Decisions about what flowers to give - play it safe or touch the heart? 4 Tips and 4 Questions to get you started on a gift that gives a lasting impression.

Many people I talk to want to send flowers, and yet aren't really sure what is appropriate or aren't sure what the person will like, etc. How do you decide what to send? 

Most of us give things we would like to receive. Why not think about the person receiving them? Many of us don't really know their exact favorite flower or maybe not even their favorite color, and we might feel stuck in going 'safe' and getting a traditional design from a pick-from-a-number website.

Playing it safe gets you the 'thanks... this is nice...' phone call. Wouldn't you rather hear "Oh... Wow... I'm so excited! Thank you SO much! I can't believe how beautiful the flowers are!"

With just one or more clues from the following questions (or other ideas of what you know about the person), an experienced floral designer can make suggestions or even create a one-of-a-kind arrangement.

When you reflect something about the person in the gift, they feel more special!

They know it was selected just for them, and it goes straight to their heart, which is why you're sending the flowers anyway, right?

See for yourself the difference style makes: Here is Karin showing the same flowers styled three different ways on one of her appearances on Channel 3's Your Life Arizona.

Here are some 4 Tips and 4 Questions to get your started:

1. What do you want to communicate? Are you sending flowers because you can't be there yourself at a special gathering, such as a Memorial service or Birthday? Do you want to celebrate something? Are you in trouble? Or do you want to connect on a deeper level with a client, thanking them or bringing them along on the next step of a project. As your florist, offering Floral Concierge services, when we know the occasion and what you want to communicate, we can suggest something appropriate, assisting you in giving the perfect gift.
2. Is it a very special occasion - 50th wedding anniversary, 10th year in business open house, etc. ?? Make sure to tell us - we'll make sure your gift is impressive and maximizes your budget. You can spend $150 on an arrangement that is compact and tight, and maybe not give the impression that you want. On the other hand, in taking a style they would like, and utilizing the stem length of the flowers, you can get a more impressive look for the same budget. 
3. Are you more interested in the floral arrangement having maximum impact at the time of delivery, or is it more important to you that the flowers be enjoyed over a long period of time. Be sure to tell us this, too. We often will send out stems of flowers that are just starting to open so that they last longer, and yet for a Memorial Service, party, open house, or other gathering, you would want the flowers to already be mostly or completely open for maximum Wow! factor.
4. What do you know about the person receiving the flowers? When you reflect them, they know you know them and appreciate that a LOT! And we can take the same flowers and style them in different ways, with different containers, accents or add-on gift items, to effect a different feel and impact. Here are some 'memory joggers' for you to consider:

• What is their style? Are they more trendy, artistic/creative, down-to-
  
  earth, feminine/girly, bold/dramatic, upscale/elegant, clean-line/modern, architectural/linear, garden-style, french country or ??? On our website, we reflect two very popular design styles: Lush Garden Flower Arrangements and Sculptural (or Artistic) Flower Arrangements. And our creativity knows no bounds - when you become a Floral Member, you have many more customizing options.

• How do they dress or decorate their house - these provide visual cues of what they might like. For example, do they like bold colors or more pastels? Is their home Tuscan-style, eclectic, country or ??

• What industry do they work in? Someone who works in the arts or fashion industry will be thrilled with something more creative, while someone in Law may be more upscale (this is not to pigeon-hole people, simply taking note of trends). Check out their company's website for colors and themes that are important to them.

• What hobbies do they have? For example, if they are into cooking, maybe ask for something created with fresh herbs that they can enjoy and even use later.

These are some great questions to get you started.

When we know the answers to one or more of these questions, we can help direct you to a design with just the right flowers for the person and the season. Many of our clients who know us also let us take it from there and use our creative talents to delight and impress their friends, colleagues and family.

Give this process a try and see if you don't get the response Lynne did when her friend called her moments after receiving the flowers, raving and saying of all the flowers she received on that special day, Lynne's gift was The Best!

I hope you've enjoyed this overview of how to select flowers to really touch the heart. This is how we help our clients every day, and we'd like to be your florist for life, too! These questions make your gift special whether it's being delivered locally or all over the world.

We are a luxury florist who serves those who send flowers to communicate love, nurture your business relationships, and to express appreciation to make others feel valued for who they are.  When sending flowers with us, you’ll experience a customized service far beyond flowers, so that you can power-charge your relationships, gain a peace of mind and communicate that you go above and beyond both in business and life.

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Other articles you may enjoy:

Six Tips for Get Well Arrangements

Three tips to the best Birthday Flowers!

Is your Mom Exotic or Mysterious??