KUCHING: A man who is in love with his girlfriend is splurging over RM520 on a special Valentine’s Day gift – a bouquet made of roses crafted from RM10 bills.
Brighton Square’s Sunny Bouquet florist, run by Jesmyn Lai and San San has created a unique bouquet of roses using 52 banknotes.
According to Lai, it took two people a day to carefully fold the banknotes into stalks of roses, creating a one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone.
This work showcases the talent and dedication of the team at Sunny Bouquet, who despite their youth, exhibit remarkable potential and promise in their craft.
“We wanted to offer something truly special and unique for those looking to express their love and affection,” said Lai, owner of Sunny Bouquet.
“The heart-shaped bouquet made of RM10 bills is a new twist on the traditional bouquet of flowers and represents a significant investment in love and commitment.
“For this bouquet, it is not just a symbol of love and commitment, but also a way for couples to express their feelings in a culturally meaningful way.
“The choice of the numbers 5, 2, and 0, can be pronounced as “wǒ ài nǐ” in Mandarin, which translates to “I Love You.” she added.
“This gift truly showcases the couple’s willingness to invest in their love and commitment, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on the recipient,” said Lai, a former quantity surveyor.
Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply as a way to express one’s feelings, the heart-shaped bouquet made of RM10 bills is a gift that is sure to be cherished.
Since the business opened in 2019, Lai said they have received close to 25 orders for money bouquets. The orders have varied in size, with some as low as RM300 and others as high as RM5,200.
To make it easier for customers to make their selections, she posts all of their creations on their Instagram account. This allows customers to get a feel for what they’re looking for before they place a booking.
The price of a money bouquet, not including the value of the cash, varies depending on the number of banknotes included.
For 20 to 49 pieces, the cost is RM100. For 50 to 79 pieces, the price is RM180. And for 80 to 100 pieces, the price is RM250. Additionally, a workmanship fee of between RM60 to RM150 is charged for each bouquet that only includes the baby’s breath.
“When creating a money bouquet with cash, one of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring the bills are in good condition and ready to be folded into the desired shapes,” said Lai.
“The bills must be crisp and without any tear or damage, as any imperfections can significantly impact the appearance and quality of the bouquet. Additionally, folding the bills into the desired shapes is time-consuming and requires a high level of skill and precision.
“Handling large amounts of cash also comes with security concerns, which is why we take the necessary precautions to protect the money and the people involved. We understand the importance of having a top-quality product and that’s why we put in the effort to ensure every money bouquet meets our high standards.”
During the interview, Lai and San San, assisted by her husband Kueh, were seen in a hurry to complete an order. They were carefully folding each RM10 bill and then combining five of them to create each stalk of the rose, making them look full and lifelike.
It’s not just the man who is giving the gift of “money-flowers” to his beloved. Such orders have increased by about 10 per cent mostly from couples recently, according to Lai.
In addition to the heart-shaped bouquets made of money, some customers also requested flower boxes filled with RM50 or RM100 bills to be used as gifts for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or other significant events.
