Many people choose to give flowers or flower arrangements to their moms, grandmothers, and wives on Mother’s Day. While florists can offer a number of unique, ornate possibilities, the price of a basic floral arrangement can meet or exceed the fifty-dollar mark. If you maintain your own garden or potted plants, preparing an arrangement yourself could serve as a thoughtful, less-expensive alternative to purchased bouquets.

Tussie-Mussies are small-scale bouquets that can be easily assembled at home. These arrangements became fashionable accessories for women in the Victorian era; they are easily portable if you plan to celebrate Mother’s Day out on the town.
Before beginning your project, you may want to assemble some materials: floral tape, ribbon or lace, scissors, a hot glue gun, and the blooms you plan to use.

The traditional flower of Mother’s Day is the carnation-red or white; these flowers can be purchased inexpensively at many grocery stores or floral shops. If your mother’s favorite flowers are roses, for instance, or violets, you may choose to purchase or pick them for your project. If you wish to communicate a symbolic meaning with the flowers you use, consider camellia (which signifies gratitude), hibiscus (delicate beauty), or light pink roses (gratitude, happiness).

Once you’ve chosen your blossoms, clip the stems to an appropriate length. Remember, tussie-mussies are small: stems 5” or shorter work best. Once the stems of your flowers have been trimmed down, arrange the flowers to your liking. Wrap floral tape from the base of the stems to the lowest buds. Then, using your hot glue gun, adhere a wrapped ribbon on top of the tape. When you are finished, the flower stems will be held together and dressed up. You may also choose to tie a lace or ribbon bow around the stems.

Tussie-Mussies are a sweet and thoughtful gift that you can make yourself-and flowers are a classy, traditional gift to give on Mother’s Day. You can personalize the arrangement to include your mother’s favorite flowers, or even some that you have grown yourself.