A Florist’s Take on Valentine’s Day Giving

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and these last-minute floods have well and truly stopped me in my tracks. I was supposed to be freelancing for a busy florist in Townsville—honestly, I was counting down the days. I was so excited to dive into this opportunity. But, of course, the rain gods had other plans and smashed a bridge on the highway. HOW RUDE.

Thankfully, I wasn’t directly impacted by the floods, so I’m taking it on the chin and focusing my energy on what I can do. So many others are dealing with the aftermath of these relentless rains and floods, and I truly feel for them.

This got me reflecting on Valentine’s Day and the importance of giving. Last year, I was working at a bustling florist in the heart of Mackay. If you cut us, we would’ve bled coffee. We were working into the early hours, completing orders, and one day, I completely forgot to wear my proper work shoes... I showed up in camping crocs. To top it off, the air conditioning was blasting, so we had chapped lips, cramped hands, and layers upon layers of jumpers. Floristry isn't for the faint-hearted, I’ll tell you that much.

Now, back to my rambling! Being in this state of chaos and still helping customers came with its challenges, the biggest being the all-too-common “I don’t want to spend too much, they just die anyway.”

This isn’t just a Valentine’s Day issue—this is something florists hear on the regular. With the cost of living skyrocketing, I totally get it. $100 could buy you a new pair of shoes or get your lashes done, and those things will last at least a week. But flowers? They do die. But that’s exactly why I think this perspective is a massive flaw in our modern society.

Here’s the thing: flowers are incredibly powerful. They have this magical ability to immediately lift our mood! When we receive flowers, our brains release dopamine, the neurotransmitter that triggers happiness and joy. Research shows that flowers can even lower cortisol (the stress hormone), reducing anxiety and making us feel more relaxed and at ease. The simple presence of flowers in our space can create a peaceful, calming environment.

But it’s not just about the mood boost. Receiving flowers makes us feel special and valued. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to become complacent and forget to express these feelings of love and appreciation. Flowers are a way to strengthen romantic or social bonds, increase feelings of belonging, and boost self-esteem. They create a positive environment, making us feel more confident and emotionally secure.

For those who struggle to express their feelings, flowers can do the heavy lifting. They act as a channel for open communication, helping people feel more comfortable showing vulnerability or affection. The act of receiving flowers creates a powerful emotional exchange, fostering connection, understanding, and expression.

Still not convinced flowers are worth it? Well, here’s another reason:

Support small businesses! Florists are the unsung heroes. Whether it’s for an anniversary, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or honoring a loved one, florists are there, pouring time and love into every arrangement. The behind-the-scenes work is real—cleaning buckets, sweeping up flower petals, stripping foliage, and being on your feet for hours, all to make sure you love what we create.

By choosing local florists, you’re not just getting a beautifully designed arrangement—you’re also supporting your community. When you shop local, your money stays in the area, benefiting the people you share your neighborhood with. Local florists are also more likely to source from local growers, which helps reduce the environmental impact of transportation and shipping, making your flowers even more sustainable.

As florists in Far North Queensland, we’re also battling sourcing challenges. It’s tough. Some days, I wish I could just stroll into a warehouse full of every type of flower I could dream of and have them all at my fingertips like the big city florists. I’d love to have that convenience and variety to play with, to just grab those stunning slipper orchids or mass quantities of hellebore’s that we see those fancy florists using. But we keep pushing through, using whatever we can to keep our passion alive and bring justice to that $80 you’ve budgeted for. It might look easy from the outside, but trust me, it’s far from it.

So, this Valentine’s Day (and honestly, every other day), choose to support your local florists. Not only do you get a personal touch and a unique arrangement, but you’re also investing in your local community, reducing your environmental footprint, and ensuring the heart and soul of floristry keeps thriving.

As a mentor once told me, “Flowers teach us to love in the moment because they don’t last forever.