flower blog

As much as we love the holidays, it's a given that travel will be stressful, especially with winter storms covering the Midwest and Northeast.

If you're getting ready for your annual "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" experience, pack as light as you can to help keep your cool.

One way to add space to your suitcase is to send flowers ahead to whomever you'll be staying with. That way, you'll know it's there, even if you arrive late.

Sending flowers ahead of time means less to pack and less hassle at the airport.

For some other travel tips, I checked in with blogger and flight attendant Mary Jo Manzanares. More of her tips and advice can be found at flyawaycafe.com, theseattletraveler.com and travelproductguide.com.  

Here's our Q&A on traveling smart with kids.

Q Can you share your behind-the-scenes perspective?
A It's important to understand that federal regulations govern the airline industry. No one is being mean by making a child sit in a seat with a seat belt fastened. Please understand that flight attendants are not picking on your or your child. We empathize with most predicaments, and we're trying to balance your needs with our requirement to do our job.

Q What are some essentials to think about in terms of planning and packing?
A Check bags so you don't have to manage people in addition to stuff. But if the kids are old enough to be responsible for their own bag, let them back a carry on. Let them bring a "buddy" or two (stuffed animal, doll, etc.). Having something familiar will help alleviate the anxiety of the new. Depending on the age, bring a change of clothes (or just a change of shirt or something) in case of spills or accidents. Parents are responsible for setting the mood, keeping the kids busy and engaged, and having fun on the flight. If they make travel fun, they'll be instilling a life long interest in traveling in their kids.

Q Do you have advice for handling flight delays or unexpected changes to a trip?
A Try to take non-stop flights whenever possible. If you're still stuck with a delay, get food and drinks for the kids. Find an area of the airport to let the run around and run off a little steam (most airports have some kid-friendly play areas now). Try not to let your anxiety and frustration spill over onto them. Make them think it's an adventure, and maybe you'll convince yourself that it is, too.

Q What are the biggest mistakes you've seen people make?
A Parents still need to keep the kids under control and respectful of other people and their space. It amazes me how many parents let the kids control a situation and throw up their hands asking "what can I do?" Arggghhh! People make good and bad choices.

Q Can you elaborate on those choices?
A Good choices: planning to be self sufficient (there won't always be people available to help), checking bags, bringing things for the kids to play with, packing some snacks for adults and kids, being involved with your kids. Bad choices: not bringing things for kids to do, not having snacks on hand, expecting flight attendants to baby-sit the kids, getting angry and yelling.

Q What is the No. 1 thing to keep in mind when traveling with kids?
A They're kids! They have neither the knowledge base nor attention span of an adult. They are curious about things and want to ask questions. The unknown can be scary, so try to explain what's happening to them in a non-threatening or scary way. Plan to interact with them and keep them busy, and they'll have fond memories of their travels.
 

Feeling like you forgot a gift? Flowers are a safe bet for nearly anyone, including yourself.

You'll get a chance to win free flowers by entering Flower Blog's monthly bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for December will be picked in early January. To see the official rules, visit telefora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flower-Blog-December-Sweepstakes-Win-free-flowers.aspx.  

Good luck.
 

Looking for a fresh floral take on ringing in 2009? How about Bells of Ireland?


They're great looking on their own and they add a superb vertical element when mixed with other flowers like hydrangea, roses and orchids.

Slightly rustic with a hint of fragrance they're also a great conversation starter at a party. I tried some out recently and was surprised that no one knew what they were. They usually last 7-10 days.

Other non-traditional blooms include amaryllis, dendrobium orchids and Birds of Paradise. Here are some care tips for these don't-see-everyday delights. To see more care tips for other kinds of flowers visit: teleflora.com/flowercare2.asp.

Amaryllis
Amaryllis may arrive with some of their blooms closed, but with proper care, they will open into large flowers. Their stems need to stay filled with water at all times, so when you refresh the water and re-cut the stems, turn them upside down and fill them with water, plugging the bottom of each stem with a cotton ball or your finger until it is back in the vase. Their stems can be brittle and may bend or break when you refresh them. Keeping them trimmed daily and even wrapping the stem ends in clear tape will help prevent this. As new blooms open, carefully pinch off older, wilting blooms.

Birds of Paradise
Each stem of a bird of paradise usually contains about 4 to 5 flowers. Sometimes only one flower is visible, where others are hidden in another part of the flower. When one exposed flower withers it should be removed. Another one can be pulled out of the flower’s boat shaped bract. If a flower doesn’t emerge, gently ease it out by hand. These exotic blooms are sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees F, so display them in a warm spot.

Dendrobium orchids
Most orchids are surprisingly  With dendrobium orchids, change their water frequently, recut stems and be aware: they are sensitive to ethylene gas, which can be released by fruits and vegetables. So keep 'em away from the crisper! ;)
 

With one more weekend before Christmas and Hanukkah on Sunday, many of us may be looking for ways to get different looks for parties and get-togethers. So we go through our cupboards and closets, hoping to be wowed by those fabulous finds that we forgot we already had.

Same goes for clothes and that frisson you feel when you realize that behind the ski jacket from 1997 is that stunning brocade jacket or vintage purse that can be called into service once more as part of your glam holiday look.

If you need a quick decor update, just remember it's all about location. In other words, as floral expert Carol Caggiano points out: "We rend to be creatures of habit, but remember that your holiday decorations will take on a completely different personality, depending on where they are placed within your home. Just think a little bit about how you can reposition what you have."

For example, try moving that garland from the mantel and draping it down the staircase. Or remove the red bows from your tree and attach them to your wreath instead. It's a little change but you'll be surprised how different it looks in a different setting.

If you have permanent evergreens on display, fill in with some fresh greens right before the party. You'll still have the lovely fresh fragrance without spending a lot of extra time or money.

Try adding just one new element. For example, add some miniature birds perhaps, or maybe some butterflies or egg-shaped ornaments to the mix. Try attaching a few to a wreath with putty or wire or displaying several with some pinecones in a bowl or on a platter. test it out and if you like it, you're got yourself a brand-new theme for Christmas 09.

And if your main colors are red and green (imagine that!), could you add a tone of raspberry or chartreuse and make your place feel modern and new?

Ribbons as well are a fun, fast way to add interest to a tree, garland or wreath.

You'll be surprised how much you can do with a dozen red roses. Single blooms can brighten just about any place in your house.

And lastly: Bring on the sparkle! "A jar of glitter and glue doesn't cost much," says Carol, adding that you never have enough time, no matter how much you plan ahead.

OK, so it's not just me. ;)

Flower Fact of the Day: Don't put fresh flowers near ripening fruit. It releases tiny amounts of ethylene gas that can age blooms prematurely.
 

All year long I've had white flowers on the brain.

Turns out, so do the trend forecasters.

According to Rebecca Cole, a New York City floral and interior designer, on About Flowers aboutflowers.com: "A palette of white and silver adds elegance to a holiday table and is expected to be a popular color scheme for the upcoming holiday season."

White is often associated with purity and innocence, but it also conveys the simplicity and confidence of true chic. And of course it mixes perfectly with what you already have, especially red and green.

Additionally, white flowers are an excellent choice if you are giving flowers for Hanukkah, which starts Sunday, Dec. 21.

Aaah, gardenias, lily of the valley, white roses, hydrangea, calla lilies ... all have their own unique variations and tones of white. Vincent Van Gogh once said there are no less than 80 shades of black. I'll be the same is true of white.

Read more about Christmas floral trends at: http://aboutflowers.com/holidays_b11.html.  

Flower Fact of the Day: The lily gets its name from the Greek word “leiron” (referring to the white Madonna lily). The Greeks believed it sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods.