Autumn Rose

I know its an awful thought, but could this possibly be one of the last blooms this year?  When I was a boy, my mother told me that my grandfather who was a very keen gardener had a method of preserving roses so that they would open in time to put on the table on Christmas day. I wish I had listened to her in more detail as this is something I would love to be able to do.  All I can remember is that it involved the use of tinfoil and the way he wrapped it to preserve its freshness.  Are there any experts out there who can advise?