With flowers being the most popular gift on Valentine's Day, you don't want to wait until the last minute to purchase them. Prices go through the roof the day before Valentine's Day, so you need to order early. Most florists will allow you to put in an advance order for far less and you just need to pick them up on the big day.

There are florists online that allow you to browse a catalog on their website to choose the bouquet that you want to buy. Then you just need to specify when it will be needed. They can even send it to your sweetheart for you, a great option if you have a long distance relationship.

However, if you want to do something extra special for your girl (or guy) then you will want to actually visit the flower shop at least a week or two in advance and discuss your options. While online ordering works well for standard arrangements, if you want to do something unique, you'll need to discuss it with the florist early on. This way you can arrange for the best possible price and have the arrangement ready for you on the day you need it.

There are a few other ways to make sure that you get your flowers ahead of time but still keep them in great condition for Valentine's Day. Apart from placing an advance order so you can just get the flowers when you need them, often netting you a much lower price, you have some other options.

If you choose to actually buy the flowers a few days in advance, make sure you don't buy fast wilting ones. Go for sturdy flowers like carnations or heavy duty roses. To make sure they last, keep them in the refrigerator or another cool place, since heat can kill flowers faster than anything.

Take the flowers out of their packaging as soon as you get them and place them in fresh, cool water. You'll want to remove any lower leaves carefully, holding the stems under the water and being careful not to mark the bark. Next, cut the bottoms of the stems off at a 45º angle, again, underwater. This prevents air bubbles from forming on the freshly cut edges and preventing the flower from taking in water.

Dropping an aspirin tablet into the water can prolong the life of your flowers, as can changing the water each day. Tulips also do well if you add a penny to the water. It prevents them from opening too much and losing their beautiful shape. Little tricks like these can help your Valentine's flowers last until you're ready to give them to your darling. Before giving the flowers to your lady, make sure you arrange them nicely in a vase. The vase doesn't have to be fancy, but it can really set off the flowers.

Buying flowers ahead of time is not the best option, but ordering them early certainly is. Pay early and you can rest easy that you'll have great flowers on Valentine's Day, without paying a small fortune.