PLEASE NO flowers!
By bonnie
@bunnybon7 (50970)
Holiday, Florida
December 30, 2009 4:26pm CST
This may sound ungrateful but my one daughter-in -law had live flowers delivered for Christmas as my present
I've never been one to like having flowers cut for my benefit. I prefer they be alive in their beauty as long as possible. Of course I thanked her many times but i would have rather a book or something which would have been cheaper also. I just dont know how to let her know without seeming ungrateful or hurting her feelings. perhaps I should just say im allergic? 
then, it makes me very sad to see them die. their little heads hanging over. its also a big mess to clean. the one thing good that made me laugh was there was a little teddy bear with them and when i went to put the water in the vase and arrange the flowers Coconut immediately claimed the teddy bear
she thinks any toy comes into this house must be hers. so she got a xmas present she loved. How about you? do you really like getting flowers and watching the lovely things die?
I've never been one to like having flowers cut for my benefit. I prefer they be alive in their beauty as long as possible. Of course I thanked her many times but i would have rather a book or something which would have been cheaper also. I just dont know how to let her know without seeming ungrateful or hurting her feelings. perhaps I should just say im allergic? then, it makes me very sad to see them die. their little heads hanging over. its also a big mess to clean. the one thing good that made me laugh was there was a little teddy bear with them and when i went to put the water in the vase and arrange the flowers Coconut immediately claimed the teddy bear she thinks any toy comes into this house must be hers. so she got a xmas present she loved. How about you? do you really like getting flowers and watching the lovely things die?6 people like this
28 responses
@Allie_xoxo (1063)
• Canada
31 Dec 09
I love getting flowers. I used to imagine what it would be like to get flowers when I grew up, daydreamed about it you know. Then one day when I was at work someone brought me a big bouquet and it was everything I imagined.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
31 Dec 09
problem is he would probably be hurt to or else say the wrong thing to her. im thinking next year it will be different. this one always surprises me with something different. like my birthday, they got me Betty boop fluffy throw that i love
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
31 Dec 09
nope.i've long told people if they must give me flowers,give me the whole plant.
then i can put it in my yard,and have a year to year reminder of their gift.
12 little flower corpses at the end of the week doesn't say love to me..
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Jan 10
i guess she never thought of it that way. yes it would really be nice to fix up our yard.1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Dec 09
I love flowers but had rather have something i could keep. They just last a few days & then u have nothing to show for a present that u can enjoy for awhile. Why don't u say something to your son about it & maybe he could discourage her from doing that. When my dil's don't do to suit me which is not often i tell my sons instead of saying anything to the dil's. Thank heavens i have never had to do tht too often, lol.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Dec 09
O.K. DITZY, LOL. i'M SURE MIE FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT ME BUT THEY ARE STUCK W/ME ANYWAY.
@celticeagle (189819)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Jan 10
I much rather pick and enjoy the flowers than have them die on the vine and make the whole bush look horrid. I enjoy the thought of recieving flowers. It is the cycle of life and that's about all there is to it. It is just like having a pet and you know it will pass on at some point. Life goes on. Yes, I really like getting flowers. And, no I don't watch them die. I enjoy them and take care of after they pass.
@celticeagle (189819)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Jan 10
They are going to die on the plant anyway! And alot them if you cut the flower more will grow.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Jan 10
glad you enjoy them. i know many people are different about the dieing of living things.
1 person likes this
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
30 Dec 09
I don't like cut flowers. I love flowers and have a yard full of beds, but like you I prefer to let them live out their life attached to their stems in the dirt. I have always told everyone how I feel about receiving flowers and have never had anyone get upset or hurt because of it. My kids buy me flats of flowers for mothers day and when our last son was born my husband showed up at the hospital with a rose bush in a 5 gallon container that needed to be planted.
Maybe that is a compromise you and your daughter-in-law could make..she could give you flowers that you in turn could plant?
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
31 Dec 09
Exactly! thanks so much. someone that gets what im saying. all i need is to figure a way to bring that up.to my DIL 
@nenyalorien (899)
• Philippines
1 Jan 10
Haha, I, on the other hand, love flowers, picked, live, dry... I just love them all. :D
How about, on Valentine's, or Mother's day, if your daughter-in-law is already a mommy, why don't you get her a pot of her favorite blooms, or something you find really beautiful. Then tell her, "Flowers are lovelier when they're alive, aren't they?" Then make sure that your daughter-in-law and you still get to bond right after you drop the sentence. Make her feel warm, welcomed and accepted, right after you let her know subtly that you prefer flowers live, just to avoid her being offended. :)
Else, you may want to tell her directly that you really don't like cut flowers; taking a chance that she won't be offended, heheh. :D
Hope this helps!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Jan 10
yes, you are a smart girl. you make a good DIL i'll bet. thanks.
you make a good DIL i'll bet. thanks.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
7 Jan 10
i have decided i might just tell the truth about what i've descovered. that is that son i live with IS allergic. we just found that out.
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
31 Dec 09
Actually, I have always told people not to send flowers. Partially because I would prefer a living plant. Partially because my cats go nuts. Some sneezing and allergic, the others trying to get at them to play with or eat. Many are poisonous to pets.
However, I got roses from my birthday from my dad. Now, I wasn't raised with him so he wasn't aware. Also, it was a complete surprise and the first birthday present I've recieved from him since we found one another. So, it was worth the battle with my cats.
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
5 Jan 10
Actually, I added them to my potpourri pot with some chamomile. But that was a great idea also.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Well, just tell her that you appreciate the beautiful flowers, and bring the fact that you love flowers in the garden into the conversation. If you garden, maybe mention that someday you would like to have this type of flower in your garden so that you could enjoy it growing a blooming longer there(and maybe she will take the hint and get you seeds or a root plant to put there). Maybe next time she will get you something to plant, or plant something for you!?
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
31 Dec 09
Yes bunny,I'm with you. I shall give you a basket of sweets in the next Christmas.
I wish you a very sweet NEW YEAR-2010.Cheers.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Jan 10
aaaww! how nice of you. i should try and loose some weight so i can gobble them down love sweets. happy 2010 to you also, hugs, Bon
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
31 Dec 09
aDon't blame you a bit, and I'm the same way. I'd rather have a plant that I can enjoy at least until the cats eat it. Or, better yet something like a perennial that I can plant outside and enjoy year after year. If I'm remembering your year correctly, I bet you'd like that too. Maybe you can drop a hint sometime, or better yet have a brother-in-law offer suggestions next yeat...on the QT of course...
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
31 Dec 09
thanks. i was so worried most would think im a nut for feeling like this but now i see most feel the same.
1 person likes this
@Iram786 (498)
•
31 Dec 09
i don't mind getting flowers, they can be nice to look at but like you, i prefer getting something that can actually be used and is worth the money. i never really thought about flowers like this until you brought it up, and i totally agree with you. it's a lot nicer seeing the flowers grow naturally rather than cutting them up and watching them die in your house ]:
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
1 Jan 10
Hiya bunnybon,
How about if you dissolve an Aspirin in the flower water itself they may last just a bit longer?
Fresh flowers are beautiful to have and to look at. Also take a photo of them in their full beauty so you have something else to treasure them and remember?
Well okay it´s just an idea that´s just occurred to me.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Jan 10
yes i know the aspirin makes them last a little longer. thanks. i did also put the flower food into them which helped. for a couple days.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
31 Dec 09
I too hate this because I do not display them as beautifully as they deserve and it is painful to see them wither. But, when someone gives it to us, then we have no choice. We would have to mentally steel ourselves ; but take solace from the thought thta they would wither even if they were in the plant.Here this remins you of the feelings of the giver.The giver owuld feel hurt if we deny this outright or evn gently.The maximum that can be done is to tell your son indirectly in confidence.That child is giving it out of affection and daughterinlaw is marginally different from son ; so it is possible that he would be able to understand it better and convey it better.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
i would but not sure he knows how to take it either. its ok probably be something different next time.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
31 Dec 09
Hi bunnybon7. I'm the same way. I don't like getting cut flowers as a gift. It seems like such a waste of money. Although it is a thoughtful gesture, I don't like knowing that they are going to die so shortly after I receive them. Fortunately I don't get them very often. The last time I did was from a family member for my birthday last year. I never told her how I felt about it though. My husband on the other hand knows better so he hasn't given me any fresh cut flowers in almost 18 years! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
thanks hon, you to. yes at least he could give you a growing one to either plant in the yard or put on the window sill? but he probably has. my late hubby used to buy me plants sometimes for occasions and i had them for years.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
31 Dec 09
I like "a" cut flower just would would be fine. I agree why pay so much to just watch them die. You could do like I do and suggest, that you can't wait for something as lovely to plant in your garden/flower bed for mother's day. I think that would be a nice hint. Afterall I love my garden & flower bed but if you can't find a nice potted plant or something I can keep for more than a week save your money!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
yes if not for hurting their feelings i would have said that. well guess i can hint. you are right.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
31 Dec 09
I love getting flowers! But you are right, it's sad to bring them into the house just to watch them die. My former in-laws sent me flowers when I had my appendectomy in May but my mother in law feels just as you do and send a live arrangement that I could transfer to my garden when I felt better. I didn't feel better soon enough to do that but am still enjoy the arrangement!
You could say they are beautiful but make you sneeze. Suggest a live plant that you can put in your garden or a bulb you can grow.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
you know the strange thing is that my son here actually did seem to be allergic. he sneezed and had a headache till they were gone. so now i just realised that.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Dec 09
No flowers, my cats eat them. I do like getting potted plants that I can plant in the yard later...
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
that would be best. its just the thing id love. maybe next year.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Dec 09
Hey bunny! I agree with you too! I love flowers alot, but I
hate getting them sent to me for the very same reason! I hate
watching them wither and die! That is just so sad and such
a serious waster of money! It ends up making me depressed,
which of course defeats the purpose of the gift!lol And you
didn't even get to keep the cute little teddy either!
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
thats ok me and coco share it. i really think they should have kept better i changed the water and added the flower food a couple days later when they looked peeked but the day after that i got depressed because when i got up and went in the kitchen for coffee, their little heads were all drooped