Many of us like roses, but what if we are allergic to them, or if they are simply too expensive for our budgets? In fact, there’s a way to have the beauty of roses in your house all the time, without the expense and upkeep. Called “replica roses,” these silk roses are every bit as beautiful as fresh ones, except that they’re even better. They last forever, they won’t cause allergic reactions, they never need to be watered, and they won’t die.

Replica roses can be used wherever you would have fresh roses. Send them to loved ones for anniversary presents or birthdays, say thankyou to friends or family with a single rose, or present a whole giftwarapped bouquet of fake roses to a sick friend in the hospital to brighten up their day.

Replica roses have other benefits, too. Because hospitals are increasingly asking visitors not to bring in fresh flowers or live plants, fake roses can provide this type of gift to raise spirits without upsetting the hospital. And if you think this “no fresh flowers” rule is simply frivolous, think again. In fact, fresh flowers can bring in bacteria, too, which can be risky to patients in the hospital. Therefore, many hospitals have simply outlawed fresh or live flowers or plants. Silk or fake flowers can provide the same great things as fresh flowers can, without any of the drawbacks.