease in sales.

Lilies are the most popular of major cut flowers. They have the highest per household consumption at 66 cents in 2006 compared to 34 cents for roses and tulips.

Domestically grown lilies, alstroemeria, and carnations had price increases this year, while imported cut flowers had no price increase.

Flowers have become such an important part of American culture that we can only hope rising energy costs won't result in people having to forgo the positive aspects flowers add to our lives. After all, for most of us, flowers would be a much greater loss than YouTube.


About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. As a major sponsor of local-library.com and Localschoolfinder.com, Wesley Berry has worked hard on behalf of improving literacy. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com.

Portland Art Show Has More Excitement Than NBA Basketball

Article Presented by:
Wesley Berry, AAF

On October 5, 2006, Portland, Oregon hosted a competition that had all the thrills and suspense of any NBA basketball game. The competition didn't involve athletic shoes, uniforms, and running up and down a gym floor, but there was plenty of enthusiasm, lots of fans, and breathless suspense as viewers waited to see who would come out on top. Oh, and did I mention flowers? Flowers were the star players in this game because the competition was the fourth Floral Design as Art exhibition, which is hosted twice each year by the Floral Design Institute.

The Design as Art event began in 2005 when it was created by David Kesler, AIFD, and Leanne Kesler, AIFD who wanted "to elevate the image of floral design and floral designers and to create a greater public awareness of floral design as an art form." The Keslers want those who attend the event to see it not as a flower show, but as an art exhibit where every artist who participates is a winner.

One of the biggest draws of the exhibition is the design competition. The October 5 competition featured the art of 15 designers who had been invited based on the sketches and descriptions they'd submitted prior to the show for review by a jury of six. The designers are not confined to a specific theme, nor do they come from a certain educational background. In fact, the competition isn't restricted to just those employed in the floral industry; they may be artists from other disciplines or simply hobbyists. The design competition yields two winners-one for Juror's Choice Award, and one for People's Choice Award. The winners of the most recent competition were:

Juror's Choice: Charles Schomaker, senior designer at Flowers by Dorcas in Portland, Oregon.

People's Choice: Olga Voronov, graduate of the Art School of Russia in Moscow and the Floral Design Institute.

Since its inception in 2005, the show has grown from 200 attendees to in excess of 450 attendees on October 5. The Keslers believe the show's growth is because of the quality of the exhibition, the designs, and the promotions. David Kesler says, "Portland has a wonderful arts community. We see guests who repeat and make a point of getting the date of the next show when they leave."

So, if you're looking for some excitement twice each year that will rival any NBA basketball competition, keep an eye out for the next Floral Design as Art exhibition.


About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. His shops provide flower delivery worldwide through Flower Delivery Express. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com

Flowers Are A Popular Gift For Christmas

Article Presented by:
Wesley Berry, AAF

Let's face it, for many people Christmas shopping is a stressful event. It can be really difficult to find just the right gift for your Great Aunt Millie who doesn't really need anything. And, just what do you give your boss's wife when you're invited to their home for a Christmas celebration? This year, you could finish your Christmas shopping in just one stop...or without even leaving your home. Just contact your local florist, either in person or via telephone and order flowers for all the people on your list.

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for florists all over the country. That's because the American public understands just how much their loved ones enjoy receiving flowers. In fact, in a study by the Society of American Florists (SAF) and The Michael Cohen Group, 92 percent of women remember the last time they got a gift of flowers.

Rebecca Cole, host of the Discover Channel's show Surprise by Design, has teamed up with SAF to provide tips on how flowers can make our holidays even brighter. She says, "Sending flowers for the holidays is the gift of emotion. The season has a way of conjuring up feelings of nostalgia. We think about grandma's house, the cozy fireplace, the great feast, and good times with family and friends. Flowers and plants are the finishing touch that make the holidays complete."

For great Christmas gifts, Cole shares these ideas:

Give bulb plants like Amaryllis and Paper White Narcissus that will flower just around Christmas. You may wish to give these flowers early so that the recipient can enjoy the blooms as they appear and reach their peak.

Cyclamen, kalanchoe, and Christmas cactus make great flowering plant gifts.

Have your florist create a design with a winter harvest feeling that includes fruits and vegetables.

Ask for a design that incorporates shiny tree ornaments or candles for a beautiful centerpiece.

If you're looking for gifts to give in the office or to clients, Cole suggests:

Send a beautiful, showy wreath, floral arrangement, or poinsettia to your most important clients.

Provide your florist with a mug or other container displaying your company's logo and ask him or her to fill it with flowers.

Order door swags made of fresh greens for office doors.

Have a large basket of fruit and flowers delivered to the office for everyone to enjoy.

Christmas is most certainly a time for giving and flowers are definitely the right gift to give. For more great gift ideas, visit or call your florist.


About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. As a member of the Henry Ford Hospital Community Relation Board he has contributed to the community at large. He owns both a brick and mortar and an internet flower delivery business. Visit Wesley Berry Flowerson the web at www.800wesleys.com.