As we come into the festive season, it can be hard to think of what presents to give to your family members and friends. One of the best ways to brighten someone’s day is to give them flowers. Flowers make wonderful gifts because they express your feelings and they are both romantic and meaningful. It’s a sure guarantee that the lucky recipient of this gift will burst with joy upon getting them, regardless of how you decide to give them.
Like most things, flowers aren’t perfect gifts and there are still things to consider.
Are they allergic to flowers?
20% of the Philippine population are said to have allergic rhinitis. Which means, 1 in 5 people may have allergic reactions to some of the plants or flowers that are part of the bouquet. It’s important to know whether or not the person you’re giving the flowers to experiences allergic reactions to flowers. If you’re not sure, some of the most common flowers have low pollen content like carnations, roses and tulips. These flowers are beautiful and it might be better to pair them with leaves or other flowers that also have low pollen content. Baby’s breath, which is one of the usual partners of floral bouquets, has high pollen content. You can always ask your florist to pair your main flowers with only those that have low pollen.
What do they think about flowers?
It’s also important to know how they view flower bouquets and what their lifestyle is. Some people would prefer potted flowers to cut flowers because cutting them means removing them from their life source. Sending them a potted flower isn’t foolproof because that would also need to tend to the plant, which they might not have the resources or energy to do. This could be one of your conversation starters if you’re just starting to learn more about each other. You can also walk into a flower shop when you’re out together and gauge their reaction to the flowers if you want to be subtle about it.
What flowers would they like?
If you’re unsure, and want it to be a surprise so you can’t ask them, you can focus on what you think about them or how you feel about them. Read about the meaning and symbolism of flowers and supplement the bouquet with a card that explains your choices elevates the gift because it shows your effort into choosing it. If there are different options with what you want to say and you still need to choose, think about what they usually wear or the colors they usually have on and find something that complements their style.