Friday, March 9, 2008; Posted: 3:47 p.m. (CDT)
Flowers are one of the most popular gifts on Mother's Day. John Peddicord is like many, he wants to show his love through flowers. But the rising food prices and high gas prices are taking a toll on his pocketbook.
Peddicord says, "I don't buy too much."
The high gas prices are also affecting companies such as Capitol Hill Florist in south Oklahoma City during a busy time for business.
Kent Whitnah is the owner of Capitol Hill Florist. He says, "All the shippers and airlines that get our flowers here are charging more and more fuel surcharges to get our flowers here."
He goes on to say, "We really have to watch the prices so we can relate that into our profit and everything else."
If you're buying your loved one flowers this Mother's Day but are concerned about money, Witnah says your best buy may be blooming flowers.
"It's going to last the longest and it's typically a lot lower than fresh flowers," says Whitnah. "It's a great value!"
But flowers are a must for Peddicord no matter the price.
"That's better than gas," he says.
The special gift is especially important this holiday. His wife of 53 years passed away in March. He plans to lay her gift of flowers on her grave.
"She got flowers every Mother's Day since we were married," says Peddicord. "I'm sure she'd appreciate it. I'm very sure of it."
As for consumer spending, the National Retail Federation predicts people will spend an average of $139 on a gift this Mother's Day. The total is expected to be about $15 billion.
