Even in a recession, people are still saying it with flowers.
But with Valentine's Day fast approaching, local florists are wishing their customers would say it perhaps just a little bit louder.
"We've been getting fewer orders all the way across the board," says Avalon Thompson, owner of Enchanted Petals Florist on Lombard Street, who says her business is down significantly from last year. "Absolutely, it's hard. ... We're just trying to basically wait this out, like everybody else."
Several Baltimore-area florists said business has declined between 8 percent and 20 percent during the past several months. But thankfully, they say, people still need their Valentine's flowers. And many florists say that while they expected things to be slower this year, it's not as bad as they feared.
Even chronic belt-tightening, it seems, is no match for romance.
"It's the nature of the holiday," says Paul Raimondi, owner of Raimondi's Florists, which has been catering to Baltimore-area romantics since 1934. "People are so depressed, all the news is bad - I think they just look for something to turn to. Valentines and flowers are just the natural things to turn to, to bring their spirits around."
Which is not to say people won't be cutting back. The average American consumer is planning to spend $102.50 on Valentine's gifts and merchandise, according to a survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation. That's down from last year's average of $122.98. About one-third of those planning to buy Valentine's gifts, 35.7 percent, will buy flowers - about the same as last year.
Clai Carr, who lives in Ruxton and owns The Gardens ice rink in Laurel, is among those cutting back. He'll still be buying his wife, Barty, a couple of flower arrangements; he's bought one already, and plans on picking up another one tomorrow. But his aunt and others may have to get their flowers from someone else this year.
"There are some decisions and choices being made," Carr says. "I may have sent flowers to other people that I may not send to this year."
Unfortunately, florists counting on a big-time Valentine's pick-me-up this year face a double whammy. Not only is the economy heading south, but the holiday falls on a weekend. That's usually bad news for the industry. Most offices are closed, which typically cuts down on delivery orders, and people focus on gifts they can present themselves.
