What's a good company to order flowers or other things from?

[csziggy]

I just got word that my Dad's 90th birthday celebration will be held at the rehab hospital. It's also my Mom's 92nd birthday.

Usually they don't like any fuss being made over their special events but Dad had a stent put in the other day and I think he is feeling very good to make it to 90. I just got the email that my sisters and some of the nieces and nephews will be there Thursday to celebrate. It's too late for me to even send a card. I'm three hundred miles away and I can't make the trip down to be there.

So I want to send something - flowers, one of those fruit arrangements or something. At this point, I am just upset that the email - which was sent last night - didn't get to me sooner even though I checked my email last night and this morning. I can't even think of what to send!

Is there anyplace people here can recommend? Any suggestions?

[union_maid]

1. Gift basket?

There are all kinds depending on what they like. You can find an assortment of them - and everything else in the world, on Amazon as well as sites that are direct sellers like Harry and David.

[csziggy]

6. A gift basket is a good idea

But what to pick? At 90, he has everything he needs. I'd send a fruit basket but he's got bad teeth and can't chew much. He's in a very small town without a lot of local businesses so trying to order from local places won't work. Anything I order will have to go out tomorrow first thing for next day delivery.

If he were local to me, I'd order an ice cream cake for him - he likes ice cream and the rest of the family could help him eat it.

For Mom, I can try to order an orchid - she has some already and loves them.

[Lisa D]

2. If you want to send flowers

I've found the easiest and fastest way is to contact a florist shop directly that's located close to the rehab facility. You can tell them how much you want to spend and the type of flowers you want in the arrangement. Most florist shops have a website where you can order a bouquet online and specify when you want it delivered.

[csziggy]

7. Yes, I've got the window open for a local florist

In the town and they list the place he's at as one they deliver to. I missed calling them by three minutes so I'll call tomorrow and order flowers for Dad and an orchid for Mom.

I'd much rather go straight through the local florist than one of the online places, anyway.

[Xyzse]

3. Have you tried...

www.flowers.com
www.fdt.com
www.sendflowers.com

I've used the first and last one.
I can't say what is better. As I've never received any from those things, I don't know the quality.

I've done www.harryanddavid.com which has gift baskets.

[csziggy]

8. I think I'll just do flowers

And order direct from a local florist. The one I found is not far from the rehab place and lists them as one they will deliver to.

At the same time, I can see if they can send a live orchid to Mom.

It's weird that my parents have the same birthday - but I was eight before I knew that is wasn't normal, LOL!

[Lisa D]

4. You might also want to contact the gift shop

of the rehab hospital (if they have one). Many hospital gift shops have gift baskets available and may be able to add special items. You should be able to charge it to a credit/debit card over the phone.

[csziggy]

9. No gift shop - little bitty rehab place in a little bitty town n/t

[RILib]

5. what I've done when someone is hospitalized

is ask the hospital to recommend a florist or often the gift shop can deliver flowers to the room. I have never had a florist refuse to take a credit card over the phone. Actually google maps would probably work with florist suchandsuch a place

I feel more comfortable dealing with a business local to the area. I would stay away from 1-800-flowers, because they have been involved in some misuse of credit cards.

[csziggy]

11. I found a local florist - there are only three in the town

Though my dithering made me miss their closing by three minutes.

I'll call them in the morning and order flowers for Dad at the rehab hospital and see if they can send Mom a live orchid. I've been there when Mom got cut orchids and she always complains about the expense for something that doesn't last. She has a greenhouse and a nice selection of orchids so If I can get a live one she will appreciate it for more than just a few days.

I'm with you on the 800 number and the .com places - I have not heard good things about many of them. I'd rather all the money go to a local business.

Thanks!

[talkingmime]

10. Use yp.yahoo.com to find a local florist. It's WAY cheaper to go directly to the source.

Flowers.com and FTD cost a fortune. Go directly to a small business in close proximity and get something really nice. If you mention their ages you might even get a discount.

[csziggy]

12. Yep - that's who I used to find a local florist

Chances are in that town the owner of the florist shop went to high school with one of us, and if they didn't they likely know who my parents are even if they don't know them personally.

I'll call first thing in the morning and order a special arrangement.

[haele]

13. Find a local place -

And a fruit basket would be a wonderful thing to send. (Better than flowers...)

I got my mother a 10 lb fruit basket for her birthday last year; called a local florist (People's Florist) in Albuquerque where she lives and they got fresh locally sourced fruit and a nut assortment to put in the basket for her, along with a nice daisy arrangement in the center of the huge locally made colorful basket and some cheese and crackers that wasn't advertised on their site - because it was for her birthday.
The only filler was a small amount of shredded brown paper that cushioned the fruit.

Last time someone sent me a fruit basket, it was a shipped 1-800-flowers deal; a small amount of fruit and lots of filler and cardboard for a "10 pound basket"; none of the fruit was not ripe and had obviously been kept in a chiller, it was mainly citrus and the citrus they sent went from unripe to bad within two days.

Whereas mom got enough fruit to nosh on for three days and make a full-sized mixed fruit pie with what was left over! And a really nice small glass globe vase for change and a basket large enough for magazines. At a very reasonable price.

Check the local businesses, many of them will throw in a little extra.

Haele

[csziggy]

14. I thought about a fruit basket but Dad has trouble eating

And he's in a rehab hospital because of health problems. Anyway, citrus would be no good - we own citrus groves (only two, one of which Dad helped Granddad plant the original trees in the late 1920s).

Other foods are a problem - Dad has bad teeth and can't chew much. If he were at home, I'd send an ice cream cake. He loves ice cream and it is one way to get enough calories in him.

I found a local florist - will call them and order flowers to be sent on Thursday.

[NightWatcher]

15. Don't use proflowers.com. Call a local florist where they are to be delivered

[Bertha Venation]

16. Harry and David for fruit, cheese, yummy popcorn

with caramel and other candy-type coatings, etc. Harry and David have great stuff. I don't know the url; google them. Best wishes. (GREAT fruit.)

Edit: I just saw your posts about teeth/trouble eating. Sorry for not the best suggestions. Best wishes to you and your family.

[csziggy]

17. It used to be I would have ordered cheese

Mom & Dad love cheese. But these days they don't eat much of it - they don't eat much of anything, actually. That's why if there were an ice cream place, I'd get an ice cream cake.

Thanks for the good wishes. It's great that they have made it to their ages. I saw them in January on their 67th wedding anniversary. I'll see them in May when I am down that way. I wish I could be there with the family for their birthday, but I go no warning.

Here are Mom & Dad in 1946 on their wedding day:


They still look great together.

[RILib]

18. what a handsome couple!

[csziggy]

19. Thank you. It's no wonder they fell in love at first sight n/t