Exotic Flowers in Boston

For years we have been displaying ghosts, vampires and ghouls for a Halloween display. Over the years, we have found that less clients were purchasing pumpkins. In 2018, we did not sell pumpkins and did not decorate for Halloween. We had been losing hundreds of dollars selling these items.

Halloween 2019 - Pumpkins, goblins and scarecrows are back. Why are selling items that we know we are losing money on? 

Last weekend, my family and I bought our pumpkins at a farm in Peabody. My fourteen year old son asked why Exotic Flowers no longer sold pumpkins? I explained that we lose money on them. His response, 'Dad, if you decorate for Halloween and celebrate fall- it shows the community you care about them.'

Talk about a proud parent moment. I must be doing something right. Sometimes, it's not about the money. It can't be. We appreciate our place on the highway and will no longer lose sight of that.

If you live in New England, then it’s pretty safe to say that fall festivities are right up your alley.  One annual tradition that is of particular importance is the one night where we can all transform into anyone we want… Yes, I’m talking about Halloween!  You may have noticed that I used the word “all” because contrary to what you may think, Halloween is a holiday for all of us (not just the kiddos).  Perhaps you’ve been invited to a party or maybe an office celebration where friends and coworkers will be whipping up wardrobe creations and you just haven’t found the inspiration yet to make your own?  No problem!  For those who love to garden or have a fancy for florals, I have just the ideas for you and most of the materials needed can be found already at home.

photo: Victor VIRGILE—Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Become a Wrapped Bouquet!

This costume is too cute if you love flowers, plus it’s quick and simple so you don’t need a whole lot of time to accomplish the look.  Just wrap yourself in an extra-large piece of paper and tie with a ribbon.  Add blossoms to the packaging by cutting large blooms out of construction paper and either glue to the back of the paper or attach to sticks that can be inserted inside the cone.  Be sure to dress in a single color such as black, navy or red and presto!  Your Halloween look is complete.  If you own a flower shop and have an employee who is willing, have them put on this outfit on October 31st to greet customers at the door. Patrons will get a kick out of the company’s holiday spirit as well as attract others who might be passing by.

Become the Flower Dude!

This design is quick and easy to throw together in a pinch since all you really need is a smock, clipboard and maybe either a small arrangement or bouquet of roses to hold.  Simple jeans and a t-shirt are the best pieces to wear underneath and letting a little stubble grow in will also add to the effect.  Florists are typically NOT glamourous people who often work long hours contrary to what most believe.  Sporting fancy jackets, pants or expensive jewelry will draw away the authenticity of “florist role” so be sure to stay in character as much as possible.  If you know a florist already, ask them to borrow some arrangement cards that you can put in your front pocket or hand out to others as an added accessory.  If you really want it to look real, hold a dixie cup in your hand and tell people it’s coffee.  I haven’t met a florist yet who isn’t addicted to the stuff!

October is a time for warm fires, cozy sweaters, apple cider and jumping into leaf piles.  For many New Englanders, it is their favorite time of year, but there is one group in particular who seems to be inspired by the crisp change of the seasons the most.  That’s right-Boston florists love the autumn months because a fresh batch of product containing different hues of color and texture begin to arrive.  

Not only are many of the varieties longer lasting than the species within the summer collection, but they possess interesting new textures that are fun to play with.  From farm stands to backyard gardens, these beauties are bursting through the earth ready to take their moment in the spotlight and it’s up to us to come up with fantastic ways to do just that!  New species that are usually in high demand during October are orange sunflowers, millet, chrysanthemums, wheat and deep colored roses.  For right now, we’re going to shelve the pastel look but there’s still a ton of wiggle room for those who don’t prefer the rich combination of orange, red and yellow that we usually see now.

We’re New Englanders so it’s pretty safe to say that we are really into the seasonal changes, particularly autumn.  We admire everything from the leaves changing color to the acorns piling up on the ground because they are all beautiful signs from Mother Nature that fall has arrived.  For those who like to decorate, these natural gifts from the outdoors are often utilized in accessorizing our homes such as back patios, doorsteps and walkways.  One area that appears to be a strong focus for Boston home designers are the pieces used as props for our front doors.  

Why is that such a desired display feature?  

photo credit: marthastewart.com

The entryways to our homes are the first impressions we give to visitors that can have a direct effect on their mood or state of mind for the duration of their stay.  If we give friends and families a presentation that encourages an elated or comfortable feeling, than some believe that their visit will reflect these positive emotions.  

Sound silly to you?  

Photo credit: MarthaStewart.com

Well, have a look at these top autumn looks for New England front doors and see if your state of mind is automatically improved!  All of these designs are easy to construct on your own and lucky for us Bostonians, the materials are readily available as well.  If you’re not sure that your artistic capabilities are up to the challenge, visit your local flower shop that will be glad create the perfect piece for you’re home.  Happy decorating!

New England is one of the most spectacular places in the world to celebrate Halloween because our natural environment reaps amazing treats for us to enjoy-specifically pumpkin patches!  Bursting with healthy vines and rotund spheres of orange, pumpkin picking is a popular activity that thousands of Bostonians enjoy during the month of October.  Maybe it’s the simplistic beauty or the wisp of magic that surrounds these mystifying harvest fields, but one thing’s for sure, we have the biggest and best patches surrounding our city giving visitors a multitude of festive locations to celebrate their seasonal activities.  So if you haven’t carved your jack-o-lantern yet, here are a few places in Massachusetts that are sure not to disappoint.

Connors Farm in Danvers, MA is an impressive operation to behold featuring not only a pumpkin picking area of shear perfection but also mazes, which reveres families from all over the state.  Their maze-technology is so sophisticated that they offer options of a gigantic haunted corn maze, regular corn maze or a hale bale maze for the younger guests.  Hayrides are also available as well as a bouncy pillow for children to jump through, petting zoo and zombie paintball.  Parking is free and if you get hungry during your stay fear not.  Connors Farm hosts a picnic area where you can sample from concessions or goodies sold inside their farm stand.  Costs for activities vary with discounted rates available for groups and seniors.

Marini Farm, situated in Ipswich, MA, is a lot of fun to visit because not only do they have a glorious and fruitful pumpkin patch, this location also provides several entertaining booths such as live music, games for kids and a massive corn maze sure to fool even the savviest puzzle manipulator.    What I enjoyed most about my visit to Marini Farm was their simple and authentic style emanating a down home country appeal that provides guests with a real autumn farm experience. 

Carver Hill Orchard in Stow, MA is another hot spot that I would recommend because of their enormous array of fruit and vegetable picking choices including pumpkins, tomatoes, pears, strawberries, peppers, corn, and yes, even flowers!   This orchard also includes a picnic area where kitchen ready foods such as hot dogs and ice cream are available for purchase.  For those who truly love the freshness of pick- your- own styled farms, Carver also features a cut -your -own Christmas tree event where saws are provided starting in the month of December!

And if you're stuck and did not have time to pick your pumpkin from the patch, Exotic Flowers at 609 American Legion Hwy in Boston has pumpkins in all sizes.

 Suzie Canale is local Boston author who has published four children's books, is the director of the Women's Lockerroom Foundation, an avid chef, gardener and mother of two. She also finds time to work at the public library in Westwood, MA.