#no holidays between easter and end of the year in early july but plenty of bank holidays so that's fine
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The Hunt Is On! Eggs-traordinary Animals That Hide Their Eggs
by Shelby Wyzykowski
Just once every year, an eggs-tra special day rolls around when a certain long-eared, fluffy-tailed fellow comes hopping down the bunny trail to your home. He brings with him all of the egg-ceptionally tasty springtime goodies that he knows will satisfy your sweet tooth. Your basket gets filled to the brim with chocolate rabbits, pastel-colored confections, and chick-shaped marshmallows, just to name a few delectable treats. It’s a holiday candy lover’s dream! But then you may just notice one thing that’s missing…where are all the eggs? No, the Easter Bunny didn’t forget them. He’s giving you a bit of a challenge this year. He’s remembered an old German tradition that started hundreds of years ago. It was so long ago that he had a different name…Osterhase! Osterhase would secretly lay eggs in the back garden so children could enjoy the outdoors and hunt for their Easter eggs. So, like long ago, you get to look outside (virtually) for eggs too! But as you search and discover egg after egg, little do you know that, beyond your garden, there are many more eggs concealed in secret spots. In fact, they’re all over the world…in mountain forests, on ocean shores, and in steamy swamps. But they’re not hidden by the Easter Bunny. All sorts of animals hide their eggs too! Let’s take some time to eggs-plore the planet and learn more about these eggs-traordinary creatures. Let’s go on an egg hunt!
First let’s search out West for the eggs of a plump, short-tailed bird called the American Dipper. They love to live in and around pristine mountain streams ranging from way up in Alaska and all the way down into Panama! That’s a lot of places for them to hide their eggs, so, for now, let’s just focus on one of the Dipper’s favorite spots in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. Dippers are the only songbirds in the United States that love to routinely swim. And they have several adaptations that make dunking and diving quite easy for them. At the base of their tails, they have what is called a uropygial (oil) gland. They use their beak to collect oil from this gland and, when they preen, it makes their feathers waterproof. They also have nictitating membranes (extra eyelids) and flaps of skin covering their nostrils that protect their eyes and beak when they’re submerged.
But all these swim-friendly features can also help immensely when Dippers nest. To keep their eggs safe from predators, they sometimes build their nests in hard-to-reach spots like cliff ledges, on boulders, and under bridges. But there is one very special, watery way that Dippers like to raise their chicks…behind waterfalls! It can get wet if you live behind a waterfall, so a Dipper nest is specially designed to withstand such damp conditions. The dome-shaped nest is about the size of a soccer ball and has multiple layers of moss, bark, leaves, and coarse grass. The thick, outside shell of moss absorbs moisture so the inside, lined with grass, stays cozy and dry. After around two weeks of incubation, the clutch of four to five eggs hatch. Mom spends a lot of time on the nest, but both parents feed the sparsely-downed chicks up to twenty times an hour! They must fly back and forth through the veil of falling water to get to and from their hungry babies.
After a little over three weeks, the fledgling Dippers are old enough to leave the nest. So, they must bravely make their first trip through the curtain of cascading water. Then they watch and learn from their parents how to wade, swim, and dive in the stream to hunt for food. Sadly, the Dipper’s preferred meals (crayfish, tadpoles, fish eggs, and aquatic insects) become scarce when streams are tainted by humans. Poor practices in logging, mining, and farming can cause these birds to abandon polluted areas. Luckily, for now, they do manage to find new locations with clean, cold, rushing water that they can happily call home.
Now let’s travel a few states over to Florida, one of several Southern states where the American Alligator glides through the waters of slow-moving rivers, lakes, and sweltering marshes. In June and July, the female alligator creates a huge nest out of mud, plants, and sticks. It can be up to two to three feet high and as wide as seven to ten feet! The nest needs to be this big because the mother alligator lays as many as thirty-five to ninety eggs. Once the nest is filled with eggs, she completely covers them up with more vegetation. As the eggs rest hidden and undisturbed for several weeks, an interesting process occurs within the massive mound.
Photo credit: Rene Ferrer from Pexels.
Alligator embryos do not have chromosomes that determine gender, so the temperature of the nest determines how many of the young are girls and how many are boys. If, for example, the nest is located on a sunny riverbank (somewhere around 91 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit), the offspring are mostly male. The temperature of a nest in a cool, shady spot might hover around 86 degrees, and that environment produces mostly females. Around the end of August, the baby gators, still safe in their eggs, start making high-pitched noises. This lets their mom know that they’re ready to break out. She uncovers the nest for them to hatch. When the hatchlings are tiny, they hang out in a small group called a “pod”, but mom is always close by keeping a watchful eye on them. Unfortunately, climate change is beginning to affect the behavior of temperature-dependent species like the alligator. They are beginning to nest earlier and earlier in the year to preserve the correct male to female ratio. The alligators instinctively know that they need to keep a gender balance to allow their species to successfully thrive!
Our last stop covers a wide area, so get ready for the toughest challenge of our hunt! We’re going to search for the eggs of the Loggerhead Turtle. They like to swim in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. But between late April and early September, the females leave their aquatic homes to nest on the beaches where they themselves hatched decades earlier. Safely under the cover of darkness, a female Loggerhead will use her powerful rear flippers to dig a hole in the sand. After she lays around one hundred eggs, she once again uses her flippers to expertly cover up her eggs. She does such a thorough job that she erases any sign of her nest…it’s a safe and cozy hiding place for her eggs! They need to be well-hidden because the mother Loggerhead does not watch over her nest. Instead, she returns to the sea, leaving the concealed eggs to develop on their own.
Like alligators, the gender of sea turtle embryos is temperature dependent. A nest in warmer sand produces more females (this biological fact concerns marine scientists because global warming will disrupt the proper male to female ratio). After about two months of incubation, the baby turtles hatch and wait for nightfall. Then in a joint effort, they all climb out of the nest together and make a mad dash for the ocean waves. But their journey is fraught with danger.
Predators such as birds, crabs, dogs, and even raccoons are anxiously waiting to make these little turtles into scrumptious evening snacks. And the hatchlings have another, more insidious hazard to deal with…artificial light. To reach the ocean, the hatchlings use the natural light (the moon and stars) horizon to guide them. But beachfront lighting, highway lights, and campfires can disorient them and lead them in the wrong direction. It’s true that the odds are stacked against them, and even though it’s a treacherous trek to the water’s edge, many do make it. And then the real adventure begins for these little ones in their new ocean home!
Now that we’ve finished our egg hunting eggs-pedition, and you’ve fervently feasted on your Easter treats, your once-filled basket contains only some crumpled foil, a clump of Easter grass, and one squashed jelly bean. And, unfortunately, the only thing that you’ve got plenty of are the pangs of an eggs-cruciating stomachache. But while you’re laying back in your favorite comfy chair recovering from the day’s egg-citement, think about all those creatures out there in the world that work so hard to hide their eggs in the most interesting of places. And that leads you to wondering that maybe, just maybe, there might be one more egg still hidden in your garden. It might be hiding behind the daffodils or under the old wheelbarrow or in the tulip bed. And when you feel better, and you go back outside and find that last egg, it seems to me that would be an egg-cellent way to end an eggs-tra special day.
Shelby Wyzykowski is a Gallery Experience Presenter in CMNH’s Life Long Learning Department. Museum staff, volunteers, and interns are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.
#Carnegie Museum of Natural History#Egg Hunt#Kidsburgh#Spring activities for kids#Spring#Alligators#Sea Turtles#American Dipper
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Quarantine Headcanons for Billie x Reader x Audrey
This is for Anon: Can you do another Billie Audrey and reader story they are addicting and you’re such a great reader!! Can we see one where they are in quarantine and a lot of fluff?
I know this isn’t a fic, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! Also I hope you all are still staying safe and healthy at this time. And maybe these headcanons will bring a little sunshine to your day! Thank you for all of the likes and feedback! 💖
(https://ahsdaily.co.vu/post/150514222930)
I alluded to this in my other fic at the beginning of quarantining for coronavirus, but Billie would for sure take this time to have sex with you and Audrey anywhere and in every position.
Of course there are the usual places like your bed, your shower, your bathtub, and your couch. But you end up christening the living room coffee table, the steps of your staircase, the top of your washing machine in between cycles, and even one time inside of your food pantry.
Because both Billie and Audrey are celebrities, they both take part in different Instagram lives on their own and with other people. Normally you stay out of the public eye because if they are invited to an event they only get a plus one. So they go together. But when you accidentally interrupt their shared live, people immediately are interested in you.
At first Audrey is a little annoyed at all of the attention you’re getting just for accidentally opening the door and Billie giving you a minimal introduction. But you suggest that maybe after people see you once they’ll get bored and move on. So in the next live they do, they introduce you and it helps…kind of.
Instead of people focusing on you, their audience focuses on all three of you being an item. So once a week, all three of you will sit down and do a short live. Sometimes you answer questions, sometimes you play a boardgame, or sometimes you just chat for a while. But people love it either way.
Speaking of social media, it’s early on during quarantine when you download tiktok. And while you were skeptical about the app before all of this, you do find yourself learning the dances and posting some of your own content.
Of course your girlfriends are featured in a few of your tiktoks, but they also just think it’s funny and cute to see you randomly doing the dances around the house and singing to yourself. However if they wake up to see you still scrolling through tiktok for what’s probably been hours into the middle of the night, they will sandwich you in between them and summon you to sleep by intensive cuddling.
Because of the virus, your usual staff that performs daily tasks can’t come over. So Audrey signs the three of you up for an online cooking course. In the beginning, you know most of the techniques, but you do end up refining your skill. And Billie and Audrey become much, much better cooks.
And because Audrey feels so passionate about cooking now, she decides to order plenty of seeds to plant a whole garden. And this garden is supposed to take up a large chunk of your yard. However, because all three of you have never done something like this before, you look up how to successfully plant a garden and manage to actually do it.
Once it’s completely planted, this garden is Audrey’s literal child. She will go out each morning to track each plant’s growth. Her Instagram essentially becomes one for her garden and one time when she saw a racoon trying to get some of the fruits (and vegetables) of her labor, Audrey literally ran out and chased them off before you or Billie could stop her.
Besides learning how to cook, both Billie and Audrey have to clean. You never thought you would see your girlfriends doing laundry or scrubbing toilets, but they do it. And in the process, you help them go through and declutter the entire house for the first time in many, many years. That helps to refresh the house and makes cleaning much easier.
After a couple weeks of doing these hands-on tasks Billie’s acrylics all eventually pop off. So you offer your “services” to give her a manicure and she gladly accepts. She even lets you pick out the colors. Of course Audrey joins in and incorporates special toners, serums, and facial treatments since her aesthetician is unavailable and she’s afraid of her wrinkles emerging (Which both you and Billie assure her are nonexistent, but still)
Even with all of these new tasks, after being at home for more than three months you are bored and want to change something up. Specifically you want to do something different with your hair. When you mention it, both of your girlfriends think you’re joking and say you wouldn’t even know how to pick out the right hair color let alone actually doing anything.
That angers you and only makes you more determined to prove them wrong. So you order some bleach and hair dye and secretly use them. However instead of surprising your girlfriends with a gorgeous new head of hair, you come to them with tears and completely ruined hair.
Both Billie and Audrey feel horrible seeing you so defeated, but there’s nothing they can really do except section your hair off and try to salvage what healthy hair remains, resulting in a very short haircut. Luckily the short hairstyle actually looks amazing on you! And Billie and Audrey love it as well.
Because the three of you have more time together than ever before, you’re able to be more involved with some of Billie and Audrey’s personal ventures. So when Audrey needs to practice reading her lines, you take on the other characters and read through the script with her.
Of course you speak in silly voices and make funny faces for different characters which makes Audrey giggle and reprimand you, but she does find it adorable and it helps her to remain in character better.
On Billie’s end, fortunately you are able to have access to an isolated tennis court. So you get to watch the medium play a sport that she is well-versed in. Plus seeing her in different cute tennis outfits all sweaty and wet…it just does things to you.
To try and make it fair, you and Audrey play as a team against Billie, but she still annihilates you both. While you and Audrey are exhausted and completely winded, Billie looks fully enlivened and even says this is “rusty” for her compared to when she regularly played.
Another thing you and Billie do while Audrey works virtually is check out a possible abandoned house for Billie to film at. In the beginning you are able to play it cool. However as she looks around and speaks with forces that are invisible to your eyes you begin to get the creeps.
You trust Billie, but after a couple hours of having lights flick on and off, unexplained footsteps, and cold drafts as she continues to speak to different spirits, you’re practically climbing up onto her, terrified.
Billie didn’t realize how intense the experience would be so when she sees you so scared she feels terrible. But you promise you’ll be ok. However when Audrey sees you even she notices how shaken up you are. So you share a nice, hot bath and Billie uses some cleansing techniques she has learned making you feel better. And she promises to be more aware of checking in on you next time.
A couple weeks before the date, they remember your birthday is coming up. Due to the coronavirus you can’t really do much. But they still ask what you would like to do out of the options available.
For you just being around your girlfriends is a gift in itself, but they insist. So you tell them that you would enjoy just spending a day out in nature after being cooped up for so long. Billie and Audrey take your small suggestion and go even further. On the morning of your birthday, they wake you up by serving you breakfast in bed. And it’s actually a good breakfast!
Then the three of you go to a park that is never very popular and hike a couple trails. And it just feels nice to have an outing. After hiking, you pick up take out from your favorite local restaurant and eat at home. And to finish the night off, the three of you have a campfire, make smores, and lay on a blanket to look up at the stars while cuddling and talking. Even though the day seems ordinary, this is one of the best birthdays you have had in years.
In terms of other holidays, you don’t really do too much. On Easter, Audrey convinces you and Billie to dress up and take some spring pictures in your yard. The theme was pastel colors and seeing Billie with her pearls in a blush pink dress as well as Audrey in a pistachio jumpsuit with a spontaneously made flower crown is adorable.
On the fourth of July, you grill up some food and the three of you spend the day by the pool. The day is even more special because Billie wears an American flag bikini you and Audrey bought for her with a cherry red color on her lips that matches her nails. Seeing her laid out like that has never made you or Audrey feel more patriotic in your lives. And she knows it too.
Now because Audrey is British, you and Billie enjoy teasing her about the defeat of England. She plays along, but really isn’t bothered. Especially because both of the loves of her life were born and raised in the United States.
For the first time all three of you are able to sit back and binge Netflix and Hulu as long as you want. And when you find out a couple of movies Audrey first appeared in are coming to these streaming services you ask about watching them.
At first she says no out of embarrassment, but after you promise to not make fun of her, she lets you watch them. In reality she is the hardest on herself about her “horrible” acting and how old she looks now. But you and Billie reassure her that she performed well and still looks absolutely beautiful.
This year Audrey received an invitation to attend the met gala and planned to take Billie as her plus one. Of course Audrey knows in the whole scheme of things, going to some gala is not something to make a big deal out of. But you and Billie know how honored Audrey felt and how disappointed she is. So you get her to put on the dress and give her a personal photoshoot. Of course it’s nowhere near professional, but the photos come out gorgeous and it does lift her spirits to see them.
When the information came out about masks being important to help flatten the curve and work to prevent the spread of coronavirus, before you can even look into it, Audrey has purchased color-coordinating masks for all three of you so you can match. But at the same time they are different enough to flatter each of your personal styles. And any time you have to go out, you all make sure to wear the coordinating ones.
Originally the three of you were going to travel to England to meet Audrey’s family for the first time this summer. Of course with the coronavirus you cancelled plans, however the three of your do take the time to FaceTime her family and meet them virtually. And they are all so nice. That’s when you see where Audrey gets her bubbly and friendly personality from.
You also take the time to FaceTime your own family and Billie’s family. For the first time you feel connected to a network of loved ones outside of the three of you and it’s really nice.
Finally, because the three of you are staying home, you take the opportunity to foster pets. You have always wanted to foster neonatal kittens and this is the perfect opportunity. Plus the idea of seeing your girlfriends holding and caring for the kittens makes your heart melt.
In the process the shelter contacts you about a dog to foster. At first, Audrey says no, but they assure you they’ll find a different foster home for them by the end of the weekend. So she begrudgingly allows it and—no kidding she falls in love with the dog.
The dog loves sniffing the kittens (but they are also lowkey terrified because they’re so small and fragile), going on long walks with Audrey, playing fetch or tug-of-war with you, and snuggling up with Billie at night. So you do end up fostering the dog and consider adoption.
However when you meet the applicant and see the dog light up at seeing the children of the family, you know they belong with these adopters who have kids for them to play with. So…even though it’s tough and Audrey sheds some tears, you all remember the good times you had with the dog and know the kittens will be there to snuggle and provide a little comfort when you get home.
Tagged: @marilynroselleprentiss, @saviorinsilk, @chokemepaulson, @versonstar, @find-me-a-constellation, @cordwliagoode, @psychobitchtess, @midnight-lestrange, @mysweetdelia, @venablesbitch, @peachesandlesbians, @nerdaroo, @cordeliafoxxe, @leskaksel, @lovelymspaulson, @grilledcheeseandguavajelly, @whatabluddymess, @natasha-danvers, @saucy-sapphic, @marvelfansince08love, @wilheminawinters, @dontsblameme, @mssallymckenna
Let me know if you would like to be tagged in later works!
#AHS#ahs imagine#ahs headcanon#ahs headcanons#ahs murder house#AHS Murderhouse#ahs hotel#ahs roanoke#ahs apocalypse#ahs apocalypse fanfiction#ahs billie dean howard#billie dean howard#billie x reader#AHS Audrey Tindall#audrey tindall#audrey tindall imagine#audrey tindall x reader#Billie x Reader x Audrey#ahs sarah paulson#sarah paulson#sarah paulson’s characters
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Travel to France
Before you go to France, use this comprehensive online France travel guide to find out all the basics about customs requirements, the culture, weather, currency and more. Also, get tips on when to go and where to go in France.
About France Travel
France is a diverse and rich nation, filled with destinations to suit every taste. The French, while often stereotyped as rude or snobbish, is actually a proud but friendly people. The key is to understand cultural differences. The food in France is among the finest in the world, and it is the largest wine-producing nation in the world.
The French value cuisine, arts, culture, and history. Each region has its own flair and uniqueness. You are about to embark on an enticing adventure, but there are certain details and rules you should know before you go.
How To Get In
All foreign visitors must have a passport. (If you don't have a current passport, start this process as early as possible. Glitches, like a missing birth certificate, can drag this out.) Americans planning to visit for 90 days or longer, or those who plan to study in France, must get a long-stay visa.
Where To Go
Think of France, and most people automatically think of Paris. But there is much more to this country, whether it be the robust stews and beer of the Alsace or the laid-back attitude and sunny beaches of the Riviera and Monaco. There are many other underrated but wonderful cities, as well as unique spa resorts and villages and lovely beaches all around the coastline from the north to the border with Italy.
France is divided into regions, and I would recommend you read up about the distinct personalities of each before deciding on a destination.
Getting There
Most major U.S. airports fly to Paris, some going non-stop, and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle in Paris is the most popular airport in France. Some airlines also fly into other major French cities, such as Lyon and Strasbourg. It takes around 7 hours to get to France from the East Coast.
Getting Around In France
There are many economical and handy ways to get around France. You need to examine where you will be going and how flexible you are.
If you plan to visit villages not accessible by train, a rental car is ideal. The French drive on the same side of the road as Americans, but there are some differences. While traffic lights are commonplace in the States, many intersections in France are traffic circles instead. These are actually much more efficient but might take getting used to. Also, it becomes far more crucial to have good maps if you will rent a car. (Try asking for directions in a foreign language. Not pretty.) Check out the advantages of long term Renault Eurodrive Buy Back Car Leasing.
If you are visiting cities with train stations, rail is convenient and can be inexpensive. The key is to determine whether you will just buy point-to-point tickets (preferable if you will be taking few trips or short trips), European rail passes (if you plan to go country to country) or a France Rail Pass (if you will travel often and long distances, all on one country).
If you plan to visit French cities that are far apart (say Strasbourg and Carcassonne), you might want to check into flying within the country. It's relatively cheap and can save you hours of train travel.
Train Travel
In addition, many cities also have their own transportation system (such as Paris' metro). Even many smaller villages have a bus system. France's transportation system is much more extensive than that of the U.S. Check with the city or region's tourism office.
Next: When to go, Cultural differences, Official holidays and French language
When To Go
Deciding when to go depends on both your temperament and that of France. Climates and the popularity of a region depend heavily on the time of year and vary dramatically from one region to the next.
The North of France is at its busiest in late spring and early summer. The weather is best, but the attractions are packed and the prices are the highest. Also, you might want to avoid the North in August, when most of the natives are on vacation in the South. If swarms of tourists aren't your thing, fall is a wonderful time to visit the north. While you are sure to have a few overcast, windy, rainy days to contend with, things are still very happening this time of year. Winter can be blustery, but there are keen benefits then as well, such as ice skating in Paris or Christmas Markets in Alsace. See Christmas In France.
The South of France is attractive almost any time of year. But remember that it is jammed in August. In May, the Cannes Film Festival packs that city and those nearby, visit city of Nice or the Monaco city-state. Even in fall, sometimes you can dip your toes in the Mediterranean. Don't be fooled, though. Provencal winters can be unexpectedly chilly. Find out more with the France Travel Monthly Calendar.
What Time/Day Is It?
France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, and five hours ahead of New York City. The country does honor daylight savings time, so during that time, it is one more hour ahead, or six hours later than in New York. The French also celebrate several holidays, and visiting during this time can result in some good things (festivals abound and many museums and restaurants remain open) and bad things (most businesses and shops are closed). These are the holidays in 2017:
January 1 - New Year's Day
April 16/17 - Easter Sunday/Monday - Pâques
May 1 - Labor Day - Fête du Travail
May 8 - Victory in Europe Day 1945 - Fête de la Victoire 1945 (marks the end of WWII)
May 25 - Ascension
June 4/June 5 - Whit Sunday/Pentecôte
July 14 - Bastille Day - Fête Nationale
August 15 - Assumption Day - Assomption
November 1 - All Saints Day - La Toussaint
November 11 - Armistice Day (End of WWI) - Le 11 Novembre
December 25 - Christmas Day - Noël
How To Communicate
If at all possible, it is very helpful to at least learn a few basic phrases, especially ones you will use often (such as transportation and menu terms, etc.). Although the French are taught English in grade school, some do not know much English (what do YOU recall from high school Spanish, after all?). They also are more likely to reveal their ability to speak English if you at least make an attempt to speak their language first.
How To Blend In
Many times, people presume the French are being rude when it's actually just due to cultural differences. The French, for instance, always greet each other before speaking. So if you run-up to a French person looking for directions by saying, "How do you get to the Eiffel Tower?" you have just been rude by French standards. Acquaint yourself with French Culture.
Next: Euros; What to Pack; How to plug it in; Calling home and Extra Tips and information
How Much Is That?
In France, the euro is the local currency. This involves a little less math than the previous franc (although I still miss the colorful franc with interesting themes such as "La Petite Prince"). When the euro is more valuable than the dollar, just round up a little (such as, you spend 8 euros and estimate $10 in your head just to be conservative).
Even those who know a little French language may have trouble understanding shop keepers who recite prices. When you ask "Combien?" (How much?), keep a small pad handy so shop keepers can write the amount down.
What To Pack
What to pack for your French trip depends heavily on which region you will visit, where you will stay and how mobile you will need to be while visiting.
If you will be traveling all over the country, hopping the train from one destination to another, pack light. A rolling backpack is great for this, by allowing you to choose between rolling it along or popping it onto your back. If you will, say, fly into Paris and stay in one luxury hotel the entire time, you can be more flexible and pack heavier.
Don't presume you can just find it in France if you need it, however. Good English-language maps or guide books can be tough to find, and it is challenging even in a big city to get an adaptor plug designed to convert an American appliance into the French plugs. (Think about it. They have plenty that allows French appliances to be plugged in while in America because most of the shoppers IN France need that). To be sure you don't have packing regrets, check out this list of the Free France Travel Packing Checklist or these tips for packing light.
How To Plug It In
If you want to use American appliances in France, you will need an adaptor and a converter. The adaptor allows you to plug it into the wall, while a converter changes the electrical current to the French standard. For example, if you have a hairdryer that allows you to change the electrical current, you would only need the adaptor. What some visitors fail to realize is that phone plugs also need adaptors, and without them, you will not be able to connect your laptop. Be sure you also get a telephone adaptor if you plan to take a laptop.
How To Call & E-mail Home
Placing a call home from France involves certain knowledge, but once you get the hang of it, it is surprisingly affordable and relatively easy. But first, you must know the basics. For one thing, most French payphones do not take change, but instead, use "telecasts." These can be purchased at many spots, such as tobacco and convenience stores, for a few euros. You slide the card into the slot on the phone, wait for the prompt on the display, and then enter the phone number (starting with the country code, such as "1" for the U.S.). The display will show how many units you have remaining. Calling on off-hours will eat far fewer units. You can take advantage of time differences by, for instance, calling later in the night when it is late afternoon or early evening in the States.
How To Get Stuff Home
Dreaming of lugging cases of delectable French wine home with you? Think again, unless you want to pay. The U.S. government offers the following restrictions:
Most visitors are allowed to bring back $800 of French goodies without paying duty.
The duty includes up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.
One liter of alcohol is also included in duty-free.
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Best Time to Visit Mexico: A Guide For Travellers
When is the best time to visit Mexico? Well, it really depends on where you’re going, and what you plan to do in this massive country. There’s a reason to travel to Mexico in each season.
The landscape of Mexico is very diverse. While it’s famous for its stunning beaches, the country also boasts deserts, mountains, jungles, and more. Deciding on the best time to visit Mexico largely depends on exactly where you want to go in this fascinating country.
As far as weather goes, it’s generally dry across most of Mexico in the winter and spring. The rainy season typically goes through summer and autumn in most places.
A majority of the 40 million people who visit Mexico each year do so during the winter months. The beach towns are warm and dry, luring in planeloads of travellers escaping winter up north.
I’ve spent a majority of the last 3 years crisscrossing Mexico. In that time, I’ve experienced every month in the country. There have been days with perfect weather, and others with the exact opposite. I’m here to help you figure out the best time to go to Mexico.
Let’s do it! This is the ultimate guide to the best time to visit Mexico.
Peak Season
December-January, March-April, July-August
Not surprisingly, the most popular time to travel to Mexico is during the winter. This is when many snowbirds from the USA and Canada flock south of the border to escape the brutal winters of the north.
It gets especially busy at the end of the year with people travelling for Christmas and New Year’s. This time is often referred to as peak season, especially in coastal destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen.
While it may be the best time to travel to Mexico weather-wise, this is when you’ll find the largest crowds and highest prices. Be sure to lock down your accommodation early if you plan to spend the holidays in Mexico.
During the months of March and April, there’s a whole other peak season in Mexico. This is mostly true in beach towns such as Cancun during American Spring Break as well as Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter).
One sees popular destinations flooded with binge-drinking American students, while the other sees an influx of domestic tourists and travellers from other parts of the region. Outside of the big holidays, the high season in Mexico is a very pleasant time to visit the beach towns.
There is yet another peak season in Mexico during the summer months. After all, this is when children have a long holiday from school. Beach towns and popular archaeological sites are swarmed on the weekends in July and August.
The hot, humid, and rainy weather of the summer keeps most tourists away, so this peak season is mostly with domestic tourists. Travelling during the week in the summer usually means small crowds and low prices.
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Travelling Mexico! It has all you need to know about the costs, cuisine, culture, beaches, cities, pros & cons, safety and much more.
Shoulder Season
March-May, October-November
In my humble opinion, the best time to visit Mexico just might be the shoulder seasons. Come March in Mexico, the crowds start to thin as snowbirds head home. This is also prime whale-watching time on the Pacific coast in places like Cabo San Lucas or La Paz.
With the exception of Semana Santa, April in Mexico is also a really nice time to visit. I recommend skipping out on Easter week unless you enjoy huge crowds and inflated prices.
As far as the weather goes, the shoulder seasons mark the beginning or end of the rainy season. There isn’t much rain yet in May and it starts to taper off towards the end of October.
Another reason the shoulder season is the best time to go to Mexico is the Day of the Dead. This traditional holiday honouring the deceased takes place from November 1-2 and is a fascinating festival to experience.
Off-Season
June-September
The low season for tourism in Mexico happens over the summer months. When I say low season, I mean for international visitors. There are far less people travelling to the coasts of Mexico at this time due to intense heat and heavy rains.
However, as I mentioned above, the summer months are still a busy time for domestic travel. This is mostly true on the weekends, so try to time your visit during the week for smaller crowds and better deals.
Having spent the last three summers living in Puerto Vallarta, I feel like the low season really isn’t that bad. It typically rains at night, so you can still enjoy the beach during the day.
There are also quite a few interesting holidays throughout these months. Oaxaca hosts the Guelaguetza festival of dance and music, while the country celebrates its Independence Day in September.
Best Time To Visit Mexico for Beaches
If you’re headed to Mexico for some sun and sand, the winter months are your best bet.
The weather is nice and warm, the sun is shining, and there’s hardly any rain to speak of. With freezing temperatures in many parts of the world, it’s no wonder people flock to Mexico at this time.
Actually, you may want to consider beating the winter crowd by visiting in November or March. These months may be the best time to go to Mexico to enjoy la playa without hordes of tourists.
As far as beach destinations go, you are spoiled for choices. Mexico has an astounding 9,330 kilometres of coastline. A majority of it is on the Pacific Coast, where you can visit places like Sayulita, Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan and Puerto Escondido.
On the other side, you’ve still got plenty of options. Along the coast with the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, you’ll find some of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Tulum.
Best Time to Visit Mexico for Festivals
Mexico loves a good fiesta, and there always seems to be one going on. If you’re wondering when to go to Mexico to enjoy local festivals, you can honestly choose any month of the year.
Which month you decide to visit for festivals depends on your interests. There are festivals for just about everything in Mexico — food, music, cinema, film, art, literature, and so much more.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Mexico for festivals is in the fall. In October, there’s the Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato, a film festival in Morelia, and the Fiestas de Octubre in Guadalajara. That’s right, the party lasts all month!
It’s worth it to stick around until November to celebrate Day of the Dead. There’s really no bad place to experience this important festival, but some of the best places include Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. This segues perfectly into the next section.
Best Time to Go to Mexico for Cities
Thanks in large part to Day of the Dead festivities, I feel like November is the perfect time to visit Mexico’s cities. I recently spent a whole week in Mexico City to experience the holiday and the weather was perfect.
From there, I headed to Puebla and Oaxaca and had equally amazing weather. Wherever you go for Day of the Dead, just be sure to book well in advance as places fill up quickly.
If you can’t make it to the cities in November, then the spring months are also quite nice. Visiting in April or May means nice weather and fewer tourists, with the exception of Semana Santa when the entire country is busy (in particular, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City).
Best Time to Visit Mexico for Ruins
One of the highlights of travelling to Mexico is visiting the country’s many incredible ruins. Places like Teotihuacan, Palenque, and Chichen Itza are are-inspiring, to say the least. They’re even better when you can enjoy them without massive crowds!
Once again, my vote goes to the shoulder seasons.
While you might have perfect weather at the Tulum ruins in December, you’ll be sharing them with busloads of selfie-stick waving tourists. Come early on a weekday in May and it will be a far more enjoyable experience.
I should mention that it’s always a good idea to visit the ruins early during the day, and during the week rather than weekends. Tour buses usually show up around 9 AM and school field trips in the afternoon. Most ruins are free for Mexicans on Sundays, leading to huge crowds.
Best Time to Visit Mexico for Whale Watching
Every year, whales travel to the Pacific Coast of Mexico during the winter months. There are many different types of whales that make the journey, but the easiest to spot are humpbacks as they’re not afraid of people.
From Baja California all the way down to Oaxaca, there are many opportunities for whale watching. Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are all popular places to spot these majestic creatures.
The best time to visit Mexico for whale watching is between December and March, when they escape the freezing waters further north to mate and bear their calves.
Best Time to Go to Mexico for Cheap Prices
If you’re trying to figure out the cheapest time to go to Mexico, your best bet is to plan a trip during the week in the summer. Sure you might have to deal with some rain and heat, but you’ll do so for a bargain price!
I can’t stress enough that the best deals are found during the week.
In my home away from home of Puerto Vallarta, for example, many hotels are still packed on the weekends with domestic tourists and therefore don’t offer any deals.
Travelling on a random weekday in the summer means you can find hotels and tours for super cheap prices. Many restaurants and bars also offer enticing deals to get people in the door during these slow times. This is definitely the cheapest time to go to Mexico.
Read more about bars and restaurants in Puerto Vallarta: A Guide to Drinking and Dancing in Puerto Vallarta and A Guide to the Top Places to Eat in PV.
Mexico in January
After celebrating New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of reasons to stick around Mexico in January. Actually, there are millions of reasons! I’m talking about the magnificent migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico’s central region.
This is a very popular time to travel to Mexico, as people from colder climates seek to escape the harsh winter. If you want to ditch the snow for sand, Mexico in January is hard to beat!
Festivals in Mexico in January
New Year’s Day
Three Kings Day
Weather in Mexico in January
The weather is quite nice in Mexico in January, especially in coastal destinations. This is prime time for visiting the beach towns the country is famous for.
It can get quite chilly at higher elevations, though. Places like Mexico City and San Cristobal de las Casas will require some warm clothing at this time of year. If it is warmth you seek, you may want to skip these kinds of places, but overall, Mexico is one of the top places to travel to in January.
Mexico in February
February is a great time to be in Mexico for many reasons. The busiest travel time of the year has died down but the weather remains very pleasant across the country.
The good times keep rolling in February, as several cities across Mexico host Carnival celebrations. There are actually several different holidays and festivals throughout the month, making this month a very fun time to visit.
Festivals in Mexico in February
Candlemas
Carnival
San Pancho Music Festival
Weather in Mexico in February
February is a wonderful time to visit Mexico weather-wise. For the most part, you’ll enjoy warm and sunny days with very little rain. It’s the perfect month for a beach vacation without the holiday crowds that are present in December and January.
Our first year in Puerto Vallarta, I remember February being one of the most pleasant months. It can get a tad bit chilly in the evenings even in beach towns like PV, so pack a light sweater and pants.
Mexico in March
March marks the end of the peak season in Mexico. Snowbirds are still hanging out south of the border waiting for the snow to melt up north and there are still plenty of tourists coming in and out for short trips.
If you’re hoping to soak up the sun on a relaxing beach holiday, be sure to check the calendar for American Spring Break. It usually falls in March. As a result, Mexico in March means crowds of hard-partying American kids in places like Cancun.
Festivals in Mexico in March
Festival de Mexico
Guadalajara International Film Festival
Spring Equinox
Weather in Mexico in March
Overall, the weather in March is still quite nice. It starts to get a bit warmer than the other winter months but doesn’t get uncomfortably hot. There still isn’t much rain in March, either.
With the arrival of spring, this is a good time to travel to places at a higher altitude. Mexico City is great this time of year, with nice weather for exploring the city during the day.
Mexico in April
Mexico in April is a very busy time. There’s another peak season when Semana Santa (Holy Week) rolls around. This time, it’s mostly people from across Mexico and Latin America at large who crowd the beaches.
While crowds are big during that week, they start to thin out the rest of the month. April is shoulder season, meaning it’s easier to find deals. There’s definitely a case to be made for April being the best time to visit Mexico.
Festivals in Mexico in April
Jalisco Talentland
Beyond Wonderland Monterrey
Weather in Mexico in April
April really is a fantastic time to travel to Mexico weather-wise. It’s the driest month of the year in the Yucatan and also one of the warmest months in the central part of the country.
If you’re trying to decide when to go to Mexico to enjoy nice weather without huge crowds, April is a good choice. Just be sure to check when Semana Santa (Easter) is and schedule your trip for after it finishes!
Mexico in May
If you’re trying to decide the best time to go to Mexico without big crowds and high prices, May is a solid choice. The high season is long gone and the summer travel season for locals hasn’t started yet.
Festivals in Mexico in May
Cinco de Mayo
Puerto Vallarta Festivals (Down Vallarta, Restaurant Week, Pride)
Weather in Mexico in May
Things are definitely starting to heat up in Mexico in May, especially on the coast and in the lowlands. That being said, it’s not too hot to ruin your trip and there isn’t too much rain yet.
May is a great month for a beach vacation. It’s generally dry and hot, and the crowds are much smaller than the first few months of the year. It’s also a good time to hit some cultural sites like the ruins before the intense summer heat and rain arrives.
Mexico in June
When June rolls around, it’s officially low season in Mexico. Heat and rain tend to scare away many international visitors, while domestic tourists are waiting for their kids to go on summer holiday.
Due to the change in weather, June may be the best time to visit Mexico if you’re hoping to do so on a budget. With smaller crowds comes better deals, and you’ll have your pick of accommodation without needing to book super far in advance.
Festivals in Mexico in June
Dia de los Locos (Day of the Crazy People)
Los Cabos Open of Surf
Weather in Mexico in June
For much of Mexico, June marks the beginning of the rainy season. If you’re hoping to escape the rain, Baja California is your best bet as it is still quite dry there.
Having lived through a few rainy seasons in Mexico, I can speak from plenty of experience that June really isn’t that bad. It might rain for an hour or so during the afternoon but you still have plenty of time to enjoy a day on the beach or exploring the city.
Mexico in July
Mexico in July isn’t much different from June. It’s just a bit hotter and wetter! The heat and rain are enough to scare off most tourists, meaning you’ll find some incredible bargains.
This also begins the busy summer holiday period for Mexicans to travel, but it only gets really busy on weekends. Consider planning a visit during the week to take advantage of low prices and small crowds.
Festivals in Mexico in July
Guelaguetza Festival
Whale Shark Festival
Weather in Mexico in July
If you’re visiting Mexico in July, be sure to pack your umbrella! Rainy season is in full swing across most of the country. It’s also hurricane season over on the east coast, so you may want to take that into consideration before booking a trip there.
It’s not as if it rains all day, every day. Sure, you might get a little wet here and there, but if you get up early you can usually fit plenty in before the rain comes.
Mexico in August
There really isn’t a whole lot to say about Mexico in August to differentiate it from the other summer months. At this point in the summer, things start to get a bit extreme with the heat and rain. There’s a reason you won’t find that many tourists here at this time of year!
That being said, August is still a fine time to travel to Mexico. This is especially true if you’re a music lover. Just take a look at some of the festivals going on this month.
Festivals in Mexico in August
Chamber Music Festival
International Mariachi Festival
Weather in Mexico in August
If I could describe the weather in Mexico in August in one word, it could be caliente! This is the hottest month of the year in the Yucatan and in Baja. Head to higher altitudes if you don’t want to spend your trip dripping sweat.
August is also a very wet month in most places. Be sure to plan some indoor activities during this time.
Mexico in September
In Puerto Vallarta, locals refer to September as “Sept-hambre,” or “the hungry month.” Mexican kids are back in school and the tourists are staying away to avoid the heat and rain, so it’s a super slow time of year tourism-wise.
If you’re wondering what the best time to visit Mexico on a budget is, you’re looking at it! The best deals can be found in Mexico in September, and it’s also quite a festive time to be in the country.
Festivals in Mexico in September
Independence Day
Feria Nacional Zacatecas
Weather in Mexico in September
Keep an eye on the weather forecast if you hope to visit the Yucatan, as this is the peak of hurricane season. It’s also the wettest month of the year on the other coast in Baja, so you can expect to get drenched if travelling there in September.
Temperatures are also quite high across the country. If you head to Mexico in September, you may want to look inland and head to higher elevations to stay cool.
Mexico in October
The low season begins to transition back into the shoulder season in Mexico in October. With temperatures finally falling a bit and the rain easing up, tourists slowly begin to trickle back in.
This is a great time to travel to Mexico as crowds are quite small and it’s still possible to find some excellent deals. If you hope to spend several months here, October is the perfect time to lock down long-term accommodation at a reasonable rate.
Festivals in Mexico in October
Fiestas de Octubre
Cervantino Festival
Weather in Mexico in October
After a long, hot, wet summer, things finally start to cool down a bit in Mexico in October. Actually, it gets downright chilly in the interior of Mexico during the evenings.
The rainy season is coming to an end in October, but it’s still quite wet on both coasts. This is the time of year when (if you live here) you really get fed up with all the rain after several months of it!
Mexico in November
As I’ve already mentioned, November just might be the best time to visit Mexico. The weather is nice and the high season crowds haven’t fully arrived yet.
Perhaps the best part about travelling to Mexico in November is the wealth of festivals going on throughout the country. There’s enough going on here to keep you busy all month, starting with one of the most important Mexican holidays.
Festivals in Mexico in November
Day of the Dead
Revolution Day
Corona Capital
Weather in Mexico in November
Mexico in November is a great time to hit the beach. The water is still nice and warm for swimming, the heavy rains are all but gone, and temperatures are pleasant.
This is also a good month to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors. If you want to visit the ruins and other cultural sites without huge crowds and sweltering heat, do it in November.
Mexico in December
High season is back in full swing in December. With the arrival of bitter cold temperatures up north, the snowbirds once again flock south of the border. Tourists from all corners of the globe head to Mexico to soak up the sun with margaritas and tacos.
With the increase in crowds comes the inevitable increase in price. You’ll definitely want to seek out your accommodation in advance when you travel to Mexico in December. This is especially true for the week of Christmas and New Year’s
Festivals in Mexico in December
Feast of the Virgin Guadalupe
Christmas
Weather in Mexico in December
The weather in Mexico in December is quite nice, especially if you’re travelling from up north! It’s warm and sunny on both coasts and the rain is a thing of the past, making for perfect beach days.
Further inland, this is actually the coldest month of the year in places like Mexico City. Be sure to pack some warm clothing if you’re headed there. If you forget, there’s always tequila to warm you up.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico Overall
So, when really is the best time to visit Mexico? I wish I could give you a definitive answer, but it really depends on what you’re interested in experiencing! Allow me to explain with a few different scenarios:
December – March
If you’re travelling to Mexico for the sole purpose of a nice beach vacation (you don’t want any rain), and you don’t mind splurging on a nice place to stay, you’ll want to visit between December and March.
Christmas and New Year’s
If you’re the type who can plan far in advance and doesn’t mind crowds, the week of Christmas and New Year’s is an amazing time to visit Mexico.
October or November
If your main goal is to soak up the local culture, I’d recommend you visit Mexico in October or November for all the wonderful festivals that go on at that time.
April
Perhaps you’re the type who enjoys the great outdoors more than cities and beaches. If you want to do some hiking in Mexico and visit the ruins without the crowds, then you may want to time your visit in April right after Semana Santa.
Now You Know When to Visit Mexico!
That’s the great thing about planning a trip to Mexico — there really is no bad time to go! The best time to visit Mexico can be any month depending on your interests and your budget.
That being said, based on years of travelling around the country, I’ll cast my vote for November.
While it might not be the cheapest time to go to Mexico, it’s still affordable as it’s not the high season yet. Being able to experience Day of the Dead is reason enough to make this the best time to travel to Mexico.
Once the big holiday wraps up, November makes for an excellent month to travel around Mexico. The weather is nice and the winter crowds haven’t arrived yet. In all of my Mexico travels, I feel like I’ve enjoyed November the most.
However, one thing is for sure, no matter which month you choose to visit, you’re going to have a great time in Mexico. Happy travels!
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My 10 wildlife/photography highlights blogs of 2019: Another amazing year of butterflies including a visit to Knepp
I had another amazing year of seeing butterflies, seeing 45 species overall making my year list my highest ever and meaning there was only one butterfly species I have seen in my life which I didn’t this year. My previous record 2018 total seemed a tough one to follow and try to match or beat indeed you may have read a lot how much I rated what I did for seeing butterflies last summer. But I had a fantastic start to 2019 for butterflies in the hot February and I saw everything I had over the previous years as the months went on and most of it very well. All of a sudden when I saw two species I didn’t in 2018 the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Northern Brown Argus it had an edge and when I saw the Purple Emperor and White-letter Hairstreak at Knepp two of the big 2018 butterflies in the big 2018 trip for me which I didn’t think I’d repeat in 2019 but did the 2018 total looked a little bit more achievable and I was able to make it beating it with another I’d not seen that year the Lulworth Skipper.
The key thing that stands out for my butterflies this year early on was a very early patch of spring. Temperatures in late February were unusually high, as I observed daffodils, snowdrops, frog spawn, many seasonal birds from a Skylark singing in January to Mediterranean Gulls in February and many very sunny days. It was only a matter of time before I saw a butterfly it seemed. I saw one on a day at work flying too high and fast to identify on 21st February. Two days later Brimstone became my first species of 2019 seeing one at home before we left, some on the way to and at butterfly haven Martin Down. Between home and working days I saw at least one more on 24th, 25th and 26th February. On 27th February on a work lunch break though I saw another butterfly species the Peacock dart past me. The first time I had seen two butterfly species prior to March summed up the nature of those couple of weeks.
March started greyer and quieter until an explosion of butterflies on the 23rd and especially sunny 24th. The latter involved a Lakeside walk where I took the Peacock picture the 1st in this photoset and saw plenty of Brimstones along with a varied list of first Small Tortoiseshell, Small White and Speckled Wood of the year. This felt like the important moment where spring was well and truly here with blossom and flowers and it all come together to see a lot of butterflies. On 1st April seeing one of my favourites the Orange Tip on my lunch break like last year beside the River Itchen made me realise the butterfly season had ramped up, this was my earliest ever sighting of one in a year. I had probably my best ever spring for seeing them with so many seen.
On Good Friday at Milkham in the New Forest it felt pivotal in my butterfly year and spring, as I saw my first Comma and Green-veined White of the year. It was a general brilliant and typical spring day but one with exceptionally high temperatures to start Easter with my first Large Red Damselfly of the year seen too and throughout the day six other butterfly species; plenty of Brimstone and Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Small White seen from the car travelling and a Holly Blue in the garden when home a year tick the day before during my lunch break at Abbey Gardens. This set the tone for the massive theme of my whole Easter weekend to be that it was the one of butterflies with into the double figures amount of species seen and so many year ticks too.
A standout day in my year was at Martin Down on the 12th May, when I saw my first Marsh Fritillary (as shown in the 2nd picture in this photoset), Common Blue, Small Heath, Adonis Blue and Brown Argus of the year. As well as Small Copper (shown in the 3rd picture in this photoset at Martin Down), Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak year ticks on a visit here the weekend before and Dingy Skippers a year tick on Easter Sunday at St. Catherine’s Hill as part of a sheer variety and number of species and individual butterflies on a classic spring day. It was the big transition day I often have here in May where I’ve gone from the mid spring butterflies to later ones and summer feels near. This came a week or so earlier this year. Cinnabar Moth, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer seen and Cuckoo heard were other standout moments that afternoon. On the last Saturday of May we were back at Martin Down seeing my first Small Blues of the year. We also saw so many other butterflies on a memorable day and of the nine year tick species I got for them at Martin Down in the month of May I saw eight of these on that afternoon. I went to Martin Down for the last time this year in early July I hadn’t been at that time of year before so it was different for me. I saw a great amount and variety of species of butterflies that day, some of the summer ones and a few of the all-season ones too which stuck in the mind some of which I had never seen here before a perfect end to yet another glorious spring and summer at this one of my favourite and most special wild and biodiverse locations.
As temperatures soared towards the end of June the last weekend of it I started with a memorable night for butterflies and insects, seeing my first Ringlet, Small Skipper, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Scarlet Tiger moth and much more of the year at Lakeside Country Park after work. The next day a Saturday at Farley Mount and Otterbourne the dizzy days of summer where just so many butterflies of so many species were about and I could start to count and rattle off a dwindling list of names of species of butterflies I was yet to see this year had arrived. It felt like one of my key butterfly weekends this year. I saw my first Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admiral of the year at Farley Mount that day with my first Beautiful Demoiselle of the year at Otterbourne by the River Itchen. The next day at Bentley Wood I saw all five of the year ticks from the two previous days, as well as another one and a standout one in my year Purple Hairstreak high in a tree. White Admirals perhaps gave me the most intimate moments of the weekend though with three flying very close to us one right over our heads. Large Skipper, Painted Lady and many Common Blue Damselflies along with Large Red Damselfly, Southern Hawker and Broad-bodied Chasers on a pond also starred. The next weekend into July I started to see Gatekeepers too firstly at Lakeside on the Saturday as a butterfly boom in the season continued.
I mention this here as it was butterflies that took us here but the next Saturday I went to Knepp and it was one of my standout general wildlife moments this year, something that was a massive bonus a star piece of my 2018 super butterfly season which I didn’t expect to do this year. But I did and only my third ever White-letter Hairstreaks and second ever Purple Emperors (10 seen) after last year as year ticks took me where only my 2018 had gone before to 40 butterflies this year and it was an honour to see them. I had probably my best ever Purple Hairstreak afternoon too seeing so many so close too and getting to see their beautiful colour in their wings as shown by the 4th picture I took that day in this photoset. Other highlights were White and Red Admiral, many Gatekeepers, seeing a White Stork flying, two Little Owls and some Fallow Deers.
Also in July the Butterfly Conservation ‘Big Butterfly Count’ started. I did my first over Lakeside on the second day of it, seeing 42 butterflies of eight species, Gatekeeper most numerous with 22 seen so over half. A beautiful Brown Argus was the stand out species of it like last year here. I was very happy with my what I felt were high numbers and the species seen on my first big butterfly count this year. I did do a second count that day when we went to Lymington and saw many butterflies on a sunny afternoon too. Another count at Whitefield Moor in the New Forest the next day produced 11 Gatekeeper, 7 of one of my favourites the Silver-studded Blue a year tick at Fritham in the New Forest the month before and 4 Meadow Brown. Crucially too one Common Grayling in the 15 minutes and with loads seen on the rest of the walk taking my year list to 42 making it at that point level with my highest ever total in a year of 2018 what a moment for me! I did go on to beat this total. A day later I did another Lakeside Big Butterfly Count, seeing 17 Gatekeeper, 6 Meadow Brown, 4 Marbled and Large White, 3 Small Skipper, 1 Brown Argus again and a Red Admiral. I also squeezed one into a working day on what was the hottest day on record that Thursday where a Peacock starred. In early August I did a mini count in the garden the first time I ever did one in the garden before seeing two butterflies, but crucially they were target species and one as I say below I and others had a phenomenal year for the Painted Lady. The next day I saw a Yellow Shell moth in the garden which was great. I saw another Painted Lady in yet another butterfly count I did at Magdalen Hill where Brimstone featured too the next weekend.
In record August bank holiday temperatures we saw a lot of butterflies that weekend wherever we went, with Large and Small Whites everywhere as a lot of the common species had a boom in being seen. Some of the Large Whites were on the butterfly bush in our garden which teemed with butterflies that weekend such as Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell too. Also around that time with nights drawing in and windows being left open when it was dark for a bit a lot of moths got into the house which I enjoyed, one I especially loved seeing come in was a Setaceous Hebrew Character. This year was probably my best for butterflies in the garden with my first this year a Brimstone seen flying over it in the winter months and Holly Blue the same in more spring times then these ones visiting buddleia in the summer. I saw good numbers of butterflies well into September too especially with much nice weather. A visit to Weymouth reserves RSPB Lodmoor and Radipole Lake one Saturday stood out with many Peacock and Small White, Speckled Wood and also my second Clouded Yellow of the year (which is pretty good going) after seeing one at Magdalen Hill the day I did the butterfly count there in August were seen by me alongside a good number of Southern Hawker dragonflies and Common Darter too.
After a very wet spell in October I managed to finally see some butterflies that month a month where I often see one or two on 19th with either a Peacock or Red Admiral quickly before we left that day a very sunny day and then see a Red Admiral and very late Painted Lady at Keyhaven that afternoon. I saw four more Red Admirals at RSPB Arne in Dorset the next day and a week later at nearby Brownsea Island I also saw lots of them. I also saw a lovely Red Admiral again on the sunny afternoon of 10th November at Lymington. The latest identified butterfly I have seen was a Red Admiral at St. Thomas Church in Winchester on November 29th, I also photographed it and this made it (at the time) the latest ever butterfly sighting I’d had in a year and latest ever picture I’d taken of one in a year. I saw a dragonfly on 1st December a Common Darter marking the first dragonfly I had ever seen in December at Weston Shore, Southampton which I found remarkable. On 3rd December my butterfly season looked like ending where it started as I saw one flying over Abbey Gardens, Winchester too fast to see what near where I saw my first butterfly of the year that I couldn’t see which too. This was hugely significant as my first ever butterfly seen in December something I always wondered if I could achieve to mean in my life I have seen butterflies in all twelve months of the year one year or another.
Some of the other standout butterflies I saw this year include; Wall Brown, Duke of Burgundy (shown at Noar Hill in the 5th picture I took in this photoset), Chalkhill Blue, Marbled White (shown in the 6th picture in this photoset at Lakeside), Painted Lady which I saw so many of at many different locations in a strong year for them which everyone observed really this once in a decade event was my best ever summer of this species by far, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and only my second ever Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Bentley Wood as shown in the 7th picture in this photoset one of my greatest butterfly moments of this year. Another big one this year I saw was the Silver-spotted Skipper. Real happiness was mixed with a usual tinge of sadness towards the end of butterfly seasons too when seeing this one at Old Winchester Hill in mid-August, as it was the last year tick I got this year so it was the end of an exciting and very enjoyable journey that when I chased the core bank of summer species was really my main focus in life for a couple of months. But I decided I was just gonna enjoy being at this stage and getting this many seen, and grasping every butterfly experience I had left to come with both hands.
I saw a new butterfly for me this year in June, when on a Scotland day trip as part of our week in Northumberland we saw some Northern Brown Argus at St. Abb’s head. They were such a pretty and rare butterfly to see, bringing me so much joy. I took the 8th picture in this photoset of it.
In late July I saw my second new butterfly of the year when we went to Durlston Country Park on a glorious summer’s day and saw well into the double figures of Lulworth Skippers. It was a beautiful and brilliant butterfly species to see, a real southern and Dorset speciality which I was proud to see. What’s more it was the 43rd butterfly I saw this year which made 2019 my highest ever butterfly year list which was an amazing moment for me. I fitted another Big Butterfly Count into an amazing afternoon with so many butterflies seen one of the key points in my amazing year of butterflies here too which was nice.
The thrill of the chase of trying to achieve butterfly pictures is one of my favourite feelings and two more butterfly pictures I was proud to take in 2019 that are in this photoset are Brimstone at St. Catherine’s Hill and one of many Painted Ladies I was able to take at Pennington.
#butterflies#butterfly#insect#moth#damselfly#bird#2019#painted lady#northern brown argus#lakeside#martin down#lulworth skipper#10#wildlife#photography#birdwatching#highlights#year#decade#favourite#beautiful#2018#knepp#sussex#hampshire#dorset#northumberland#scotland#england
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Florist 2019 Planning
For most florists, planning ahead is second nature. With 2019 now upon us, now is the perfect time to look ahead to the new year’s holidays and slow times.
Image via pexels.com
January can be a slow month in the floral industry, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to get done. Focus this month on your shop’s marketing and organization.
Start a blog: This is a great way to increase your SEO, write a post every now and then to boost your search engine visibility, and keep the buzz going by sharing photos and updates on your social media.
Tip: “How to” blogs are the most-searched!
Review 2018 Valentine’s sales: Start ordering your flowers for Valentine’s day—the earlier you order, the more you save. Don’t forget to order add-ons either: plush, chocolate, candy, etc. are all high-margin items that sell reliably well.
Tip: If this is your first Valentine’s day, don’t order too much. Calibrating the size of your order can be tricky, but when in doubt, start small. You can always re-up in a pinch.
Decorate store and website for Valentine’s: Starting the second week of January (after the official end of Christmas season), make a spectacular Valentine’s display in your store and also make sure your ecommerce site is ready for early bird sales.
Sign up for wedding sites: If you’re a wedding florist, make sure you have profiles on The Knot, Wedding Wire, and My Wedding.
Image via pexels.com
February is a short month and can be slow early on, but Valentine’s Day demand will create an explosion of activity the middle two weeks of the month. It’s important to have everything ready before this rush.
Employee management: Hire and train your holiday help, then go over all employee scheduling and responsibilities by the end of the first week of February.
Tip: This is also a good time to also rent extra delivery vans if needed.
Promotions: Come up with some sales promotions you can offer to attract earlier Valentine’s Day orders. Maybe you can encourage customers to choose delivery dates before the 14th. Share these promotions to your social media and on your flower shop website. Make sure they expire a few days before Valentines.
Take care of yourself: During this busy month, it is important to rest and take time for yourself. Encourage your employees to do the same and wear comfortable clothes, comfy shoes, and make time to eat! Being organized will alleviate most of the Valentine’s day pressure, but it’s important to be well-nourished and comfortable.
Start a holiday journal: It may sound corny or frivolous, but there’s so much even an established shop can learn by keeping some written records. You have your gross receipts, but what about mishaps or funny incidents not included in the data? It helps to reread notes from past holidays to refresh yourself.
Image via pexels.com
March can be one of the most rewarding months in the floral industry. Nestled between the Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day holidays, March allows florists time to relax and get ready for new beginnings with the coming of spring.
Finance review: With the first quarter almost over, now is a good time to get a grasp on your profit and loss for January and February. Add notes about what you may do differently next year, maybe using your shop journal.
Spring cleaning: Customers eagerly anticipate spring, especially if you’re located in an area with cold, snowy winters. Refresh your flower shop decor and get ready for spring!
March Sales Madness: As florists, we know March can be hit or miss with sales, so start a new marketing campaign to drive more sales.
Order your Easter flowers and plants: Easter can fall anywhere between late March and late April, and it may vary widely from one year to the next. Start an order for your Easter flowers and plants, remember that ordering early means savings for you from your suppliers, and you’ll have the best selection.
Image via pexels.com
It’s April, and Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! Use April to prepare.
Order Mother’s Day flowers and supplies: Make sure to place your order for Mother’s Day plants, and flowers, and containers with your supplier. The best time to order is early April.
Showcase your plants: If you’re selling flowering plants, now is a good time to showcase them! This creates a welcoming atmosphere for customers. If you’re able to move some outdoors, this could help with curb appeal.
Promotions and marketing: Start promoting early bird Mother’s Day sales after Easter. Post on your social media and website (this will improve your SEO to boot). One great marketing tip is to offer a giveaway, maybe a gift basket, or free flowers for a few months, and have customers provide their contact information when they make a purchase.
Employee management: It’s time again to make sure you have all your seasonal help lined up. Make sure all current employees understand their schedule and duties.
Tip: If you or any of your employees are new to the floral industry, remember that Mother’s Day is the #1 floral business holiday. Customers order for deliveries throughout the week rather than one day. Be prepared with help, lots of flowers, and beautiful containers.
Image via pixabay.com
May is a great month for the floral industry! Between Mother’s Day and proms, it’s best to be well-prepared so you aren’t caught off guard.
Take a look around: Take an honest look—does your flower shop look appealing to you? Make sure you use a critical eye and take it all in, the appearance, the sounds, and even the smells. Customers are drawn to a beautiful environment that makes them feel relaxed and comfortable.
Employee training: The first week of May is a good time to discuss employee customer service, cross-selling, and up-selling products. Make sure your employees are polite and offer customers upgrades and add-ons with their purchase. This is an easy way to almost triple your profits.
Offer prom promotions: Proms are a way sure to make sales. Build relationships with future long time patrons. Offer a referral discount.
Examine your finances: After the Mother’s Day rush, now is a good time to sit down and see whether or not you made a profit, be sure to calculate all costs and include any spoilage or waste. Keep notes on what you would do different next year.
Image via pixabay.com
June is a lovely month. The start of summer offers a chance to organize your floral business needs. June is the most popular month for weddings, with September and October close behind. Florists are pleasantly surprised with how busy June can get with weddings and graduations.
Refresh your floral website: Update your flower shop for some summer specials, make sure you’re wedding galleries are up to date with pertinent content and keywords.
Offer promotions: Teacher gifts and graduation discounts are a great way to bring in traffic. Be sure to promote these on your floral website and social media.
Order retail products: This is a great time to order some fresh new stock to get customers to flock to your flower shop. There is nothing you cannot sell, so think outside the box! What’s popular? Candles, skin care, plush, home decor, makeup, even unique greeting cards. Brand your flower shop!
Image via pexels.com
We think of July as a month of organization. July can be on the slower side, so it’s very important to have your shop looking its best.
Write a blog: With the free time that July affords you, we especially recommend writing a blog post or three. Write a how-to or write about anything that inspires you. Think about things you search for, read, and watch, and connect it to flowers.
Social media: Take some time to focus on revamping your social media communities. Add content and images, and don’t forget hashtags where appropriate.
Tidy up your flower shop: Time to clean, scrub, wash, organize, label, etc. Freshen up your floral space!
Browse your floral supply stores: July is a great month to look at products in your floral supply store, for example you can often find great deals on holiday items. It’s a great time to stock up.
Image via pexels.com
August can be one of the slowest months in the floral industry. If that’s the case for you, try implementing new ways to market in your flower shop.
Newsletter: Email, snail mail, or both! Send out a newsletter to your customers offering special savings.
Start a workshop or floral party! Get busy with hosting a floral workshop, kids floral birthday parties, and much more. This can lead to great profits and new patrons at your flower shop.
Start preparing for fall! Get your flower shop ready for the most popular season. Create beautiful displays, order new inventory and go for it! We recommend starting this the second-to-last week of August. Don’t forget your fall marketing!
Image via pexels.com
Flowers sales in September pick up rapidly by the middle of the month. Customers are now back to their normal routines with the kids back in school and a new flush of weddings.
Order fall flowers and plants: Stock up on your seasonal flowers and plants.
Revamp your floral website: Add the seasonal touch to your floral website with fresh new content and images. Use proper keywords, specific to the floral industry for SEO advantage.
Launch and Adwords campaign: If your budget allows, try launching an Adwords campaign for more clicks to your ecommerce store. Be sure to set a budget and stick to it as this can get expensive. adwords.google.com
Keep up with your blog: Now that you are a blogging pro, how about writing a seasonal blog or fall wedding blog? We cannot emphasize this enough, regular blog posts have a powerful influence on your search engine ranking.
Tip: Canadian florists, September is a good time start ordering flowers and supplies for Thanksgiving.
Image via pexels.com
October offers some great sales. Now is a good time to start orders on any extra stock supplies and get them at a discount for future use.
Prepare for the holidays: The holidays are just around the corner! Shop around for the best deals on all your flowers, and supplies for the holidays. Also, shop around for holiday products to sell at your shop.
Employee management: Go over employee scheduling and see if you will need extra help for the holiday season.
Host an open house: Host a holiday open house to show off your latest products and floral designs.
Floral expo: Take some time to visit a flower expo in your area and take your employees. This is a good way to stay current with the new trends and get first dibs on new products.
Tip: October is a very popular wedding month, since most wedding proposals are made in December. Consider advertising a wedding package special on your website.
Image via pexels.com
Tis the season for flower sales! November will be great month for you as customers get into the giving mood.
Market the holidays! Add promotions to your floral website and social media!
Start greening: Green those Thanksgiving centerpieces ahead of time, add any taper or candles and put in the cooler for a quick way to add flowers as Thanksgiving sales roll in.
Decorate the shop for the holidays: Time for Christmas cheer. Create eye-appealing displays and make sure your flower shop is festive. If you can make a beautiful Christmas window display or storefront display to bring in curious shoppers.
Offer incentives: Offer Black Friday or Small Business Saturday deals. “Buy ones get ones” are great offers, even if it’s just a couple hours that day. Having a great deal with a cut off time is a good way of creating hype and traffic into your flower shop.
Tip: Don’t forget to revamp your ecommerce site in advance of Christmas and update your social media!
Image via pexels.com
With a number of winter holidays converging on December, many florists enjoy a huge uptick in sales in December, especially for Christmas. This can vary from place to place, but December is overall the third best month for floral retail sales after May and February, which is really saying something.
Employee management: Set expectations for your employees—remind them to discuss upgrades and add-ons for each customer’s order. Remember to review the days you will be closed and work out a firm schedule, you don’t want to be caught shorthanded. You may also consider bringing in extra seasonal help around the holidays to keep things running smoothly.
Christmas greens: Many customers will come to you looking to buy Christmas greenery. Be sure to place your order early so you have a sufficient stock of wreaths, garlands, etc.
Plan your discounts: Sometimes offering a discount too early for Christmas can become forgetful to customers who may not be ready. Post Christmas discounts during this month and make sure to have an expiration time or date. Great discounts are gifts for parents, teachers, corporate and the person, who has everything. Flower still remain the perfect gift.
Tip: Don’t forget to market to businesses! holiday parties and corporate decorating can be huge, so offer incentives to entice them to book with you for their flower needs.
With all that said, florists, if you have any tips or thoughts on yearly or monthly planning, please leave them in the comments below!
____________
Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.
Florist 2019 Planning published first on YouTube
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Text
Florist 2019 Planning
For most florists, planning ahead is second nature. With 2019 now upon us, now is the perfect time to look ahead to the new year’s holidays and slow times.
Image via pexels.com
January can be a slow month in the floral industry, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to get done. Focus this month on your shop’s marketing and organization.
Start a blog: This is a great way to increase your SEO, write a post every now and then to boost your search engine visibility, and keep the buzz going by sharing photos and updates on your social media.
Tip: “How to” blogs are the most-searched!
Review 2018 Valentine’s sales: Start ordering your flowers for Valentine’s day—the earlier you order, the more you save. Don’t forget to order add-ons either: plush, chocolate, candy, etc. are all high-margin items that sell reliably well.
Tip: If this is your first Valentine’s day, don’t order too much. Calibrating the size of your order can be tricky, but when in doubt, start small. You can always re-up in a pinch.
Decorate store and website for Valentine’s: Starting the second week of January (after the official end of Christmas season), make a spectacular Valentine’s display in your store and also make sure your ecommerce site is ready for early bird sales.
Sign up for wedding sites: If you’re a wedding florist, make sure you have profiles on The Knot, Wedding Wire, and My Wedding.
Image via pexels.com
February is a short month and can be slow early on, but Valentine’s Day demand will create an explosion of activity the middle two weeks of the month. It’s important to have everything ready before this rush.
Employee management: Hire and train your holiday help, then go over all employee scheduling and responsibilities by the end of the first week of February.
Tip: This is also a good time to also rent extra delivery vans if needed.
Promotions: Come up with some sales promotions you can offer to attract earlier Valentine’s Day orders. Maybe you can encourage customers to choose delivery dates before the 14th. Share these promotions to your social media and on your flower shop website. Make sure they expire a few days before Valentines.
Take care of yourself: During this busy month, it is important to rest and take time for yourself. Encourage your employees to do the same and wear comfortable clothes, comfy shoes, and make time to eat! Being organized will alleviate most of the Valentine’s day pressure, but it’s important to be well-nourished and comfortable.
Start a holiday journal: It may sound corny or frivolous, but there’s so much even an established shop can learn by keeping some written records. You have your gross receipts, but what about mishaps or funny incidents not included in the data? It helps to reread notes from past holidays to refresh yourself.
Image via pexels.com
March can be one of the most rewarding months in the floral industry. Nestled between the Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day holidays, March allows florists time to relax and get ready for new beginnings with the coming of spring.
Finance review: With the first quarter almost over, now is a good time to get a grasp on your profit and loss for January and February. Add notes about what you may do differently next year, maybe using your shop journal.
Spring cleaning: Customers eagerly anticipate spring, especially if you’re located in an area with cold, snowy winters. Refresh your flower shop decor and get ready for spring!
March Sales Madness: As florists, we know March can be hit or miss with sales, so start a new marketing campaign to drive more sales.
Order your Easter flowers and plants: Easter can fall anywhere between late March and late April, and it may vary widely from one year to the next. Start an order for your Easter flowers and plants, remember that ordering early means savings for you from your suppliers, and you’ll have the best selection.
Image via pexels.com
It’s April, and Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! Use April to prepare.
Order Mother’s Day flowers and supplies: Make sure to place your order for Mother’s Day plants, and flowers, and containers with your supplier. The best time to order is early April.
Showcase your plants: If you’re selling flowering plants, now is a good time to showcase them! This creates a welcoming atmosphere for customers. If you’re able to move some outdoors, this could help with curb appeal.
Promotions and marketing: Start promoting early bird Mother’s Day sales after Easter. Post on your social media and website (this will improve your SEO to boot). One great marketing tip is to offer a giveaway, maybe a gift basket, or free flowers for a few months, and have customers provide their contact information when they make a purchase.
Employee management: It’s time again to make sure you have all your seasonal help lined up. Make sure all current employees understand their schedule and duties.
Tip: If you or any of your employees are new to the floral industry, remember that Mother’s Day is the #1 floral business holiday. Customers order for deliveries throughout the week rather than one day. Be prepared with help, lots of flowers, and beautiful containers.
Image via pixabay.com
May is a great month for the floral industry! Between Mother’s Day and proms, it’s best to be well-prepared so you aren’t caught off guard.
Take a look around: Take an honest look—does your flower shop look appealing to you? Make sure you use a critical eye and take it all in, the appearance, the sounds, and even the smells. Customers are drawn to a beautiful environment that makes them feel relaxed and comfortable.
Employee training: The first week of May is a good time to discuss employee customer service, cross-selling, and up-selling products. Make sure your employees are polite and offer customers upgrades and add-ons with their purchase. This is an easy way to almost triple your profits.
Offer prom promotions: Proms are a way sure to make sales. Build relationships with future long time patrons. Offer a referral discount.
Examine your finances: After the Mother’s Day rush, now is a good time to sit down and see whether or not you made a profit, be sure to calculate all costs and include any spoilage or waste. Keep notes on what you would do different next year.
Image via pixabay.com
June is a lovely month. The start of summer offers a chance to organize your floral business needs. June is the most popular month for weddings, with September and October close behind. Florists are pleasantly surprised with how busy June can get with weddings and graduations.
Refresh your floral website: Update your flower shop for some summer specials, make sure you’re wedding galleries are up to date with pertinent content and keywords.
Offer promotions: Teacher gifts and graduation discounts are a great way to bring in traffic. Be sure to promote these on your floral website and social media.
Order retail products: This is a great time to order some fresh new stock to get customers to flock to your flower shop. There is nothing you cannot sell, so think outside the box! What’s popular? Candles, skin care, plush, home decor, makeup, even unique greeting cards. Brand your flower shop!
Image via pexels.com
We think of July as a month of organization. July can be on the slower side, so it’s very important to have your shop looking its best.
Write a blog: With the free time that July affords you, we especially recommend writing a blog post or three. Write a how-to or write about anything that inspires you. Think about things you search for, read, and watch, and connect it to flowers.
Social media: Take some time to focus on revamping your social media communities. Add content and images, and don’t forget hashtags where appropriate.
Tidy up your flower shop: Time to clean, scrub, wash, organize, label, etc. Freshen up your floral space!
Browse your floral supply stores: July is a great month to look at products in your floral supply store, for example you can often find great deals on holiday items. It’s a great time to stock up.
Image via pexels.com
August can be one of the slowest months in the floral industry. If that’s the case for you, try implementing new ways to market in your flower shop.
Newsletter: Email, snail mail, or both! Send out a newsletter to your customers offering special savings.
Start a workshop or floral party! Get busy with hosting a floral workshop, kids floral birthday parties, and much more. This can lead to great profits and new patrons at your flower shop.
Start preparing for fall! Get your flower shop ready for the most popular season. Create beautiful displays, order new inventory and go for it! We recommend starting this the second-to-last week of August. Don’t forget your fall marketing!
Image via pexels.com
Flowers sales in September pick up rapidly by the middle of the month. Customers are now back to their normal routines with the kids back in school and a new flush of weddings.
Order fall flowers and plants: Stock up on your seasonal flowers and plants.
Revamp your floral website: Add the seasonal touch to your floral website with fresh new content and images. Use proper keywords, specific to the floral industry for SEO advantage.
Launch and Adwords campaign: If your budget allows, try launching an Adwords campaign for more clicks to your ecommerce store. Be sure to set a budget and stick to it as this can get expensive. adwords.google.com
Keep up with your blog: Now that you are a blogging pro, how about writing a seasonal blog or fall wedding blog? We cannot emphasize this enough, regular blog posts have a powerful influence on your search engine ranking.
Tip: Canadian florists, September is a good time start ordering flowers and supplies for Thanksgiving.
Image via pexels.com
October offers some great sales. Now is a good time to start orders on any extra stock supplies and get them at a discount for future use.
Prepare for the holidays: The holidays are just around the corner! Shop around for the best deals on all your flowers, and supplies for the holidays. Also, shop around for holiday products to sell at your shop.
Employee management: Go over employee scheduling and see if you will need extra help for the holiday season.
Host an open house: Host a holiday open house to show off your latest products and floral designs.
Floral expo: Take some time to visit a flower expo in your area and take your employees. This is a good way to stay current with the new trends and get first dibs on new products.
Tip: October is a very popular wedding month, since most wedding proposals are made in December. Consider advertising a wedding package special on your website.
Image via pexels.com
Tis the season for flower sales! November will be great month for you as customers get into the giving mood.
Market the holidays! Add promotions to your floral website and social media!
Start greening: Green those Thanksgiving centerpieces ahead of time, add any taper or candles and put in the cooler for a quick way to add flowers as Thanksgiving sales roll in.
Decorate the shop for the holidays: Time for Christmas cheer. Create eye-appealing displays and make sure your flower shop is festive. If you can make a beautiful Christmas window display or storefront display to bring in curious shoppers.
Offer incentives: Offer Black Friday or Small Business Saturday deals. “Buy ones get ones” are great offers, even if it’s just a couple hours that day. Having a great deal with a cut off time is a good way of creating hype and traffic into your flower shop.
Tip: Don’t forget to revamp your ecommerce site in advance of Christmas and update your social media!
Image via pexels.com
With a number of winter holidays converging on December, many florists enjoy a huge uptick in sales in December, especially for Christmas. This can vary from place to place, but December is overall the third best month for floral retail sales after May and February, which is really saying something.
Employee management: Set expectations for your employees—remind them to discuss upgrades and add-ons for each customer’s order. Remember to review the days you will be closed and work out a firm schedule, you don’t want to be caught shorthanded. You may also consider bringing in extra seasonal help around the holidays to keep things running smoothly.
Christmas greens: Many customers will come to you looking to buy Christmas greenery. Be sure to place your order early so you have a sufficient stock of wreaths, garlands, etc.
Plan your discounts: Sometimes offering a discount too early for Christmas can become forgetful to customers who may not be ready. Post Christmas discounts during this month and make sure to have an expiration time or date. Great discounts are gifts for parents, teachers, corporate and the person, who has everything. Flower still remain the perfect gift.
Tip: Don’t forget to market to businesses! holiday parties and corporate decorating can be huge, so offer incentives to entice them to book with you for their flower needs.
With all that said, florists, if you have any tips or thoughts on yearly or monthly planning, please leave them in the comments below!
____________
Floranext makes great florist software. Florist websites, floral POS, florist wedding/event proposal software, and florist technology. Let us know if you want a free demo or try our software for free here.
from Flower Decoration http://bit.ly/2TqzBvu
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The Daily Thistle
The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland
Sunday 12th August 2018
"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Quite a breeze blowing this morning as Bella and I leave the house, the normal silence of the morning gone, replaced by the sounds of blinds slapping where the owner failed to tighten them, shutter rattling as the wind buffets, palm trees are rustling as their leaves are scrapping against one and other, Gulls are calling as if protesting against being woken so early, after all it is only 3.30am, but we are unperturbed by the wind and the noises of nature, so up the hill towards the old hermitage we venture… at the top we stand, Bella with her nose in the air, scenting the smells from the town below, me watching shooting stars rain down on the atmosphere above, until finally we turn and head for the house….
HISTORIC EDINBURGH CHURCH FOR SALE - FOR SAME PRICE AS LONDON FLAT…. A stunning 19th century church in Edinburgh has gone on the market for the same price as a studio London flat. The Gothic style building offers accommodation split over three different levels for around £590,000. Sitting on the corner between London Road and Easter Road, the B-listed building is merely a mile from the centre of Edinburgh. Anyone buying the building is able to remove various fixtures and fittings contained within the land -- including a war memorial. The Church of Scotland building also boasts a Tudor style hall, a spacious sanctuary and a practical meeting hall. The building was closed after the London Road and Holyrood Abbey Parish churches joined together as part of plans to reorganise the churches in the east of Edinburgh. And the church has been the subject of a campaign from a local group called Save London Church” seeking to buy it using community right-to-buy legislation. A brochure advertising the Church of Scotland building suggests a number of different uses for the former religious building. It reads: “The Property is Category B* listed as a crèche, day nursery, day centre, educational establishment, museum or public library. “It has potential for a variety of other uses, subject to obtaining planning and listed building consents. “The Sanctuary is spacious and airy, with a balcony on three sides above. “There is also a bright and practical meeting hall which has potential to be used for a variety of purposes.” For the same price, you can get a new-build 471 sq ft studio flat in the Camden area of London.
ROXBURGHE HOTEL SET TO BE SOLD…. Roxburghe Estates has announced it will sell one of its landmark properties next month. The ownership of the 22-bedroom Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, based in Heiton, near Kelso, will transfer to Bespoke Hotels – the largest independent hotel group in the UK – at the end of July. The Duke of Roxburghe said: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Bespoke, knowing that they have exciting plans for the future and will invest significantly in the business. “We look forward seeing the Roxburghe grow in the years ahead under new ownership and achieving our long-term vision of a high-quality resort destination. “We strongly believe the Roxburghe has a secure and successful future under Bespoke Hotels’ management.” While hotel management experts ICMI will no longer be in charge at the hotel, the Duke said that the staff at the hotel and golf course will retain their jobs. In 2010, planning consent was granted for 60 holiday lodges, a new clubhouse and conversion of the existing clubhouse to a 10-bedroom dormy house, all of which stood as a key factor in Bespoke’s strong interest and decision to acquire the business.
BREWDOG EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR FIRST AUSTRALIAN BREWERY…. Fresh from appointing a managing director for its US arm, craft beer maker BrewDog has named its “top dog” for Australia as it eyes possible sites for its first brewery Down Under.
Zarah Prior, who previously held the role of “head of people” at the Aberdeenshire-based firm before joining Australia’s Stone & Wood Brewing Co last year as head of engagement, has now returned to the company, tasked with identifying locations for its new production facility. The Ellon-headquartered brewer, which recently opened its 100,000 square foot brewery in Columbus, Ohio, and appointed Tanisha Robinson as managing director of BrewDog USA, is focusing its initial searches around the “fast-developing” areas of Brisbane in Queensland and Newcastle in New South Wales. Over the past eight years, the firm’s “Equity for Punks” crowdfunding initiative has attracted investment of more than £40 million from some 55,000 people around the world. In April, US private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners bought a stake of about 22 per cent in the business in a deal that valued it at about £1 billion.
Prior, an Australian native who holds an MBA from the University of Queensland, said: “Our Australian Equity Punk community has been crying out for BrewDog to set up shop closer to home, so we are excited to finally be making that happen.
“We are open to redeveloping an existing industrial site with a 2,000 to 4,000 square metre built-up facility, or alternatively a plot of land able to comfortably accommodate a new build of that size with expansion capabilities in the future.”
AXE FALLS ON LOOPALLU MUSIC FESTIVAL AFTER 13 YEARS…. One of the biggest festivals in the Highlands and Islands is to be axed after this year. Organisers of Loopallu, which has brought the likes of Paolo Nutini, Franz Ferdinand, Mumford and Sons and Twin Atlantic to Ullapool, will be staged for the last time this September. The announcement came after the event was forced to relocate from the Broomfield Holiday Park, on the banks of Loch Broom, after a dispute with its owners. The View, Glasvegas, Hunter and the Bear, Turin Brakes, The Rezillos and The Vatersay Boys will be among the acts to perform at the event's swansong, which will be staged at Ullapool harbour. Loopallu was founded by Ullapool-based promoter Rob Hicks in 2005, with the American band Hayseed Dixie helping to get the event off the groud by headlining the first two festivals. The event, championed by BBC DJs Janice Long, Mark Radcliffe and Vic Galloway, is believed to the most lucrative of the year for the local economy. However the relocation to the harbour meant the event's capacity was forced to be cut. A statement on the Loopallu Facebook page said: "With a heavy heart, we’ve decided that our 13th outing is going to be our last. There’s no time to be sad, it’s time to celebrate what has made Loopallu so special over the years. "Time to celebrate how the little event with a big heart transformed a small west coast village at the end of the season, bringing millions of pounds into the economy over the years, and not to mention the priceless friendships established. "It’s time to bring back some of our favourite acts over the years, but also introduce some new ones too; some established household names and some stars of the future. "The whole team would like to say a big thank you to all who have come over the years, your support and enthusiasm made the event what it was and what it is.
BUDGET COFFEE CHAIN EASYCOFFEE OPENS FIRST EDINBURGH STORE…. Budget coffee chain EasyCoffee is set to open its first Edinburgh outlet. The cafe chain, founded by EasyJet tycoon Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, already has £1 coffee shops in cities across England, with the Capital site set to be its first in Scotland. The shop has opened opposite the Haymarket train station. A cup of coffee or tea sells from £1 in EasyCoffee shops, with food like a ham and cheese toastie costing around £3.20. The chain has already announced plans for 200 new stores in major high street locations as it seeks to take on market leaders like Costa Coffee, Pret A Manger and Starbucks, although the locations are being kept a closely guarded secret. Announcing the Edinburgh store, CEO Nathan Lowry said: “EasyCoffee has been popping up all over and we are finally heading to Scotland. “We are just so chuffed to have found the right location with plenty of seating and free wifi, the right team and cannot wait to be a part of the neighbourhood.” He said the firm also had plans for the ‘world’s first’ Irn-Bru Freeze frozen drink to be sold from the Haymarket shop.
On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,
Our look at Scotland today is by Anna Deacon who said the light was gorgeous when she took this photo of Cramond Island on Sunday.
A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Sunday 12th August 2018 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…
All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in
Be safe out there…
Robert McAngus
#Scotland
#News
#Spain
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