Flowers are an absolute mainstay of romantic gift-giving, but is the amount of joy they bring really worth the money you pay for them? Two Collegian editors discuss flowers head to head.
Kyle Hampel, opinion editor
Of all the things you could give to a person you love, why flowers? Roses are red, violets are blue and flowers just symbolize the mortality of you.
Romantic love is supposed to be everlasting and beautiful, and I can think of many ways to better symbolize eternity than a plant that’s only pretty for a week before it withers and dies.
I certainly don’t want my love life to turn into a decaying mess after an initial spark of awesome, and I don’t want my graceful aesthetic and good smells to give way to buzzing flies and wilting sadness.
Really, any living thing is a bad gift to give someone. Either they’re burdened by having to take care of it, or it just dies before their very eyes. How lame.
Folks, save your money. There are better things to give to that special someone in your life. Why not give your dreamboat love bug a nice massage or a selection of really shiny coins? The possibilities are endless.
Dene Dryden, chief copy editor
I believe that a beautiful bouquet of flowers can be the perfect gift for your significant other, especially if they like flowers. Even though a dozen red roses is very cliche, if that’s what your partner dreams of, why not give them what they want?
A bouquet of flowers can be more personal than you might imagine. If your lover adores tulips, get them some tulips. If they say snap-dragons are some cool s***, get them some (they look awesome). If they’re a farm kid, the addition of some green wheat stalks or wild sunflowers from a Kansas prairie could add that little personal touch any good gift needs.
Flowers are also gluten-free and have a low sugar content. Is your partner on a diet? Skip the chocolate; give them daisies. (But please don’t eat them. For the love of God, find some lavender-flavored cookies or something.)
Yes, flowers do dry out and die eventually. But honestly, for college students who constantly move and don’t have a ton of living space, that may be a good thing.
Our beds can only hold so many bug-eyed stuffed dogs with pink spots, holding plush hearts that say “I Woof You.” Flowers are a gift that can be thrown away or composted, unlike a stuffed animal that you’d feel too guilty to donate.
Assuming that your partner isn’t allergic to pollen, I think flowers are a great gift. They’re traditional, and they can be custom-fit to your lover’s wishes and wants.
And if they don’t like them? There’s no shame in throwing them away.
Kyle Hampel is the reviews and opinion editor for the Collegian and a junior in English. Dene Dryden is the chief copy editor for the Collegian and a sophomore in English. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.
