I love fresh cut flowers arranged beautifully in a vase.
Who doesn’t? (if you don’t, that was rhetorical, I’m making a point here)
But if you’re like me, only a special occasion warrants such a gift. Flowers are expensive and that’s why my arrangements are usually made of tiny weeds, given with love by my children!
Lately, I’ve notice our little corner grocery store has had an abundance of flowers and they are consistently marking down the bright bunches of posies to $4.99 or less! But I’m drawn to the scrawny sets for $1.99. My inner bargain queen is my guide.
Now, I realize flowers are marked down because their days are numbered. But I have a secret recipe that makes flowers last longer!
Mix 2 Tablespoons sugar with 2 Tablespoons white vinegar.Stir until sugar is dissolved and pour mixture into water.
I used small bud vases for my small package of flowers when I had company a few weeks ago.
My $1.99 set spread cheer to several rooms!
And these flowers lasted all week!
{Thank you for joining me for WFMW! You can read the guidelines here.}
Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us! Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST tonight, in order to keep away the spammers!
Was your link deleted? Click here.
Also: May 6th is a THEMED edition of WFMW: Please share your best FRUGAL tip!
Links have now closed. Please join us again next week.
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
Oh, I love fresh flowers too. I’ll have to use this recipe–for the VERY rare times that I have this treat!
I love fresh flowers and have made a resolution to have them in my home all the time. I’m definitely going to try this tip! Thank you
I like to cut flowers (when I have them) from my yard. Thanks for the tip on making them last!
And thanks for hosting this!
Great tip! I’ll have to remember this the next time we buy flowers.
Any tips on keeping the cat from eating those beautiful, lovingly selected flowers???
Oooo…great tip! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. I do like having fresh flowers on my table from time to time.
I’ll give this a try. I always buy the bargain flowers, too!
I’ve never heard of this trick before…, awesome. I’m definitely going to try that. Thanks!
great tip! I just got some flowers for my birthday
I have heard of the sugar, but not with the vinegar. I’ll have to try that! Thanks!!
Thanks for the great tip – beautiful flowers!
Fresh flowers are awesome! If you buy white flowers then put food coloring in the water – it will change the flowers to a new color. Isn’t that fun?
Have a great day!!!
Blessings,
http://www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great tip!
I love getting flowers too, but mine ALWAYS die too quickly!
I’ll be using your secret recipe next time for sure.
P.S- Your flowers are beautiful!
I have never heard that combo, but will definitely try it next time. I like to snip the ends from the stems periodically and that seems to help them last longer as well. Such a nice treat to have fresh flowers for guests!
that’s an awesome idea
That is a great tip. I am always sad when my cut flowers die after just a few days.
love the tip! who knew it was that easy to do.
Can you please delete link #77? I left the wrong link (to last weeks’ wfmw instead of this week’s. Thank you and I’m sorry.
I LOVE flowers! They always make my day.
Thank you for this awesome tip.
I use the little packet of stuff that comes with the flowers.
I forgot to put the subject on my link-large family dinner tip.
I’ve heard of sugar mixed with something. I don’t remember what the “something” was but it wasn’t vinegar. I prefer to get flowers only on occasion and do not enjoy huge florist arrangements. I currently have an Easter Lily plant perfuming the main level of my house and some beautiful bi-colour carnations as well. My favourite has to be a single peony from my boyfriend’s peony bush – gorgeous flour and gorgeous scent.
I’ll have to try the sugar/vinegar trick. Thanks for posting it!
This is a great idea and it’s with stuff we always have on hand. Thank you for the tip and thank you for hosting!
Cute flower arrangements! Great idea! Thanks for hosting WFMW.
~Susan
I will have to try that. What a great idea!!
This is always one of my favorite spots on Wednesdays . . . could spend ALL day just cruising around in here:)
Thanks for hosting.
Kristin K
Great tip! I just picked a ton of fresh flowers from my woods and yard!
Thanks!
Making pretty things last longer and getting the most bang for my bargain buck are always at the top of my list. Thanks for the great tip!
My husband has made it his thing to buy me flowers from an on the side of the road vendor every month for the last 13 years. Because of that the guy gives him a great discount and I get beautiful wild flowers that last about 2 weeks. Maybe if I use your little recipe they will last a bit longer. Thanks for sharing it.
HUGS.
Kim
What a great idea. I’m looking forward to using it! Have a great day
The fact that flowers die so quickly is the reason I opt for silk. But, there’s just something wonderful about a house with fresh flowers in it. I may have to rethink my position.
Excellent idea! I love fresh flowers and the little packet of stuff doesn’t seem to work well for me.
I love fresh flowers too!
sandy toe
Thank you so much for hosting this! There is such a wealth of information and encouragement to be found on blogs and it is much easier to find great blogs like this!!
hmmmm…vinegar & sugar, huh?! Will definitely have to give that a try; thanks for sharin' it!
Great idea! You’ve inspired me to keep an eye out for cheap bouquets to put to use!
Very pretty! Another hint is, if you put the flowers in warm water and cut the stem while it’s under the water, they last even longer. My Mom was a florist for 40+ yrs, and I learned a couple tricks from her.
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
I love fresh flowers, too! Never heard of this trick before–I’lll definitely have to try it.
Never heard of using sugar and vinegar… kind of like a vinegret. I’ll have to try it sometime!
I love the smell and beauty of fresh flowers.
Ginger
So simple and it works. I've heard of using sprite or 7-up but I never want to open a whole bottle just for a few drops. Vinegar & sugar I can definitely do. Thanks!
I love having real flowers in the house too! I actually purchased a bunch at fresh & easy almost two weeks ago. They're still looking fresh.
Good tip! =)
tried to change my title from last week (#171, starting with baby steps) but it didn’t change when it posted. sorry, it is supposed to be baking with applesauce. still learning mr linky, guess i messed this one up. thanks for all you do!
Did you know that Aldi’s usually has flowers for about $2.99 a bunch? Don’t know if you have an Aldi’s near you or not, but it might be worth checking out if you do.
Great tip…just in time for my roses an daisies that are popping out.
I love daisies! And i love them because they last so long. Much longer than roses.
Thanks for the tip.
(Getting flowers given me is something that IS special . . . it happens about once in a lifetime for me!)
Thanks so much for sharing this tip, Kristen! I love fresh flowers but am so sad when they die.
I will definitely use this tip.
Nothing is better than fresh flowers. I have a few blooms outside and some rosemary, so I am headed out to cut some. I like the fact that you made a little go a long way. Jackie
I love your little trick! How awesome! I’ll have to try it the next time
Great tip! Thanks!
I love putting little vases of flowers around the house. I repurpose baby food jars as bud vases, and i find they’re the perfect size.
I love having fresh flowers around the house. Love this tip!
Just wanted to say Hi! You have a blog that inspired me to start my own…thanks
http://amberwabisabi.blogspot.com/
I heard on CSI that adding a few drops of bleach will kill bacteria & make flowers last longer too.
I do know putting them in warm water for a minute before putting them back in the vase will make them perk right up!
What sweet arrangements. . .who can resist fresh flowers?
I love the divide and conquer and spread them round the house a little idea – that sure works for me!
Meanwhile, I totally forgot it was Wednesday – talk about the confusion that sets in with a long weekend!
I’ll have to try that!
Oh how I love fresh flowers! Someone told me a long time ago that putting an aspirin in the vase water makes them last longer too! Thanks for sharing this tip. I may just look for some marked-down fresh flowers this week when I do my shopping!
Newbie – what a fabulous idea. I’m not join in this week but I shall try to do so next week.
Best wishes
Thanks for the secret recipe! I was just thinking about starting to get fresh flowers more often the last time I was at Aldi – they’re usually pretty cheap and it is such a treat. The secret recipe is extra motivation to do it!
Here’s a recipe for pizza dough that my family loves and is sooo easy!
http://haveacupwithme.blogspot.com/2009/04/works-for-me-wednesday-pizza-dough.html
I love fresh flowers too but never buy them! This is a GREAT tip!
Great idea to maximize how far those fresh flowers go! Now if only I can get my cat to stop eating them then I’d be doing real good!
I love fresh flowers in the house.
We planted some rosemary bushes in the garden a couple years ago and made an arrangement of the cuttings for the Easter centerpiece. It was wonderful and is lasts a long time. We still have it on our dinning room table.
I wanted to share my works for me but didn’t get it done in time. I have a large metal decorative grate that I purchased from a floral/gift shop. It’s original purpose was an outside door mat. When I saw it, I knew instantly that it would serve as a wonderful large size trivet. I have it beside my stove so that I can sit pots on it without burning the counter or looking for a hot pad or trivet. The best thing is that not only is it functional, it is also decorative and looks like it belongs right there. Repurposing items works for me.
i will definately remember that tip next time i buy flowers. Thanks
Thanks for the tip – I bought some reduced tulips tonight and I’m so glad for your secret recipe!