Over 80% of Americans feel happy when they receive flowers, and 88% feel happy when giving flowers to someone else!
Flowers are the perfect way to say "I'm thinking of you" and "You're special to me." However, choosing the right floral arrangement for friends and family can feel tricky.
How can you choose floral arrangements that are happy but not immature and endearing but not romantic?
Follow these six tips next time you're shopping for floral arrangements.
1. Choose Flowers in Season
Seasonal flowers are usually more affordable and better for the environment. Celebrate the changing seasons and add some flair to your recipient's home with seasonal flowers. They're guaranteed to bring a smile to your loved one's face.
Spring Flowers
Flowers for spring are usually bright and fresh. After a long, cold winter, spring floral arrangements are an excellent way to celebrate the sunshine. Some popular spring flowers include:
- Lillies
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Tulips
- Sweet Peas
Summer Flowers
As the weather grows hot, celebrate the season with cool summer flowers. Summer floral arrangements bring some bright sunshine indoors. Try these varieties:
- Love-lies-bleeding
- African marigold
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers
- Celosia
Autumn Flowers
Fall is the most popular season among Americans. Many of us look forward to cozying up in blankets with a hot cup of apple cider. Add these flowers to your autumn bouquet:
- Goldenrod
- Red spider lily
- Asters
- Sunflowers
- Helenium
Winter Flowers
Winter can be a tricky season for choosing floral arrangements. When the icy conditions drive us all indoors, a winter floral arrangement is a perfect way to warm a loved one's heart. These winter flowers are perfect for holidays:
- Poinsettias
- Winter jasmine
- Violas
- Stock
- Camellias
2. Consider Home Décor
This tip is often overlooked but hugely appreciated. When buying flowers for a friend or family member, it's important to consider the recipient's home décor and overall aesthetic taste. For example, if your loved one keeps a sleek, minimalist home, choose flowers that won't distract from the space.
Choose floral colors that will look harmonious in their home. If they use a lot of blue and white in their decorating, choose an arrangement that also features blue and white. Pops of other colors, like green and yellow, will add dimension to the floral arrangement.
A harmonious floral bouquet will look better in the recipient's home and make them want to keep the flowers for as long as possible.
3. Research Flower Meanings
Did you know that flowers have been used for centuries to send special messages? There is even a craft dedicated to learning these secret codes, known as Victorian floriography.
Send a secret note to your loved one through your chosen flowers. At the very least, make sure you aren't sending the wrong message! Here are some common flowers and their meanings:
- Red rose: love, passion, romance
- Yellow rose: friendship, warmth, jealousy
- White rose: new beginnings, hope
- Pink rose: appreciation, admiration
- Snapdragon: graciousness, deception, apology
- Lilac: memories, long-standing love
- Sunflower: adoration, false wealth
- Carnation: innocence, luck
- Tulip: charity, royalty, pure love
- Daisy: innocence, hope, friendship
Using this knowledge, buy flowers that say what you mean! Lilacs and pink roses could say: "Thank you for all that you've done." With a bouquet of white roses and snapdragons, you can say, "I'm sorry, let's start over."
4. Celebrate the Occasion
Is this bouquet for your sister's wedding? Do you surprise your mother with flowers on her birthday? Make sure you're buying flowers fit for the occasion.
Weddings
Weddings and engagements are some of the best times to buy flowers. Before sending the arrangement, consider your recipient's home or venue style. Choose a floral arrangement that matches the theme and wedding colors.
When in doubt, white roses are a safe choice for most weddings. They symbolize new beginnings and match nearly any theme.
Birthdays
Birthday floral arrangements are about embracing fun! Choose flowers in bright, cheerful hues or in your recipient's favorite color. Think confetti, glitter, and sweet celebrations.
Carnations, yellow roses, and zinnias are perfect for capturing a "happy birthday" message!
Mother's Day
Your mom deserves flowers every day, but especially on mother's day. Send her a bouquet of her favorite flowers or shop for a spring floral arrangement!
Some great flowers for mother's day include pink roses, sweet peas, lilacs, and tulips.
Sympathy
Flowers are a great way to say "I'm sorry" or "get well soon." For sympathy flowers, go for muted tones and low-maintenance florals. You can add pops of your recipient's favorite color to bring some much-needed cheer.
Popular flower choices for sympathy include lilies, white roses, chrysanthemums, and forget-me-nots.
Just Because
You don't need a formal occasion or celebration to give flowers to a friend or family member. According to 92% of women, the best reason to receive flowers is "just because!" Surprising your recipient will make them feel even more special.
5. Keep it Simple
If you aren't sure which flowers to buy for your friend or family member, go with something simple and casual. Neutral tones like white, cream, and pale pink will work for nearly any occasion.
If you want a colorful bouquet, pick tonal shades next to each other on the color wheel. For example, blue and violet flowers will look harmonious together. Avoid overwhelmingly bright color palates unless you are sure that your recipient likes bright flowers.
If you're making the arrangement yourself, don't forget to include plenty of green foliage. Adding greens like fern leaves or eucalyptus will give the bouquet a more natural dimension.
6. Presentation Matters
Don't forget to wrap or finish your florals if you aren't using a flower delivery service. Giving unprepared florals is really no gift at all. Your recipient shouldn't have to put in extra work to prepare and arrange the flowers.
Remove the flowers from any packaging and trim the stems. Arrange them in an appropriate vase that matches or blends with the bouquet.
If you know that your recipient already owns a vase and doesn't want more, wrap your bouquet. Use newspaper or butcher paper to create a cone shape for the flowers. Tie off the gift with ribbon or twine and tuck a card under the bow.
Flawless Floral Arrangements
As nice as it is to receive flowers, it is an even better feeling to gift them. Show your love and appreciation for friends and family this season. Follow these six tips, and you're sure to delight your loved ones with your perfect floral arrangements.
Do you know someone who deserves a little surprise? At abcFlora, we're happy to help you find the perfect bouquet for any occasion. Choose your destination country to get started!