Over 250 million roses and other flowers were produced in anticipation of Valentine's Day this year.
And I'm not talking about these edible cucumber roses, but the gorgeous red, white, and pink ones that make a lovely and romantic bouquet.
According to the National Retail Federation, 36 percent of Americans (58 percent men, 16 percent women) bought flowers for Valentine’s Day 2016, spending approximately $1.9 billion — that's a lot of flowers!
Think about what it took to grow them all — a ton of space, millions of gallons of water and fertilizer, not to mention all of the people who were there to take care of them as they grew from tiny sprouts to beautiful, luscious flowers.
With so much energy and effort expended to create these beautiful Valentine's bouquets, it seems a shame to toss them out after just a few days in a vase.
So instead of trashing your bouquet, why not use it to make a DIY keepsake that you can treasure forever?
Scroll through the images below for some easy and elegant ideas to give your leftover Valentine's Day flowers a whole new purpose!
Rosewater Face Tonic
Rosewater is exactly what it sounds like, rose plus water. As part of a beauty regimen, it delivers all of the benefits of water, plus the anti-inflammatory and hydrating advantages of rose.
Follow this tutorial from the Healthy Maven to make your own!
Hanging Flower Chandelier
This project from the Sweetest Occasion is the perfect way to brighten up an entryway, a home office, or a bedroom with the light scent (and color!) of drying flowers.
Pressed Flower Bookmark
This project from SDBlog couldn't be easier: simply press and dry a few petals of your favorite flowers (and greenery), seal them in some laminating sheets, and you'll have a bookmark that will remind you of Valentine's Day for years to come!
Floral Body Scrub
What could be more appropriate for spring than a homemade body scrub featuring the beautiful scent of flowers?
This scrub from Wallflower Girl only has five ingredients!
Dried Flower Coasters
This project from the Crafted Life takes a little bit longer to execute, since you've got to press the flowers and find suitable wood coasters, but it's still pretty easy and really pretty!
Floral Bath Fizz Cubes
After a long day at work, there's nothing nicer than sinking down into a warm bath.
This idea from Sugar and Charm makes it easy to up the luxury without all of the toxins in normal bath fizzes!
Dried Flower Potpourri
Potpourri makes a nice decoration and smells lovely, but why buy it when you can make it for next to nothing?
This upcycle from Free People is a great way to salvage those old roses!
Rose Petal Drawer Sachet
Keep your socks and underwear smelling heavenly with this simple sachet project from Essential Health.
Floral Candle
Use your old Valentine's bouquet to set a romantic mood for your next date night!
This clever idea from Organic Connections lets you incorporate flower petals into a homemade candle.
Did you get flowers for Valentine's Day? Which of these DIY ideas will you be trying? Tell us in the comments.
Please SHARE if you love to be surrounded by flowers!
