Displaying Sympathy Flowers

One very nice way to make sure people know that their gift is appreciated is to display the flowers. You can do this in your home, a hospital room or even on a gravesite, depending on the situation. When the person who sent the arrangement visits, they will be pleased to see that you are using the flowers.

Keeping sympathy arrangements on display isn`t required, however, so don`t feel obligated. If you are receiving too many bouquets to keep around, you might want to simply replace them every couple of days, or ask friends and family to take some with them.

Sending Notes

To properly acknowledge the reception of sympathy flowers, etiquette requires a note. There`s no need to get wordy, it`s quite acceptable to keep the thank you short and sweet. You can use the same note for everyone who sends flowers, so there`s no need to come up with something special for each person. People will understand that you aren`t up to writing a full letter at this point.

Thank you notes can be written on nice paper or a simple card. Thank you cards are readily available in any stationary store, all you need to do is add a short note and send it off. This can be particularly helpful for anyone who doesn`t have much time on their hands.

While the note doesn`t have to be long or detailed, be sure to address the person you are speaking to. If printing off notes on the computer, it`s only polite to sign your name afterwards, to make it a little more personal.

If you are feeling quite overwhelmed and aren`t sure where to start sending notes, then you might consider doing it by group. For example, you might send one note to the church, where several people have sent flowers. This note can be publically displayed.

Keeping Track of Sympathy Flowers

To ensure that you don`t miss anyone; keep a manila envelope on hand. Each time a flower arrangement arrives, take the card or tag with the sender`s name and tuck it into the envelope. When you are ready to send out thank you cards, you can simply sort through the notes and get it all done at once.

It also helps to keep track of any addresses, so when applicable, keep the sympathy card in the envelope it came in so you won`t have to search for addresses to go with each name at a later date. It`s a good idea to assign someone close to you to look up any mailing addresses that you don`t have on hand. This frees you up to worry about more important things and relieves some of the stress. You can also ask friends to help you fill out the envelopes.

Sympathy, funeral flowers, unlike sympathy cards or notes, do indicate the need to send out a thank you. It doesn`t have to be anything complicated, though. You shouldn`t have to stress over the response to sympathy at this point, when you have so many other things to focus on. So, keep it short and sweet, just a couple of lines in a thank you card, and people will know that you appreciated their thoughtfulness.

One approach that underlines this sentiment is the purchase of thank you flowers.

These arrangements can be fun and frilly, romantic and intimate – or friendly and playful, but whatever the mood, you will always hit the right note with these marvelous tokens of esteem.

Now, some people may wonder what situations will prompt the purchase of thank you flowers – the answer? Any kind.

Below are a few scenarios when one may feel inclined to send a thank you bouquet or basket. Just remember to keep the person and their temperament in mind prior to purchase. It may also be helpful to know if the individual is allergic to a specific type of flower.

After a party

You were invited to the blow out event of the year and had the time of your life! Show your undying gratitude with a small yet cordial floral cluster. The host or hostess will greatly appreciate the gesture and you will come up smelling like proverbial rose, guaranteeing an invite to the next soiree.

After a nice gift

When someone gives us a significant gift like a rare bottle of wine, expensive jewelry or an extremely costly item of clothing, we may be at a loss of how to respond. Why not show what the gesture meant to you with a thoughtful gift of your own? A present of flowers can let the person know how touched you were by the astonishing present and that it was greatly enjoyed.

To express gratitude for being there

There are so many crossroads in life that we come to that can be difficult to travel alone. After a break up, divorce, death or other monumental happening in life, a friend who is there for us is worthy of high esteem and reward. While thank you flowers cannot come close to this display of care, it can indicate that you acknowledged that they were there fro you and what it meant to you. Often times people who give of themselves are seldom told how important their presence means. Thank you flowers can do that and more.

Thinking about you

Romantic partners who have travelled a long way together can look back over the years and see a landscape of highs and lows. Sending a thank you floral bouquet lets your significant other know that you are appreciative of the fact that they have stood by you despite the tough times. Little gestures like this, while they seem small, are one way a couple can keep their love alive.

Just a general “thank you”

“You helped me out when I needed it most,” “Thanks for the wonderful Thanksgiving meal, it was terrific” “I couldn’t have organized that charity event without you”, are all sentiments that can be expressed via the purchase of a lush bouquet of thank you flowers.

If you are uncertain as to what flowers will best state how you feel, don’t fret. An experienced local florist knows the kind of arrangements that best suit the occasion and can suggest several lovely bouquets that fit well into your budget.

Don’t wait to let the people you love know what they mean to you – tell then today with a colorful bouquet of thank you flowers.

The purchase of funeral flowers seems to be the best way to say with a gesture what can’t be expressed with mere words.

The ritual is not new; in fact there is an entire history behind the giving of funeral flowers.

Funeral flowers: their significance and symbolism

It was reputed that flowers were once used to mask the scent of decomposition before the practice of embalming became common place. Today, sympathy flowers are a symbol of the love, care and esteem we have for the deceased. They are also a way to show the surviving family remembers how much we care about them and to extend our sympathies.

In regards to what floral arrangements may symbolize, their meaning is clear—we are adding something to the ceremony that is in the bloom of life that will quickly by death—in this way, something beautiful loses it’s light and follows an inevitable end.

The sad romance of the thought is what makes flowers the appropriate item to commemorate the passing of someone near and dear to us.

Types of funeral flowers

There are numerous arrangements that fall under the category of sympathy and each type serves a specific function.

The primary and most popular types of funeral flowers include:

Arrangements range in cost, but no matter which item you choose, the bereaved will know that you cared and that is what really counts.

Locating the appropriate funeral flowers

A professional florist will be able to help you locate the flowers that best convey your sentiments. You can locate a wonderful florist online and have the flowers delivered straight to the funeral home.

Just make sure that you order the flowers well in advance as some companies cannot guarantee second day delivery service. With proper planning you can make sure that you carry on the tradition of heartfelt sympathy and love via the gift of funeral flowers.

Large Floral Companies

The bigger florists that you find online usually have their own greenhouses where fresh flowers can be grown year round in a controlled climate. The most popular flowers will be cultivated in greater amounts to ensure they don`t run out, particularly with roses and carnations. However, these greenhouses often contain other flowers, as well, which may be more difficult to find. In many cases, the most delicate flowers are the ones that will be brought in from an outside source, if they are deemed too costly to grow on the property and not enough people buy them.
These massive flower growing operations make it possible for flowers to be cut and sent anywhere in the country within hours. So, the flowers that end up on your doorstep are very, very fresh. However, this type of setup is usually only possible for those large companies that have a florist chain or a large online service with delivery options in major cities.

Fresh Flower Wholesalers

Not all florists are big enough to have their own greenhouses. In fact, some are little more than a website and some delivery specialists in every major city. That doesn`t stop them from providing beautiful, fresh flowers, though. Instead, these smaller florist shops turn to wholesalers who can sell them the flowers they need.

Flower wholesalers usually have enormous gardens and greenhouses where every description of flower can be cultivated. These fresh blooms are then harvested and sold by the bundle to florists and flower distributors around the country. The flowers are shipped in carefully refrigerated trucks so they are as fresh as possible upon arrival, since it`s pretty tough to sell.

Smaller florists usually stock up on the most ordered flowers, along with greenery and baby`s breath, but certain flowers may be special order. Orchids and more delicate blossoms will need to be ordered ahead of time to ensure that they have them in stock for the day you need them delivered. For this reason, when ordering fresh flowers, it`s always a good idea to call at least a couple of days in advance.

Freshness Affects Pricing

Fresh flowers are often more expensive during the winter since this is when it is most costly to heat the greenhouses in order to have the flowers flourish. The only other option for most florists is to import tropical flowers from another country, which is usually far too expensive to consider, when given the fairly low prices available at most florists.

Freshness does affect the pricing of flowers to a certain extent, but the type of flower and how hardy it is, will also figure into the price. For example, carnations and daisies tend to be the cheapest flowers available to the public and they are also the hardiest, able to grow in a range of temperatures and they don`t usually wilt for a while after being picked. This most certainly helps their price level!

Fresh flowers make a beautiful gift, even if you are buying it for yourself. There`s really nothing nicer than a big bunch of bright flowers to light up a room and fill it with their scent, which is why they have been a popular gift for centuries and will likely continue to be for many centuries more.

In the Beginning

No one knows exactly who gave the first bunch of flowers, but it could easily go as far back as Adam and Eve! Toddlers automatically pick wildflowers to give to their mothers, drawn by the colors and prettiness.
We do know, however, that each culture has used flowers for different reasons. In Ancient Greece, flowers were considered to be property of the gods, making them very special. There are accounts of flowers being given as a gift for many thousands of years. The majority of these would have been flowers that where picked wild, plus a few from the garden.

The Language of Flowers

In Victorian times, flowers were used to express more than just admiration or love. Entire letters could be written with blossoms alone! Each flower has a specific meaning . . . though the exact meaning depends on a variety of factors, including color and size. For example, a red rose means “passion”, pink means “romance” and coral colored roses mean “friendship”.

Back in the day, people knew the meanings of all the most common flowers and this made each and every bouquet full of much more meaning. A young man might send a girl a bunch of wildflowers, but it would really be a message in disguise! Even today, some people enjoy learning the meaning of flowers and adding these special flowers to their bouquets. It really adds a whole other dimension to a simple bunch of mixed flowers.

This time period was definitely the most meaningful of all for flower giving. With the extra messages contained in bunches of flowers, it was one of the big gifts of the day.

Modern Flower Giving

Traditionally, men gave flowers to women, but now it’s quite acceptable to give a man a bouquet of more masculine blooms, too. Even children get into the act! Try giving a little girl a bunch of roses for her birthday and you’ll make her day.

These days, it’s quite common and acceptable to give flowers as gifts. We aren’t restricted to simply wild flowers or those available in the garden anymore, either. Now there are tropical flowers and more delicate varieties of flowers available year round. This makes giving flowers a more exciting experience.

With the ability to grow many flowers in hothouses right in country and also the ability to import those that don’t grow well in the greenhouses, your options at the florist are stunning. No longer are we restricted to daisies and roses. Now you can select a delicate orchid, bird of paradise or lily for that special someone. It really opens up the realm of possibilities, thanks to airplanes and special technology.

Another modern convenience is the internet, which lets anyone anywhere in the world buy flowers online and have them delivered to a specific destination. You could easily be in the US and have flowers delivered to your mother in Canada! This turns the art of giving flowers into something so easy to do that you don’t even have to leave your own home or office. Just find a good website and you can send flowers without ever having to set foot in a florist shop.

A plant is a great present for someone who has space for it. Of course, plants don’t have to take up a lot of room and you can even choose one that can be replanted into an outside garden if the recipient is more likely to enjoy an outdoor addition.

As a gift, plants should be something special. That doesn’t mean you have to pick a flashy plant, or one that is flowering, though this can be very nice. Look for a plant that will mean something to the recipient. If you know your friend loves ficus, for example, because they remind her of her mother, then go ahead and get her a ficus. It will mean far more than an African violet or another prettier plant.

A few advantages to selecting a plant as a gift:
• They can be replanted.
• They last longer than cut flowers.
• A plant can be placed anywhere in a home.
• Plants add oxygen to the air.

Be sure to opt for a plant that requires the level of care that can be afforded by the recipient. An exotic orchid might not be the best choice for someone who has a brown thumb and is seldom home, but a fern or even a cactus could be a far better gift in this case.

Choosing Flowers as a Gift

Flowers are a more traditional gift than plants, but that doesn’t make them any better. For some people, those who simply have no desire to own plants or who can’t keep even a cactus alive, flowers are a great choice. Of course, they also make a good gift for any special occasion like the arrival of a new baby, an anniversary or even a job promotion.

With such a wide range of flowers available to choose from, you’re bound to find something ideal for the person you have in mind. It really helps if you can find out what their favorite flowers are, but you really can’t go wrong with a bright, beautiful bouquet, whether it’s made up of Gerber daisies or roses.

It’s a good idea to tailor the flowers to the relationship, as well. A dozen red roses for a co-worker aren’t very appropriate, but a bouquet of mixed flowers is. If you want to give roses to a friend, stick to non-romantic colors like yellow, coral or gold and shy away from red and pink which can be mistaken as a completely different gesture.

Flowers also lend themselves to small gift inclusions, like a teddy bear for a new baby, a bunch of chocolates for a loved one or a figurine for that special someone in your life. These extras can add a lot more meaning to your gift and will be appreciated long after the cut flowers wilt and die.
Whether you opt for flowers or plants as a gift, you’ll be making the right decision. They are both excellent gifts that are enjoyed greatly by the recipients. Which one you choose depends mostly on personal taste and what the recipient will enjoy most. Flowers and plants make for a more unique gift than many of the standard options and can be a fun way to mix it up a bit, especially if you add in a little extra gift tucked into the foliage.

What to Look For

A good wedding flower is delicate looking, but not actually that fragile. It will withstand the summer heat and look terrific doing it. You have enough worries and stresses on your wedding day, flowers should definitely not be one of them, so select hardy flowers from the very beginning and you`ll be able to focus on more important things, like actually getting married.

Here are some of the characteristics to look for in a heat-resistant wedding flower.

• Thick, waxy petals are best. They tend to be stiffer and hold moisture in longer than thinner petals which tend to shrivel and wilt in the heat. The thicker the petal, the stiffer it will be, making it more resistant to wilting.

• Stiff leaves help with heat resistance, too. Leaves contain a lot of moisture that can be wicked up to the bloom and the greenery helps enhance the color of the wedding flowers. Wilted leaves make the entire bouquet look sickly, so thicker, waxier leaves are the best option.

• Sturdy stems keep flowers upright. Florist’s can place flower stems in plastic straws to help keep them upright when the heat threatens to send them drooping downwards, but it`s best to choose the right flowers with sturdy, thick stems that are strong enough to stand up even when slightly dried out.

• Full blooms stay fresh longer. Flowers that are more than just a few petals will last longer. Look for ruffled petals or multiple rounds, such as with a mum or carnation. These flowers do very well with holding in the moisture needed to survive a hot day, even when not placed in a vase of water.

If you have the budget, tropical flowers tend to be far better than our native blooms when it comes to withstanding the hot interior of a church or reception hall. They are grown in heat, so you`ll find that they are quite hardy when it comes to summer weddings. Most tropical flowers are very elegant, as well, so they make for very lovely bouquets and centerpieces.

Flowers like orchids, lilies and dahlias are all great ones for a wedding flower. They hold up to the heat very well and can take long drought periods, thanks to their hardy leaves and petals that retain moisture even in stifling conditions.

Your florist will also be able to recommend a more heat resistant wedding flower or two. The ideal would be a flower that you love the look of, which combines beauty with functionality. For a summer wedding, how well the flowers will stand up to the heat is a very important consideration. There is nothing more stressful on your wedding day than discovering that all your blooms are wilting away in the intense heat.

Choose your wedding flower carefully. You don`t want bouquets that look awful by the time you are ready to walk down the aisle. Tropical flowers, those with waxy, thick petals and leaves and any flower that is bushy and full of petals tend to be alright and will look great throughout the entire day.

Which Color to Choose

Pink flowers for girls and blue for boys is the usual choice, but it can be a little boring. If you want to spice things up a bit, opt for something like purple and white flowers for a baby girl and red for a boy. For a non-gender specific flower basket, go with the ever-so-sweet all white option. It’s innocent and beautiful and the new mom will be thrilled with it.

Flower Choices

The flowers you choose are important. Delicate, aromatic flowers may be lovely, but they wilt and die very quickly. In order to make the most of your gift, you’ll want to opt for flowers that are hardy and will last longer, yet still elegant enough for a baby.

Carnations are an obvious choice for babies, with their soft, ruffled appearance and delicate perfume. However, carnations can be a bit traditional, so if you are looking for something more original, why not choose Gerber daisies? These simple, but pretty flowers are hardy and can last for a week, making them a great flower to send to a baby. They also come in a wide variety of colors, so it`s easy to find the color combination that you want. Gerber daisies are also lower in price than many more fragile flowers, so they are a good choice any way you look at it.

Little Extras

Just a flower basket isn’t really enough for most people, so most florists allow you to choose little extras to turn a simple flower basket into something truly special. There are dozens of extra items that can be added to a baby flower basket, including the following:

• It’s a Boy/Girl! Balloons
• Teddy bears
• Baby figurines or mother and child figurines
• Assorted other stuffed animals
• Baby rattles and toys
• Picture frames with a baby theme
• Music box

Adding an additional small gift such as one listed above can really make a big difference in how your flower basket is presented. An adorable bunch of Gerber daisies with a cute teddy bear and a balloon announcing the baby’s arrival makes a great newborn gift.

What About Mom?

Parents of the new baby can really enjoy a flower basket as well. Consider going with a more adult theme for the new mom. Roses make a great bouquet that is at once elegant and pretty, particularly if you choose a softer color like peach or yellow.

A flower basket simply recognizes the hard work put in by the mother of the new baby, 9 months of carrying the child and then the delivery. You can add some other little extras to this basket, as well. Chocolates, cookies or even a little figurine are ideal for any new mother.

To welcome a baby into the world and your circle of friends, you really can’t go wrong with a baby themed flower basket. It`s something that the mother and father will enjoy and it`s something that can be enjoyed immediately, as opposed to a toy that would have to wait until the baby is older. Flowers are always a good choice.

Finding the right flowers that will last for a good long time can be difficult. Some of the most beautiful flowers are quite delicate, but here are a few guidelines to help you choose the perfect sympathy flowers.

Thicker Flowers: Thin, delicate petals lose moisture quickly and will wilt away before the memorial service is over. Instead, when choosing funeral flowers, look for ones with thicker, fleshy petals that can withstand heat and won`t wilt for quite some time. Some good choices within this range include carnations, marigolds, and dahlias, as well as lilies, which are a very elegant sympathy flower. Lilies will last for a very long time and are ideal for funerals, particularly when combined with other flowers to add a softer touch. Birds of paradise can last up to a couple of weeks and just the name makes them quite fitting for a memorial.

Full Flowers: Often you`ll find that fuller flowers don’t wilt as quickly. While beautiful and available in an array of colors, mums, dahlias and pom poms tend to last a very long time without wilting.

Flowers on Branches: Generally speaking, blooms that come multiples to a stem or on a branch will last for quite some time, sometimes even months. Peruvian lilies are a good example of multiple flowers on a stem, while apple or cherry blossoms create a long lasting bouquet that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Standard Issue: Flowers like carnations and daisies tend to last a lot longer than the average cut flower and you can expect these beautiful blooms to be less expensive. They can be found in a variety of colors, making these standard issue flowers the ideal ones for a small funeral bouquet. A gathering of dark red or blue carnations or a handful of darker colored daisies can be the best flower arrangement to remember a friend or loved one.

Flowers to Avoid for Funeral Arrangements

There are some flowers that are simply not up to staying perky and fresh for long. While beautiful, they won`t last and are seldom worth the money paid. You want flowers that can be set up at a burial site which serve as a testament to your love and friendship with the passed.

Flowers to avoid include the more delicate flowers such as forget-me-nots and roses. Irises are far too delicate to stand up to a funeral and will not last long enough to be taken out of the funeral home.

Choosing sympathy flowers for a funeral is delicate business. While you want something that will do the service justice, it is also important to select long-lasting flowers that will bloom for several days or even a couple of weeks.

When in doubt, it`s a good idea to ask your florist which flowers they recommend. Professionals will be able to give you an estimate on how long each bouquet is likely to last and they can also suggest appropriate colors for the situation. However, the tips above should give you a good idea of which flowers to select.

There are plenty of reasons to give birthday flowers gift. Here are just a few:

• Flowers are beautiful and can be chosen to fit the recipient. Even guys will enjoy receiving a more masculine potted flowering plant.
• You can always find flowers, even last minute.
• There are online florists who will allow you to order online for delivery in another state or even country.
• Flowers go with everything. You can pair a bouquet of flowers with a box of chocolates for a romantic gift, tickets to a soccer game for a sports fanatic, or with a stuffed animal as a cute gift for a child.
• Most people don`t think to give flowers as a birthday gift, so chances are, your present will be quite unique.

But just picking up the nearest bunch of flowers isn’t a good way to make your gift meaningful. You want to choose the right flowers for the occasion and this can take a little bit of time and research, though it`s still possible to do it last minute.

Things to Consider When Choosing Flowers

Preferred flowers: Do you know what the favorite flower of the recipient is? Rather than buying generic roses, you`ll find your gift is far more appreciated when you bring a bunch of gerber daisies . . . the birthday girl`s favorites!

Secret messages: Did you know that in Victorian times, flowers were used to send messages? Each flower has a specific meaning and together, they can be used to form a secret, one-of-a-kind message. For example, baby’s breathe means “festivity”, gardenias mean “joy”, and orange blossoms stand for “fertility”. By combining select flowers and providing a key, you can give a very special birthday message.

Long-lasting: If you really are not sure which flowers to choose, consider going with longer lasting flowers like daisies, mums or carnations which will stay fresh and lovely for several days to a week. That way the recipient can enjoy them for a long time.

Accessories: There`s no reason to stop with just the flowers. To make your birthday gift truly special, present them in a way that will thrill the recipient. An example would be forget-me-nots in a teacup for someone who enjoys a tea party, a handpainted vase in their favorite colors with their favorite flowers inside, or perhaps a potted plant along with a trowel for planting it in the garden.

Gender: Women aren’t the only ones who enjoy receiving flowers, but for men, you will have to be more selective. Obviously a bunch of roses won’t be the ideal birthday gift for a particularly macho man. Men might prefer something a little more masculine, like a flowering branch or a plant that has plenty of greenery. But don`t overlook flowers as a gift for a male friend . . . over 60% of men say they would like to receive flowers. Combine it with a bottle of celebratory champagne and you’ve got yourself the perfect birthday gift.

Flowers offer true value as a gift, particularly if you personalize them to fit the personality of the person you will be giving them to. Don’t fret about flowers not being a suitable gift, they really are one of the best.