In the Beginning
No one knows exactly who gave the first bunch of flowers, but it could easily go as far back as Adam and Eve! Toddlers automatically pick wildflowers to give to their mothers, drawn by the colors and prettiness.
We do know, however, that each culture has used flowers for different reasons. In Ancient Greece, flowers were considered to be property of the gods, making them very special. There are accounts of flowers being given as a gift for many thousands of years. The majority of these would have been flowers that where picked wild, plus a few from the garden.

The Language of Flowers
In Victorian times, flowers were used to express more than just admiration or love. Entire letters could be written with blossoms alone! Each flower has a specific meaning, though the exact meaning depends on a variety of factors, including color and size. For example, a red rose means “passion”, pink means
“romance” and coral colored roses mean “friendship”.

Back in the day, people knew the meanings of all the most common flowers and this made each and every bouquet full of much more meaning. A young man might send a girl a bunch of wildflowers, but it would really be a message in disguise! Even today, some people enjoy learning the meaning of flowers and adding these special flowers to their bouquets. It really adds a whole other dimension to a simple bunch of mixed flowers.

This time period was definitely the most meaningful of all for flower giving. With the extra messages contained in bunches of flowers, it was one of the big gifts of the day.

Modern Flower Giving
Traditionally, men gave flowers to women, but now it’s quite acceptable to give a man a bouquet of more masculine blooms, too. Even children get into the act!
Try giving a little girl a bunch of roses for her birthday or Valentine’s Day,  and you’ll make her day.

These days, it’s quite common and acceptable to do your own floral arranging and give flowers as gifts. We aren’t restricted to simply wild flowers or those available in the garden anymore, either. Now there are tropical blooms and more delicate varieties of flowers available year round. This makes giving flowers a more exciting experience.

With the ability to grow many flowers in hothouses right in country and also the ability to import those that don’t grow well in the greenhouses, your options at the florist are stunning. No longer are we restricted to daisies and roses. Now you can select a delicate orchid, bird of paradise or lily for that special someone. It really opens up the realm of possibilities, thanks to airplanes and special technology.

Another modern convenience is the internet, which lets anyone anywhere in the world buy flowers online and have them delivered to a specific destination. You could easily be in the US and have flowers delivered to your mother in Spain! This turns the art of giving flowers into something so easy to do that you don’t even have to leave your own home or office. Just find a good website and you can send flowers without ever having to set foot in a florist shop. Visit flowers for further information.

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There are plenty of reasons to give flowers as a birthday gift. Here are just a few:

- Flowers are beautiful and can be chosen to fit the recipient. Even guys will enjoy receiving a more masculine potted flowering plant.
- You can always find flowers, even last minute. Or perhaps do your own flower arranging.
- There are online florists who will allow you to order online for delivery in another state or even country.
- Flowers go with everything. You can pair a bouquet of flowers with a box of chocolates for a romantic gift, tickets to a soccer game for a sports fanatic, or with a stuffed animal as a cute gift for a child.
- Most people don’t think to give flowers as a birthday gift, so chances are, your present will be quite unique.

But just picking up the nearest bunch of flowers isn’t a good way to make your gift meaningful. You want to choose the right flowers for the occasion and this can take a little bit of time and research, though it’s still possible to do it last minute.

Things to Consider When Choosing Flowers

Preferred flowers: Do you know what the favorite flower of the recipient is? Rather than buying generic roses, you’ll find your gift is far more appreciated when you bring a bunch of gerber daisies . . . the birthday girl’s favorites!

Secret messages: Did you know that in Victorian times, flowers were used to send messages? Each flower has a specific meaning and together, they can be used to form a secret, one-of-a-kind message. For example, baby’s breathe means “festivity”, gardenias mean “joy”, and orange blossoms stand for “fertility”. By combining select flowers and providing a key, you can give a very special birthday message. Refer to flowers for more information.

Long-lasting: If you really aren’t sure which flowers to choose, consider going with longer lasting flowers like daisies, mums or carnations which will stay fresh and lovely for several days to a week. That way the recipient can enjoy them for a long time.

Accessories: There’s no reason to stop with just the flowers. To make your birthday gift truly special, present them in a way that will thrill the recipient. An example would be forget-me-nots in a teacup for someone who enjoys a tea party, a handpainted vase in their favorite colors with their favorite flowers inside, or perhaps a potted plant along with a trowel for planting it in the garden.

Gender: Women aren’t the only ones who enjoy receiving flowers, but for men, you will have to be more selective. Obviously a bunch of roses won’t be the ideal birthday gift for a particularly macho man. Men might prefer something a little more masculine, like a flowering branch or a plant that has plenty of greenery. But don’t overlook flowers as a gift for a male friend . . . over 60% of men say they would like to receive flowers. Combine it with a bottle of celebratory champagne and you’ve got yourself the perfect birthday gift.

Flowers offer true value as a gift, particularly if you personalize them to fit the personality of the person you’ll be giving them to. Don’t fret about flowers not being a suitable gift, they really are one of the best. Visit flowers for further information.

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