Exotic Flowers in Boston

Christmas time in New England is magical. Cinnamon, pine, vanilla and coffee permeate the air. Twinkling lights, frenzied children and frost lined sidewalks illuminate the streets of Boston. Greeting cards, decorated homes and Christmas carols spark our memories of Santa bringing toys to our homes. These emotions are infectious.  These warm feelings make the holiday season the most romantic time of year. It comes as no surprise that more couples get engaged during Christmas than any other holiday. Hopefully you were on the 'nice list' this year. If so, maybe a little box from EB Horn is under your Christmas tree.  

The first moments after your companion pops the question is a flood of emotion; happiness, joy, tears, laughter, love.  All these emotions are mirrors of the Christmas season. After accepting your proposal, your heart thumps and the butterflies in your stomach swirl. This event happens once in a lifetime. Embrace your jitters and tears, because this is a story you will tell your grandchildren.

Many newly engaged couples will instantly wish to tell their family, friends or even the six o'clock news.  This frenzy is a natural reaction. Some however may wish to keep their news secret. There is nothing wrong with witholding your great news until both partners have had time to enjoy this news intimately.

Eventhough you are officially engaged, there is no need to rush into planning your ideal Cape Cod wedding. Savor the moment and relish the holiday season. Christmas is about memories and traditions. What better way to start a tradition or memory than getting engaged on Christmas ? Planning a wedding in Boston, Newport , the Cape or anywhere can be stressful. Ease into your wedding planning so that you may savor one of the most romantic times of marriage, the pre-honeymoon phase.

Of course, once you are ready to plan your Boston wedding, the staff at Exotic Flowers is at your disposal.

Did you ever play the game padiddle/perdiddle ? The beauty of the night time car game is a way to compete with friends during long or short drives. The Christmas tree car game is very similar but you can play both day and night. 

Start your own holiday tradition with the Christmas tree car game. I had never heard of the game or even played before last year. My son and wife introduced me to this fun and festive game. 

During the holidays Christmas trees can be found from Boston to Belchertown. On my twenty minute commute to work at Exotic Flowers in Roslindale, I pass by five places who sell Christmas trees; including Louie the Florist, Exotic Flowers, Walk Hill Florist, Allandale Farm and Flowerland. 

The Christmas Tree Car Game can be played with two or more players. All one needs to do is see a car on the road with a Christmas tree on its roof and call out 'tree,'. A running tally can be kept all month long. Right now I have four points, my son has nine and my wife has six. What a great way to start your own Christmas tradition. 

You can even have a point system if you know your Christmas trees. You could offer bonus points for living Christmas trees or snow flocked trees. Like padiddle where a police car is huge bonus points, how about huge points for a double Christmas tree car or a game ender if you see the Griswold family Christmas tree. 

While In Europe, guests often bring flowers when visiting someone's home for dinner or an event. Guests in the United States, on the other hand often bring a bottle of wine.

Why the difference ? Well of course the cultural habits of both societies has evolved over hundreds of years. In Europe, wine is a staple in most homes and does not carry the intrinsic value we perceive in the United States. In the United States, quality flowers and bouquets are not as readily available. 

Wine of course has many health benefits, but one bottle of wine is only good for 4-5 glasses. One beautiful cornucopia of flowers is good for 5-7 days and enlightens over 20 dinner guests.

"Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul." - The Koran

This Thanksgiving, lift the spirits of your friends and family. Exotic Flowers in Roslindale will be open until 1pm for all your hostess gift needs.

Of course, if you are stuck on getting wine. Exotic Flowers in Roslindale does have a liquor license and sells wine. We will be featuring our holiday wine picks, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Remember, we are the local Boston florist who yearns to serve all your needs.

Every Saturday, the Society of American Florists (SAF) offers sales tips to floral industry professionals. This week, Katie Hendrick shares some holiday sales tips from Exotic Flowers in Boston.

Inexpensive Perks Keep Customers Merry

by Katie Hendrick
At Exotic Flowers in Boston, convenience and customer appreciation define the company's holiday marketing philosophy. We reached out to Rick Canale, owner of the 2008 Marketer of the Year-winning shop, for some tactics to get customers in the door and spending money, amidst all their other shopping activity.

Here are just a few of them:

• Sell Christmas trees and wreaths to generate in-store traffic
• Provide snacks – popcorn and candy canes – to keep tired shoppers in good spirits
• Offer complimentary containers of hand sanitizer (to keep cold and flu germs at bay). The Exotic Flowers version has "Red Sox World Series Champions" emblazoned on it.
• Send letters reminding customers of the previous year's holiday order with a personal letter. ("This gets great feedback," Canale said. "People appreciate reminders and they really love the personalization of the letter.")
• Hand deliver poinsettias to top 100 clients.
• Hand sign cards to top 200 clients.
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• Accessorize a large table by placing a long, narrow centerpiece in the center of the table. Add a few small votice candles on each side of the arrangement for an added effect.
• Ask your the staff at Exotic Flowers to create a centerpiece in a treasured family vase or bowl, or in seasonal pieces such as a cornucopia or a utility vase surrounded by dry corn cobs.

• To create a lot of drama and variety, place a topiary at one end of the table leading to a cluster of small potted plants, then two smaller topiaries with candles leading to a tray of votive candles and flower petals, and so on...
• Ask the Exotic Flowers floral designers to use vegetables or fruits as accents in your floral arrangement.

• Garnish your serving trays with flowers and greens.
• Scatter colorful fall leaves, flowers and votive candles along the center of your dining table.
• Float flowers in crystal wine glasses.
• Place a single long-stem rose on each plate to welcome your guests to the table.
• Decorate small desserts with flowers or make an ice ring with flowers to chill champagne or wine.
• Ask the Exotic Flowers floral design team to design the arrangements for your buffet table on several different levels to keep the eye flowing all along the table.
• Place a garland of fruit, flowers and fall foliage over your front door.

These simple tips will not only enhance your meal, but create lasting memories of beauty amongst your family and guests.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and memories. Often times, we end up around the television for football. Leading up to the holiday, Exotic Flowers in Boston is proud to share its top five movies for the holidays.

Starting in reverse order:

5. - Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Because Thanksgiving is about memories, we could not let this Charlie Brown classic escape our top five.

4. Bed of Roses

Our top five movies had to have one that included a flower shop.

3. Scent of a Woman

I attended Boston College (A&S '93) at the same time as Chris O'Donnell; so this one had to make the top 5.

2. Planes, Trains & Automobiles

"Those aren't pillows!" .. need I say more ?

1. Home for the Holidays

This movie is a must see. The movie reminds us that every family has issues, but in the end we are lucky to have family.