How to build a bouquet that won't break the bank
Graphic by Pamela Blaeser
Flowers aren’t just for Valentines Day– they are also a great way to liven up any space without spending an entire paycheck on a bouquet for yourself, or a loved one.
Gifting a flower bouquet to yourself and others is a thoughtful act of love, whether platonic or romantic, and can even positively impact mental health. According to the National Institute of Health, “seeing flowers can provide physiological and psychological advantages such as stress reduction and improved well-being”. Having a bouquet in your space can serve as a daily reminder of self-love or the care and affection of someone else.
Where to Get Flowers for Cheap
Trader Joe’s has an amazing selection of flowers and bouquet arrangements. They are stocked with fresh flowers daily and have a wide variety of separate, smaller bouquets allowing you to mix and match to create a custom arrangement.
You canbuy a premade bouquet ranging from as low as $4.99 to $15.00 for a large bouquet. If you are looking for a more personalized route, the individual bouquets can be as cheap as $2.99. Making your own bouquet from Trader Joe’s can be an affordable and fun activity.
Pick Your Flowers and Plan Your Bouquet
The Contrast of colors and texture is important to take into consideration when building a complex bouquet. There should be more than one color, but the colors should complement each other. Texture is a great way to elevate your bouquet and make it more interesting.
A good floral bouquet has three different types of flowers:
Focal flower: this is the statement piece. This flower should be big and bold because it is the center of attention in this bouquet. Roses, sunflowers and peonies make great focal points.
Filler flower: these flowers will be smaller and are meant to add texture and volume to your bouquet. Some examples include baby's breath and wax flowers.
Greenery: greenery is important in a bouquet because it adds contrast to the colors of the flowers. Ferns and eucalyptus are always stocked options at Trader Joe's.
Prep and build your Bouquet
After you pick your flower options, you need to prep your flowers. Make sure to remove any leaves from the stems to make the bouquet easier to assemble. Thorns and excess stems can also be removed.
Grab a vase you plan to use or any container you can temporarily put the flowers in to arrange them. Take your focal flowers and place them in the center as the main attraction of your bouquet. Next, add your filler and greenery flowers around them, varying the heights slightly to create depth and dimension. Using photos online can be a helpful template for inspiration for arranging your bouquet. Continue to experiment with height, patterns, and dimensions until you are satisfied with the arrangement.
Once you are happy with it, tie your bouquet with a rubber band, twine, or ribbon. Cut the bottom of the stems to make them the same height. A helpful tip for prolonging the life of your flowers is to cut the stems at a slanted angle so they retain water better. Finally, place the bouquet in a vase filled with water and enjoy your beautiful flowers. Make sure to cut your stems and replenish the water every few days.
Trader Joe's Paper Bag Bouquet
If you are giving your bouquet to another person, an additional step you can take is to add a cool paper wrap to your flowers. You can even use the paper bag that you get from Trader Joe's to wrap and gift your flowers. There are many tutorials on TikTok and other platforms that show you how to add this extra thoughtful touch to your gift.