Lick Creek Flower Company in Pendleton, Indiana is offering flower cards — greeting cards with tiny bouquets — to gift to educators.
Summer break is ending, ushering in a major shopping spree. The National Retail Federation predicts back-to-school spending to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion this year. Here are a few ways you can get your piece of that pie.
Market a sense of calm. School can be stressful for all involved. Students worry about grades and relationships with their peers. Teachers must deal with a host of kids’ behavioral issues as well as parents’ and administrators’ expectations. Parents agonize about their children’s wellbeing and whether they’ll have a successful future. All could benefit from something that lessens their anxiety — such as plants and flowers. A bevy of research from the University of North Florida, Rutgers, Harvard and Texas A&M extoll plants and flowers’ ability to reduce stress and improve moods. Share those benefits with your followers. (Hint: this material would be great fodder for a video on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.)
Some calming promotions to try:
- Diminutive designs (like a bud vase, terrarium or potted plant) to sit on a desk to create a peaceful work environment
- Lavender, peace lilies or snake plants for customers’ nightstands, as these products are known to help induce sleep
- Eucalyptus to hang in the shower for an at-home spa experience
Get creative with teacher gifts. Lick Creek Flower Company in Pendleton, Indiana is offering flower cards — greeting card-sized gifts with itty bitty bouquets made of filler flowers to thank educators for all the hard work they’ve already put in preparing for the year ahead. Meanwhile, Baby Love Bouquets in Corpus Christi, Texas designed special vases lined with crayons for teacher appreciation arrangements. These distinctive gifts will help customers make a lasting impression.
Think beyond the fresh product. There’s plenty of non-floral merchandise your customers could use this season. Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft in St. Petersburg, Florida stocks a lot of kid-centric gear, including crayons and colored pencils, scented stickers and snuggly Jellycat companions, which provide little ones comfort as they embark on a new adventure. Also consider ways to show school spirit (particularly if you live in a college town) — t-shirts, flags, coolers, wreaths, door mats, key chains, purses, earrings, serving platters — the possibilities are endless!
Katie Vincent is the senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.
