Floral Gift Ideas and Decorating Tips for Any Budget

It’s holiday shopping crunch time. Patch asked some local florists about their favorite gift ideas and decorating tips for Christmas.

is known for their wreaths in striking colors.

“We do a lot of holiday wreaths,” said Donna Johnson, of West Sayville, who has owned and operated the shop for the last 24 years. “We do a couple of hundred wreaths; it’s what we are known for.”  

Wreaths are priced at $25 and up.

Baskets of greens are another great gift idea, Johnson said, especially for those who don’t have a real Christmas tree but still want the smell in the house.

“You can incorporate things like Doug fir, incense cedar, silver-tipped pine and variegated holly,” Johnson said.

also has something for everyone this holiday season, from ornaments, to table arrangements, to wreaths and plenty more. Poinsettias are decorated with keepsake items like ornaments or small figurines.

“We are selling many wintergreen arrangements in a decorative container that can be saved and used again,” said Jean, a sales associate at Bayport Flower Houses. “People like things that can be saved or also a combination of fresh and silk flowers that can be reused.”

Bayport Flower Houses does strong wreath sales for the holidays, and patrons are now seeking the staff's gift ideas as well, Jean said. Orchids and amaryllis are great ideas for flower lovers, but this flower house can make almost anything customers want.

“We can take ornaments and other gifts and incorporate them into arrangements,” Jean said. “If a customer has a vague idea of what they want, we can put it together.”

At on Railroad Avenue, owner Christine says many people are getting flowers in keepsake containers so when they bring it as a gift, the host still has something after the flowers are gone. For flower lovers, amaryllis or narcissus are both great gift ideas, she said.

“We did sell a lot of poinsettias this year,” Christine said. “We get all of them locally in Nesconset. We like to support small business and give back to the community.”

Made to order fruit and gourmet gift baskets are another great gift idea for the holidays, she said.

Adding to the fruit and gift basket idea, the in Sayville does mixed baskets, such as poinsettia mixed with some food items. For a twist, they also do poinsettias mixed with other flowers.

“We have been doing a lot of silk arrangements this year; we are seeing more and more custom silk work in garlands and table arrangements,” said Pat, owner of Rambling Rose. “You pay a little more for them, but it’s a gift or decoration you will always have and you can add to it year after year. I never thought I would be doing this much in silk, but the trend is going more and more toward artificial.”

Greenery is a great gift as well because of its longevity.

“You can pull the carnations right out of the arrangement and the greenery will last forever and you still have the wonderful smell of the balsam fir and pine,” Pat added.

Rambling Rose also has many unique gifts for sale, such as a Wine Angel, great to put around a bottle of wine for $4.95, and chenille jingle bracelets for adults and children for just $1.50 each.