DIY Valentine's Bouquets: Two Romantic Arrangements to Make at Home

Handcrafted Floral Gifts from the Heart

Flowers symbolize love and affection, making them the quintessential Valentine's Day gift. While red roses are traditional, the California Cut Flower Commission notes women often prefer pastel shades of peach, pink, and lavender. Here are two stunning, easy-to-assemble bouquets.

Arrangement 1: Pink and Red Assortment (Grid Method)

Materials: Florist's tape, casual vase (e.g., 6" wide × 8½" tall French floral bucket), 5 stems salal, assorted pink/red flowers (5 stems each: red roses, pink hyacinths, pink callas, pink nerine, red anemones, hot pink ranunculus, plus 15 small red tulips).

1. Create a tape grid across the vase top; secure ends around rim.
2. Fill with water and floral preservative. Insert salal stems randomly in grid.
3. Add roses randomly, then hyacinths, callas, and nerine. Center flowers slightly taller for rounded form.
4. Fill gaps with anemones, ranunculus, and tulips.

Arrangement 2: A Handful of Jewels (Hand-Tied)

Materials: Jewel-toned flowers (red gerbera daisies, red roses, blue delphiniums, burgundy snapdragons, purple irises, purple lisianthus), salal stems, rubber band, twine or raffia.

1. Form bouquet in hand: start with foliage, evenly space flowers. Place large blooms (gerberas, roses) inside; let taller stems (delphiniums, snapdragons, irises) rise above. Use lisianthus to bridge gaps. Finish with odd numbers of each flower type.
2. Wrap rubber band around stem middle; trim ends even.
3. Cover band with twine or raffia; knot securely.

Both designs yield gorgeous, personal gifts that far surpass store-bought bunches.