Archive for the Gifting Category
Posted on March 8, 2010 with No Comments
There are some who can hardly wait for spring to begin. One way to catch the first glimpses of spring is to take a trip to Cotswold in March.
The area will be flooded with visitors on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd by nature enthusiasts. For two days the village of Kempley and the surrounding area will be celebrating the daffodil, a well-known favourite for spring.
Walks will be organised for visitors that will follow the trail of daffodils growing in the region. There will also be buses organised for those who are not feeling all that energetic, which will also present a tour of the daffodil filled fields.
This tour can truly be seen as a special experience as this is one of the only places in Britain, where such a large number of wild daffodils can be found.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the old railway, Daffodil Line, which has now become a trail popular among walkers who visit the region.
If you can’t make it out to Kempley that weekend then have some narcissus sent to your home, or to the home of someone special. This flower has is very similar in appearance, with its cheerful yellow colouring as the daffodil. Flowers24hours.co.uk, can help even the busiest person experience the beauty of spring.
Posted on January 25, 2010 with No Comments
If you are looking for gift ideas, these drab winter days are unlikely to give you much inspiration. But this is the time of year when you can never go wrong with giving tropical flowers like the bird-of-paradise. If you live in London, Flowers24hours.co.uk, can help you with getting this flower just anywhere in the city the same day you order it. This type of gift can really be a quick pick-me-up, for just about any occasion.
The bird-of-paradise is a very popular flower and often used in arrangements. It is deserving of this popularity as it is truly eye-catching with its vivid colours. As it is a tropical plant it is only kept indoors in the North. In South Africa, the home of this flower, it is known as the crane plant, and truly holds some resemblance to the bird.
This is an excellent flower for gift giving as it lasts a fairly long time in flower arrangements, with minimal care.
If you want an arrangement that is artistic and modern, possibly for an office or business, the Anubis arrangement is an excellent choice. The simple yet eye-catching arrangement is sure to impress.
The Birds-of-Paradise, arrangement adheres to its name. This arrangement really focuses on the flower itself, several stalks are beautifully arranged in a sleek vase. This is a great way of giving the gift of the tropics, it is an arrangement that can give warmth to the home or the office.
Another great arrangement to show off the flower itself is the Birds of Paradise arrangement, which really shows how the flowers can look like birds in flight. The simple vase provided shows of the plant in all its beauty.
If you want to give someone a gift with style and simplicity, there is no better gift than the Exotic Love arrangement. Stunning greenery is hand picked by florists, to show off and act as a contrast to this tropical flower. The vase is beautifully hand-wrapped bringing the best out of this bloom.
The contrasting purples, greens and oranges of the Strelitzia arrangement, are sure to leave an impression and heat up the room.
Once the flower has been delivered it should be kept in a warm and well-lit place, to make sure that it lasts as long as possible. All of the previously mentioned arrangements are available for flower delivery in London, and can be delivered the same day you order them. If you can send someone to warm tropical beaches, why not send a bit of the exotic to them?
Posted on November 9, 2009 with No Comments
According to the Flowers and Plants Association, the phalaenopsis orchid has found its way into the hearts of the British as it has been the favourite plant in the nation for the second year in a row.
Thirty years ago, the spider plant was a hit, twenty years ago the parlour palm was a favourite and the chrysanthemum held first place in the previous decade. Now, a majority of homes in the UK decorate their window sills with this popular plant.
This flower is more commonly known as the moth orchid, supermarkets and high street stores are reflecting this trend showing a considerable increase in sales.
“The reason for the increase is because of changes in growing techniques and breeding, which mean commercially grown phalaenopsis have not been difficult to grow in the UK, and so in turn are now less expensive to buy and more readily available in retailers. Previously orchids were only available through more specialist suppliers or retailers, but they are now far more available,“ said the spokeswoman for FPA, Sarah Holland.
This flower first made its way to the British Isles about 300 years ago, among the cargo of church missionaries and explorers. Collectors and the rich were the first to own and care for this plant. South America, the West Indies and Japan are the natural habitat of this flower, where they grow in trees.
Whether or not you are keen to follow trends, this is a beautiful flower but it is meant for the patient caretaker only as it does require special attention.
Posted on September 24, 2009 with No Comments
Los Angeles artists and Toyota have teamed up to work on a functional art project. They have designed large, colourful flowers that provide free Wi-Fi and power outlets in public places.
Along with the creation of this flower, a new company called Poetic Kinetics has been created, with the help of Patrick Shearn and Cynthia Washburn. The flowers and the principles of the new company are on display at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens.
The bright colours of the flowers attract users during the day, and LEDS lights draw attention at night. The flowers have been going on tour around the country, with executive communications director for Saatchi and Saatchi, Toyota’s ad agency on the project, John Lisko, saying that they have been to New York, Chicago, Seattle, and will soon be going to Los Angeles.
The flowers also serve the purpose of conveying the theme of Toyota’s new Prius: Harmony between man, nature and machine.
[Via: CNET]
Posted on August 26, 2009 with No Comments
Most of us have been worrying about gift ideas for some time now, as pockets are getting emptier and emptier. But what has been forgotten is that homemade gifts or gift wrapping often hit a heart-string with most people, and they cost very little.
Using dried flowers and herbs to make gifts is a wonderful and inexpensive idea, and it will definitely express how you feel about friends or family.
You can try making a gift box enhanced with flowers. You can buy or dry your flowers at home and both ways are cheap — doing it on your own will only take a bit more time.
The next step is to find a reusable cardboard box, preferably one that is made out of a more heavy type of cardboard. One idea is to find a box that held notes, cards or soaps. Use some craft paint to paint it the colour you like — this is where you can get really creative. Afterwards try gluing ribbons or anything else you might find suitable to the box.
Finally, you can start adding your dried flowers to the top of the box – it is best to use a hot glue gun to this, and make sure you do not overdo it. Once you’re finished, you can place the intended gift in the box. This gift box will surely get more appreciation than ordinary gift wrapping.
[Via: Star-Telegram.com]
Posted on June 5, 2009 with No Comments
Flowers always bring life to a garden, but what can make it more special are gifts and ornaments from friends and family.
Colleen Smith, gardening expert, treasures a Christmas gift from her neighbors/friends Lee and Darrell the most. When he saw the ornament pictured above at a gift shop, Darrell immediately thought of Colleen saying, “That has to be Colleen.”
This gift was a small sign with the words of the famous painter Monet, “I must have flowers, always, always.”
Colleen agrees completely with the painter and has placed this gift all over her garden ever since receiving it. She feels it makes her garden even more special and personal. She feels that both Monet and flowers are a great inspiration to all of us.
[Via: examiner.com]
Posted on May 9, 2009 with No Comments
The simple fact that they are so pleasing to the senses is what makes flowers such a popular gift for Mother’s Day. There is nothing more pleasing than a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
For an eco-friendly mom, there is no other option in terms of gifts that can be greener. Even the woman who has everything can’t be disappointed by a carefully thought out bouquet.
Executive editorial director of decorating for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Kevin Sharkey says, “A beautiful bouquet of fresh, fragrant flowers is a timeless Mother’s Day gesture. I like to make flowers a lasting keepsake by arranging them in unique, heirloom inspired vessels. All our Martha Stewart floral bouquets, gourmet gift tins and plants are thoughtfully designed and presented in vessels that can be cherished by moms long after the holiday.”
But if you do not have the money, spare some time and design a bouquet of your own. Cut your flowers at sunrise or sunset, place them in cool water to let them drink. The stems need to be cut at angle, even if you have bought the flowers from a store. Hold the stems of the flowers straight and place them in a vase with water and cut-flower food. The size of the flowers should reflect your mood, your mother’s style or perhaps a room in the house that she likes.
[Via: nydailynews.com]
Posted on May 8, 2009 with No Comments
Mother’s Day is getting closer and closer, yet you probably have no idea what to get for her special day. Most Moms will say that they do not want anything, but this is what mothers do in almost any situation. Even though economic times are bad there is a long list of things you can get her without breaking the bank.
The first and easiest choice on the list is, of course, fresh cut flowers. But one way of making this gift a bit more fun is to plant the flowers with her. Planted flowers last much longer, and prolong the joy of this special holiday.
Educational coordinator for the Michigan State University, Jessica Albright says, “There’s such a variety of beautiful plants that are available around Mother’s Day, and what a great present to watch something grow together. It’s awesome to give something that’s alive and that you can nurture and watch get prettier and prettier.”
Gerber daisies and snapdragons are the recommended choice as they are easy to grow and a real treat for the eyes. One other option to consider is planting a flowering tree or bush that will bloom each year around Mother’s Day…
[Via: freep.com]
Posted on May 2, 2009 with No Comments
Flowers are at the top of the list in terms of traditional Mother’s Day gifts, this year you can change this tradition by getting Mom edible flowers.
Cookies by Design founder, Gwen Willhite says, “We’ve taken flowers to a new level. Each edible floral arrangement, made of freshly baked cookies, is hand-crafted by our cookie decorators. Once Mom finishes enjoying the beauty of her flowers, she can enjoy the taste of these delicious sugar cookies.” If you’re lucky she might even share them!
The newest design from Cookies by Design is a bouquet of colourful, tulip-shaped cookies, with a special artistic blending technique enhancing the look of the flowers. “Our beautiful tulips have the look of real tulips, with shades of pinks, purples and yellows.”
These bouquets come in different price brackets, “We realize that individual customer spending for Mother’s Day is going to vary. So to accommodate these different needs, we have created different sizes of our flower cookie gifts.”
Posted on February 19, 2009 with No Comments
One of the simplest gifts for anyone’s special lady is the red rose, but now a new and patented innovation is bringing a fresh twist to this classic.
It is also bringing new business opportunities to Jeff Bell of Ann Arbor, who was the brains behind this idea. He is to face his first sales this year.
Messages and images are embossed directly onto flowers, with the use of a new patented technology.
Bell said, “It kind of combines greeting cards and flowers into one. It’s something that’s new, refreshing and unique.”
The embossing is done with the help of computer software, a laser plate and an embossing machine. So far, roses and rose petals have been the most popular choice for embossing. There are about 50 sayings to choose from and about 10 images. Custom logos, phrases and photos can also be embossed with “Message in a Flower.”
The prices for this service vary depending on the flower wholesaler, but according to Bell’s predictions, they should cost about $10 more than a typical flower delivery.
[Via: mlive.com]
