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How to Choose and Send Flowers to Your Loved Ones

Flowers are a popular gift, no matter what their purpose. However, it can often be difficult for people to choose and send flowers to their loved ones. Most senders put a lot of thought into this act to ensure recipients enjoy the arrangement. There are many elements to consider when selecting and sending flowers.

The right arrangement is just one factor to consider when choosing and sending flowers.The right arrangement is just one factor to consider when choosing and sending flowers.

Choosing Flowers

Deciding what flowers to send is sometimes the most challenging task of all. People have to look at various factors when making their final selection.

Determine the Occasion
A helpful way to decide what kind of arrangement to send is the purpose the flowers serve. Understanding the occasion itself will allow senders to find the best options for their budget. Knowing one's reason behind the gesture will ensure the flowers are received with the same amount of care that was put into selecting them.

Holidays
Holidays are one of the most common causes for sending flowers to loved ones. Whether it's Valentine's Day, Christmas or Mother's Day, arrangements can go a long way in showing friends and family how much you value them. While roses are always appropriate for these occasions, there are specific flowers that correlate with holidays.

Tulips are perfect for both Valentine's and Mother's Day.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time for people to show they know what their significant other likes. If senders are aware of the recipient's favorite flower, it is always a good choice. If roses seem too common for this holiday, people could select tulips in reds and pinks to signify passion. Orchids and lilies also make smart replacements for roses, representing strong love and happy contentment, respectively.

The poinsettia is a popular option when sending Christmas plants and flowers. Other options include paperwhites and amaryllis, as their stark colors symbolize cheer and hope for the new year.

Lastly, Mother's Day is another event where sending a favorite flower will be appreciated. People can always decide on the particular color of the flower to symbolize a different meaning or feeling toward their moms. Otherwise, carnations, irises and tulips are beautiful selections for this day of gratitude.

Birthdays
There comes a point in every person's life when birthday gifts become less grand and more based on necessity. Sending flowers, however, is an unexpected and tangible way to brighten someone's mood. While it's always a good idea to choose an arrangement based on people's preferences, senders can also choose flowers that correlate with their recipient's birth month:

  • January: Carnation
  • February: Violet
  • March: Daffodil
  • April: Daisy
  • May: Lily
  • June: Rose
  • July: Larkspur
  • August: Gladiolus
  • September: Aster
  • October: Marigold
  • November: Chrysanthemum
  • December: Poinsettia

Selecting a birth month flower as the centerpiece of an arrangement is a clever way to wish someone a happy birthday.

Anniversaries
Another popular time to send flowers is in celebration of a couple's time together. Whether it's a wedding or dating anniversary, a floral arrangement can show the recipient just how much the sender values their relationship. Similar to birthdays, each year has its own flower to commemorate the occasion:

  • One year: Carnation
  • Five years: Daisy
  • 10 years: Daffodil
  • 15 years: Rose
  • 20 years: Aster
  • 25 years: Iris
  • 50 years: Yellow rose or violet

Birth of a Child
People are used to receiving gifts when they have children, although they are usually chosen from a registry. While most of those presents are for the baby, flowers are a unique present for the parents to celebrate their new bundle of joy.

Finding out if the child is a boy or girl can help senders choose the most appropriate arrangement. While people may want to send blue or pink flowers to denote the baby's gender, other flowers will also be appreciated. Lilies and daisies are great choices to congratulate new parents.

Housewarming
Moving into a new home can be overwhelming. Boxes are littered across various rooms and new paint may be necessary to touch up the walls. To lift people's spirits and brighten up their place, friends and family can send flower arrangements. Bright marigolds and daffodils will make homeowners feel like the sun is always shining.

Sending plants as a gift is also another option. Green arrangements signify health, well-being and resilience.

Funeral and Sympathy
During times of struggle and grief, flowers can provide a sense of hope for the future. It's important to recognize there's a difference between sympathy and funeral arrangements. The former is sent when someone is going through a difficult time, usually to his or her home, while the latter is delivered to a funeral home and is in commemoration of the deceased.

Although it may seem uncommon, both types of flowers usually feature somewhat vibrant buds. Funeral and sympathy arrangements are meant to lift the spirits of those affected by the death or stressful situation. Sending flowers can offer people a sense of comfort and hope for the future.

Sending Flowers

Once you've chosen the most appropriate flowers for the occasion or celebration, it's time to send them off to the recipient. Since the arrangement will be delivered to a loved one, there are many elements senders have to consider.

Buying In-Store
When looking for the freshest flowers and unique designs, people should visit a florist to create custom-made arrangements for recipients. Senders can walk around the shop with a floral expert, who will be able to point out complimentary flowers and arrange the creation while the buyer looks on. This practice ensures loved ones will receive something customized to their tastes. In addition, senders will be able to add their personal knowledge to help choose flowers the recipient will enjoy.

A florist can customize an arrangement based on the recipient's preferences.

The customer service aspect of an in-store experience is another benefit of selecting the flowers in person. Often, florists will have a cut-off time for deliveries, so it's crucial for buyers to be aware of that timeline when sending flowers.

Buyers can avoid shipping fees if they're sending an arrangement in their vicinity, although delivery costs are normal.

Purchasing Online
People can find almost anything on the Internet these days and selecting flowers is no exception. Senders can choose from a variety of online floral outlets. Unlike building arrangements in store with the assistance of a florist, purchasing online means people are choosing from pre-designed bouquets. Although buying flowers via the Web allows senders to customize their arrangement to a certain extent, it's not as individual to the person as hand-picking the flowers.

Using an online floral company has its perks, however. Most Web companies will offer same-day or next-day delivery and are able to ship internationally if necessary. Furthermore, many will provide free shipping or delivery in busy months or during the holiday season.

Flowers can be the perfect gift to show loved ones how much they're cared about. To choose the most appropriate arrangement, people should know what occasion or purpose the flowers are for. Anniversary selections are completely different from funeral flowers, so senders must be aware of the message they're trying to share with the recipient.

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