Tips On Giving Flowers As Gifts

“Farewell deare flowers, sweetly your time ye spent,

Fit, while ye liv’d, for smell or ornament,

And after death for cures.”

- George Herbert

It’s often in the graceful appearances of the natural things that a troubled soul finds solace. Flowers are one of them, and probably the most delicately beautiful of all. Though miniature, and mute, the language they speak if far more audible and yet their words, difficult to decipher. It requires special skill set to encode what they have to say, like Braille for the blind. It’s difficult, mind you, not impossible. Those who take delight in these miniature-ish off springs of nature can very well hear the silent hymns they sing out loud. Sweet is the little time they spend; honeyed is the taste they leave, for long. It’s because of this enigmatic existence that flowers are cherished by one and all. It’s also the reason why among the hordes of technological innovations and other class of gifts, flowers still, in the 21^st century, remain the most preferred choice for gifts all around the world. If you want to send a bunch of these lively and lovely beauties, anywhere in the world, but are caught short on what message they may convey then have a read of what what follows next.

Flower Gift Giving Tips

Roses

Actions speak louder than words; Roses speak volumes that even actions can’t convey. Roses have been a symbol of love and passion since the times of ancient Greeks and Romans, who often linked them to the goddesses of love: Aphrodite and Venus. Today, giving roses to your loved one is THE chicest of all choices, with each colour denoting a different meaning.

Red – Love & Passion

White – Purity, Peace, Humility, and Innocence

Yellow – Platonic Love, Friendship, Forgiveness

Pink – Beauty, Gratitude, Eternal Love, and Perfect Happiness

Orange – Desire and Enthusiasm

Purple – Love at first sight

Tulips

Originating in Turkey and Persia, where they were also named so for giving a turban-like appearance when in full bloom, just like the turban the Turkish used to wear in those days (16^th Century AD), Tulips are now among the top choices of flowers. And though Tulips arrived late on the scene but once they did, they stayed for good, and people now love them for occasions, one and all. In general tulips represent charity, fame, wealth and spring whereas different colours denote different meanings like:
White – Lost Love and Forgiveness
Yellow – Cheerfulness
Red – Perfect Love 

Orchids

The most preferred of ornamental flowers now, orchids, started out as being more than a symbol – they were believed to be an instrument of virility by the ancient Greeks. It was in the early 20^th century that they started out being used as luxurious decorations and today, are among the preferred choices for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and casual expressions. In general orchids represent beauty, love and wedding whereas different colours denote different meanings like:

Pink – Pure Affection

Cattleya – Mature Charm

Cymbidium – Luxury and Magnificence

Ophrys Fly – Skill and Dexterity

Lilies

Believed to spring forth from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods, Lilies are among the most ancient of flowers (right up there with the roses) and today, among the most gifted. Weddings, and wedding anniversaries, specifically, feel incomplete if not for the presence of lilies. However, in a stark contrast, lilies are also associated with the funerals, denoting that the soul has regained its innocence with which it came down as a child. In general lilies represent honour, purity, sympathy and majesty whereas different colours denote different meanings like:

White – Chastity and Virtue

Peruvian – Friendship and Devotion,

Pink Stargazer - Prosperity and Wealth

White Stargazer – Sympathy

Water Lily – Absolute Truth and Prosperity

Carnations

Another competitor to the roses and lilies in terms of the 2000 year long history and symbolism they hold, carnations too stand top in the list of flowers to gift and convey different heartfelt emotions on different occasions. With fragrance that can send anyone in a state of delightful ecstasy, carnations are best to gift on Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, and of course - weddings. In general carnations represent love, friendship and fascination whereas different colours denote different meanings like:

White – Pure Love and Good Luck

Light Red – Admiration

Dark Red – Deep Love and Affection

Pink – Mother’s undying Love

Poinsettias

One look of this bright-red-coloured-and-starry-shaped poinsettia is sure to put a smile on your face. Also known as the Christmas flower, poinsettias have long symbolized humbleness and were believed to be pure by the ancient Aztec civilization. Today, poinsettias—white, red, pink or green—represent cheery spirit and success and are great to give on festive and mirthful occasions.

Irises

Named after the Greek goddess of rainbow, the mythology of irises takes them back to the ancient Greek period where Goddess Iris acted as a link between the heaven and the earth to guide the deceased to their final abode up in heaven. Today, the iris flower is also known as the February birth flower and considered ideal to gift on 25^th wedding anniversary. In general irises represent love, friendship and fascination whereas different colours denote different meanings like:

Blue – Faith and Hope

White – Purity

Yellow – Passion

Purple – Wisdom

German Iris – Flame 

Daffodils

One look and its self explanatory why cultures, as different as England and China, consider them to be a symbol of wealth and good luck. Botanically known as Narcissus and popularly known as the March birth flower and 10^th anniversary flower, these sparkly yellow coloured daffodils are the sight for sore eyes. It is, however, also believed that if given as a single bloom, daffodil can prove unlucky. But why would you want to do that when they look sublimely heaven-sent when put together in a bunch. Focus, will entirely be on them, if they are in the room. In general, daffodils represent gracefulness, good luck, chivalry, sunshine, respect, clarity of thought and inner beauty.

Lilacs

Botanically known as Syringa, who, according to the Greek mythology was a beautiful nymph, lilacs are among the most stunning looking flowers. Appearing more as a flowery bush than a single flower, lilacs are considered precursor to spring, silently foretelling its arrival. Apart from season forecast, lilacs are also known as 8^th wedding anniversary flower and in general represent beauty, pride, sympathy and remembrance whereas different colours denote different meanings like:

Purple – First Love

Yellow – Youthful Innocence

Pink – Acceptance

Hyacinths

Like lilacs, hyacinths too are bushy little flowers that grow on top of the stem. And just as many other flowers, hyacinths too are associated with Greek mythology but today represent a different breed of flowers that have carved a niche for themselves, an identity of their own despite roses and the likes being the most preferred. In general, hyacinths represent sport or play, sincerity and constancy.

Sunflowers

The uncanny fascination for them is astounding! Just as they always track the direction of the sun, we too, awestruck by their bright appearance can’t let them go out of our sight. Sunflowers, also known as the 3^rd anniversary flowers, are believed to be a representation of the Sun itself, and denote its warmth, respect, sunshine, love, loyalty and long life.

Blue Flowers

There’s something in the colour blue that lends a universal appeal to the beautiful petals of the flowers and eyes of the beholder. It’s next to impossible to hold your attention elsewhere when these beauties are within the spotting distance. The soothing sensation they unleash on the senses is remarkable. Different hues of blue represent different aspects such as trust, confidence, unification and loyalty.

Now that your understanding of the basic alphabets of the language of the flowers is a little better, make them your first gift choice without blinking or thinking twice. What’s more, you can also send flowers internationally to your loved ones with so much as picking up the phone and ordering them or logging on to the internet. Yes, that’s right, there are many web portals that allow you to pick the set or customized bouquets and they’ll deliver it to your loved one, anywhere in the world. To end on a thoughtful note, it definitely helps when technology reconnects you to something it robbed you off in the first place. Making amends through flowers; natural justice at its best!