Choose the right flowers

People often ask what are the best Valentine’s Day flowers. While red roses are the most traditional choice, perhaps your loved one has other preferences. Hydrangeas, peonies, pink roses – there are so many beautiful flowers to choose from.

Here are some other considerations when choosing flowers:

What colors does your loved one enjoy?

Not everyone prefers red – some people love purple, pink, white, yellow, orange… or a combination of colors. Think about what colors you see them wear or what colors are in their living space, and surprise them with flowers that will go with their environment.

Is smell important to your special person?

Some flowers have a more potent scent than others. Check with your florist if the blooms you have chosen are fragrant – some varieties of roses, for example, have no scent at all. Other flowers such as lilies can be pretty powerful, which some people appreciate, while others don’t. Strong smells can be overbearing for them.

Try sending the flowers to the office

Many people love to show off a gift of flowers to their co-workers, so consider having your flowers delivered to their place of work. The flowers will brighten up their workday and be the envy of everyone else!

Order in plenty of time

It makes sense not waiting till the last minute to order your flowers. Florists are naturally not at their most relaxed when it’s the day before Valentine’s Day, and everyone is ordering bouquets. Let your florist do their best work by calling in advance.

You can even get the flowers sent over as buds a few days before so that your loved one can enjoy them as they open up into blooms.

In addition, weekend deliveries tend to be more costly, so you can save money by requesting a weekday delivery. If the flowers arrive by Friday, you can show them off all weekend – an added bonus!

Keep the card honest

Go for a straightforward message on the card that says how you really feel, rather than a set phrase that you’d find in any Valentine’s card. And be honest: don’t use ‘the L word’ if that’s not where you’re at. Get creative with your message, remembering who you’re writing for. You can ask your florist for tips if you’re stuck, as they have a lot of experience in this area!

You can even Google the history of the flowers that you’ve chosen and add something about that to the card. Offering flowers that have a story behind them can be quite powerful.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions

A clever trick is to ask your loved one what kinds of flowers they like in a casual conversation. If you do this way ahead of time – say, December – they won’t suspect a thing come Valentine’s Day.

You may want to check if your gift recipient has a vase – if not, it shows extra thought to provide one with your flowers.

Flowers on a budget

If you know you’re buying for someone who likes red roses and you’re concerned about the cost (roses do tend to be more expensive than other flowers), try going with a clever arrangement of red tulips and succulents. Ask your florist for tips on a budget bouquet that can still be beautiful – it’s all down to the right arrangement, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Add something extra

Try adding an extra treat along with your bouquet so that it really stands out. Some chocolates, a stuffed animal, a piece of jewelry, or some fancy flavored gummies can provide a bit of fun.