Buzzabasket

Flowers top the list of the “most popular product purchased online.” Even though electronics, books, toys and wines are also purchased via the internet, it seems that reliable flower delivery has spread like wildfire. The Society of American Florists reports that the industry made roughly $20.1 billion last year and that there are about 22,751 local shops operating in the US. Even though online sellers have flourished, many of these local shops continue to do well because they pair up with the national giants to service their local markets.

There are numerous occasions to buy flowers, the most obvious being Valentine’s Day and Birthdays. However, never underestimate the power of an unexpected delivery! To really impress someone, send an arrangement to acknowledge a job promotion or to express sympathy during a difficult time. For family members, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter are popular times too. It’s customary to send flowers gifts of to newlyweds to wish them well. Of course, there are also flower faux pas to be aware of.

For instance, it’s not customary to send flowers to Muslims following a family member’s death. In Asian culture, white blooms are given only during mournful and unhappy occasions. In the US, it’s customary to send the flowers in arrangements of one dozen, but in some European countries an even number is considered inappropriate. Also, Asians have superstitions about receiving four blooms (which signifies “death”) and many countries are superstitious about the number thirteen.

One way to select flowers is to think about what is “in season.” By creating a seasonal bouquet, you’ll ensure that the blooms are fresh, available and less expensive. Sometimes this can also make you think outside your comfort zone, dabbling in new favorites, and the recipient is sure to delight in your creativity! Of course there are varieties for all seasons, such as Roses, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Gardenias, Lilies of the Valley, Orchids and Gladiolus. For those winter months, you can try Calla Lilies, Forget-Me-Nots, Ivies, Poinsettias, Tulips, Jasmines or Camellias. For springtime, try Violets, Tulips, Narcissuses, Lilacs, Jonquils, Apple Blossoms, Orange Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms, Irises, Hyacinths, Daffodils and Pansies. Summer blooms include Daisies, Hydrangeas, Sweet Peas, Peonies, Queen Anne’s Lace, Delphiniums and Dahlias. Then, in the fall, try Asters, Chrysanthemums, Marigolds and Gerbera Daisies, while adding some autumn leaves to spruce it up a bit.

There are many places to buy flowers. When shopping online, look for phrases like “Satisfaction Guaranteed,” “Over 15 Years in the Business,” “Secure Ordering” and “Award-Winning Service.” Industry credentials, customer testimonials and awards all ultimately lend to a company’s credibility. Sometimes your local flower shop has its own website, which can be a good bet. Otherwise, try one of the larger and more established sellers like Proflowers, FTD or 1800Flowers.

A 2001 Rutgers behavioral study found a clear link between flowers and life satisfaction. Over a ten-month period, they found that fresh blooms had an immediate impact on the mood of senior citizens but also had long-lasting positive effects too, such as leading to increased contact between family and encouraging companionship. “What’s most exciting about this study is that it challenges established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way,” said lead researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, PhD.

There are numerous occasions to buy flowers, the most obvious being Valentine’s Day and Birthdays. However, never underestimate the power of an unexpected delivery! To really impress someone, send an arrangement to acknowledge a job promotion or to express sympathy during a difficult time. For family members, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter are popular times too. It’s customary to send flowers gifts of to newlyweds to wish them well. Of course, there are also flower faux pas to be aware of.

For instance, it’s not customary to send flowers to Muslims following a family member’s death. In Asian culture, white blooms are given only during mournful and unhappy occasions. In the US, it’s customary to send the flowers in arrangements of one dozen, but in some European countries an even number is considered inappropriate. Also, Asians have superstitions about receiving four blooms (which signifies “death”) and many countries are superstitious about the number thirteen.

Did you know there are secret meanings associated with flowers? To make a thoughtful arrangement, you can have one created to make your thoughtfulness clear by writing a message defining each meaning. The most commonly known meanings are in the different color roses. For instance, red roses mean “love, respect and courage,” white roses mean “reverence, purity, innocence, secrecy,” yellow roses mean “joy, gladness, freedom and friendship,” red and white roses are equated with “unity,” while pink and orange roses mean “gratitude, appreciation, admiration and sympathy.” For a romantic bouquet, try adding blue Irises and red Tulips, which symbolize “a lover’s embrace.” A Daisy stands for “loyalty in love” and similarly, a white Carnation also means “faithfulness.”

Web Mystery Shoppers International Inc. recently ran a study rating online flower sellers like Proflowers, FTD, 1st In Flowers and Urban Florist. Seventy-three percent of the mystery shoppers said the shipping costs were “hidden” and once discovered, they found that 30% of the retailers had such high shipping prices that they wouldn’t even consider purchasing. Often prices are not in fact higher online, but consumers are left feeling dissatisfied when they have to enter their personal credit card information before receiving the total cost including shipping. Additionally, error rates ranged from 20-34% while trying to book a delivery, so web responsiveness is another area where the top online flower shops need to improve. Despite all this, fresh blooms are one of the top online sales, yet for some people, the occasion is worth the trip to the local flower shop.

Ancient Egyptians knew of flower power when it came to expressing love. They adorned their pharaohs, their tombs and their warrior carts with flower bouquets. The blue and the white lotus (water lilies) or the papyrus flower were frequently depicted in hieroglyphics and found in tombs. Lovers still enjoy giving and receiving bouquets of flowers, breathing in the poignant aromas, gazing upon the fresh natural beauty and pondering the significance of such a thoughtful gesture.

The first thing to consider when choosing floral arrangements for lovers is the nature of the relationship. Daisies and chrysanthemums are perfect for a cheerful and playful lover in an innocent and new relationship. Another flirtatious favorite for new loves is the fragrant hyacinth. Modest and shy lovers will like something sweet and simple like violets. Rose bouquets are the most famous, particularly red roses, but there are many other flower garden contenders: tulips, lilacs, lilies, wildflowers, irises and orchids, for instance. For intensely passionate physical relationships, it should be noted that tulips are traditionally known to represent “the perfect lover.”

Sometimes flower bouquets can be coordinated with regard to the recipient’s home interior decor or favorite colors. For special events, matching the bouquet color to a dress or a tie is always a prudent idea. Does she have an Asian-themed room? Why not try some bamboo, Asiatic lilies, cherry blossoms or a Bonzai tree? To adorn large spaces, it’s ok to go big and bold with vivid bouquets of lilies, hydrangeas or gladioluses. If her bedroom is blue, then the sender can try a monochromatic theme of all blue flowers. Another modern trend is the “monobotanic” arrangement, which is one type of flower in all different colors.

Flower bouquets have been given for thousands of years to bring luck in battle, to adorn lovers, to celebrate kings or to provide happiness and tranquility. In modern times, people often forget to simply stop and smell the roses during the hustle and bustle of a busy day. If people cannot get out of the office to enjoy nature, the best recourse is to bring nature to them. Studies show that having flowers in the home and workplace leads to higher productivity and creativity.

Starting in the Middle Ages and persisting well into the Renaissance era, certain flowers carried special secret meanings. In the presence of chaperons, star-crossed lovers could speak in gestures, rather than words. Courtships were long back then and the language of flowers enabled intentions to be made and acceptances or refusals to also be declared. For instance, a person could respond “yes” by offering a rose with the right hand or “no” with the left. A flower presented in the upright position represented positive intentions; whereas upside-down rose bouquets carried negative connotations. Today, flowers still speak the language of love and there are certain types associated with certain meanings and holidays.

There are certain flowers associated with different holidays, which makes gift giving easy. Since Thanksgiving is a time of family gathering, a flower bouquet makes a beautiful centerpiece. Autumn-colored flowers like chrysanthemums, asters, carnations, roses and Asiatic lilies, as well as sunflowers, cornucopia and alstroemeria are all good choices. For Christmas, red and white roses or poinsettias are classic. Other considerations include the Christmas cactus or the orchid cactus, the mistletoe flower, white roses (the winter rose) and the Pohutukawa tree of New Zealand. One dozen long-stem red rose bouquets are the most traditional Valentine’s Day gift, although flowers bouquets are getting more creative and many recipients are reporting that thoughtful mixed arrangements are just as nice, if not better. For Easter, azaleas, tulips and daisies are popular choices. According to ancient Christian symbolism, white Easter lilies represent the resurrection. There are also a number of great flowers for Mother’s Day, including pink carnations, gardenias, lilies, tulips, mums, gerbera daisies and roses.

Once you’ve decided on the ideal floral bouquet for the right occasion, be sure you order from a reputable online flower shop that boasts a long track record and offers a satisfaction guarantee. Write down delivery information and request a confirmation for peace of mind. Double-check that your order considers the recipient’s preferences, favorite flowers, favorite colors and that it is suitable for the time of year and occasion. Or perhaps your arrangement will convey the language of flowers with a hidden message. Be sure your bouquet is overflowing with beautiful blooms, rather than green leaves. Also, if you choose accessories, then be sure they do not overpower the beauty of the flowers.

When arranging the flowers, try to think in textures. Smooth, tight lines of carnations will balance more graceful swooping irises, for instance. Adding baby’s breath to a bouquet of roses or cherry blossoms to lilies will fill out the arrangement for a spellbinding effect that’s bound to impress. Some people choose a monochromatic scheme in the recipient’s favorite color, using all different flowers in that same shade. Others prefer different colors of the same flower like roses, tulips, lilies or irises.

When most people think of sending a gift to a friend, a lover or a family member, they think of sending flowers. Bouquets are, in fact, the most popular item bought and shipped online. However, innovative gift makers recognize that not everyone is into traditional flowers. To stand apart from the crowd, gift givers can also send balloons, teddy bears, candies, cookies, fruit and other goodie baskets to brighten someone’s day in an unconventional way.

Balloon bouquets are a creative gift to celebrate someone’s special day, whether it is a birthday, a graduation or a new baby. A good selection can be found at www.giftbasket.com, starting as low as $30 and ranging up to $86.95 (to include flowers too). Balloons can be combined with teddy bears or chocolates too. Those looking for a really creative, customized balloon bouquet will love www.balloonplanet.com, where they can choose their own by theme, including Disney characters, alcoholic beverages, bugs, animals, singing balloons, sports, stars, hearts and more. For quick same-day delivery, www.1-800-balloons.com can accommodate with a number of arrangements.

For a unique gift, there are “edible arrangements” to send at www.ediblearrangements.com. Instead of the traditional flowers, a gift giver can send an arrangement of chocolate-dipped strawberries or beautifully arranged mixed fruit for any occasion. For instance, the Bosses’ Day arrangement includes pineapple daisies, cantaloupe, fresh strawberries, grapes and chocolate covered orange slices with a special “Thank You/Happy Bosses’ Day” balloon! A party bouquet also makes a great table setting and appetizer! To really light up a loved one’s life, gift givers can purchase a 3, 6 or 12 month “Bouquet of the Month” club, which will keep sending new bouquets to surprise that special someone. Prices start as low as $30 and range just over $400 (for the 12-month club).

Bouquets aren’t always necessarily gifts. Often times, they’re used to bring joy to a celebration, to decorate and to add ambiance. For instance, wedding bouquets can enhance a bride’s appearance and experience. Cascading can slim a self-conscious bride, while shorter brides may want a round arrangement to make them look taller. Cascading and hand-tied bridal bouquets can take the emphasis away from a bride’s wide hips, while a round one will balance out a petite bride. A hand-tied bouquet is popular for the natural, “fresh-from-the-garden” casual look. Once the style is chosen, there is still color and bloom variety to contend with, so choosing one is a very personal experience.