What to Do With Your Leftover Flowers

Valentine's Day is such a romantic holiday, but it can also be a very wasteful one. For one, people buy flowers as a token of their affection, even though most of these flowers go into the trash can a few days later. Let's not waste these pretty bouquets this year — try one of these ideas to reuse them:

1. Potpourri

Potpourri can be just as pretty as flowers, and it's a good way to turn the flowers into a keepsake. Dry the petals for a great-smelling potpourri, and you can even throw in a few herbs, like mint, that you think will smell nice or look good with the flowers. Here are instructions on how to make potpourri.

Source: Sarah Lipoff

2. Pressed flower cards

Press the flowers onto some cards for greeting cards that are easy to make yet elegant. You can use them as thank-you or special-occasion cards. Pressing flowers onto a card is a great way of personalizing each card, because every flower looks different. It also shows a lot of effort, and the recipients will appreciate the thought you put into the card. Here are instructions on how to press flowers and leaves.

3. Scented water

Make a sweet-smelling concoction from your flowers! You can spray it on yourself or your linens.

Source: Sarah Lipoff

4. Floral bath salts

Take petals from flowers to create this relaxing bath salts mixture.

Source: Sarah Lipoff

5. Petal lip balm

Use rose petals to create this sweet lip balm. The petals will add a touch of femininity to the balm and make it look pretty!

Source: Sarah Lipoff

6.Soaps

You can use flower petals when you're making soap, but keep in mind that many flowers turn black or brown when mixed with lye, so do your research to make sure you're picking the right flowers. Or you can just use little bits of the flowers so there is not too much focus on them.

7. Candles

Preserving flowers in candles is another good alternative. It's easier to stick on pressed, dried flowers to the sides of your candles, so you might want to consider drying out the plants.

8. Jewelry

Lacquered flowers make the most beautiful jewelry. Take a few petals, or the whole flower itself, and turn them into earrings, necklaces, or rings. This is harder than the other methods mentioned above, but it's a great way of bringing a piece of flower with you wherever you go. Here are instructions on how to do it.