Ideas for Gifts
At the Flowers & Plants Association, we’re often asked what people should buy for certain occasions, or gifts. Our reply is “whatever the recipient would like most!”
However, we understand you’d like some help or ideas in this matter – so here’s our suggestions for what you could buy for special days, and to celebrate or mark more everyday events too. Links will take you to a dedicated page on flowers for the “bigger” occasions.
Flowers for Valentine’s day
Flowers and plants for Mothers’ day
Flowers and plants for Christmas
Flowers and Plants Gift ideas
• To take to a Dinner Party
• For a Birthday or Wedding Anniversary
• For someone in Hospital
• To celebrate an Engagement
• To say Congratulations
• For Funerals
Flowers and plants To take to a Dinner Party
You’ll find more ideas on flowers for dinner parties here, if you’re hosting one yourself. If you are taking flowers with you, it is a nice idea to take something ready to display so a flustered hostess doesn’t have to fill a vase while she’s trying to pour the wine!
Ask the florist to “aquapack” the bouquet – this places the stems in a watertight bubble of cellophane that can then be filled with water and transported without spillage. It will need topping up daily and ideally the flowers should be transferred to a vase later, but this will hold the flowers temporarily.
Another good way to transport and display the flowers is in a gift bag – many florists and retailers offer posies ready-packed into coordinating gift bags that make ideal presents.
Flowers and plants for a Birthday or Wedding Anniversary
Why not reflect the tradition of anniversary gift lore in your choice of flowers and plants? It doesn’t have to be a wedding anniversary (though those are definitely something to celebrate!) – it could be your company’s ten year birthday; five years since you moved to the UK, twenty years since your class graduated university. (Is it really that long?)
Each anniversary has a special something traditionally associated with it; we’ve found a flower or plant to match, that you can choose for a celebration gift or to decorate a party venue.
Flowers or plants for each anniversary
Flowers and plants for someone in Hospital
Some hospitals have a no-flowers policy so do check before you visit. Most however will encourage visitors to bring flowers and flowering plants as the staff understand how receiving a bunch of bright flowers can lift the spirits and rejeuvenate a flagging patient.
Ask the florist to “aquapack” the bouquet – this places the stems in a watertight bubble of cellophane that can then be filled with water and transported without spillage. It will need topping up daily and ideally the flowers should be transferred to a vase, but if there isn’t a vase available this will hold the flowers in an emergency.
Another good way to transport and display the flowers is in a gift bag – many florists and retailers offer posies ready-packed into coordinating gift bags that make ideal presents.
Florists are also able to design a long and thin locker arrangement specially for hospitals, with the flowers secured into florists’ foam so that they are well hydrated . You can also take a small, cheerful flowering plant in gift bag like gerbera, roses or kalanchoes for longer-lasting blooms.
Flowers to celebrate an Engagement
Just heard a friend or loved one is getting hitched? Remind them of the day to come by celebrating with fresh blooms in bridal pastel shades. Include any flowers you find romantic, and don't forget scent – nature's own seductive, sweet perfumed flowers are the most romantic gesture around.
Flowers and plants to say Congratulations
Son passed his driving test? Niece passed her exams? Neighbour had a baby? There's so many occasions we need to congratulate a colleague, friend or loved one, so why not show them they're special with a big bunch of fresh blooms or a fresh houseplant.
You don't just need to stick to traditional colours for certain occasions – for example, sending a pink bouquet to the new mum of a baby girl – they're much more likely to appreciate their favourite flower, or something a bit more daring. If you need advice or inspiration, visit our flower fashion trend and plant fashion trend pages.
Flowers and plants for Funerals
Flowers help us express our emotions when words escape us, and are used as symbols of respect and honour. Flowers for funerals celebrate the life of a loved one, so it's a lovely idea to have the arrangement made in their favourite flower.
Just as with wedding flowers, and flowers for our homes, trends in funeral flowers change over the years. Once upon a time, white lilies were synonymous with funeral processions, rather than stylish modern interiors; then chrysanthemums became the flower of choice for commemorating the dead. In Europe, bunches of chrysanthemums are placed on graves at All Souls’ Day, November 1st.
It's now acceptable to have flowers in almost any style or shape – some people have picture tributes created in flowerheads to reflect their hobbies or interests – but as it's an occasion that's highly personal, so the flowers you choose should be, too. Flower letters spelling the name of the deceased, a floral train or teddy, a handtied bouquet of the deceased’s favourite flowers, or a single red rose are all appropriate.
If you need to choose flowers for a funeral, many florists have an area where the bereaved can discuss the flower requirements for all friends and family members in private. You can find a list of our member florists here.