Now, now, you don’t have to get all heated just because the economy has cooled down. There are plenty of ways to keep a little sunshine on your shoulder, and in your home, to brighten up your days.

Try these tips from expert florist and floral designer Lynn Jawitz for beautiful  bouquets that won’t break the bank.

Go for a Gourd. Approximate Cost= $10 – $15

Gourd Vegetables–(hollowed out squashes, pumpkins, and gourds make seasonal, water tight containers) go great with dahlias ($15.00) in rich fall colors or chrysanthemums ($10.00).

Tips on arranging:
1. Do no place gourds directly on surfaces in your home. Be sure to place on top of a plate.
2. Keep away from heat which will cause the gourd to decay faster.
3.  For a slightly shiny and preservative effect, spray the exterior of the  gourd with clear hair spray before you cut it. (Do not eat portions of any gourd you’ve treated this way.)
4. You can place a hidden glass vase inside the gourd as the base of your arrangement or use floral foam. If the gourd is not stable on the plate, you can shear off the bottom to flatten it, but the container will last longer if you do not do this–use this only for short term arrangements.

Toast a New Arrangement. Approximate Cost: $ 10- $15

Old beer mugs are great for carnations ($10.00) because their weight gives them stability.

Tips on arranging:
1. To ensure your flowers don’t go topsy-turvy,  line the mug with polished river stones when using top-heavy flowers.  (Found at Bed Bath and Beyond and other retailers)
2. For added color, use glass beads or wrap an acetate ribbon inside the glass.
3. Remove foliage from flower stems under the water line to keep the greenery above the water line.
4. Try mixing different colored carnations for a bright sight.

Tea Time. Approximate Cost: $ 20

Ceramic tea pots are also great to use as vases. They work especially  work well with roses because of the versatility and diversity of rose colors.  But they’re also a great vessel for larger mixed bouquets. Take a cue from the colors in the ceramic and select affordable flowers that will complement it.

Tips on arranging:
1. Remove foliage below the water line.
2.  For better control of your roses, you can place floral foam in the “belly” of the tea pot.
3.  Keep the arrangement away from heat and out of direct sunlight.
4. If you have any floral preservative, you can use it in the water.

Relief Pitcher. Approximate Cost: $10 – $20

Pitchers are great with snapdragons  ($10) and/or delphiniums ($15) and/or gladiolas ($10) because the height of the pitcher supports the length of the taller flower.

Tips on arranging:
1. Snap off the extreme pointed end of the gladiolas (only gladiolas) to encourage the stem flowers to open.
2.  Make sure that the height of the flowers is in proportion to the pitcher — not too short and not tall enough to tip it over with their weight.

4.  If you do want to use taller blooms in your arrangement, stabilized the pitcher by lining the bottom with polished river stones or glass marbles.

– Sarah Karl, Lifestyle Editor-at-Large

Technorati Tags: affordable flowers, floral arrangements, original flower arrangements, alternative flower arrangements, cheap flowers, favorite flowers, flowers for any occasion, Lynn Jawitz, flowers on a  budget, sarah karl

Photo Credits: istockphoto.com, www.sofianegron.com