Flowers at graduation: Are they worth it?

Another academic year has gone in a flash, and summer graduation is now upon us. If you are attending a ceremony, one sight is guaranteed: endless bouquets of flowers. The tradition of flowers at graduation dates back to the ancient world. In Greece, students wore laurel wreaths made from olive leaves – sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of intellect – which symbolised wisdom and victory. In Rome, graduates also adorned themselves with a laurel crown. Graduation flowers are a literal manifestation of ‘giving someone their flowers’. Over the past few years, graduation flowers have skyrocketed in popularity, largely driven by social media, with large floral bouquets dominating your algorithm. Alongside the excitement comes the inevitable question of cost and whether flowers are necessary for graduation.

Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event – or a three-time event if you pursue doctoral study – so it’s the perfect time to treat yourself. Different flowers and colours have different meanings, and bouquets can be individually personalised. White flowers like daisies symbolise innocence and new beginnings, lilies reflect pure intentions and devotion to academic goals, and sunflowers represent the support and loyalty of friends and family throughout the journey.

Crochet flowers and Lego flowers are both pretty to look at with bright and bold colours

However, graduation flower prices can be extortionate, with some florists taking advantage of your big day. Prices typically range from £20 to £80, with some luxury bouquets costing upwards of £500. After already spending out on robe hire and professional photography, let alone the degree itself, for many people this additional cost is the breaking point. Paying that much for something that will be dead in a couple of days is hardly value for money. As the flower wilts, your hard-earned cash dies with it – and with the current heatwave, this process will only be accelerated.

If your heart is set on flowers, there are alternative ways to buy something guaranteed to last. Crochet flowers and Lego flowers are both pretty to look at with bright and bold colours, and a little crochet or Lego student figure alongside adds that personal touch. They can last a lifetime as long as you don’t end up losing them. Besides, if you’re a hay fever sufferer, the last thing you want is a constant barrage of sneezing when you’re catching up with friends and tutors for what could be the last time for a while before you see them again, and there’s no risk of sneezing with fake flowers. This option, however, can still be pricey, especially Lego. So if you buy fake flowers, make sure they don’t just hide away in a cupboard after you graduate and be sure to get your money’s worth.

When sourcing a real bouquet, avoid purchasing flowers directly at the university or those specifically marketed for graduation

With that said, fake flowers do have their drawbacks. They lack fragrance, they look unnatural, and sometimes you just can’t beat the real thing. When sourcing a real bouquet, avoid purchasing flowers directly at the university or those specifically marketed for graduation, as the price comes with a hidden premium. Ideally, shop local to eliminate shipping costs and the risk of potential damage in transit. You could even create your own bouquet using supermarket flowers or flowers from your garden. After graduation, you can then press your flowers to frame or keep in a scrapbook with photos and other memories of your time at university. All you need is a book, paper to absorb the moisture – newspaper should do the trick – and a heavy weight to place on top of the book. After a couple of weeks, or four weeks for thicker petals, your flowers should be dry and ready to display. If you want to save the hassle and money entirely, find some pretty planted flowers at your university and stand in front of them for a cute floral backdrop to curate the perfect graduation photo.

It is important to remember that celebrating your achievements by spending time with friends and family is more important than any gift or flowers

Maybe you’re simply not a flower person at all. Big bulky bouquets can become a hindrance and get in the way of socialising or eating a meal. There are plenty of other graduation gift ideas to make your day even more special. For instance, a cute graduation teddy complete with a mortarboard and gown, chocolates, champagne, jewellery, or a personalised graduation plaque.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that celebrating your achievements by spending time with friends and family is more important than any gift or flowers. Sometimes a motivation for buying flowers is simply that Instagram picture, and looking at social media can put unwanted pressure on you to spend big. Make sure you stay within your budget and decide if flowers are truly right for you. It’s a shame the photographers don’t have flowers on standby for a photo opportunity or the option to hire a bouquet for a couple of hours at a reasonable price. Perhaps someone could make that happen in time for my master’s graduation. Until that happens, if you do end up splashing out, make sure the flowers can actually be seen in the photo and not just the packaging, and spare a thought for your poor parents who will probably end up carrying them.