Support your favorite small business.

This November 24th is Small Business Saturday®, a day to celebrate and
support the local small businesses that boost the economy and invigorate
neighborhoods across the country.

Steve's Flowers and Gifts is proud to take part in Small Business Saturday, and we’re
encouraging everyone to Shop Small® here on November 24th.
Plus, we’re having a special Small Business Saturday offer! Come in on
November 24th and you’ll get

50% off anything in our Showrooms for that day only.

Most importantly, get out there, Shop Small, and let’s make this November
24th the biggest day of the year for small business.
To learn more, visit ShopSmall.com.

Steve Huth
Steve's Flowers and Gifts

Love, laughter, and happily ever after.

The Autumn Season has become a popular time of year for Weddings. Temperate weather makes celebrating an outside event comfortable and enjoyable. The shades of gorgeous fall landscapes creates beautiful backdrops for wedding photos.  Fashionable decor in rich fall hues creates a seasonal atmosphere unlike any other.

Flowers are one of the most important elements of the wedding day. They set the mood and tone for the event with their beauty, color, style and elegance. The flowers will be remembered and cherished for years to come, especially when admiring photographs. Steve's will work to ensure you have a picture perfect wedding.

Fall Wedding Floral Trends and Ideas:

1. Surprisingly, add white flowers to your Fall Shades. This will make your fall hues stand out.

2. Add seasonal dried materials to your decor such as raffia, twigs, branches, wheat or cattails.

3. Scented candles or tea-lights add a fall ambiance to your table setting.

4. Focus more on variety of flowers, that match your color scheme, instead of one specific. 

5. Autumn Bloomers such as fall chrysanthemums make great decor for an outdoor wedding.

Steve's Prom Lineup 2012

Prom season is upon us!!

Prom Corsage, Prom Boutonniere

A corsage or boutonniere for your Prom date is a very important part of the Prom tradition. Flowers, for him and her, are special ways of showing your respect and consideration for your partner. Flowers are special:

                                                    BOUTONNIERE

Customarily girls buy a boutonniere for their dates. Usually it is a pin-on carnation or rose with baby's breath to be worn traditionally on the right lapel. You may want to order this at the same time your date orders your corsage.

                                                                CORSAGE                                                                                                      It is customary for the guy to buy a corsage for his date. It can be a pin-on type, or one she can wear around her wrist. Some even buy a modified nosegay that a girl can carry in her hand. It is a good idea to know what color dress your date is wearing so that the corsage you choose doesn't clash. Some couples like to go together and choose the flowers.

Fitz Designer Bracelets

For our fourth year in a row, Steve's Flowers and Gifts is adding "bling" to their Prom Corsages with "Fitz Designer Bracelets". These bracelets add style and value to each corsage. Not only is it stylish, it also becomes a keepsake that can be worn everyday as a reminder of your Prom. Each bracelet has a special name such as "Girls Best Friend", "Rock Star", "Cupid Dazzle" "Paparazzi", and "Tiny Dancer". Add these to any of Steve's branded corsages such as "Steve's Savannah", "Cozumel", "Milan", "Maui", or "Bordeaux" and see the difference. Also this year, ask us about matching Earrings, Necklaces, and Armbands that we have added flowers to for a little something different. Even the new "Diamond Strands Hair Piece". Call us today to order your Prom Corsages and Boutonnieres.

Steve's 2nd Annual "12 Days of Christmas" begins December 13th

The Suspense is building. Christmas is coming. Yet, more shopping needs to be done. What better way to finish your shopping for Christmas than with Steve's "12 Days of Christmas" Promotion. This is like "Groupon on Steroids". This promotion consists of 12 days of holiday savings. Each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas, Steve's is featuring one item on "SUPER SALE" for that day only. These amazing deals are a secret, as Steve decides what we will feature on Sale next. To be notified of these great holiday specials for Steve's "12 Days of Christmas", you can sign up for our e-mail blasts @ www.stevesflowers.com, text: STEVESFLOWERS to 22828, call us @ 317-787-3431 and ask one of our sales representatives to sign you up,  or even better, stop in every day from December 13th through December 24th to actually see the item featured. These deals are available at both our Greenwood and Indianapolis locations.  Don't forget, our staff won't know what items are on sale until the next day too. So, stop in and take advantage of the Holiday Specials, and bring your Spirit too.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Steve's Flowers and Gifts.

Steve Huth Owner

Steve's Flowers and Gifts

Small Business Saturday is November 26th

First, there was Black Friday. Then, there was Cyber Monday. Now, there’s Small Business Saturday^®, a day to support the small businesses that help fuel the economy and invigorate communities. 

Steve's Flowers and Gifts pledges to support Small Business Saturday^®.

Small businesses help the economy, create jobs and preserve the uniqueness of local communities. That’s why Steve's Flowers supports Small Business Saturday. We’re encouraging our employees and customers to shop at their favorite local businesses on November 26, and help fuel small business growth. So watch the video, get involved and pledge your support at: facebook.com/ShopSmall

As a 2nd year participant in Small Business Saturday, we are enticing customers by offering 50% off everything in the store for that day only. An amazing chance to get great quality, unique items, and gifts for a great price. This is available at our Indianapolis and Greenwood locations. 

Why support Small Business Saturday?

SMALL BUSINESS IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE U.S. ECONOMY:

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau and Intl. Trade Admin (2007)

As of 2007, small firms:

·         Represented 99.7 percent of all employer firms

·         Employed just over half of all private-sector employees

·         Paid 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll

·         Generated 64 percent of net new jobs in the previous 15 years

·         Created more than 50 percent of nonfarm, private gross domestic product (GDP)

SMALL BUSINESS IN MARATHON TO KEEP UP WITH PUBLICALLY TRADED COMPANIES:

Source: The American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report (March 2011)

Small businesses have lost substantial share in the U.S. economy over the past 14 years. In 1997, publicly traded firms represented 2% of firms and contributed 43% of the jobs and 55% of business revenue. Now, large publicly traded firms, though still just 3% of U.S. businesses, employ 53% of workers and generate nearly two-thirds (64%) of business revenues. ­

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SPLIT ON OPTIMISM, BUT SEE A SALES SILVER LINING
ON THE HORIZON

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor and Optimism Review (Spring 2011)
In the spring of 2011, 49 percent had a positive view, while 48 percent held a negative view, for a net optimism score of just +1. Additionally, more business owners said they thought sales over the next six months would be higher compared to a year ago (50% vs. 39% in 2010). 

BUY-LOCAL CAMPAIGNS BOOST SMALL BUSINESS SALES

Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance (January 2011)

·         Independent retailers that are in communities with a “buy local” initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere

·         Independent retailers that are in communities with a “buy local” initiative saw a 5.2% increase in holiday sales, while those elsewhere reported an average gain of 0.8%

·         More than half (55%) of business owners who live in cities with an active “buy local” initiative said the campaign created more existing-customer loyalty

LOYAL CUSTOMERS ARE VITAL FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor (Fall 2010)

·         The recession hit small business owners harder than their larger counterparts. Consumer spending dropped more at small businesses relative to larger businesses. Small businesses lost market share and are still 4% below the share they held before the recession

·         54% of small business owners say what they need most to help grow their business is “more customers,” instead of tax cuts (23%), access to capital (14%) and the ability to hire more employees (6%)

·         To help boost demand, small companies are focused on two key strategies: deepening relationships and creating value for customers

CONSUMERS SHOP SMALL TO SAVE THEIR LOCAL ECONOMIES

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Saturday Consumer Pulse (July 2011)

·         93% of U.S. consumers believe it’s important to support the local small businesses that they value

in their community

·         87% believe that small businesses are a critical element of the overall U.S. economic health

·         89% agree that locally owned, independent businesses contribute positively through taxes and jobs

·         73% consciously shop at small businesses in their community because they do not want them to close

MORE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE BECOMING TECH SAVVY

Source: The American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor (October 2010)

Business owners are getting creative in their marketing. Three in ten indicate they use at least one social media platform; Facebook is by far the most popular platform, with 27% of relevant businesses on board. By comparison, only one in ten business owners were using online social networking to market their businesses a year ago. 

So, this Saturday, November 26th. Remember the small local business down the road that employs your neighbor, friend, or the person who sits next to you at church. Join the Small Business Movement. Shop Local.

Fall Has Arrived, Time to Prepare for the Holidays

The Fall brings us a multitude of vibrant colors that define the season. With tree leaves of orange, red, and brown hues, the fallen leaves that cover the ground, the beauty of the fall season is something that only mother nature could produce. We can capture a little bit of that beauty and splendor that only fall brings by adorning our homes and living spaces with fall flower arrangements.

Fall and Thanksgiving Floral Decorating Ideas

Flower Holidays, Occasions & Parties - Thanksgiving Flowers

Accessorize a large table by placing a long, narrow centerpiece in the center of the table. Add a few smaller accent pieces or candles on each side of the arrangement for an added effect. Ask us to create a centerpiece in a treasured family vase or bowl, or in seasonal pieces such as a cornucopia or a utility vase surrounded by dry corn cobs. To create a lot of drama and variety, place a topiary at one end of the table leading to a cluster of small potted plants, then two smaller topiaries with candles leading to a tray of votive candles and flower petals, and so on... Ask us to use vegetables or fruits as accents in your floral arrangement. Garnish your serving trays with flowers and greens. Scatter colorful fall leaves, flowers and votive candles along the center of your dining table. Float flowers in crystal wine glasses. Place a single long-stem rose on each plate to welcome your guests to the table. Decorate small desserts with flowers or make an ice ring with flowers to chill champagne or wine. Ask your us to design the arrangements for your buffet table on several different levels to keep the eye flowing all along the table. Place a garland of fruit, flowers and fall foliage over your front door. Steve Huth Owner  Steve's Flowers and Gifts Source: www.aboutflowers.com

September: A Time to Remember, and a Time to Reflect

September 11th, 2011 and Grandparents Day

This year, a holiday to reflect, and a day to remember land on the same day. September 11th, 2011 marks the 32nd annual celebration of Grandparents Day. A look back at the history of Grandparents and the impact they have on our society. It also is marks the 10 year anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks.


In the years since Jimmy Carter first declared Grandparents Day a national holiday in 1978, we've been following his call to reflect on the impact Grandparents have on our own lives — and on society.  And when he signed the proclamation creating  National Grandparents Day, little did anyone know how it would grow. At the time, Carter said the holiday would recognize "the importance and worth of the 17 million grandparents in our nation."

Barely a generation later, there are now more than 70 million grandparents in the United States.

That's a lot of recognition.

And a lot of flowers, candy, and gifts too.

For those of you who are still blessed with Grandparents, take the time to show them how much you appreciate them. Set aside time to visit, converse, and help those who were always there for you during your needs as a child. Send Grandma a bouquet of her favorite flower, along with a box of Chocolates for Grandpa.

For those of you who have lost their Grandparents, reflect and hold on to the memories, and  never forget the impact they had on you. Take the time to visit their grave site. Leave an expression of your feelings by adding a silk cemetery arrangement, or leaving loose flowers.

And for those of you who are Grandparents, Thank you.

As we reflect and celebrate Grandparents Day, we also need to remember the tragic events of September 11th 2001. 

Remember those who lost their lives.

Remember the fallen heroes.

And Never Forget.

Steve Huth

Owner

Steve's Flowers and Gifts