Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Flowers for absent daughter

(74 Posts)
ExDancer Wed 20-Jul-22 20:21:02

My daughter is having a terrible time fighting bowel cancer, and she lives 250 miles away. I am beside myself with worry.
She is adamant she doesn't want me to go to nurse her, we do have a somewhat prickly relationship, and her husband seems to be doing a sterling job there anyway.
I also have multiple medical problems of my own too which mean a complicated rota of appointments. (But that's another discussion.)
In the meantime, I'd like to send some flowers.
Can anyone recommend a firm specialising in this?
Is it best to go for a large well known nationwide firm, like M&S, or get in touch with a local flower shop in her village and get them to deliver direct?
What would you do?

MawtheMerrier Wed 20-Jul-22 21:21:15

I too have used Bloom&Wikd for years- both sending and receiving.
One of my nicest Christmas presents one year was a 6 month sub to B&W- one bouquet each moth for the 6 months. He knows how to keep his MIL happy!
They were all fabulous- this was one

MawtheMerrier Wed 20-Jul-22 21:24:46

@Bluebelle as the flowers arrive in bud they may not look all that impressive, but after a day or two they open out and not only look lovely but will easily last for a week to 10 days.

StarDreamer Wed 20-Jul-22 21:30:41

Thank you to all those who explained how the letterbox flowers system works.

BlueBelle Wed 20-Jul-22 21:32:18

No Maw nothing good happened I m sorry to be opposite but they were weak and poor all through, I would say I was just unlucky, but there have been a few others on here said the same so it must be hit and miss, some been lucky, some haven’t I wouldn’t chance it again, never, it’s a lot of money to pay for something that looked as they did I was embarrassed

Rosie51 Wed 20-Jul-22 21:36:40

For those who received poor offerings from Bloom&Wild I can say their customer service is excellent. When I complained about the quality a replacement was shipped that same day and was lovely.

MawtheMerrier Wed 20-Jul-22 21:40:17

I was once disappointed in flowers for D3 and contacted B&W, they immediately sent another bouquet to my D .They take customer satisfaction very seriously.
This is the opposite of a florist “local” to another D (who had just had a miscarriage) whose flowers literally never arrived and after 2 weeks of complaints, tweets and threats, as “compensation” was sent a measly bunch of tulips which I could have bought for £1 at the supermarket.
Everyone has to act on their own experience of course.

MawtheMerrier Wed 20-Jul-22 21:40:43

Crossed posts!

62Granny Wed 20-Jul-22 21:43:49

I would buy her a really nice set of lounging PJs something she can wear either at home or if she is going into hospital for surgery something like thesehttps://www.seasaltcornwall.com/nesting-bird-short-sleeve-cotton-pyjamas
O look on M& S( there are some but it won't let share the link) they can be delivered direct to her .
Wishing her all the best in her treatment and recovery.

Dogsmakemesmile Wed 20-Jul-22 21:44:14

I have always been impressed by Waitrose flowers. My best wishes to you and your daughter.x

ExDancer Wed 20-Jul-22 21:57:28

Isn't this a wonderful group when we're in 'helpful' mode?
Thank you everyone for your input.
I daren't go for the food or even chocolate option because of her problem being bowel based (she loves cream teas) which is a shame. But a pamper package sounds nice and might be a better option while the hot weather lasts.
Perhaps leave the flowers for later.

Nacky Wed 20-Jul-22 22:17:07

Flowers are lovely but as others have said maybe not ideal in this heat. There is a firm called notanotherbunchoffowers (link did not work but google will bring it up) which sends out gift/pamper boxes which my interest you. Their range includes gifts specifically for people with cancer but lots of other ideas too.
So sorry to hear about your daughter

M0nica Wed 20-Jul-22 22:22:49

Yes, I agree with the recommendation for Waitrose flowers. I use them as my florist of choice and they have never let me down.

I understand the recommendations for other things, but I always find that there is nothing like the mental lift and joy that opening the front door and being presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers gives me and especially as your relationship is a little prickly.

Flowers, is flowers, is flowers, all sorts of unintended motives can be read into a gifts of food and other things. For the same reason, if she is home to receive them, I think a bouquet of flowers at the door, is so much better than letter box flowers.

Everything has its place. I have sent food and letterbox flowers and they were the right thing in the right situation, but in this case I would really go for the bouquet at the door.

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Jul-22 22:27:10

I only buy flowers grown herd now if I want to send a little something.
I use
cornishblooms.co.uk/
They are a really nice business and have flowers from about £20 upwards depending on season and availability.

Jalyn Wed 20-Jul-22 22:27:14

I have been very disappointed with B&W. Even the replacement flowers they sent after I complained were poor and my daughter had a similar experience with them.

LadyStardust Wed 20-Jul-22 22:35:28

Bloom and Wild flowers can look a bit poor when they arrive, because they are usually in bud and have been in a box for maybe up to 24 hours. But mine have always recovered rapidly and after a day or 2 come into full bloom and look gorgeous! They seem to last forever too! Having flowers delivered from a florist is always a problem if the recipient is out whereas with letterbox flowers, it doesn't matter. Google coupon codes if you decide to use B&W. There are often offers to be found.

VickyB Wed 20-Jul-22 22:37:46

There are many UK based growers producing sustainable chemical free (grown not flown) flowers. Flowers from the Farm have a list of of growers many of them who provide local delivery of freshly picked and conditioned flowers.
www.bing.com/search?q=flowers+from+the+farm+uk&cvid=5e72160f37cd4158973c1dfebd01c04a&aqs=edge.2.69i57j0l2j46j0l4j69i60.7680j0j1&pglt=931&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=W046

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Jul-22 22:43:56

I have also bought a food delivery for a dear friend who had been in and out of hospital.
I bought from "Cook" which is as close to home cooked in a frozen ready meal.
www.cookfood.net/

I am so sorry for your situation and your dear daughter's illness.
?

Ashcombe Wed 20-Jul-22 22:48:37

I have used Bunches for more than 20 years and recipients have always been satisfied.

www.bunches.co.uk/

Look online for money off vouchers.

couponfollow.com/site/bunches.co.uk

Thoroughly recommend! ?

Teacheranne Wed 20-Jul-22 22:48:42

I often look at Not on the High Street for useful or unusual gifts which can be posted. I bought my niece a lovely standard bush plant made up of lots of sweets for her 18th and a letterbox delivery of cheese for my brother during Covid - obviously these foodie ideas are not suitable for your daughter but they have hundreds of other things. They always seem to deliver quickly as well.

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Jul-22 22:49:17

Regarding "bloom and wild" my daughter was gifted a subscription and I thought the first one I saw was terrible though she said some were very nice.
My mother-in-law had some for her birthday and they were clearly on their last legs before they even got into a vase.

Teacheranne Wed 20-Jul-22 22:52:43

I’ve just remembered, a friend of mine has been having treatment for bowel cancer and a group of us clubbed together to buy her some vouchers to get online books for her Kindle. We read the same books so we could chat to her about them when we visit.

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Jul-22 23:01:48

So many lovely growers there aren't there Vicky- it's definitely worth a look.
If you want a delivery though it does depend where you live. There is no-one who will deliver to me for example.

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Jul-22 23:06:52

Good point Rosie - I hadn't thought of that with the bowel cancer.
Apologies ExDancer

silverlining48 Wed 20-Jul-22 23:09:56

Ex dancer so very sorry and hope your daughter makes a good recovery.
A pamper parcel is a nice gift.
There is a company which think is called Not another bunch of flowers aimed at people with cancer which I used for my daughter which had some lovely gift ideas. Sending best wishes and flowers for you flowers

crazyH Wed 20-Jul-22 23:32:47

Exdancer so sorry to hear about your daughter. A pamper package is a good idea - she can use it when she feels well enough and I’m sure she will, once her treatment etc is over. She is in good hands and ‘cancer’ isn’t the scary word it used to be. I too have a ‘tetchy’ daughter and when she had a health ‘scare’, the only person she wanted by her side was her husband(now Ex). I did the practical things, looking after the children etc
All best wishes to you and your daughter flowers