Traditionally, males give flowers to females as a symbol of their love and affection. The delicate form, the subtle scent, and the pure color of any flower can liven up a room—or a heart. Giving flowers is indeed one of the most romantic gestures a man can offer to the special woman in his life not only as a sign of love but also of gratitude and appreciation.

Some of the best flowers in the world can be found right here in the Philippines, and not only that—Filipinos are known to be one of the most romantic people in the world. Where else would a woman want to be? It is no wonder that during anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or just about any occasion that can serve as an excuse, flowers in the Philippines are always there to cheer up women from all walks of life.

But why should girls have all the fun? They can also give flowers to their Special Others! Indeed, it isn’t common practice, but isn’t an act that’s both different and spontaneous more special? The flowers mean as much—as symbols of love and gratitude—but in a totally unique and thus, more meaningful context. Men may like to act all macho and indifferent, but a bunch of nice flowers may just be the exact thing a woman needs to melt their hearts!

Here are some tips for the girls about giving flowers to men:

1.)????????? You can ditch the pink, fancy, curly ribbons in favor of something more simple and straightforward, something that is more appropriate for men. Try elegant green, red, or dark blue wraps for the flowers.
2.)????????? Tuck in a nice card that says it all!
3.)????????? Of course, you can just handpick your flowers if you have a garden; this gives an unforgettable personal touch. If you don’t have a garden though, there are many florists in the Philippines (both walk-in and online) that have extensive collections from which you can choose. They will even be happy to wrap the flowers for you and they sell cards as well.
4.)????????? You can make the flower delivery yourself, but you can also have the flowers delivered by the florist to his office or even to his own home for that extra element of surprise. For professional flower shops, delivery of the flowers should be a breeze.

You might be a little apprehensive about the idea, but we assure you that giving flowers need not be something that only the guys do. Offering beautiful flowers is just as eloquent as giving a passionate letter or a simple touch of the hand. Giving flowers is not something confined to gender stereotypes. Ultimately, it is the feeling behind the gesture that counts. So ladies, go for it! You just might be surprised by his reaction.

Surprising someone with flowers can undoubtedly brighten anyone??s day. Presented tastefully, surprises can leave beautiful and unforgettable memories. Cooking up a game plan is not always easy nor is convenient so before you begin, make sure that this person is actually worth the effort you are about to exert and the money you are about to burn.

Popping a surprise in school has been done too many times already but that does not mean you cannot perform one yourself. Favorites include leaving a single flower by the locker door (if you know the combination then hiding a huge bunch of flowers shouldn??t be a problem) and having a delivery guy excuse the recipient from her (or his) class. In my college, you can hire the school choir year-round and have them present your flowers with a serenade. While it is already show stopping as it is, I found this gesture very sweet. From the first time I have witnessed an a cappella serenade, I??ve secretly wished that I??d get a similar surprise in the future.

Offices are common venues for surprises as well where the effort goes anywhere from an anonymous delivery to a grand gesture where each colleague gives the recipient a stem every hour the whole day. I reckon our side (the side where almost all the women are) of the floor, literally buzzing every Valentines Day because of the flowers and the rumor mongering that goes with it.

The flowers used in surprises need not be cut plants all the time. I have been to a birthday party in the past where there was an ice carving shaped as Cherry Blossom flower or Sakura tree. In her speech delivery, the celebrant admitted that she was surprised to see the ice carving because she has always been fond of Sakuras and have always dreamed of the day she would get to touch one and somehow feel the gentle and cool breeze that accompanied its falling (from the trees).

Coming home to a trail of petals leading to a warm bathtub filled with even more petals would just be wonderful after a long day at work or long hours working out at the gym. The light floral aroma and the feeling of being enveloped in hundreds of flower petals is just pure bliss. The ultimate surprise I can think of to even magnify this beautiful moment involves a velvet box that contains a metal band encrusted with nothing but high-grade diamonds.

Welcoming a new baby is a very special occasion and should be thought about very seriously. The gifts that you buy for the new arrival will stay in the families thoughts forever and will be talked about for many years to come.

When considering gifts for a new baby, flowers are always a great idea. This is more for the benefit of the mother more than anything else. After all, she has been through a traumatic and stressful time and needs all the cheering up she can get, especially with all of those sleepless nights. Flowers can make any room look much better and can make the room smell lovely as well. Not only that, but certain fragrances of flowers have feel good factors which can act as aromatherapy in a sense.

When you are thinking of gifts for the baby, you should think about hampers. These hampers can have whatever you like stored within it, from cute little teddy bears and clothes, to luxury baby food that he or she can eat when they get a little bit older. You can also add things that can be kept as keepsakes for the baby, such as little silver money boxes or personalized and engraved items that make perfect gifts to show the little baby when they get a little older.

These hampers can also be perfect for the parents as well as the baby. You can add a bottle of champagne for the parents or flowers for the mother, and if they choose not to drink the champagne and save it for the child when he or she hits the legal age. This is a fantastic idea, and champagne always tastes better when it has matured for a few years!

If the baby has been born around Christmas time, Christmas hampers are a fantastic idea for a gift for both the parents and the child. These Christmas hampers will generally contain nice bottles of alcohol that can be drunk by the parent or again, kept for when the child is old enough, alongside luxury food items and also items associated with Christmas such as mince pies and mulled wine or Christmas puddings. Once the items within the Christmas hampers have been consumed or used, you can always keep the baskets that they were held in for later use of more presents. This is a great way of recycling and doing something for the environment as well as making the receiver of the hampers smile!

If you are planning on buying a gift for new babies and their parents, why not try combining hampers and flowers to make the perfect thoughtful gifts. You should also try and take around teddies and suchlike, but these can be added to the hampers when and if you decide to. Flowers are great for any new mother, and with all of the stresses and strains that accompany having a new born child, any mother needs an excuse to smile every once in a while. Also, hampers are perfect as you can put food items in there that can be consumed when the mother doesn??t have the time or energy to make herself food, and also chocolate, which everyone already knows has feel good factors about it!

Losing a friend or a loved one causes a deep, searing pain that is difficult to endure, but sending over flowers can give comfort to those who are mourning.� However, one should always remember that grieving relatives and loved ones may have some conservative views on death.� Before sending over any floral arrangements for a funeral, you might want to know a little bit of etiquette when it comes to sympathy arrangements.�

Since funerals and wakes are very sad occasions to begin with, color should be incorporated into the flower arrangement to bring life and energy into the room and to achieve the purpose of bringing comfort to grieving family members and loved ones.

The first thing you should remember is to send the arrangement to the funeral home on time; if you cannot send them in time for the wake itself, have the flowers delivered to the home of the deceased’s family. Always include a note, even if the message is as simple as “Our prayers and condolences are with you.”� Sending a note makes the gesture more personal and meaningful than just sending a card with the recipient’s name.� Finally, if you knew the deceased well, you might want to look for an arrangement that will reflect his or her tastes.�� If you know that the he or she loved colorful flowers, send an arrangement with pink and yellow roses.� If you know that the deceased loved white flowers, choose an arrangement with daisies and white roses.� Sending an arrangement with the deceased’s preferences in mind will carry more meaning and stand out among all the other arrangements in the funeral home.

The most traditional of all funeral arrangements is the all white wreath.� It is a symbol of peace and tranquility and is your safest bet when sending to any funeral.� Many cultures pay careful attention and are sensitive to the meaning of the flowers you send so if you are not sure, go for a plain white flower wreath.

If you don’t mind sending a colorful flower arrangement to a funeral, I recommend that you choose a lively spray of orange roses or yellow roses.� These warm colors are known to instantly lift the mood and soothe the spirits of anyone who receives them.� Yellow, in particular, is a very cheerful color that represents joy and new beginnings.� There’s nothing wrong with choosing an arrangement that isn’t as somber as lilies and white roses. Death, after all, is the only the start of an afterlife, and a flower arrangement with lively, vibrant colors will remind everyone that this is an occasion to celebrate a life well lived.

Flowers have been used for centuries to decorate and perfume houses.
Bringing fresh cut flowers into your home adds colour and scent it is
true, but the flowers add an extra dimension that cannot be created
with soft furnishings and accessories – they bring with them a sense
of life and growth, making a room come alive. Think how welcoming
Flowers are when you find an elegant arrangement in a hotel lobby or
a simple posy on a restaurant table. Having fresh flowers in your home,
even if only at weekends or during holidays, will instantly cheer you,
your family and friends and make your home much more welcoming.

Each season brings a fresh range of flowers and foliage to used around
the house, and weather you wish to create a formal arrangement for a
celebration or simply add some fresh flowers to a room, there is always
something new to try. You can make the most of special features in any
room with a carefully chosen and arranged selection of flowers, empty
fireplaces, table tops bedside cabinets, vanity shelves in bathroom and
kitchen tables are all ideal places to feature an arrangement of coloreful
flowers.

There is a lot of mystique surrounding the skill of flower arranging, but
with practice, you will find that your eye soon develops so that you create
increasingly effective arrangements. Once you have chosen a group
of flowers and foliage that you think will go well together, consider where
the arrangement will be place and which container you plan to use.

It is then a matter of creating a shape that suits all three and that shows
off the flowers and foliage to their best advantage. Some people find
this a very simple process; others have to take their time and make what
they believe to be mistakes along the way.

Keep a record of arrangements that catch your eye and try to think why
they attract you, is it the choice of colours? The container? Or the particular
flowers that have been used? Dramatic arrangements in hotel lobbies, for example
are great inspiration for smaller scale arrangements in your own home.

Used books, magazines, fabrics, and gardens to give you ideas of colours
and shapes, too, but don’t be afraid to experiment, you will soon get to know
what works and what does not.

Fresh Flowers in All the Traditional Places

When you think of a beautiful floral arrangement, you often think of the dining room table, especially if it is holiday time. And why not? Beautiful dining centerpieces have graced our tables for centuries. Whether you are having a party, decorating for a holiday, or simply adding a beautiful touch, keep in mind that floral arrangements should complement the d้cor and mood of the room. Remember, too, you don’t have to have a traditional arrangement just because you find it in a traditional location. Instead of one big center arrangement, you may want to try a series of vases and candles on a fabric runner for a stunning effect.

Another traditional location for fresh flowers is in the foyer or entranceway. What a great way to make a terrific first impression. Regardless of your style, flowers in the entryway can create the mood from the moment someone walks through your door. Is your home formal? Try an elegant centerpiece or a piece of artwork on a pedestal draped with a garland and flowers. For a homier, friendlier look, place a basket with a garden bouquet on the entry table. No matter what your style, flowers can enhance your home.

Beyond Tradition

Let’s not stop with tradition! Fresh flowers are so beautiful that they should not be relegated to the dining room and entryway alone. Why not brighten every room in your house? Let’s look at a few ideas to help you think outside the box.

* Kitchen: Think beyond basil and oregano! Fill your kitchen window ledge with pots of herbs and sun-loving plants like kalanchoe, African violets, or primroses. A few well-placed gerbera daisies can help spice up your kitchen, too. The best part is that you can enjoy your mini-harvest every day.

* Bedroom: Add a touch of romance in your bedroom with a few beautiful stems that complement or accent the color of your linens or wallpaper. There is simply nothing like waking up to a delicate scent drifting from your nightstand. Tea roses, freesias, peonies, lilac and lilies, all have delicious fragrances.

* Guest Bedroom: Welcome your guest with a bright floral addition. Visitors feel extra special with a bright bunch of cut flowers sitting pretty on the guest room nightstand.

* Bathroom: Flowers in the bathroom? Why not! A simple plastic tumbler filled with fragrant blossoms makes an attractive air freshener. You can even add floating rose-petals in a bath to spoil a friend!

* Office: Any job is more enjoyable when the surroundings are cheerful and attractive, and what is more cheerful than cut flowers? Bring nature indoors and make yourself happier and healthier!

* Laundry Room: I can hear you now – NOT the laundry room, too!! Yes, even the laundry room can use a bit of sunshine. Rinse out an old bleach or detergent bottle, fill it with cut flowers and place it on your washing machine or shelf. It’ll help lighten the load on washday!

* Staircase: Create a “stepped” effect with a series of flowers in interesting containers.

There is nothing wrong with tradition – a big floral arrangement on the dining room table is always a welcomed addition to the d้cor of the room. Fresh flowers, however, don’t have to stay in the dining room. Be creative! Think unique! Put them in all your nooks and crannies! And yes, even put them in your bathroom!

You Don’t Have to be a Floral Designer

You’ve been to the florist before and know that you can’t create the gorgeous centerpieces you find there, nor can you afford to buy them already made. Don’t worry! Simply buy some fresh flowers, take them home, and experiment. Anything that can hold water is a possibility for a flower arrangement.

* Water Pitchers

* Urns

* Pots

* Vases

* Bowls

* Watering Cans

* Soda Bottles

* Mason Jars

* Champagne Bottles

* Mugs

* Even a Child’s Plastic Cup

Once you have a few containers, the fun begins. Try filling a clear glass with flowers and fill with colored marbles. Create a cluster of different sized flower-filled bottles on a coffee table. Use bowls and shallow dishes for floating flower heads or petals and add floating candles for a bright and shining effect.

Mother Nature has created great beauty in flowers and you simply can’t go wrong. Develop your own personal style and taste by experimenting with different colors and types of flowers. Each week try a different look, color, or kind of flower.

The complementary colors of flowers can brighten any part of the house, from the kitchen to the family room to the bedroom. Expand your ideas to different areas throughout your home. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy.

Some people especially men, find it difficult to put their
feelings of love in words. So one of the ways they can con-
vey their affectionon special occasions such as Valentine’s
Day is to give flowers to the important ladies in their lives.

It can be just a single flower: a rose, carnation, or an ex-
quisite orchid; a few blooms in an elegant vase; an arrange-
ment, or bouquet.

Red is the traditional color for the lover’s festival, since it
stands for deep passionate love. White represents pure love, thus
being suitable for a platonic friend, although a small bit of
white is often used to offset the deep red. Rosebuds can symbolise
a new love, and full-blown blooms a lasting relationship.

But you should also be flexible, and choose the colors that you
think your beloved would like, whether pink, peach, yellow, mauve
or combinations thereof.

Bear in mind that it’s not only your girlfriend or wife who should
appreciate flowers, but also your mother, grandmother, sister, aunt
or cousin. And daughters will be thrilled to get a flower from their
dads!

Some ladies take special delight in having flowers and gift baskets
delivered to their workplaces; and they can also send presents to
their guys at the office. But our florists are very busy at this
time, so be sure to order as soon as possible.

Carrying a flower or corsage to present to your dinner date is also
a very romantic gesture that the lady will appreciate.