Society of American Florists Offers 5 Ways to Save Time and Money for Petal it Forward
September 11, 2025 | 1 min to read
Despite staffing challenges and rising costs, participating in the Society of American Florists' annual Petal It Forward event on Oct. 15 is worthwhile. Seasoned participants like Deborah Whitfield of Art Flower and Gift Shoppe emphasize that the community relations gained outweigh the hurdles. The simple yet impactful premise of giving away two bouquets fosters kindness and often leads to new customers, making it an integral part of many shops' marketing strategies.
Staffing challenges and rising costs don’t have to deter you from participating in the Society of American Florists’ annual Petal It Forward event, set for Oct. 15.
Seasoned participants say the rewards outweigh any challenges. “You can’t buy that kind of community relations,” says Deborah Whitfield, manager of Art Flower and Gift Shoppe in Rockville Centre, New York, which gives away hundreds of bouquets.
The event’s concept is simple but powerful: give away two bouquets — one for the recipient and one for them to share — creating a ripple effect of kindness that often translates into new customers and long-term goodwill. It’s so successful as a marketing tool that many shops, including Art Flower and Gift Shoppe, now include Petal It Forward as a permanent line in their annual marketing budget.
Here are tips to keep the event affordable and manageable.
To learn more, please visit SAF.