Make a Corsage & Boutonniere From Grocery Store Flowers

Today corsages and boutonnieres are typically reserved for life's special occasions, but it wasn't always that way. In fact, their history dates back to the 1700s. Boutonniere is the French word for "button hole." Early boutonnieres were simple, often comprised of a single stem. Men would traditionally wear these to ward off evil spirits, illness, bad odors and misfortune. Many men even took to wearing one on a daily basis. Nowadays, the daily boutonniere has been replaced by lapel pins.

Hundreds of years ago, women would wear flowers in the center of their dresses. Corsages were originally called "bouquet de corsage" and took their name from the bodice of a woman's dress. Eventually the name was shortened to corsage. They too were worn for the same reasons as boutonnieres, in addition to being a tradition at weddings. Since their origin, corsages have migrated to the wrist and hair. Nowadays, corsages and boutonnieres are given as gifts for dances, weddings, Mother's Day and even birthdays.

The creative process in creating boutonnieres and corsages is endless. Assorted flowers, succulents, natural elements such as pinecones, decorative twigs and a lovely array of ribbons allow for diverse, unique touches. Designing them is almost as fun as wearing them! Grab our step-by-step tips for creating your own corsage and boutonniere below, then head to the grocery store and stock up on supplies. Here's what you'll need:

Now take a peek at the gallery below to create your very own: