Flowers Are Used To Convey Love, Says Florist
“Valentine’s Day is a day for sharing the love,it is not only meant for lovers. It is more like a special family day where relatives give flowers to convey their love to their family members,” Mrs Kaitani said.
Sunday 14 February 2021 | 08:05
Florist Maria Kaitani (right) with her sister Miriama Adinawa at the Post Fiji, Suva on February 12, 2021. Photo: Karalaini Waqanidrola
Valentine’s Day is not restricted to lovers only, says florist Maria Kaitani.
“Over the years that I have been a florist I have had children buying flowers for their mothers, brothers buying for their sisters, nieces and nephews for their aunts and special ones for grandmothers,” Mrs Kaitani said.
“Valentine’s Day is a day for sharing the love it is not only meant for lovers,” she said.
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“It is more like a special family day where relatives give flowers to convey their love to their family members.
“It gives a good feeling as nothing beats family bonding.”
Mother of three Mrs Kaitani was startled when she was approached to set up a table at the entrance of the main Post Office in Suva.
Her two older children aged 15 and nine attend secondary and primary schools while the two-year-old stays home.
“I was started when a lady approached me to ask if I want to set up a florist table for Valentine’s Day at the entrance of the Post Office,” Mrs Kaitani said.
“This is the first time I am doing this as I have a stall at the Suva Market. It is a priviledge to be working with Post Fiji.
“I get my own flowers and arrange them according to the customer’s order. The customer buys a card, a bar of chocolate from Post Fiji which I include in their order.
“If the order is within Suva we deliver at a cost, if the order is for Makoi and or further then EMS is engaged.”
She has been at the Post Office since Monday until yesterday.
Her arrangements were priced from $10, $15 and $25 plus $5 for cost of delivery.
Due to demand and the amount of orders she was working on since Wednesday she had to get her younger sister Miriama Adinawa to come and help her.
Mrs Kaitani’s late mother was one of the first to set up their florist business at the Suva Market.
She passed away ten years ago and Mrs Kaitani has taken over since.
She lives in Tamavua and has even taken over her late mother’s flower garden.
“For Valentine’s Day I use red ginger, small red roses and orchids plus greens.
“I also sell flower bunches from $5 depending on the size.
“And I also make flower arrangements for other occasions including funerals.
“This is our livelihood. My husband attends to our flower garden; he prunes and cuts them for me.”
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
