Exotic Flowers in Boston

The wreath is hung-check.

The outside lights are twinkling-check.

The holiday cards have been sent-check.

There’s only one thing left to buy for decoration and that could only be…The Christmas Tree!

It’s the most important display item of the holidays, the star of the show, the Pièce De Résistance!  Selecting the perfect tree is a monumental decision, which can sometimes even decide the whole décor feel for your holidays!  Do you like them furry, fragrant or with a particular green hue?  With so many varieties to choose from such as the Noble, Balsam and Douglas fir, the selecting process can become a bit overwhelming!  There are a multitude of factors that go into deciding what type of tree is right for your family so you might need advice on where the best places are to go looking…

Lucky for Bostonians, we have many tree lots within our vicinity, which carry several different species along with affordable ornaments and lighting options.   Depending on your budget and preference, you’ll surely b  e able to find the ideal specimen for your home to enjoy throughout the season!

Smolak Farms

315 South Bradford St

North Andover, MA (617) 648-5759978-682-6332

Allandale Farm

259 Allandale Rd

Boston, MA

(617) 524-1531

snow flocked trees at Exotic Flowers in Boston.

Exotic Flowers

609 American Legion Hwy

Roslindale MA 02131

617-247-2000

www.exoticflowers.com

Greenwood Tree Farm

96 Dudley Road,

Billerica, MA

978-667-5380

Christmas is rated one of the most likely holidays to be proposed to, following right behind Valentine’s Day.  Maybe it’s the glow of the lights or the feeling of cheer but whatever the reason may be, the yuletide season is very popular month to pop the question!  When you know the time is right and you’ve finally found that perfect person to share the rest of your life with, it’s important to do things right.  Sure, bending down on one knee is sweet and all but why not go the extra mile and come up with a plan that makes your proposal a truly memorable event in his or her life?  

photo credit: HuffngtonPost.com

I get it-subtlety is your thing but I assure you that there are several ways to make the experience unique and creative just by using some festive themes that Christmas already brings us!   Utilizing décor, color and festive traditions associated with this time of year can not only “wow” your soon-to-be but can also take the pressure off having to come up with something on your own.  These are some of the most successful ways to propose to your significant other, each having a high rate of acceptance as apposed to rejection. So once you have the little box in your hand, try one of these romantic and clever strategies to hear an “I do” this Christmas.

Dress Up as Santa Claus

I know, I know this has been done before but dressing up as Santa Claus is a solid way to go and has extremely promising outcomes.  All you need is a red suit, beard, hat and sack and voila- you’ve made the perfect outfit!  Don’t forget to say “Ho Ho Ho” and bring along a little mistletoe!

An Ornamental Ring

This is a sweet gesture for those who love to decorate and we all know-a little added glitz for our Christmas trees is what its all about!  Find some delicate twine or string and simply hoop through the ring, tying a knot on the end.  Make sure the area you want to hang the ring isn’t cluttered with other ornaments that could be distracting and watch her become awed over your gesture!

photo credit: www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

Treasure Hunt

Okay, this is for the fiancé/fiancée who likes a little adventure mixed in with their romance.  Wrap different sized presents, all containing items that can be associated with getting married.  Try to place them in a line so the hunter is being led to the really big gift-the ring!

“Future Mrs.” T-shirt  

If you think she’ll think it’s funny and she has a great sense of humor, try buying her a “Future Mrs.” t-shirt that you can either buy off the internet or have made at any local printing shop.  The benefit of this approach is that you’ll know right away what her answer is by whether she tries it on or not!

Light It Up

Mr. Griswold would love this fun idea of stringing Christmas lights on your roof or lawn that say, “Will You Marry Me?”  Wait until it becomes dark outside, tell her you want to show her a treat and flick on the switch to watch her heart melt at this sentimental display.

An “Advent” Calendar

For those who enjoy the countdown to Christmas, you might want to think about using this method of placing a ring inside an advent calendar!  She’ll have fun opening up each day of December and get an extra special surprise on the 24th!

Pretty soon, we will be entering the season of poinsettias and this year you will be pleasantly surprised by the incredible varieties that will be available!  The plant otherwise known as the “Christmas Flower” has long been a true symbol of the yuletide holiday and is still ranked as one of the top items bought for gifts.  If you’re not familiar with the poinsettia, here are a few facts that you’ll enjoy learning, which make this plant so special.

Photo credit: flower factor

* A poinsettia’s leaves are bright in color and can be white, red, pink, red or peach.  New species are cultivated yearly so be sure to check with your florist about any new shades that may be soon available.  

* The leaves are called “bracts” because they are tinted instead of simply being green.  The reason why the bracts are colored is to attract pollinators to the plant’s flower.

* Although the poinsettia looks like only a plant, there is a small bloom located in the middle of the plant bracts.  The bloom has a special name called “cyathia” which is where bees and other insects produce pollen.

* The poinsettia actually dislikes the cold weather even though it is primarily popular during the icier months of the year.  Originally, the plant was found in Mexico by a botanist named Joel Roberts Poinsett in the 1820’s.  With the specimen, he returned to his home in South Carolina and began to cultivate the plant.  

* and no the plant is not toxic to cats or people.

It’s getting chilly outside and for most of us avid gardeners; we’re a little depressed over our season coming to end.  The leaves are falling from the trees, the flowers have died back and we know all to well that snowflakes will begin to fall very soon.  

But is that any reason to put away our “Green Thumbs” until next spring?  Heck No!

There is plenty to do while the forecast turns dismal, many of which we can do right in our homes!  Just because our backyards will be off limits for months, doesn’t mean that a windowsill in our kitchen or living room won’t provide the perfect space for a new garden to flourish!  True, you’ll need the right amount of warm light, potting soil and adequate containers to grow your fruits, flowers and vegetables but its all possible if you select the right varieties.  Some types of plants just don’t do well inside, so it’s important to recognize these in advance and select other options that will otherwise benefit from being placed in this specific environment.  Order online or visit your local garden center to pick up these seeds to harvest (promising to live well with the proper care) in your house this winter!

Avocados

These fruits are great to grow during the colder season because all you need to start is the pit of an old avocado.  Cut the pit open and place toothpicks through the center, placing over a bowl of water.  Once sprouts begin to grow, place in a pot with a sunny view.  Make sure the planter is well drained and add a little sand to the soil to cultivate a healthy root system.  

Potatoes

Grab your old spuds and place them in a bin full of well-drained soil.  When you see their “eyes” peek above ground level, a plant will soon emerge, which is fun in itself to watch grow.  Once the plants are about a foot tall and their white flowers have died back, its time to go digging!  You’ll love their fresh taste and the fact that they long outlive your groceries store’s selection.  

Lettuce

Lettuce is quick and virtually effortless to grow when you have a well-lit area and a soil rich in compost. Select a hardy variety such as red or Boston lettuce and watch them sprout almost as quickly as you planted the seeds.  This veggie is perfect for salads or to simply brighten up a room!

Carrots

These are so much fun to watch grow and easy, too!  Make sure you plant the seeds in a container at least a foot and a half deep to ensure a healthy veggie size. They love to be regularly watered and are ready to be plucked free from the earth when they are ¾ inches in width across the top.  

Petunias

There’s a reason why petunias are the first flowers to arrive in the markets once the spring comes around and that’s because they are easy-peasy to grow in colder temperatures.  Find an area of your home that produces a lot of sunlight and water the plantings regularly.  Pretty soon you’ll find you have a beautifully colored flower garden all to yourself!

I talk about movies almost as much as I talk about flowers.  The two subjects just fascinate me and have become the areas in life, which I enjoy the most.  So for people like myself, wouldn’t the concept of comparing and coalescing the factors seem anything less than perfect?  Lucky for us- screenwriters, producers and directors have done just this throughout several of their most magnificent masterpieces! 

The Great Gatsby

Throughout Hollywood’s history, thousands of movies have been made which have brilliantly combined these two topics to create epic silver screen hits!  For Boston florists, this can be actually helpful, particularly when the design is exhibited during a wedding or funeral scene.   Believe it or not, customers will sometimes request duplicate arrangements and bouquets that have appeared in major motion pictures in order to copy the “feel” or “sentiment” present within the storyline.  

American Pie III

Although you might think this could be problematic for shop owners, it can actually be seen as a teaching tool as well as a marketing campaign to please movie buffs like me.  Be careful not to limit yourself to a specific genre such as the romance realm because you’ll be surprised to know that many horror, thriller and comedy scripts also have used flowers during climatic scenes!  Take a look at these Hollywood hits that show the best of both flower and cinematic worlds!

American Beauty

The Wizard of Oz

Vertigo 

The holiday season can be a wonderful time but for some people like me, it can also by a tad bit overwhelming.  There just never seems to be enough time to get all my errands done including planning dinner menus, sending out cards, decorating and the most anxiety driven task- gift buying for all of my relatives and friends.  Really, how are we supposed to accomplish this unrealistic whirlwind of activity in only a few weeks?  It’s almost impossible if you plan on keeping your sanity throughout the month.  After all, aren’t the holidays actually supposed to be…FUN?  For millions of us, this is a laughable concept so this year I’m planning on using a few tips to relieve tension and possibly enjoy the month of December!  Seem like a bizarre concept?  Skim through these ideas and see if any of them might help increase your health and happiness this season!

Eat Well

There are thousands upon thousands on studies documenting the importance of a well balanced diet, particularly in times where stress is at a high.  By adding more fruits and vegetables and eliminating starches and fats, your body will actually run at an improved rate while also upping your serotonin levels.  Why is this important?  Serotonin is what makes those happy little bubbles float around inside you, making your attitude and emotional state positive rather than negative.  Of course we’ll need a few of those Christmas cookies to get us through but swapping your meal intake with an improved group of foods will do magic for holiday disposition.

Sleep

I know that sending out those pesky postcards of you and the family are detrimental to saving face with the neighbors but at the end of an exhausting day, it’s not really that important. Give yourself a break and hit the hay so that you can rebuild the strength needed to stay on top of your game!  Eight hours of sleep is the recommended daily amount of time needed to adequately repair and revive the body.  When we are feeling symptoms of uneasiness or nervousness, it becomes even more important to add as much time as possible to your nighttime clock.  There’s always the next day to finish projects so stretch these tasks out and make the effort to rest.

Prioritize

It might seem that every chore on your list is of the utmost importance but realistically, the only thing that matters during the holidays is spending time with your loved ones.  Not everything that you have planned is going to be perfect so instead of creating ridiculous work for yourself, only complete tasks that are needed!  Choose the things that you truly want to accomplish and stick to that.  Let go of the Martha Stewart arts and crafts projects that are time consuming when you really don’t have the extra space in your calendar.  If stringing up the house with lights is number one for your family, get that done and forget about baking the gingerbread house.  Whatever is left behind just remember that there’s always next year!

New England is the absolute best place in the world to be when celebrating Thanksgiving!  Not only do we have the historical background such as Plymouth Plantation and Plymouth Rock, but we also have fabulous crisp and cool weather that is the perfect compliment for Turkey Day.  Bostonians have loads of decorative options available to dress up their homes and dining tables including a vast assortment of flowers that might well have been the same that the pilgrims placed on their tables!  

May Flower ?

photo credit: history.com

So what do you think?  Did the pilgrims really have the creative touch to arrange a few bouquets for their first November feast in America?

Gooseberries ?

photo credit: wikipedia

I would have to agree they did!

Bittersweet Vine ?

photo credit: marbleheadconservancy,org

With so many natural flora and fauna growing wildly around them, why is it so far fetched that they too, might have chosen a centerpiece to accessorize their festive gathering?

Wheat ? Beach Roses ?

After some careful research, these are a few of the possibilities that the Massachusetts settlers could have used on Thanksgiving.  If any of you are history buffs and want to make your holiday as authentic as possible, try digging up one of these for your floral displays!

I love movies.  I love movies so much that I have a collection for each special holiday and occasion.  Doesn’t matter if it’s a rainy day, the first day of school or Halloween, I’ve got something for everything.  That’s why this Thanksgiving is going to be filled with hours upon hours of watching my favorite flicks associated with the infamous turkey day!  I bet you didn’t know that Thanksgiving is only second runner up to the top cinematic holiday blockbuster, Christmas!  It’s because of the increasing popularity that we have dozens and dozens of films to choose from, offering both options for adults and kids!  (Check the ratings carefully because some of them are inappropriate for younger audiences.) I mean who hasn’t seen the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?  It’s a classic!  Here are a few more of my top Thanksgiving Day flicks that I’ll be enjoying this season.

The season of merriment, the season of joy, the season when our pants feel a size too small.  Yes the holiday season has arrived, luring us in with decadent dishes and rich cuisine.  I mean who can resist the pumpkin pies, the mashed potatoes or the highlight- the beloved turkey?  There’s food everywhere and most of us (including myself) find it difficult to resist taste testing a few sugar cookies here and there.  Oh, and don’t forget the “stress” issue that comes into play when our relatives are literally driving us towards that extra glass of wine or slab of cake.  Yes, according to research, the average Bostonian packs on an extra five to ten pounds during the months of November and December, hence the popular New Year’s resolution promise to get “in shape”.  

But here’s my question to you…

Why must we continuously get back on the hamster wheel of holiday diets when there are perfectly good ways to steer clear of your scale’s needle bouncing back and forth?  Is it viable that by introducing techniques that are successful in curbing our appetites might we miss that rush to join any gym we can find on January 2nd?  I dare to think we have a shot if we follow these tips that will keep us on track without eliminating the holiday season’s tasty treats all together!

Smaller Plates Mean Smaller Consumption

This works particularly well if you’re the one who is hosting the feasts this year because that gives you control of selecting dinnerware.  Studies reveal that by serving meals on smaller plates, it gives the illusion that you are eating the same amount of food you would be on regular dishes.  It is also documented that people feel more “filled up” when emptying their plate no matter what the size of the dinnerware may be.  That means that you can feel equally satisfied while cutting back on unnecessary indulging calories. Portion sizes will be cut in half and you’ll be pleased to know that this compromise will allow you the room you need for a regular sized dessert!

Don’t Forget to Move

Looking back on my favorite holidays that I’ve celebrated, I can’t help but to remember that I was always moving!  Talking with Aunt Kay about her summer gardening plans and then offering to help clean the kitchen with grandma, I realized that I was constantly walking from one room to another.  What does this mean for our waistlines?  It means that I was exercising!  Moving about the room is important because it burns calories and helps to digest your food better.  You’ll be the hit of the holiday party for your impressive social skills and be able to slip back into those skinny jeans without any problems at all!

I bet you didn’t know it but when you choose your favorite flower, you are really saying a lot about yourself!  Whether you fancy daisies or orchids, each variety reveals characteristics, traits and even personality types that are commonly associated with specific blooms.  It’s not science or anything but dating and employment sites are beginning to utilize this factor in order to make successful romantic matches and job placement decisions. The outcome has been quite beneficial urging us to ask the question, “What does my favorite flower say about me?”  I’ve got to admit, I had to find out if this new technique really did hold some truth behind it so this is what I found out…

Favorite Flower: Chocolate Cosmos

Color:  Brown to Burgundy- Rich Color Tone

Special Characteristic(s):  Smells Like Chocolate

Personality Type: Creative, Energetic, Ambitious, Seeks to be Different

photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Yup, I can definitely see the comparison!  

Now it’s your turn!  What does your favorite bloom reveal about you?

Favorite Flower:  Roses                                

Color: Red, Orange, Yellow, White, Pink       

Special Characteristic(s): Lovely Scent, Soft Petals      

Personality Type:  Sweet, Kind, Calm in Tricky Situations, Able to Stop and                                 Smell the Flowers Nonsense Attitude

photo credit: Flower Factor via Lisa Greene, floral designer

Favorite Flower: Sunflowers

Color: Yellow, Red, Brown, Orange

Special Characteristic(s): Popular Flower

Personality Type:  Stubborn, Showy, Social,  Intelligent, Hard Working

In a Wide Range of Crafts

photo credit: Flower Factor

Favorite Flower: Orchids 

Color: Green, White, Pink, Purple, Orange, Yellow, Burgundy

Special Characteristic(s):  Rare, Medicinal Uses 

Personality Type:  Likes to Stand Out, Exotic