To be irritated by receiving flowers

[DappledThings]

Firstly let be clear I did politely thank the sender, I'm not terrible. But I was sent flowers in the post yesterday and my only reaction was annoyance.

I don't own a vase so had to find a jug big enough for them. Loads of random wrapping that makes a big mess, loads of water in the wrapping that I didn't know about so flooded the table, spilt half the packet of the food liquid stuff which is very sticky, couldn't cut through the thick stems with first pair of scissors and had to use a knife.

Then they last a little while and don't even look that nice, and once they are past their best there's smelly, slimy water to deal with a drippy bunch of dead plant matter to chuck away.

I would happily never be sent or given flowers ever again. Just me or anyone else not like them?

I’m totally with you. Take forever to put in a vase, cut the stems, trim the leaves, blah blah. Then they shed everywhere. Lilies are the worst. The pollen stains and sets off my hay fever. Have a jar of them in kitchen as a birthday gift. Which was kind. But kind of annoying too.

The biggest problem I have is choosing what vase to use. I can't wait for my Dd1 to come home so I can put a few flowers in her room.

To be fair, I found the best approach is to puu them in the sink (say something along the lines „ tgey are gorgeous, I need some time later to find something to do them justice“), and then find the appropriate container (the bin) for them once the person has left.
Now its easier, take a photo half unwrapped, send thank you, put in bin.

I love flowers and rarely get them, usually only on Mother's day. I've just given birth and am half hoping I might get some flowers when I get home.

I think flowers can be quite a lazy gift to be honest, I don’t really understand the assumption that just because I’m female I would love a bunch of flowers. No one who knows me well can have any reason (other than my possession of a vagina) to think I would like to be sent flowers and yet still a couple do - if I buy someone a gift I spend time thinking about what they’d like based on what I know about them.

I would be quite happy to receive a "lazy" gift

I really don't want more "stuff" to clutter my house. At the end of their life they go on the compost heap and get recycled into the garden.

Genuinely surprised people feel this way. Although to be fair I hate receiving chocolate or alcohol.

Why not just buy a vase ?

I also feel this way about flowers. I am also allergic to them so it's always so awkward to say thank you and then have to put them outside when they leave. My birthday is in summer so I suppose they look nice on the garden table for a while.

@Bobbiepin

Totally with you OP. my birthday was in lockdown and people sent me flowers, lovely gesture but such a pain to deal with. The people who know me best sent a hamper of food and one sent flowers that could be planted in the garden. I know who my real friends are!!

Wow! How ungrateful

@greydove28 why ungrateful? Good friends know what you like, and take that into account.

I do wonder what the world is coming to when someone bitches about someone taking the time and paying for flowers to be delivered.

@Greydove28

I do wonder what the world is coming to when someone bitches about someone taking the time and paying for flowers to be delivered.

But only moaning about it anonymously online. Why shouldn't I do that when I found it an irritating and pointless task to deal with? Gratitude was expressed to the sender to be polite

I love flowers, love receiving them as gifts, buy them for myself every week and grow a cutting garden.

Also can’t believe an adult household doesn’t own a vase.

can’t believe an adult household doesn’t own a vase

I had two at one point. Both were presents. One broke and one is probably somewhere in a cupboard but nowhere obvious.

Now I want to know what the other objects that are pre-requisites of an adult home.

I love getting flowers.
So thoughtful of others to think of me.

The last ones I sent came with a vase to avoid the hassle of the recipient rooting for a vase.

@LadyEloise

I love getting flowers. So thoughtful of others to think of me.

The last ones I sent came with a vase to avoid the hassle of the recipient rooting for a vase.

Yes I also think its a lovely gesture that someone has been thoughtful enough to send them and its not cheap either.

@Greydove28

I do wonder what the world is coming to when someone bitches about someone taking the time and paying for flowers to be delivered.

Of course flowers cost money but I’m not sure there’s often much thought or time that goes into getting them delivered these days- my brother gets flowers for DM every birthday because he can’t be arsed to think of anything else and flowers takes about 2 minutes from his phone. Of course buying flowers for someone you know will enjoy them is lovely, but otherwise I do think it’s often a lazy option.

I don't like getting books as presents because I feel obliged to read them for the same reason I don't join a book club. i can't imagine not liking flowers being delivered, or a fruit basket, chocolate hamper,, anything really. My ds sent us a posh picnic a couple of weeks ago which was great.
My dd2 is 23, and as a result of this thread is putting a vase on her letter to Santa. She was given a fancy bouquet in work, and had to put them in a kitchen utensil jar. If she wants a vase I assume she is happy to receive flowers in future.

I used to feel flowers were a waste. The older I get the more I appreciate a momentary pleasure that does not do any harm to either my body or the planet.

Can I just say, if they come in a water bubble the idea is to leave them there rather than transfer to a vase. The stems will have been arranged and cut so as to be free standing.

You just top the water up by pouring slowly from a measuring jug through the centre of the design.

Is that the bag inside a box thingy?

Yes.

If it's done right the box and packaging should enhance the design as well as be functional.

Oh god that brings up horrendous memories.
MIL has Alzheimer’s and had one of those bag/box flowers delivered - she charged ahead - the watery smelly mess was something to behold.
Got to love SIL who doesn’t believe in dementia.....