How to Send Flowers the Correct Way: In a Manner the Recipient Will Soon Not Forget

Sending flowers is always a thoughtful and distinct gesture; however, the well-meaning good intentions of the "giver" may be lost on the recipient (or not be as effective) if the sender is not aware of the proper timing relative to the occasion. Read on for some suggestions for the best possible times and reasons to send flowers--not just for special occasions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Ability to memorize the guidelines in this article

How to Send Flowers the Right Way!

1. The first thing you must do is consider all the times that sending flowers is essential. Secondly, you must further consider your timing in the delivery of the arrangement(s). Both elements are necessary in your ability to show grace and diplomacy in giving the "gift of flowers."
2. One time when most of us usually send flowers is when someone becomes hospitalized. The suggestion here is not to send your flowers when the person is too ill or incapacitated to appreciate your gift. Flowers will do little to revive the "spirits" of a person just coming out from being "under."
   
   Instead, send flowers prior to the operation or a week afterwards. Or, send a small bouquet or arrangement to the individual's address when he or she is due to return home.
   
   By following the above course of action, your flowers won't arrive with everyone else's, which is directly after the operation.
3. Consider the following: If sending flowers will cheer "sickly" individuals, think of the impact your flowers will make on healthier friends.
   
   In the case where some of your healthier friends may also be substantially wealthier, rather than trying to "match" them in the "gift buying" area, use your "limited" resources to send them colorful arrangements from time to time.
   
   In example, if they have sent you a lavish gift on an occasion such as Christmas, Wedding(s), Birthday(s), or whatever circumstance, return their thoughtful social gesture by sending them a lovely bouquet or arrangement of flowers.
   
   Depending upon their generosity and your possible lack of "matching" resources, 1 delivery could arrive in spring, 1 in summer, another in autumn and yet another in winter. The autumn arrangement could celebrate autumn but be just in time for Thanksgiving; your winter arrangement could "applaud" the advent of winter, however, be delivered around Valentine's Day or Christmas; your spring arrangement could arrive around Easter and your summer arrangement might be delivered around the Fourth of July.
   
   Depending on your friends and other circumstances, occasional delivery of flowers in appreciation of a thoughtful gift (well out of reach of your own "budgetary" price range) is always a graceful act.
   
   Just don't get carried away with your "thankfulness." If you send too many bouquets, it may appear as "mocking" as opposed to appreciation. Send the bouquet or arrangement a week or so after receiving the gift, acknowledging the "givers" gift and thoughtful gesture.
   
   A note card could simply read: "Thank you for your thoughtful gift."
4. The following suggestion is for husbands who travel frequently or suitors or one of similar circumstance. Once your partner or spouse sees you off for your trip, have a box of flowers awaiting her arrival back home or schedule delivery for sometime that day.
   
   Also, the thoughtful partner could wire flowers just prior to arriving home on the day he returns home. It is suggested to make your bouquet or arrangement somewhat symbolic of your return home. For instance, you could write something on the card like, "Three Cheers--I'll be Home to See You Tonight," if you have sent 3 lovely long-stemmed flowers.
   
   The suggestion here is do one or the other--too much flower giving can be considered "overkill" and may "stifle" the relationship; whereas, one simple thoughtful gesture, timed appropriately, makes all the difference in the world.
5. Women are at liberty to give flowers to men. Many men do not consider flowers purely a gift for women. Appropriate flowers for men include Carnations and Chrysanthemums. Less appropriate choices or selections to stay away from altogether for men include Sweetheart Roses and Baby's Breath.
   
   If you and your companion have a "tiff," once you both have resolved the issue, why not send him a small bunch of flowers? You could send them privately, of course, as a good-natured gesture.
6. Flower gifts do not need to be necessarily traditional in nature. The idea of not only sending flowers when least expected, but putting a "novel" twist to the gift giving is an ideal way of presenting floral gifts. The foll0wing are a few suggestions you may wish to use for special occasions.
   
   "Brand" your girl with a floral arrangement made up of your own initials. Do this when you are well into the relationship and not at the beginning. This can be a dating anniversary gift and may be presented at an informal type of party. Kiddingly, let her know you are "branding" her as your girl. Make sure she has a good sense of humor. Additionally, do not give her the idea you consider her chattel. Just give it the sense that you are wanting her to wear your "pin," or give it the feel that you 2 are a "steady" item.
   
   Another idea is a young girl could receive an "initial arrangement" based on the first initial of the recipient's first name and the first initial of her last name. Flowers such as Cornflowers, Dwarf Zinnias, Midget Dahlias, and Pom Pom Mums are flowers small enough to be part of such a design or arrangement.
   
   You could send a Bon voyage Boat for a recipient heading abroad. Have the lower deck made with a solid mass of red carnations, with the upper deck made with white carnations. If you wish, add 2 smoke stacks with blue cornflowers to give your arrangement a "vintage feel." A talented florist should be able to construct the arrangement as described.
7. Another consideration are arrangements for new mothers. How about putting together two identical vases, one large vase with big flowers and one tiny vase with miniature flowers in the same variety as the tall flowers or in the same color scheme? For example, gladioluses may be used as the big flowers with the tiny selection being the Midget Gladiolus.
8. Always remember to give a girl flowers on the following occasions: graduation(s), proms, or a "deb" party.
   
   It is suggested to give younger girls corsages made of smaller flowers. Avoid grand displays of blossoms. For example, Anthurium and Amaryllis appear too sophisticated.
9. Depending on your mates temperament, if she really likes flowers, send some her way on New Year's Eve, Easter, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day.
10. Do not send funereal looking flowers to a funeral and do not send cut flowers as it may be difficult for a funeral home to readily supply an appropriate vase.
    
    Your best bet is to send a spray. Additionally, have your florist write precisely what you have given him or her, on the back of your card.
11. In conclusion, giving flowers is a matter of timing as well as inventiveness. Merely providing a nice display to the recipient is not the "total package."
    
    Sending the gift of flowers with presentations that are original makes the difference in a floral gift that is ordinary to something that is--well, extraordinary.

Tips & Warnings

• Send hospital flowers first thing in the morning in order that the patient has all day to enjoy them.
• Here is another idea I read about and just needed to share it with you as I suspect such a gesture by a male suitor, boyfriend, or husband may have almost any woman "giddy" for weeks. One husband ordered 100 carnations to be presented to his wife on the "eve" of a gala Valentine's event. The male spouse attained instructions from a floral designer on how to make a lei. After the carnations arrived he proceeded to make a beautiful lei for his "disarmed," surprised and pleased wife. Consideration, of course, needs to be made as to each couple's individual personalities and familiarity or relationship. This idea could work splendidly for the right couple.
• How about giving a single male friend a sheaf of sea oats? The oats are unbleached and totally unpretentious. They are totally appropriate in keeping with the quarters of a bachelor. The card could read, "The Best of Success in Sowing Your Wild Oats!" There may be certain male contemporaries that fit this profile. This makes an ideal "gag" gift.