There comes a time when even the most austere of us must give thought to decorating. Whether it is because you have a house warming, or you have been put in charge of planning a conference sometimes you just can’t avoid needing to decorate something. While you may prefer to never have to make such choices, it is now up to you to decide between balloons or flower arrangements. The better bet is to go with flower arrangements. Before you go to your local florist, however, you might want to give some thought to buying artificial flowers instead of the real thing.

I can hear you clucking your tongue already, but honestly there are several great reasons to make this decision. Real flowers have a problem: they wilt and grow old pretty quickly. Also, many people have allergic reactions to the scent flowers put out. When you buy silk flowers you cannot only use them again, but they are less likely to cause any allergy problems with your guests.

If you’ve ever bought fresh flowers at the florist or even at the grocery store, you know that they don’t last that long. And, we all know that those packets of “flower food” never work, right? So, why not spend your money on some flowers that will last more than just a few days? Artificial, or silk flowers, are a great alternative to fresh flowers. And, guess what? No white, powdery “flower food” is required.

So, aside from never dying, what’s so great about these flowers? Another benefit of artificial flowers is their variety. You don’t have to select traditional styles of silk flowers if they don’t fit the function. Silk flowers come in all types, colors and sizes. And, you don’t have to wait for your favorite flower to come into season in order to get it! From roses to tulips, peonies to orchids—the choice is really yours when it comes to these flowers.

Going to your local craft or home décor store will provide many options for you to choose from. Most are sold by the individual flower or sometimes in bunches. Often, these stores will even take the guesswork out for you and have pre-made floral arrangements available for purchase. Or, you can make your own! These flowers always look fresh and add something special to your home.

There are also many choices regarding how to display your flowers. In a simple clear vase is always classic—but you can also choose pottery or some other unique container to display them in.

Not a big fan of flowers? There are other options for you too besides artificial flowers. There are artificial plants and trees that are available to match your individual style. Stores offer bamboo, palm trees and simple greenery for you to color your home with. The heights and sizes of these trees vary to find the right size for your space. So, the easy choice really is choosing artificial or silk flowers. The hard part is choosing which type of flower to decorate with!