We have barely started to deck the halls, let alone contemplate our New Year’s resolutions, so why start thinking about Valentine’s Day? Several reasons come to mind — bulk buying to get the best prices, early ordering so items arrive in time for production, avoiding the after-Christmas crash that most of us feel after 45 days of intense holiday installations and store turnovers. Or how about having time to do a little research to find out what is trending and what innovative products will help with the heavy holiday production load? Whatever your reasons, lets take a quick look at some helpful tips and trends to get you into that Valentine’s state-of-mind.

Review past Valentine holiday notes: Be sure to review your notes from the past few years. This will give you a better perspective of how your Valentine’s has been doing collectively. Just looking at the past year limits you to the information of just one holiday when something unusual may have happened.

Embracers elastic vase covers are made from popular diamond wraps and they easily slip over a multitude of utility containers as a cost effective and quick way to up grade a Valentine arrangement.Collect supplier pricing lists and Valentine’s specials: If you haven’t started receiving holiday pricing lists or specials from your supplies already, call and ask when they will be available. Being proactive will keep you focused and not left waiting until the last minute.

When you receive the flyers, don’t just put them on your desk thinking you’ll look at them when you have “more time.” Take a minute to look them over and make a few notes. Be sure to put the order deadline on your calendar and then put the flyer into your holiday folder or notebook for further review when you really do have time. This again is the pro-active approach and one that will keep you on track rather than scurrying around at the last minute.

Plan ahead for a planning day: Select a day when you can devote several hours to create your in-house specials, create recipes, develop flower and supply orders, review staffing and delivery needs. Use the adrenaline from the current holiday to get this accomplished, rather than waiting until January when you’re most exhausted from what we call the “holiday crash.”

Now that we have “how” figured out, let’s take a look at some of the products that will save you time, add value and keep your cash registers ringing.

Vase covers: Standard utility vases are a great value and the sizes and shapes they are available in offer designers a lot of design opportunities. However, during a holiday we need to step it up a bit and differentiate our designs from what customers see on daily bases. There are several suppliers that are showing the standard utility vase covered in burlap, or other similar materials, which offer a nice alternative. One product that is really gaining popularity is Embracers from Fitz Design. These elastic vase covers are made from the popular diamond wraps that are used like ribbons or trim on a host of applications, only these are elastic and cut-and-sewn to easily slip over a multitude of utility containers. They are cost effective, quick and easy to use — no more cutting and taping to the vase, and they’re reusable — making them especially handy for event rentals.

Vase decor: For years the wire services have been offering specials that include a keepsake added-value item, however, too often their price points are a bit on the high end and they don’t give the option to select the keepsake that best fits your customer base. Fitz Design has a line of Valentine’s bling designed to hook to the edge of the vase, or wrap around the neck of a vase, via an invisible elastic band. Its Corner Stones and Show Offs are created from beautiful diamond- or ruby-like rhinestones and add affordable sparkle to a vase of roses or mixed blossoms. Plus, many of them convert to brooches, making them an even better value-added item.

Valentine’s Day is the granddaddy of all floral holidays. It’s a make-or-break holiday, and one that can leave you smiling all the way to the bank or leave you curled up under your front counter wishing you had taken that job as the cage cleaner at the local zoo. But with a little pre-planning and a little insight into what is trending, it can be both rewarding and enjoyable. So just take a minute and let yourself fall into that Valentine’s state-of-mind.

Suzie Kostick is the director of marketing at Fitz Design in Port Charlotte, FL. She can be contacted at [email protected].