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.

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“Instinct tells us that flowers lift our spirits, but, their effects on seniors are especially profound, if not surprising,” said Jeannette Haviland-Jones, lead researcher on a 2001 Rutgers behavioral study linking flora with senior citizen happiness. In their findings, 81% of seniors reported a reduction in depression following a flower delivery; 41% reported broadening their social contacts; 72% scored very high on memory tests in comparison with those who did not receive any. “Happier people live longer, healthier lives and are more open to change,” said Haviland-Jones. “Our research shows that a small dose of nature, like flowers, can do a world of wonder for our well-being as we age.”

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.

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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.

A good way to feel out a person’s flower favorites is to take a trip to the local botanical gardens and check out the flowers there. Does she admire big flowering plants or quaint intricate beauties? Is she fond of the fragrant, the exotic or the traditional? Finding the perfect flower bouquets is a matter of personal taste and the more the giver knows about the receiver’s preferences, the easier it’ll be. Needless to say, receiving flowers is one of the most joyous feelings in life.

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In the Victorian era, the bride and groom would send bouquets to each other to convey secret meanings. Each flower meant something different, such as carnations for “love and devotion,” chrysanthemums for “wealth and truth,” the lily for “majesty and honor,” tulips for “love and passion,” daisies for “beauty,” amaryllis for “pride, determination and radiant beauty” and yellow acacia for “secret love.” Today, bouquets of flowers are sent as a gesture of good will and thoughtfulness, but that is not all. Balloons, chocolates, teddy bears, candy and other gifts can be sent as well. Thanks to the internet and same-day delivery, gift giving has never been easier!

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).

Flower bouquets are the most traditional arrangement and bring joy time and time again. Few gifts can say “I love you” like red rose bouquets marked with baby’s breath. Yet something so traditional is not for everyone. Choosing an arrangement of blooms based on the receiver’s personality is preferable. More exotic arrangements can be created using lilies, orchids or birds of paradise. Sometimes just the right creation speaks to the consumer, while other times it’s a more thoughtful experience to go to the local flower shop and choose all the items separately.

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In the Victorian era, flowers adorned everything, such as the hair, clothing, stationary, furniture and jewelry. The “language of flowers” was considered to be very important as well and passing secret messages with a flower bouquet was a favorite pastime. For instance, if a man sent purple irises, crocuses or an ivy, he meant to say “My heart is aflame with joy and I choose you above all else.” If he sent red carnations to a long-distance love, it meant “I must see you soon.” Snowdrops sent to an ex-lover meant “Let’s try the romance again.” While all floral gifts are not taken as literally today, there are certain flowers for certain occasions.

Generally, when you’re making a customized, mixed flower arrangement, you’ll want to pick one larger bloom that will impress. Lilies, iris and orchids are the most common “wow” flowers, although birds of paradise can also be included, with fewer of these scattered throughout. Next, you’ll want to choose medium flowers as the most abundant addition, such as daisies, carnations, roses, peonies, daffodils, chrysanthemums, anemone or asters. Lastly, you’ll need to close in the gaps with a filler. Baby’s breath, cherry blossoms, hyacinths, larkspur, lilac, ivy, stock and Queen Anne’s lace may be used. By varying texture, color and varieties, you’ll have one of the most impressive and thoughtful bouquets of flowers imaginable.

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.

Receiving a beautiful flower bouquet will bring aroma, color and life to one’s home. The beautiful arrangement will be a reminder of the kindness and generosity of the giver. Though the flowering blooms may die, it will remain in one’s mind as an enduring symbol of well wishes. Perhaps that’s why American botanist and science pioneer Luther Burbank said, “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.”

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