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Flowering Up Valentines Day Gift Ideas

Don’t Know What to Give on Valentine’s Day? Your Florist Has the Answer!

Valentine’s Day draws a blank in many people’s minds. Be creative! Don’t be cliché! Be romantic! Make it memorable! Before you know it, February 14th is around the corner and you have nothing prepared! Time to call your local florist.

How Your Florist Can Help

Valentines Day Tulips With FernsA florist can help you create a custom creation, inspire you with new Valentine’s Day gift ideas, or steer you toward the ideal, customized gift for your loved one! Whether your special someone is eight or eighty, your local florist has the perfect gift!

Dim the lights, light a few candles, and bring a dozen roses for the perfect romantic evening. The rich, heavenly smell and the deep scarlet red of the roses ooze romance. It’s nearly impossible to envision a traditional, romantic Valentine’s Day without presenting your loved one with a gift that has been a symbol of love throughout the ages.

Don’t Forget Your BFFs on Valentines Day

If your love for someone is more like Lucy and Ethel and less like Romeo and Juliet, yellow roses signify friendship. Also, any cheery bouquet of a favorite flower will bring a smile to face of a dear friend. Daisies, tulips, and lilies are bright, sunny blooms that will show your best pal they are special to you. You and your florist can team up and bring a smile to the face of a friend who is always there to return the favor!

Going Above & Beyond

If a bouquet alone doesn’t seem like enough, then it’s time to get creative! It’s as simple as taking your loved one’s interests and incorporating them into a spectacular personalized gift! For example, if your other half is loves food, ask your florist to incorporate gourmet treats such as Valentine cookies into the arrangement or create a gift basket to make a gift to treat all the senses! The delightful smell of flowers, the dazzling arrangement, the mouth watering delicacies, and the proof that you took the time and effort to create something so unique will mean the world to your Valentine.

Send A Gift That Shows Their Interests

Florists can incorporate almost any interest into a Valentine’s Day arrangement. Most florists have already designed arrangements and gift baskets complete with stuffed animals, candy, and balloons. They can also take into consideration a favorite color or flower and create a spectacular bouquet to match! However, sometimes it takes going that extra mile for someone when you want to make a Valentine’s Day gift to remember.

Dating a musician? There are numerous musical touches your florist can add to personalize your arrangement. Sheet music, decorative music notes, and replicas of their preferred instrument are all available and easily incorporated to create a song in the heart of your most beloved musician! It’s little touches such as these that transform the traditional into something truly extraordinary!

Proposing? Your florist can also slip in a ring box, a special photo, a darling teddy bear, or whatever gift you have in mind. Everything looks better surrounded by professionally arranged flowers! A teddy bear can hold tickets to a play, a love note, or a balloon. Imagine your loved one sitting at work on the 14th and receiving an adorable bear holding two tickets to her favorite play!

Gift Ideas Keep Love Blossoming

Valentines Day BalloonBalloons are another great option to send to your partner at work, a child at school, or anyone else who you think deserves something fun and festive for their Valentine’s Day! Young or old, a jolly balloon will make their day! Your florist is stocked with balloons ranging in colors and messages. Everything from the saccharine to the silly can be sent to your loved ones via your favorite florist!

Married or single, going out or dateless, young or old, Valentine’s Day can be wonderful for everyone! No matter the budget or the message, your florist can create something truly exceptional for the people in your life you care about the most! Send a little love to those who make your heart skip a beat everyday!

Where Should I Plant The Pink Hydrangea I Received For Valentine’s Day?

Hello, I just received a pink Hydrangea plant for valentine’s day. I wanted to plant it so it could grow bigger but where I live doesn’t have the best soil (the live in the acreage in Florida). I wanted to know if I could plant it in a pot? If so what size pot do you suggest? Also, what soil should I use for it? And my final question is do I have to trim it ? Please let me know. It’s a beautiful plant I don’t want to die. Thank you and have a great day. Danielle Adams

Danielle,

There are many types of hydrangea. Florists typically use Hydrangea macrophylla; a big-leaf type of hydrangea with blue, pink or white flowers. Valentine’s day is not the normal blooming time of hydrangeas; so for a while, I would treat it as a houseplant. In fact, when this type of hydrangea is young it is often grown as houseplant. If the potted hydrangea came wrapped with a bow and foil, remove the pot from the foil. The foil, ok for a little while, will not let it drain properly. I usually drop the pot into a slightly larger decorative pot until I find a permanent home for it. Keep the plant moist but not soggy and place in a room with a fair amount of light. If you want to plant it in a new pot select one that is 1 1/2 times larger than the existing one. Use a humus-rich potting soil (your local garden center will have this type of soil). When you re-pot make sure that the hydrangea is planted at the same level as it was in the original pot.

Hydrangeas prefer to be grown in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil in sun or part-shade. The hardiness zone for hydrangeas is zone 6-9. I believe Acreage Florida is hardiness zone 10-11 and your soil stays a bit on the soggy side. Neither of these conditions is good for a hydrangea. You could amend the soil, so that it drains better. Zone 10 is a problem because the temperature doesn’t get cold enough for hydrangeas.

Despite these issues, hydrangeas have survived in zone 5 and zone 10. These are exceptions and not the rule. You have a few options; pot it and keep it in the cool area of a sunroom; pot it and place it outside on a patio with some shade; plant it in a partly shady spot in the garden. With all of the options, use a soil or amend the soil so that it is humus rich and drains well. To keep the hydrangea pink you will need to keep the soil slightly alkaline (use a small amount of hydrated lime to achieve an alkaline soil). I would probably plant the hydrangea in a pot and place it on the patio.

Hydrangea macrophylla should be trimmed shortly after the blooms are spent. Normally hydrangea bloom mid to late summer, so trim no later than mid fall.

Sending Valentines Flower Early – Make Them Feel Special

Valentine’s Day came early to the Adams residence. Last night my husband presented me with a silver vase filled with purple tulips. It was a sweet and loving gesture. After all, tulips are one of my favorite flowers. The truly amazing thing, in this whole early Valentine’s Day gift, is that I realized my husband does listen to me. At lunch yesterday, I told my husband about a couple of wonderful blog posts I read that morning. Oak Hill Florist in Scarborough Me had a post called “Tell them you can’t wait”. In her blog post, Jenny explained that sending Valentine’s flowers before the actual day will make your sweetheart feel extra special. Then in their blog, Everyday Flowers – a florist in Tustin CA had a fantastic idea “…have your order delivered earlier. So that your loved one can enjoy their Valentines Gift all Week long.” It is evident that he was actually listening to me; I usually don’t get flowers before Valentine’s Day.

Putting a unique spin on a Valentine’s gift is sometimes difficult; both of these florists have an innovative, yet simple way to make those Valentine’s Day flowers extra special. One of the guys I work with takes this concept a little further. He is sending his wife flowers everyday this week. I feel a little sorry for the husbands of his wife’s co-workers; they have a lot to live up to. Of course, any Valentine’s gift that comes from the heart is special and unique. Luckily, my gift came not only from his heart but from his ears as well.

2008 Valentine’s Day – Holiday Tips

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. In an effort to make your holiday less stressful, we are sending a Valentine’s Day Tips sheet for your new or part-time employees. Hopefully these tips will equip your employees with the information they need for efficient customer service while eliminating potential problems with order delivery.

Valentine’s Day Tips

Place orders early, orders placed after 5:00PM CST Tuesday cannot be guaranteed for delivery before Valentine’s Day.

Please provide complete delivery information for recipients. We must have street address and telephone number, and a cell phone if possible.

Minimum Order for Valentine’s Day is $40 with an average delivery fee of $8 to $10 except in metro areas where delivery could be as much as $15.

Always provide a 2nd choice option for each order.

Please inform your staff that Flower Shop Network Headquarters may be calling with florist to florist orders during this holiday. These checks will be sent the week following the delivery date of the order and will be paid at 80%.

The FSN relay team is committed to making your holiday go smoothly.

3 Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Involving Chocolate, Flowers, and Wine

Chocolate that tasty little mood-lifting relaxing treat seems to be the focus of everyone’s attention at the moment. In fact, the latest issue of Fine Cooking has an interesting article featuring the pairing of wine and chocolate.

The combination of wine and chocolate creates a sensuous pleasure for our taste buds. A little port wine with a piece of dark chocolate is a culinary experience that shouldn’t be missed and one of my favorites. Fine Cooking pairs different kinds of chocolates with the appropriate wine to ensure a delicious experience. But, wine isn’t the only thing you can pair with chocolate to create a sensory delight. Pleasure is multiplied when you include more than one sense. Pairing flowers with chocolate involves our sense of smell, taste and sight – a triple indulgence.

The Flower Shop Network February newsletter, The Mystique of Chocolate & Flowers, describes the allure of pairing flowers with chocolate particularly for Valentine’s Day. Guys or gals looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas will find a multitude in this newsletter. Creating the ultimate romance with chocolates and flowers is detailed in length; all you have to do is go for it.

With all this talk of pairing chocolate with flowers and wine, it occurred to me the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift lies somewhere between the Fine Cooking article and the FSN newsletter. Flowers, wine and chocolate – what more could your sweetheart ask for? You might ask, shouldn’t the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift appeal to all of the senses? With the right combination of wine, flowers and chocolate – bells will go off and hearts will be touched. So, here are three ways to combine wine, flowers and chocolate to achieve the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift this year:

The ultimate luxury Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a dozen red roses and a large box of milk chocolates to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening sharing the milk chocolates over a bottle of Pinot Noir.

The ultimate dreamy Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a bouquet of ‘Stargazer’ Lilies to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening viewing the stars while sharing a semi-sweet chocolate mousse and a bottle of Shiraz.

The ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day gift idea – Meet your sweetheart at the door with a silver tray containing a vase of tulips, two glasses of a fine ruby port and a bowl of gourmet bittersweet truffles. Be sure to whisper, “Just a little something for the finest two lips in the world”.

With these ultimate Valentine’s Day gift ideas, amore will definitely be in the air along with the aroma of fresh flowers, the taste of chocolate and wine, the expression of love and the warmth of the heart. The possibilities are endless and I’m sure everyone has their own ultimate combination. So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner – let your imagination go wild with flowers, chocolate and wine.

Is it to Early to Think About Valentine’s Day?

Jenny’s (Oak Hill Florist in Scarborough, Maine) “Thoughts of Valentine’s Day” post on Monday was interesting. First, it proves what I always thought: Florists never rest – they are constantly trying to make the next holiday or flower arrangement better for us. Second, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the earlier we prepare for it, the better it will be for us and our special someone.

Jenny had a good point when she said “… men – you don’t have to buy roses for Valentine’s Day.” Roses maybe the Valentine’s Day flower and considered the flower of love, but contrary to popular opinion they are not the favorite flower of every woman. I like roses; I even have some in my garden, but if you really want to excite me give me “Star Gazer” lilies, gerberas or tulips. Over the years, my husband has sent me roses, “Star Gazer” lilies, gerberas, tulips and mixed flower arrangements – I loved them all and have wonderful memories associated with each one. Flowers, in general, are always a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day or for any other reason; you can never go wrong by sending roses. But if you really want to make an impression, find out what her favorite flower is and send it. The key to flower giving is to create a memory that will last forever.

We always refer to the act of flower giving as men sending and women receiving. Jenny brings up a good point – men love flowers too – they just have a hard time admitting it. Of course, my husband loves flowers – after all he grows bedding plants for his nursery and landscaping company – but he adores fresh cut flowers. He is the one who make sure that we have fresh flowers in our home at all times – he either cuts them from the garden or pops into the flower shop and picks up a few stems. (If you want to create your own arrangement, your local florist is a great place to pick up flowers by the stem.) I’ll be honest; I haven’t sent my husband flowers before, but this Valentine’s Day, flowers sound like the perfect gift.

Although the new year may have just begun, it is never too early to think about Valentine’s Day. So, start looking for great Valentine’s Day gift ideas now. I love to hear other people’s Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas and I’ve even copy a few over the years. Flower Shop Network has several newsletters with Valentine’s Day gift ideas:

Hearts and Flowers

Roses, Roses,and more Roses

Romantic Valentines Ideas

Language of Flowers

Help someone else create a magical Valentine’s Day by sharing your ideas. Remember “Love is in the Air” enjoy it.

Valentine’s Day 2007 – Important Order Tips

With the 2007 Valentine’s Day holiday approaching, Flower Shop Network would like to offer these suggestions and tips to ensure your satisfaction as well as your customer’s, on orders placed going outside your delivery area:

  • Delivery fees in metro areas average $10 to $12.

  • Provide recipient telephone numbers. Many shops will not accept orders without a working recipient phone number.

  • During the Valentine’s Day holiday, the minimum order amount is $40, plus delivery which averages $8-$10.

  • Must provide 2nd choice products on orders: this includes flowers, colors, etc…

  • Guaranteed delivery cutoff will be Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 2:00pm CST.

  • Please inform your customers that orders placed after the cutoff date and time will be delivered as quickly as possible according to the delivery date.

The staff at Flower Shop Network appreciates the opportunity to work with you and wish you a happy and prosperous Valentine’s Day.Sincerely,

Julie Ratliff
FSN Relay Manager

Romantic Valentine Ideas For The Six Phases of Love

Valentine’s Day will be here soon, so naturally the thought of love is on everyone’s mind. But, so many questions need to be answered: What kind of flower should I send? What are some romantic ideas and gifts? Should I send a unique flower arrangement? Do I need a valentines gift idea?

Velentine Arrangement with AnthuriumWhen it comes to Valentine’s Day, everyone has pondered those very questions. Everything will fall in to place if we answer two questions:

  1. Do we love someone?
  2. What phase of love are we at in our relationship?

The answer to the first question is easy. You either love someone or you don’t. So with that question out of the way, what does question number two mean? Think about your life: it goes through stages and therefore, so does your love life.

Phase 1: Puppy Love

PUPPY LOVE is junior high school carefree and clueless love, with gestures that are low key and effortless. Puppy love doesn’t need elaborate romantic valentine ideas; just simple and fun. Sending a girlfriend or boyfriend a carnation in a bud vase or a fuzzy teddy bear is the perfect puppy love Valentines gift.

Phase 2: Young Love

YOUNG LOVE is high school sincere and public love. Valentine’s Day is the biggest day of the year for young love. A girlfriend or boyfriend in the young love phase wants outward displays of love and affection that are cute and fun.

Romantic ideas for young love are:

  • A balloon bouquet tied to a box of chocolates.
  • A large unique balloon tied to a stuffed animal.
  • A singing or animated stuffed animal.
  • A teddy bear wrapped around a rose bud vase.

Whether sending a balloon, stuffed animal or flower arrangement to your girlfriend or boyfriend, remember with young love it’s all about exposure. So, make sure your romantic Valentine’s gifts are delivered to school; in front of as many people as possible.

Phase 3: True Love

TRUE LOVE is a genuine developing love. Romance is a must; not only at Valentine’s Day but all year long. True love wants grand romantic gestures and spontaneity. Flower arrangements are always a romantic gesture and paired with the unique or extravagant, just what the true lover desires.

Whether it is Valentines Day or any other day, true love will be delighted with these Valentines ideas:

  • The fourteen days of Valentine’s Day (a different unique flower arrangement sent every day from February 1st thru February 14th).
  • Chocolates in the shape of roses.
  • A beautiful flower arrangement with ‘Stargazer’ Lilies.
  • Flower petals leading to his favorite game chair where beverages, snacks and a night of sports TV await him.
  • A basket of treats sent to his office with the promise of a romantic adventure.
  • A vase of roses with strategically placed theatre tickets or engagement ring.

In True Love, it is all about romancing them, so make sure your romantic gift ideas are thoughtful and spontaneous.

Phase 4: Newlywed Love

NEWLYWED LOVE is a committed and idealistic love. Life is one big romance with the ideal husband or wife. Sentimental and elegant are the essence of Valentine’s Day romantic ideas and gifts for Newlywed love.

Of course flowers are romantic, but don’t stop there! Newlyweds have so many romantic options:

  • Send him a spa basket and a promise of a personal masseuse.
  • A special picture of the two of you in a beautiful frame.
  • Send a flower arrangement that matches the bridal bouquet from your wedding.
  • A single long-stemmed rose draped with a bracelet or necklace.
  • A bouquet of her favorite flowers.
  • An elegant keepsake box with fresh flowers.

Every day for newlyweds is like Valentine’s Day, but it can be special with a little thought and planning. Remembering all the firsts in the relationship can give the newlywed love a creative way to be elegant and sentimental.

Phase 5: Marriage

MARRIAGE is a “for better or worse” love. Romance in marriage is sometimes pushed aside for other demands in life and not always celebrated. The great thing about Valentine’s Day is it gives the marriage an opportunity to stop and smell the roses, literally. Marriage needs romantic ideas that show admiration and appreciation. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with romantic gift ideas such as:

  • A dozen red roses.
  • A unique flower arrangement (containing a rose or special flower for every child).
  • A spa gift basket containing foot massaging crèmes and a foot massage promise.
  • A hobby basket with snacks and items relating to their favorite hobby.
  • A bottle of wine and flower bouquet and an invitation to a night out.
  • A bubble bath surrounded with aromatic candles and a plate of chocolates.

Admiration is the key to everyday love. This love needs to show appreciation with romantic ideas and gifts, especially on Valentine’s Day.

Phase 6: Sweetest Love

SWEETEST LOVE is a rare and unique creature. It is a love that spans years of sorrow, laughter, joy and commitment. This love knows what romantic ideas are all about. They know that:

Gifts for your sweetest love:

  • A single rose or gerbera daisy is the fundamental romantic gift.
  • A unique flower arrangement can show appreciation.
  • A funny balloon bouquet can bring joy.
  • A sentimental gesture of any kind is always wonderful.

Visiting the phases of love over and over with your wife or husband is the key to their happiness. With the Sweetest Love, there is always room for romance not only on Valentine’s Day but every day.

Valentine’s is a great holiday with endless possibilities to show someone how much you love them. Have you answered the questions and are still struggling with romantic ideas? Contact your local professional florist; they are always willing to help.

Click Here to find a local florist to send one of the romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas mentioned above.

More Valentines Ideas:
Roses and More.
St Valentines History.
The Meaning of Flowers.
Valentine’s Day Romance ideas
Hearts and Flowers.

History of Valentine’s Day

Cupid’s arrows will soon be flying, because February 14th, Valentines Day, is the time when romance is all around. By long established custom, it’s the day when friends, spouses, lovers, and intended lovers around the world typically proclaim their affection with cards, gifts, and of course flowers! But have you ever wondered about St Valentine’s history? Who was this mysterious figure whose name has come to be so closely associated with affairs of the heart?

Valentine’s Day History

St. Valentine - from History of Valentine's DayThe legends surrounding St Valentine’s history vary, but the most popular and probably most credible story identifies St Valentine as a third century Roman priest. At the time, Emperor Claudius II was having trouble recruiting young men for his army. The emperor outlawed marriage, believing that young men would be more willing to join the army if they did not have wives and families waiting for them at home. Valentine (or Valentinus, as he would have been known in Rome) defied the emperor and continued to marry young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was jailed and sentenced to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine was executed for attempting to help Christians escape from the harsh tortures of the Roman prisons.

As history tells it, Valentine became friendly with the young daughter of his jailer, and on the eve of his execution, he left her a tender note which he had signed “from your Valentine”. Thus, he became a heroic, sympathetic, and romantic figure, who may well have “sent” the very first valentine greeting himself. His martyrdom poised him for sainthood.

Why Is Valentine’s Day In February?

Some believe that the date in mid-February commemorates St Valentine’s death or burial, around 270 A.D. However, in ancient Rome the pagan festival of Lupercalia always began on the Ides of February, the 15th. Lupercalia was a celebration of fertility and the beginning of spring, and part of the festivities involved placing the names of eligible young women into a box or an urn, from which the young bachelors would draw. These pairings would last at least for the duration of the festival, or perhaps for an entire year, and the couples frequently married. Early Christians, in an effort to remain inconspicuous, regularly co-opted existing pagan celebrations and made them their own. In approximately 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius proclaimed February 14th as St Valentines Day, establishing the date for all history. Later, during the Vintage Valentine's Day CardMiddle Ages, it was commonly believed in Europe that February 14th was the beginning of the birds’ mating season, further linking the date with romance.

Valentine’s Day in Modern Times

St Valentines Day was being popularly celebrated in Great Britain by the 17th century, and Americans probably began exchanging handmade valentine greetings in the 1700s. The first mass-produced valentines in America appeared in 1840. The rest… as they say… is history. Naturally, those first valentines were appropriately decorated with doves (who are said to mate for life), hearts ( the universal symbol for love), and images of Cupid ( the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love).

Your Valentine’s Day…

These days, what could be a more perfect expression of what’s in your heart than beautiful fresh flowers, artfully arranged and deftly delivered by your professional florist? Whether your valentine is close to home or far away, your local florist can help you make some valentine history of your own. Be sure to order early for best selection and delivery options. Then, step back and let Cupid’s arrow find it’s target!

Valentine’s Day Romance Ideas

With Valentine’s Day coming right up on February 14th, romance is in the air. For men, women, and rotund, winged-cherubs alike, it’s the time for expressing our love and affection for those who are most important to us. And naturally enough, sending flowers is one of the best romance ideas of all.

Flowers Make A Lasting Impression

Surveys conducted by the Society of American Florists indicate that 84% of women remember the last time they got flowers. So guys, if you want to make a lasting impression on your romantic partner, flowers are a clear choice. Perhaps surprisingly, the same SAF surveys showed that men place a high value on romance; more than 85% believe that simple romantic gestures such as giving flowers are important to a relationship. Saying “I love you” has become a fundamental sign of masculinity as men are becoming emotional heroes as well as action heroes. A clue to the ladies: your men enjoy receiving flowers too!

Roses Are The Most Romantic Flowers of All

Roses for Romance!Flowers, of course, are the universal symbol of romance… an idea which has long withstood the test of time. They touch the hearts of all of us, and we all know that roses are the most romantic flowers of all. Your local florist can offer you lots of choices among roses this year; check out the new variety, “Red Intuition”, which features clear red petals flecked with darker red markings….and exotic looking beauty! Or the dramatic “Black Magic”, with luxurious, velvety petals in a dark burgundy hue.

Valentines Day Flowers (That Aren’t Roses)

Beyond the traditional roses, bouquets of fresh spring flowers can present more possibilities for romance ideas. Tulips, freesia, iris, daffodils and hyacinths are abundant at this time of year and can bring a bright burst of color to the hearts of your loved ones. Many of these blossoms are sweetly fragranced as well. Ask your florist to include a rose or two in the arrangement, or send it along with a small box of candy or a cuddly teddy bear to underscore your romantic message.

When To Send Valentines Day Flowers

Consider sending your flowers early in the week especially if they’re being delivered to a place of work so they can be admired and enjoyed for several days more. That will help ensure a timely delivery, avoiding the last-minute crunch of Valentine’s Day itself, and ratcheting up the envy factor among your beloved’s co-workers… public pronouncements of love are always effective.

Go Above & Beyond With Valentines Day Flowers

More romantic floral notions: have flowers waiting on the breakfast table or on the car seat before work; have a centerpiece delivered to a restaurant in advance of a Valentine dinner; hide a ring box or a bracelet within a fresh floral bouquet; or send theater tickets tucked into a basket of blossoms.

Your local florist can help you with other ideas for romance. Don’t wait until the last minute….call or visit soon and let Cupid’s arrows fly.