Christmas and Hanukkah are the top holidays to give the gift of flowers, according to the Society of American Florists. However, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are close runners-up. Easter and Thanksgiving are other occasions when arrangements are common. Receiving an unexpected floral gift is one of the most joyous experiences because it shows forethought, creativity and kindness. There are many different approaches to selecting the right arrangement, however.

There are numerous occasions to buy flowers, the most obvious being Valentine’s Day and Birthdays. However, never underestimate the power of an unexpected delivery! To really impress someone, send an arrangement to acknowledge a job promotion or to express sympathy during a difficult time. For family members, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter are popular times too. It’s customary to send flowers gifts of to newlyweds to wish them well. Of course, there are also flower faux pas to be aware of.

For instance, it’s not customary to send flowers to Muslims following a family member’s death. In Asian culture, white blooms are given only during mournful and unhappy occasions. In the US, it’s customary to send the flowers in arrangements of one dozen, but in some European countries an even number is considered inappropriate. Also, Asians have superstitions about receiving four blooms (which signifies "death") and many countries are superstitious about the number thirteen.

Did you know there are secret meanings associated with flowers? To make a thoughtful arrangement, you can have one created to make your thoughtfulness clear by writing a message defining each meaning. The most commonly known meanings are in the different color roses. For instance, red roses mean "love, respect and courage," white roses mean "reverence, purity, innocence, secrecy," yellow roses mean "joy, gladness, freedom and friendship," red and white roses are equated with "unity," while pink and orange roses mean "gratitude, appreciation, admiration and sympathy." For a romantic bouquet, try adding blue Irises and red Tulips, which symbolize "a lover’s embrace." A Daisy stands for "loyalty in love" and similarly, a white Carnation also means "faithfulness."

There are many places to buy flowers. Some people like to go down to their local flower shop and choose right there, while others like to browse and order online. Websites like www.ftd.com, www.proflowers.com and www.1800flowers.com offer great, reliable online shopping experiences. Often, online shops offer same day flower delivery, which is very convenient. While the ease of flower sending via the internet is indisputable, some consumers still prefer traditional shops because the delivery charges are more straight-forward and they can hand-write their own cards.

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Nothing says "I love you," "I miss you," "I appreciate you," "I’m sorry" or "I care about you" like flower bouquets. The amazing thing is that the recipient knows instantly which particular message is being conveyed, without the sender saying a single word. The brain interprets the splash of color, the aromatic scent, the lush greenery and the thoughtful gesture in the same way that it would an eloquent love poem or a metaphorical piece of writing. While the thought is definitely what counts, senders will still want to ensure that the bouquet is especially memorable by choosing the right arrangement for a lover.

The first thing to consider when choosing floral arrangements for lovers is the nature of the relationship. Daisies and chrysanthemums are perfect for a cheerful and playful lover in an innocent and new relationship. Another flirtatious favorite for new loves is the fragrant hyacinth. Modest and shy lovers will like something sweet and simple like violets. Rose bouquets are the most famous, particularly red roses, but there are many other flower garden contenders: tulips, lilacs, lilies, wildflowers, irises and orchids, for instance. For intensely passionate physical relationships, it should be noted that tulips are traditionally known to represent "the perfect lover."

Sometimes flower bouquets can be coordinated with regard to the recipient’s home interior decor or favorite colors. For special events, matching the bouquet color to a dress or a tie is always a prudent idea. Does she have an Asian-themed room? Why not try some bamboo, Asiatic lilies, cherry blossoms or a Bonzai tree? To adorn large spaces, it’s ok to go big and bold with vivid bouquets of lilies, hydrangeas or gladioluses. If her bedroom is blue, then the sender can try a monochromatic theme of all blue flowers. Another modern trend is the "monobotanic" arrangement, which is one type of flower in all different colors.

Flower bouquets have been given for thousands of years to bring luck in battle, to adorn lovers, to celebrate kings or to provide happiness and tranquility. In modern times, people often forget to simply stop and smell the roses during the hustle and bustle of a busy day. If people cannot get out of the office to enjoy nature, the best recourse is to bring nature to them. Studies show that having flowers in the home and workplace leads to higher productivity and creativity.

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