Local florists prepare for incoming Valentine's Day rush

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·4 min read

Amarillo florists encourage clients to order early as they prepare for the larger than average arrangement orders this Valentine's Day, due to the day landing on a Wednesday this year.

According to Scott's Flowers owner Mary Ruth Albracht, their flower shop like many others anticipated this year the Valentine's holiday landing in the middle of the work week, resulting in an influx of orders and deliveries.

"This year, Valentine's is on Wednesday. That is the biggest impact day for all florists, because on the weekends, they take their valentine out to eat, or they have time to buy them something and many don't during the week. This is an extremely impacted day, so we encourage everyone to place their orders now," Albracht said.

Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Scott's Flowers owner Mary Ruth Albracht completes finishing touches on a flower arrangement ahead of the Valentine's Day rush.
Scott's Flowers owner Mary Ruth Albracht completes finishing touches on a flower arrangement ahead of the Valentine's Day rush.

To accommodate for the influx, flower shops are having to deliver days in advance, which not only allows the customers a few extra days to appreciate the flowers, but also lightens the florists' rush on Valentine's Day.

What in Carnation owner Kirby Pantoja said she began deliveries as soon as Friday morning for some.

"We are offering deliveries Monday through Wednesday and Thursday if needed for any change of plans, but we had some orders be delivered as early as today (Friday) of request and necessity with more on Monday and the bulk of the arrangements going out on Tuesday and Wednesday," Pantoja said.

"I think Valentine's is often one of those holidays that sneaks up on people; each year, we get lots of last minute orders. We always encourage people to order as early as possible to ensure they get exactly what they want and ensure we can make their delivery at the preferred time," Pantoja added.

What in Carnation owner Kirby Pantoja creates a bouquet for Friday delivery as she prepares for the incoming Valentine's Day rush.
What in Carnation owner Kirby Pantoja creates a bouquet for Friday delivery as she prepares for the incoming Valentine's Day rush.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
What in Carnation owner Kirby Pantoja creates a bouquet for Friday delivery as she prepares for the incoming Valentine's Day rush.
What in Carnation owner Kirby Pantoja creates a bouquet for Friday delivery as she prepares for the incoming Valentine's Day rush.

The flower shop owners stated that they began preparing for the day as soon as early March of last year, placing orders for the next year's arrangements. Each of the shops said they began receiving orders for Valentine's Day arrangements in January; however, each expects to have many last minute orders and walk-in purchases the day of the holiday.

"This year with Valentine's being on a Wednesday, I've seen a lot more delivery requests asking to go to a business rather than homes. That is a lot more time sensitive with us needing to work within the work hours and trying to deliver as early in their work day as possible so they can appreciate the arrangement all day, because it is a spectacle, and if it's delivered right before they leave for the day, it might not feel as grand," Yolanda Chavez, owner of Empire Floral and Craft Design, said.

Each of the local florists said that they bring in extra hands to help create arrangements, accept orders and make deliveries in anticipation of the day, with this year being no exception. Scotts Flowers said that they raised their delivery fleet to include 13 trucks and more than 30 employees.

Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.
Amarillo florists are experiencing a rise in overall arrangement orders and deliveries and are preparing for incoming last minute shoppers for the Valentine's Day holiday, which falls on a weekday this year.

All three local florists said that the biggest flower for the day is roses, with red roses being the most commonly asked for item. However, Pantoja said she has seen a rise in pink rose requests, as many area women are sending arrangements to their friends for celebrating "Galantines."

"Flowers are definitely a love language of their own, but even people who don't normally like flowers enjoy receiving an arrangement. Everyone smiles when they get flowers. Each year it is so much fun to see how everyone shows love through flowers, and this year is no different, with a big influx on Galantines day and spreading that love to your friends. It's such a great thing to see," Pantoja said.

To add to the rush for the florists, they are also anticipating the expected incoming snowstorm forecast to affect our area this weekend that weather affected roads may create delays in deliveries.

"Please, we ask those wanting arrangements, on behalf of myself and all other florists, please order early. It is so much less stressful for the customer and for us, because we can work late nights or extend hours to fill all the orders and make everyone happy," Albracht said.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Order now: Amarillo area florists prepare for Valentine's Day rush