Shop local this Christmas

It is Small Business Saturday on Saturday 7th of December 2019 – the perfect excuse to grab your reusable shopping bags and head on down to shop with your local businesses!

Now in its seventh year, the Small Business Saturday campaign has grown every year since it was launched in the UK. A massive £812 million was spent in small businesses in the UK on Small Business Saturday 2018, helping to support all sorts of local businesses; from independent florists, chocolatier, jewelers and craft brewers to  brilliant butchers.

So how can your local florist help you this Christmas time?

Your local florist will be on hand to offer advice on seasonal flowers, design you a bespoke Christmas door wreath or arrange flower delivery so you can send festive wishes to loved ones with flowers.

Simply search for your local florist using our helpful Find a Florist search tool, and either order easily online or pop along to the flower shop nearby.

Festive Door Wreaths

A trend that we see growing every year, with homes and offices being decorated with stunning Christmas door wreaths.

Popular for easily adding a touch of festive cheer and the ability to adapt the colours; traditional ruby red and green, icy whites and cool blues, dusty pink … your local florist can personalise your festive door wreath to compliment your front door colour or corporate style.

The door wreath can be decorated with a wide range of traditional or not so traditional decorations depending on the style you want. Local florists cleverly use items such as pine cones, ivy, natural berries, dried fruits, cinnamon sticks, baubles, luxury ribbon - the opportunities are endless!

The wreath is a very traditional festivity, dating back to the Roman times. . The word 'Wreath'  derives from an old English word meaning 'to twist'. The wreath was created using evergreens to symbolise  eternity and in a round shape to represent the circle of life, and this tradition has been continued to this day.

Merry Flower Workshops

Many local florists love being able to share their knowledge and passion for floristry with and so offer Flower Workshops and Classes throughout the year. Visit your local florist shop or check out their website for information on workshops – often they will offer wreath making classes or festive table centre workshops.

These workshops are especially magical in Winter, when you can wrap up warm and enjoy an evening with friends to learn a new skill. And for the cherry on top, you get to take your floral creation home to enjoy over the Christmas period!

Christmas Poinsettia

One of the most iconic Christmas flowers, especially to give as gift, are Poinsettias. These gorgeous plants are native to South America, and bloom late in the year – adding festive splash of colour in to brighten the dark Winter months. Poinsettias have striking crimson red or dazzling white leaves creating a star effect, making the perfect plant for a traditional Christmas gift.

Your local florist will be able to source beautiful Poinsettias and have creative ideas of how they can be gifted. From a simple Poinsettia potted in a Christmassy container or a red Poinsettia planted in a luxury woven basket with a white rose plant to create a beautiful floral gift.

Poinsettias make a lovely gift to take for a host at Christmas time, as they look festive for the celebration and don’t need to worry about finding a vase for them. So pop in to your local florist shop and pick up a Poinsettia for your home or as a thoughtful Christmas gift.

Sending festive flowers

At this time of year it is lovely to send warm wishes to loved ones, and what better way than with festive flowers? Popular flowers and plants to send at Christmas time include red poinsettia, white chrysanthemum, orchids, calla lilies, pink hyacinths and mistletoe.

Your local florist can help you pick some seasonal flowers or offer advice on the best blooms to represent a special message. Many local florists also carefully source a beautiful range of seasonal gifts such as vases, glass ornaments and tree decorations, Christmas cards, luxury chocolates - so you can add little extras to really personalise your gift. Your loved one may live locally so your florist can hand deliver the Christmas flowers on a selected date, or if they live further afield the florist will be able to help arrange delivery.