Jeanne Benedict's Flower Facts on Entertaining

Flower Factor

Jeanne Benedict, host of DIY Network's Weekend Entertaining, is a party expert, chef and author of four books including The Sophisticated Cookie and Celebrations.  She shares easy, uncomplicated ways to use flowers to make a statement at parties and get-togethers. What I believe:  Gorgeous flowers are the ultimate compliment to your guests, letting them know you care enough about your time spent together to surround them in beauty and scintillate their senses. Never has entertaining at home been more en vogue.  We cherish celebratory times together - beyond just traditional holidays - we are inventing our own individual reasons to celebrate and are finding that spur-of-the-moment celebrations with family and friends create the memories we remember forever. The sensorial qualities of flowers make them a natural to enhance celebrations no matter how intimate the gathering.  Better yet, they are an easy, uncomplicated way to make a statement or simply decorate!  A Rutgers University study says it best:  Flowers create instant happiness, exactly the mood you want for a party. Whether you're presenting flowers at your own event or bringing them as a hostess gift, here are inspirations for some of the most popular celebrations you'll likely be part of this year. Flowers are Great Hostess Gifts Source: Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org)