The Complete Guide to Sending Someone Flowers

Are you interested in sending someone flowers?

Whether it’s a special event or an “anytime” gift, sending flowers is a great way to show someone that you’re thinking about them. While many people think that sending someone flowers is an outdated practice, everyone loves receiving a special surprise bouquet!

If you’ve never sent flowers before, you might not know how to start. There are so many options, so how do you know what you’re supposed to do?

We’re here to offer some much-needed advice. Keep reading to learn all about how to send flowers that the recipient will love.

Why Are You Sending Flowers?

First, consider why you’re sending flowers in the first place. Did you know that there’s specific flower etiquette depending on your purpose for sending your bouquet?

Most of the time, modern people don’t care much about “etiquette” regarding thoughtful gifts. That said, it’s always a good idea to be polite and safe rather than sorry.

Here are a few potential situations for which you might send flowers and the appropriate etiquette for each one.

A Romantic Gift

The first thing that anyone thinks of when they’re thinking about floral gifts is romance. From an initial singular flower on a first date all the way through the bridal bouquet, flowers are symbols of love and romance.

When it comes to romantic flowers, most people choose red and pink flowers. Some people also choose yellow flowers to indicate happiness. That said, if you know the recipient’s favorite flower, that’s the obvious choice.

If this is a new romantic interest, consider whether or not a bouquet is the right choice. Sometimes it’s better to opt for a single red rose, so you don’t overwhelm the recipient.

If this is an anniversary, consider getting a bouquet full of as many flowers as you have years together. This is sweet symbolism that your loved one is sure to appreciate.

There are varied opinions about whether it’s appropriate to send flowers to your loved one in public. This will ultimately depend on the recipient’s personality and preferences.

For a newer partnership, it may be better to send flowers to your partner’s home. This way, they don’t have to explain anything to coworkers, and they won’t be the subject of rude gossip. For shy people, this also prevents them from having to be the center of attention.

For long-term public relationships, it can be appropriate to send a bouquet to your partner in public. They will stand out, but it may make them feel special and appreciated.

Sympathy Flowers

When someone passes away, it’s customary to send sympathy flowers. These can be bouquets for the deceased’s loved ones or flower arrangements for funerals.

If you’re unsure what your loved ones want, it’s best to stick with classic arrangements for funerals. Funeral wreaths are a safe choice. Stick with white flowers to show respect for the deceased unless the family tells you otherwise.

Tread with caution when it comes to sympathy flowers. Emotions are running wild after someone passes away, so it’s easier to make accidental missteps.

Holiday, Event, and Birthday Flowers

So what about flowers for happy events?

When we’re discussing flowers for events, holidays, and birthdays, we’re talking about flowers that you give to people who aren’t romantic interests. These flowers are for friends and family members.

Birthday flowers aren’t as popular as they once were, but flowers are still an awesome choice for celebrating your friend’s special day. This is an occasion where we think it’s appropriate to send flowers to the recipient in public. After all, they deserve to be the center of attention (as long as they feel comfortable with that).

For birthday flowers, pick the recipient’s favorite flowers rather than sticking to a specific pre-determined type.

Many people give their friends flower arrangements for holidays as well. You can get great seasonal arrangements that make fun centerpieces from sites like www.800florals.com. There is an arrangement for every season!

So what kind of events are flowers good for?

We love offering floral gifts to people graduating from high school or college (or even small children who go through kindergarten “graduations” to make them feel special). They’re also great for new parents, people who have received job promotions, people who have recovered from illnesses, and people who are having engagement parties.

Favorite Types of Flowers

So with the basic reasons out of the way, it’s important to consider what flower types the recipient would actually like. It’s easy to say that romantic flowers should be red and mourning flowers should be white, but it’s not really that simple.

Many people will freely tell you their favorite flowers. Asking them their favorite flower won’t indicate that you plan on buying them. It’s a simple question, so it’s appropriate to ask even if planning a surprise bouquet gift.

You can also ask friends of the recipient about the recipient’s favorite flowers if you don’t feel comfortable asking on your own.

If the recipient doesn’t have favorite flowers, focus on favorite colors. Flowers come in every color in the rainbow.

Does The Recipient Have Allergies?

Do you know whether or not your recipient has a flower allergy?

While most flower arrangements won’t set off allergic reactions (even if the recipient has a mild allergy), there are a few flowers that allergy-prone people want to avoid.

Common flowers that trigger allergies are daisies and sunflowers, both of which are common in flower arrangements!

If you’re sending flowers to a public place, like a workplace, it’s best to avoid these flowers even if the recipient doesn’t have allergies. You don’t want to set off allergic reactions amongst coworkers or customers.

Does The Recipient Have Pets?

This is another thing that you need to keep in mind if you plan on sending someone flowers. If they have dogs or cats, you might be putting them at risk if you don’t do your research.

Dogs and cats are notorious for getting into flower arrangements. Most of the time, this is a non-issue (for the pets, at least), but several plants are toxic to cats and dogs.

If the recipient has pets, make sure that you aren’t including any of these flowers in your flower arrangement.

What to Do With Flowers

Are you worried that flowers are too “temporary” to be good gifts? While it’s true that cut flowers begin to wilt quickly, that doesn’t mean that they’re not great gifts.

If nothing else, enjoy the beauty while it lasts. Not everything has to last forever, and the brief elegance of flowers will make you appreciate them more.

If your recipient wants to keep flowers, however, consider making a keepsake for them (or having one made). If these were romantic flowers or flowers for a family member, you could even do this together.

Dry out your flowers by either pressing them in a book with parchment paper or laying them on a cookie sheet in the oven for several hours on low heat. Or you can also get them done professionally. When you retrieve the flowers, they’ll be flat, dry, and usable for various projects. You can also preserve flowers by keeping them in shadow boxes, framing them in picture frames, or scrapbooking them.

Alternatives: When Not to Send Flowers

Flowers aren’t always appropriate gifts. Even if your intentions aren’t romantic, some people will always see flowers as a romantic gesture. If you’re worried about this, it’s best to choose something else to give the recipient.

These suggestions will also help if the recipient is allergic to flowers or has pets that may get into flowers.

If you love the idea of a flower arrangement, but flowers seem too over-the-top, consider sending a potted plant instead. Because the plant is still alive, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Potted plants don’t have the same romantic connotations that flower arrangements do.

So what if the recipient doesn’t have a green thumb? No problem. It’s always appropriate to send a fruit arrangement instead. Everyone loves receiving a basket full of delicious sliced fruit!

Sending Someone Flowers? Use This Guide

Sending someone flowers is a great way to show them that you care. Flowers are classic gifts that have withstood the tests of time.

Make sure to pick the perfect flower arrangement for your special occasion to delight your recipient and brighten their day! Whether you’re feeling romantic or celebrating a job promotion, there’s an arrangement for you.

For more helpful articles about the top trending topics, visit the rest of our site.