Why Does the Price of Flowers Go Up During the Holidays?

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It happens around every holiday—you go to buy a bouquet, only to find that the prices are higher than you might have expected. Is it a conspiracy to nickel and dime the buyers—or is there something else at work causing prices to go up?

Flower prices go up thanks to supply and demand, especially during the winter holidays. The more people want to buy flowers (demand), the less there are readily available (supply), so the prices go up from the grower to the florist. Read on for a more in-depth look at holiday flower arrangement prices in 77084:

  • Where your flowers come from matters: As you’ve probably guessed, most florists, especially in big cities, don’t own their own greenhouses. Instead, florists need to buy flowers from wholesalers, or even import them from other countries—and that costs money. In fact, only one percent of the roses we buy in America are actually grown here in the States. It’s often cheaper to buy from other countries and have them shipped than it would be to buy flowers grown here.
  • Demand goes up during the holidays: The winter holidays are a florist’s busiest season, but Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are also hot occasions—especially if you’re opting for classic red roses on Valentine’s Day. The more people want certain flowers, the harder it can be to source them. If there’s a tight turnaround, the prices will naturally go up, and so in turn will the cost of the bouquets. Besides, you’re also paying for a florist’s skill in cutting and arranging the flowers during their busy season. Farmers and florists alike are paying for higher labor costs as well as their own financial risks, so they have to price accordingly.
  • The weather has an impact: If you’re buying for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or Valentine’s Day in the northern hemisphere, those holidays fall squarely during winter—not exactly a season known for its lush blooms. Growing flowers is a challenge in these conditions, which is why florists either pay more for domestic flowers or import them from other countries. Farmers have to time the crops perfectly so there’s enough supply to meet holiday demand, too.
  • Perfect blooms aren’t guaranteed: Think about your own garden. Is every flower you produce a shining specimen of beauty and quality? Probably not—that’s just nature. Bugs, sun damage, animals, inclement weather and other phenomena can all damage flower crops. Now think about the flowers you see at a florist. They’re all perfect—not an insect bite in sight. For every perfect bloom, there are plenty more that have to be discarded. That’s yet another reason why the prices for cut flowers go up when demand is high.

It’s frustrating to pay more during the holidays, but when you think about all the time, effort and manpower that went into getting your flowers to you, it makes a lot more sense.

Ready to buy your holiday flower arrangements in 77084? Call Its Just For You today.