Cath Kerry-Food
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Flowers - what do you do with them?

15/9/2017

8 Comments

 
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Love receiving flowers, yes?  (Not everyone.  To an African friend (Ghana) they represent death in the house and an insult.)
 
But what do you do when someone comes to dinner with a huge bunch of gorgeous flowers and you are in the middle of introducing everyone to each other, of making sure they have a drink and their bags are carefully stowed and the nuts are being passed around? Flowers can be a bloody nuisance.
 
Do you stop, pull out the step ladder, reach for a vase, find the secateurs to trim the ends in the back shed, then clear a spot in the kitchen to arrange the flowers, ignoring everything else that’s going on?
 
An old French book on “le savoir-vivre” suggests one should never bring flowers.  One should of course send them before or after the event when the hostess or better still the housemaid can receive them, and at leisure, arrange them.
 
Life doesn’t work like that for most of us.  But what to do?  Who wants to knock back flowers?
 
Hint / Life Hack
If you’re the giver, a just-opened rose from your garden picked on the way out is fine but keep the florist bunches for occasions other than lunch, party or dinner (or bring flowers already arranged in a planter or pot).
 
If you’re the receiver, make a bucket in the laundry part of your party preparations. If flowers arrive, admire them, thank the giver effusively and say “I’m looking forward to arranging these properly tomorrow.” Take the flowers away and put them in water in the bucket.
 
The following day, take your time to arrange them beautifully.  Take a photograph of them on your phone and send this to the giver with a nice note.
 
How do you handle flowers?

8 Comments
Roger Vincent link
23/9/2017 03:43:08 pm

i agree with this blog

Reply
Linda Westacott
2/10/2017 06:32:09 pm

As for flowers, I wish people wouldn't give them at all, and the thought of having to send them beforehand is ridiculous

Reply
Cath Kerry
2/10/2017 10:09:44 pm

It wasn't ridiculous when there were servants (Ha Ha) to handle them but in a past life, you and I, Linda would have been the servants!!!

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Helen Vincent
15/10/2017 09:23:58 pm

I enjoy flowers so am grateful if I am presented with them.
Not an issue I put them in water until the next day.

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Cath Kerry
16/10/2017 11:07:02 am

Exactly Helen. You doesn't like flowers, especially the next day as a memory of a lovely evening? Good idea to just put them in water and take time to arrange them the next day. (Or hand them to the maid, haha.)

Reply
Helen Vincent
16/10/2017 04:48:23 pm

NO maids around here that I've noticed!!!

Janet Worth
17/10/2017 04:32:17 pm

Go the laundry option!

For me, both the receiving and giving of flowers is a joy and to receive and arrange same is never a burden. Maybe it's genetic: My maternal grandfather, whom I did not know, is said to have insisted on flowers on the table at every meal, expressing a preference for bread and butter with the flowers on the table rather than a roast dinner without.

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Sue Lilley
22/10/2018 11:29:42 pm

Totally agree about gracious, if not effusive, acceptance of all flowers, florists or home garden, and the placement of them in water in a cool place. Then the exquisite pleasure of arrangement can be enjoyed at length, next day.
Apart from chocolates, liquor or a bag of sheep manure, flowers are my favourite gift.

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