It touches us all, directly or indirectly. You’d have to walk a long way to find someone whose life has not been touched by cancer. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, co-workers, and the list still goes on and on. Due to great strides in research and with early detection, the success stories are outweighing the stories of loss.

Every year the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society have many fund-raising events geared to bring awareness to the importance of early detection, as well as raising much needed funds to further the fight against one of the most frightening diseases. As far as we’ve come, there is still so much further to go. The goal in these efforts is to end cancer, once and for all. What an amazing challenge to take on! People all over the world are generous with their time, money and support.

The Canadian Cancer Society have organized Walk-A-Thons, “Movember”, Run For The Cure, The Weekend To End Breast Cancer, Give Pink and many more wonderful campaigns, all designed with fun themes. Anyone who has taken part in these campaigns find they have such a great time, meet wonderful new friends and all while doing it in honour of someone special or just because. Once they’ve participated, they’re hooked and do it year after year.

Tidy’s Flowers is proud to have supported The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in the past and continues to do so. We have a long-standing relationship with the foundation through business, as well as a strong desire to helping the success of this worthy cause. Although the majority of victims are women, breast cancer does not discriminate when it comes to afflicting men. This disease needs to be stopped!

Cancer has touched us on a personal level as well. We have a few staff members who have courageously fought the fight and we are happy to announce – are survivors!

This Mother’s Day we are taking part in the “Give Pink” Spring Campaign and will donate 10% from the purchase price of our Spring Mist arrangement to The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

As a mother, you can recall the first time your child brought you a fist-full of flowers. That tiny reaching hand, clutching a bunch of bright yellow dandelions, buttercups or daisies, their face flush with excitement, beaming at their accomplishment. That moment will live forever in your mind and heart. 

As a child, you remember picking those precious flowers for your Mom. How proud you were to give a gift – picked all by yourself – that made her smile with joy.

The History Of Mother’s Day…  

Flowers and Mothers have been a perfect pairing for generations. Honouring our Mothers is not a new concept. This has been going on for centuries!

The ancient Greeks were the first to pay homage to mothers. It was a spring celebration in honour of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods.

England began celebrating “Mothering Sunday” on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the 1600’s. In 1907, “Mother’s Day” began as a simple tribute to the memory of Anna Jarvis’ mother who had passed away. She petitioned for this tribute to become a national observance and chose a carnation as the floral symbol because it had been her mother’s favourite flower. Within the next few years, the idea was adopted by many throughout North America, and in 1914 Mother’s Day was finally given it’s own special day…the second Sunday in May.

With the beauty of flowers bringing so much to one’s life, it is no wonder the choices have improved from dandelions, buttercups, daisies or carnations, to a wide selection with no end to the imagination. As your “fist” size has increased, so too has the selection of colourful blooms.

Mother's Favourite

Having flowers delivered to your   Mom – Around the corner, Across the country and Abroad, is an easy and fast way to ensure Mom knows you are thinking of her.

Many of us don’t live in the same town, province or even country as our Mother’s do. But that doesn’t have to stop you from letting her know you remembered her on this special day. Sending flowers couldn’t be easier! Call us or go online to place your orders.

P.S…Many people choose Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to place flowers on their parent’s grave as a remembrance of special times. Due to global distances, not everyone can make that gesture. The idea behind it is still possible though, by placing a single flower next to their picture and is a lovely gesture in itself.

As every business minded person knows, a successful merger can propel a company to new heights or bring one back from the brink of loss.

The importance of a solid product, good service and honorable work ethics are the hallmarks of a company you can trust. Today lots of companies boast they are “The Best” or their product is “Better than the next guy”. It has become harder to believe such claims when they are indeed coming from a biased and self-serving place.

Going above and beyond can be a company’s motto, but the truth is, it comes down to the people working for you who offer that service. Having employees who want to help your clients/customers is a true goldmine! How you show your appreciation and reward those employees says a lot about what kind of a company you are.

This is where a “Successful Merger” comes in. Employees and flowers/plants! It has been proven that adding flowers and/or plants to your workplace will reduce stress, help employees improve their productivity and make them feel appreciated. It is an instant and easy solution!

Resulting from a number of scientific studies done over the years, it has also been proven that plants will eliminate the pollutants from your environment. Scientists believe anything that can be proven with fact must be accurate. What is harder to prove though, is exactly why having a touch of Mother Nature’s bounty around us can improve our outlook on life, emotional well-being and overall health. Harder to prove with facts maybe, but without a doubt – it is accurate.

Administrative Professionals Day (formally known as Secretary’s Day) was established in 1952 to acknowledge the contribution these dedicated professionals gave to the success of the business world. In truth, every position within a company contributes to the company’s success. Therefore acknowledgement and thanks could be company wide. You may provide a Christmas bonus or a merit raise to all your employees every year, but in these economic times, this show of appreciation is quickly disappearing within the workplace.

So go for the “instant and easy solution”! Be the “Cool Boss” who never forgets the effect their employees have on the company’s success. Send them flowers and watch for the happy results!

Tulips, daffodils and hyacinth are popping up everywhere! All are Mother Nature’s favourite flowers to invoke happy thoughts! Nothing inspires us more than the feelings that come with this time of year. It is very similar to that wonderful euphoria associated with falling in love! We are far more likely to develop and keep good habits – such as going for a daily walk or run – anything to spend more time outdoors. We shake off the winter blahs (coats, boots, mitts, and scarves), stand taller and walk with a “spring” in our step. The world around us is bursting with new life giving us a whole new lease on our own lives! And the most inspiring thought is… with spring here – can summer be that far behind?

 As mentioned above, tulips and other spring flowers  are all hallmarks of this abundant joy. They’re popping up in gardens, garden centers, and at your local florist. Easter lilies, hydrangea plants, hyacinth plants and the king of them all –bulb planters that house a mixture of all the beauties! These are perfect for Easter or Administrative Professionals Week, birthdays, get well gifts – especially get well gifts – or just to celebrate the coming of spring!

So, with the days growing longer, the weather growing warmer and summer waiting in the wings – what could be more appropriate than to have an inspiring spring bulb planter delivered to someone today? Perhaps having one delivered to yourself as well! We highly recommend it!

She’s beautiful to you! He’s the cutest guy you’ve ever laid eyes on! Ah love… can one effectively explain why it happens or what it is? Poets and philosophers have been trying for centuries. In truth it has different meanings for different people. How and when to express your love is also done with individual flare.

Some people say they don’t believe in Valentine’s Day. Well my friend, it does exist! It was originally named in honour of St. Valentine, a Roman priest who believed that love was something worth fighting for during a dark time in our history. Some go as far as saying that showing love should be done throughout the year and not saved for just one day. That is a lovely theory, if in fact they do show their love throughout the year. For many though, Valentine’s Day is a time of redemption for falling short on that front. True, it has turned into a commercialized holiday, however for the truly romantic and especially for New Lovebirds, it is a time to celebrate their feelings for each other – exposed for the world to witness!

There is no better expression of love than sending flowers to the object of your affection. (Except, maybe sending diamonds! Both would be marvelous – thank you!!)  The dramatic effect of receiving roses delivered to one’s place of work is often a dream of many. Slightly embarrassing (at first) for them to be the center of attention, yet far more exhilarating and flattering as it’s not only a public tribute of your love, but also a display of how very thoughtful a lover you are! Who wouldn’t want to sign up for that? Your significant other will be envied and let’s face it, that makes us feel special.

Men are the principal senders during this particular occasion and every year we run into many needing some help with what to choose. Roses are always the first to come to mind and are still the most popular choice. As red roses are associated with LOVE, some guys are just not ready for that commitment and tend to shy away from picking them! Pink roses, yellow roses, cream roses, green roses, peach roses, or two-toned, the choice of colour is plenty, so there is always an alternative for the faint of heart.

Actually, the choices go further still and are as endless as there are different flowers. Just as the meaning of love is diverse, the appropriate choice is just as diverse. Some love roses, some love lilies, some love orchids. Knowing your lover’s favourite flowers really goes a long way with gaining brownie points at any time of the year, but especially at Valentine’s (yeah, we know that isn’t the reason you do this)!

One lesson learned about love over the centuries (often the hard way), is that it isn’t about us. It is about the other person. What makes them happy? What would make an impression on them? What will ensure she/he knows they are truly loved? Think about it. You know the answers to those questions better than anyone else. Now go and do it!

Not in love? Don’t feel left out this Valentine’s Day. Studies show that sending flowers, (with their unique therapeutic assets) as a friend-to-friend, family-to-family, or any platonic relationship, is being done more and more these days and it benefits both parties! Cool!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

With the Christmas season behind us, we now look into the beginning of a long, dark winter. But do we really have to? Simply put – no!
It has often been said that a change is as good as a rest, a little something to shake up the normal pattern of our lives. It can be as simple as adding a few blossoms to your décor.
We can’t all afford the time or the money for a Caribbean holiday. But we can all afford 3, 5, 7, or 9 stems of flowers to brighten our homes and offices. It is very Feng Shui to use an odd numbers of blooms, you know.
There have been many studies done on the positive effects of incorporating flowers into our daily lives. Some refer to it as Vitamin F. The reality is – it’s all true!
Why not take a look around your winter garden. There are probably twigs and other interesting pieces to pair with some flowers that can be purchased through your local florist. If you don’t have your own garden, take a walk through a local park. You may find some interesting treasures to bring home. Put it all together in a favourite vase and there you have it! For that matter, if you don’t have a favourite vase, look for some other interesting vessel to use. A ceramic jug, a pretty cobalt blue bottle, or whatever you may have lying around. The only limitation is your own imagination. Experiment! Go wild! Do something you think would never go together and you may be surprised.
You’ll not only enjoy the benefits from what nature gives us, but you’ll also feel a satisfaction of putting it together yourself.
Of course, there are some who just don’t have the interest in “DIY” floral arrangements. We can help you with that. You needn’t have to give up the therapeutic wonders of having flowers in your life. Give us a call and order some Vitamin F for yourself today!

Ah yes, the season is upon us. And what a wonderful season it can be! We open our homes and our hearts to family, friends and strangers. It makes us feel better and more importantly it allows us to do something to help others. Our homes are decorated (inside and out) with the spirit of magic and the excitement is contagious.

Having your holiday dinner ready for everyone to sit and enjoy is an art in itself. Timing is everything! The same is true when choosing a floral gift. If you prefer to send your holiday wishes early in the season, a lovely choice is a flowering plant. Beautiful Amaryllis, Poinsettias, Paper Whites and Christmas cactus are blooming in flower shop windows now. These beauties will last throughout the season, bringing with them the joy of your wishes.

Gourmet gift baskets are another favourite when there are a lot of people to send your wishes to, like the doctor’s office, or any other group setting. These delights can also be sent earlier in the season, giving everyone the chance to enjoy or as a nice surprise a few days before Christmas Eve to bring a festive touch to their day.

Once the smell of pine is in the air, the excitement really starts to build! Themed designs and vases filled with seasonal flowers, touches of pine and holly dominate our design room. Everyone wants to send holiday arrangements around the 15th of December. The timing is right for parties and gatherings. In fact, if you have been invited to a holiday party and the host/hostess requests you “just bring yourselves”, you can always send a lovely vase arrangement the day before. You feel better because it is a nice way to say “thank you for inviting me”, the host/hostess has the joy of receiving a beautiful bouquet to add to the festive décor and everyone is happy.

From December 20th – 23rd are our busiest days for centerpieces. Whether you are sending to someone else or having it delivered to your own door (saving you the hassle of picking it up), the centerpiece is a staple for the holiday table, with or without candles. And so we gather around to talk, laugh and reminisce with loved ones.

Yes, this truly is a magical season! Happy Holidays from everyone at Tidy’s Flowers!

There are so many to choose from – Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, Amaryllis and Paper Whites to name a few.

We are all familiar with the story of Narcissus. That little imp thought himself so beautiful; he immediately fell in love with his own reflection. With such simple beauty, it’s no wonder that the delicate Paper Whites are a part of the narcissus family. The amazingly fragrant, pure white blossoms grow from a bulb that can be planted either in water or soil. A large variety of containers are suitable, such as glass, pottery, or baskets. Therefore, there is little problem tying this lovely plant into any style of home. Adding Paper Whites to your holiday decor can bring a sense of elegance into your home for the holidays… so easy to care for, so impressive a show. It is also a great long lasting gift idea that should bloom well through the holiday season! There are conflicting ideas about whether you can bring the plant into flower again once it has finished blooming. Some say that once it’s done – it’s done! Others believe that you can allow the plant to continue growing after the blooms have all disappeared by watering and giving it a little fertilizer to set the blooms for the next year. When the leaves begin to brown (sometime in March or April), stop watering and allow the bulbs to go dormant. Store either in or out of the pots in a dry place and replant in the fall with fresh soil or water. New shoots should start to appear within four weeks. It has worked for many, so why not give it a try? What have you got to loose?

As we (the general public) are getting older, so too are our parents. Many of us are dealing with helping our parents move into Retirement Residences or Nursing Homes. If your Mom or Dad loves to garden and are now losing that joy from their lives, it is a very sad situation. Hopefully, once they move into these social situations, their days will be filled with making new friends and trying new things. Still, once someone has a love of flowers, it doesn’t diminish with age. You can help enrich this stage of their lives by sending them “A Bloom A Month”! It can be a beautiful flowering plant like an orchid, a floral arrangement or a vase filled with a variety of colourful cut flowers featuring the stars of the seasons. Every month something different!
To make this an easy transition for them and yourself, your local florist will do all the work for you! Just call them and let them know who, what and where! You can place a standing order to be delivered every month for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months – any day you wish (the 2nd Saturday or the 1st Monday of the month – you get the idea!).
This is also a thoughtful gift for anyone who may still live in their home but just cannot manage the chores of a garden anymore.
It quickly becomes something wonderful to look forward to and also lets them know you are thinking of them. All that “Good Will” with just one phone call! Amazing!

“In Lieu Of Flowers” can be seen in the paper with death notices, often requesting a donation to a worthy cause. The general public seems to be under the impression the family is actually saying they “don’t want flowers”. This is less often the case than one would think. Have you ever been to a funeral without flowers? Not as fitting a tribute as it could be. Still, with so many causes being near and dear to a family’s heart it is understandable they may want the money spent on flowers to go to research or to a care facility. What few people are aware of is – it doesn’t need to be one or the other. There are many affordable floral arrangements that can be sent allowing for a donation as well. With shopping online being the norm today, if you don’t see it – you think it doesn’t exist. However, your local florist can help you select a fitting floral piece and have it delivered in time for the funeral service or to the family home, allowing you to let them know they are in your thoughts during this difficult time. It has been proven time and again that flowers are good for the soul. Let their beauty work on soothing the hurt that comes with the loss of a loved one.