Make Your Own Potpourri at Home

Many people believe that you’re able to enjoy the bouquets you receive as a present is for a limited time – while they’re alive on your dining room table. Even changing the water, placing your blooms in the refrigerator or using old wives’ tricks to prolong the life of the flowers can only keep them alive for so long. However, even after your flowers have begun to die, you can preserve them for a variety of projects. Try taking your fall flowers and turning them into potpourri to keep for yourself or give as a gift this holiday season!

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How to Dry Flowers for Potpourri
Making potpourri isn’t as simple as letting your flowers die and spraying them with perfume. There’s an art to making a perfect creation. If you’re making it out of flowers that you’re enjoying for their aesthetic value, wait for the flowers to droop slightly to snip them off of the stems. Don’t let them to get too droopy though. Bruised or damaged flowers may not be able to absorb enough essential oil. There are a few methods for drying these petals:

• On a tray: If you live in a warm climate, you can dry your flowers on a windowsill in the sun. Place them on a tray and cover them with a paper towel. Each day, flip the petals over. Do this until the petals feel slightly brittle, but not crumbly. It will likely take a couple of weeks.
• In the oven: If you want to expedite the process of drying your flowers, simply place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 200 degrees for about 2 hours.
• Hang them: Hanging your flowers is a classic way to dry them. However, this process takes quite a bit longer. To do this, leave your blooms on the stems, and hang them upside down in a warm place. Once the flowers are dry, you can remove them from the stems.

Ingredients for Homemade Potpourri
While dried flowers are absolutely essential to your potpourri, they’re not the only option when it comes to making your creation beautiful. Try adding some savory herbs, if you don’t want your potpourri to smell to sweet or floral, and spices. If you decide to dry your flowers by baking the blooms in the oven, you can even dry some slices of citrus or cinnamon sticks along with it.

You’ll want to decide what kind of scent you’d like your potpourri to take on. This is how you determine which essential oils you use.  If you’d like something sweet, for an autumnal potpourri, try a warm vanilla essential oil and cinnamon or clove. If you want something for the holidays, a good option is mint. For all-year use, lavender is always a good choice. Rather than saturating your potpourri with oil, add the oil to a spray bottle filled with water, and mist the potpourri. Don’t add too much at first – it’s easier to add more scent later than to take the smell away.

Packaging for Potpourri
Packaging your potpourri is another opportunity to get creative! Many people enjoy having multiple sachets of potpourri that they can use at their leisure, in suitcases, drawers or other places that could benefit from a little bit of scent. You can purchase pretty sachet bags at your local craft store, or you can keep a bowl of potpourri out in the open. If you choose to make sachets, be sure to store ones that aren’t currently in use in an airtight container so they don’t lose their smell.

While we know that your flowers won’t last forever, we love sharing ways that you can get the most out of your bouquets. We think you should be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.

The Most Popular Christmas Flower & Teleflora Promo Codes for Christmas

Poinsettias are the most popular flower to see around Christmas time. The red color of the poinsettia flower is perfect for Christmas and is used in all kinds of decor around the house over the holidays. But do you know where the poinsettia comes from? 

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A flower from our neighbors
Although they’re all over the U.S. as decorations around the holiday season, the poinsettia plant actually has its roots in Central America. More specifically, they are native to the Aztecs of Mexico. In fact, the Aztecs had all kinds of uses for the poinsettia, from dying clothes to using the sap as medicine. The flower didn’t make its way north to the U.S. until the 1800s, when the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Robert Poinsett liked the flowers so much on a visit that he sent some back to the U.S.

Red Poinsettia plant is potted in a 6-inch pot and presented in a natural basket decorated with wide velvet ribbon.

A Christmas legend
The poinsettia flower is a popular one around Christmas because of the Mexican folk legend about it. The story is about two children from a poor family, Pablo and Maria, on Christmas Eve. According to the legend, the youngsters were on the way to church services that night and wanted to find a gift for Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Since they had no money, the two settled for picking some weeds they found on the side of the road on the way to church. As they placed the plants around the figurine, the green weeds turned into the bright red, star-shaped petals of the poinsettia. It’s because of this Christmas legend that the flowers are still used so frequently around the holiday season.

Although the most common kind of poinsettia is probably the red colored one, there are several varieties of the flower. In fact, you can find poinsettias in pink, white and peach colors, too. That said, the care for each type of poinsettia is the same. It’s relatively simple: Place your poinsettias in a bright room, but not anywhere that would leave them in direct sunlight. At night, move the poinsettias to a cooler place. Check the soil daily and add water if it’s dried out. Do your best to keep your plant away from a heater and air conditioning unit, as extreme temperature changes aren’t good for it. Poinsettias should stay healthy in your home for about six to eight weeks.

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Ordering Your Flowers Online vs. at a Florist

If you’re considering ordering a bouquet of flowers for home decoration, a special occasion, or for a loved one, you may be wondering if you should order them online or stop in a local florist’s shop. Everyone loves supporting local businesses, but sometimes the convenience of being able to order over the phone or online trumps having to make a trip to the store.

Luckily, with Teleflora, you get to experience the convenience of ordering online, while also supporting your local florists. All flower arrangement orders are filled and hand-delivered by a local florist! Teleflora flowers are also always delivered in a beautiful keepsake vase, never a box like some online services use. Here are some of the benefits of ordering with Teleflora:

You Can Order Any Time of the Day
Did you wake up in the middle of the night with the sinking realization that the next day is your one-year anniversary with your girlfriend? You can just jump online and place an order to be filled and delivered before your girlfriend even suspects that you forgot. Teleflora has your back with same-day flower deliveryavailable on most of our bouquets. Not everyone has the time to seek out a reputable florist and pick out a bouquet, so ordering online will certainly come in handy. The process is quick and simple, so even the busiest people can send flowers to their loved ones. It’s also lovely to have the option to order flowers for someone any time the mood strikes – not just when your favorite florist is open for business.

You Can Order Ahead of Time
If you want to avoid a situation like the one mentioned above, you can order flowers online to be delivered at any time in the future. For example, if you have a little bit of extra cash before the holidays, you can order early, so you don’t have worry about trying to stretch pennies too close to Christmas. This makes the flower-buying experience easy and affordable with any kind of budget. With Teleflora, there’s no excuse to forget to send flowers online!

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You Have a Large Selection to Choose From
No matter what kind of message you want to send with your flowers, you’ll have plenty of options to customize when you order online. The flowers to choose from update each season, so every bouquet will be fresh and of the highest quality your local florist can offer. If you have specific blooms in mind, you can make sure they’ll be included in your flower delivery. No need to choose from an already-picked-over selection of roses around Valentine’s Day, when you can get creative!

You Don’t Have to Live Nearby
While nobody is going to turn down some fresh flowers just recently picked up from the local florist, it’s not always possible to stop by your significant other’s house with a gorgeous bouquet. If you’re on a trip, and want to let your boyfriend or girlfriend know you’re thinking about him or her, having some flowers delivered is one of the best ways to send that message. Ordering online is a great option if you’re sending flowers to someone who lives far away as well. Now it’s easier than ever send those mom flowers for Mother’s Day!

Whether you order your flowers online, visit a local florist, or create a bouquet by hand, it is the thought that counts. If it comes from the heart, your gesture will be appreciated and well received!

December Birth Flower: Narcissus

The narcissus is the December birth flower and symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness and respect. The narcissus can often be confused with the daffodil, the birth flower for March, which is a type of narcissus. Although most narcissus flowers are spring flowers, there are several species that bloom in the winter, such as the paperwhite narcissus — making it appropriate as the birth flower for December.

The December birthday flower has a rich history. As a native of the Mediterranean, the narcissus was brought over to Asia where it became widely cultivated in China. From there, the narcissus made its way into Europe via European colonists and eventually made its way into North America. Today, the narcissus is mainly cultivated in Great Britain, Holland, and The Channel Isles.

Narcissus Meanings and Symbolism

The narcissus flower’s name is derived from Greek mythology. Narcissus was a young hunter who was famed for his attractiveness. He was so attractive that he, himself, was obsessed by his good looks. One day, when looking at his own reflection in pond, he leaned in to take a closer look only to fall in and drown. Therefore, the narcissus is known for being a symbol of vanity in Western culture.

However, in other cultures and organizations around the world, the narcissus carries on different meanings:

• According to the Victorian “Language of Flowers” giving someone a narcissus means that they are “the only one.”
• In Kurdish culture, the narcissus is a symbol of the new year.
• Similarly, in Chinese culture, the narcissus symbolizes the Chinese New Year because it is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. It is also a symbol of wealth and good fortune for the coming year.
• As a symbol of hope, the narcissus has become an emblem for cancer societies around the world.

December Birthstone

Turquoise and zircon are the birthstones of December.

Turquoise is a gemstone that is popular for its color. A symbol of good fortune and success, it is one of the earliest stones used in jewelry — even as early as 5500 BC. Upon excavation, mummified pharaohs have been found adorned with turquoise bracelets, and turquoise beads were found in ancient Mesopotamian ruins. The turquoise is also the national stone of Iran. In Native American culture, the turquoise is called “Chal-cui-hui-tal” which means “the highest and most valued thing in the world,” and is a large part of southwest American culture. Turquoise has a striking blue-green color that is derived from the combination of copper and iron that’s present within the stone.

Zircon is the secondary birthstone for the month of December. It is a mineral that is typically found as deposits in granite and metamorphic rock, and gemstone quality zircon are rare to come by. Zircon colors can range from red to brown and from orange to yellow. In the 1920s, a blue zircon gemstone was created by heating brown and yellow zircons. The most prized color of zircon is the red gemstone.

December Zodiac Horoscope

According to the zodiac horoscope, both the Sagittarius and Capricorn are born in December.

Sagittarians are characterized as optimistic and upbeat. They are always the first to see the positivity in all things and are known for their loyalty. They are also known for their cheerful personalities, as well as for their humor and wit and soliciting joy and laughter from people around them. Favorite hobbies include being outdoors, sightseeing and going on roadtrips. Sagittarians born in December are born between December 1st to December 22nd.

Capricorns are also characterized as highly pragmatic. They are known as being ambitious and will strive for perfection. Although they can sometimes be blunt when it comes to expressing their opinions, Capricorns have an easy temperament and are excellent at maintaining their composure. Similarly, they are great listeners and are dependable friends. Capricorns born in December are born between December 23rd to December 31st.

Famous Birthdays In December

• Louis Pasteur, French physician and the “Father of microbiology, December 27, 1822
• Georges Seurat, French post-Impressionist painter, December 2, 1859
• Woody Allen, Oscar-winning director, December 1, 1935
• Jane Fonda, American actress, December 21, 1937
• Gianni Versace, fashion designer, December 2, 1946

Do you have a December birthday, or know someone that does? From beautiful bouquets to gourmet birthday treats, check out our selection of truly thoughtful birthday gift ideas! 

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Teleflora Coupon Code & Tip: How to Keep Flowers Fresh Longer

Just like getting rid of the hiccups, it seems everyone has a theory about how to keep flowers fresh longer. We took the five most popular theories and put them to the test — seven days in a controlled environment, under observation. It was like the hunger games, except with flowers.

The Setup

We started with five vases of the same Teleflora, FTD arrangement. In each vase, we put 1 FTD flower food packet along with 2 cups of lukewarm water. Then each vase received one of the tests: vodka, Sprite, apple cider vinegar & sugar, aspirin or the fridge.

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Wondering the thought process on these crazy theories? There is some science behind them.

• Vodka —  Vodka, or any alcohol, may have a preserving effect halting ethylene production which is the gas that makes flowers wilt.

• Sprite — Sprite makes the water more acidic, which means it can travel up the stem of the flower more quickly. Also, the sugar serves as food for the flower.

• Apple cider vinegar & sugar — Vinegar acts as an antibacterial agent while the sugar serves as flower food.

• Refrigerator — Cold temperature slows aging of the flower.

• Aspirin — Aspirin may lower the pH of the water.

We changed out the water (and replenished the same ingredients into each vase) on day 3.
Here’s what happened:

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

Day Six

Day Seven

And the Losers Are…

It turns out, flowers react a lot like people.

Case in point: The vase with Sprite did fine on days 1 and 2 but started to fade on day 3 and was a slimy mess by day 5. The vase with the vodka also did fine on days 1 and 2 but looked droopy and had grayish stems by day 4. Compare the Sprite vase to a six-year-old with a sugar high; the vodka, to a college frat boy on a bender — and suddenly flower behavior makes a lot of sense.

Scientifically, sugar acts as a carb to feed the flower, but it encourages bacterial growth. Also rooted in science, alcohol does stop the production of ethylene, but flowers, like humans, can only handle a very low percentage of alcohol.

Aspirin — Despite many a study to see if aspirin works on flowers, no concrete conclusions have been made. This might be because mediocre results rarely stand out. We didn’t find the aspirin to have any preserving effects, though it did not kill the flowers faster, either.

Runner Up Is…

Apple Cider Vinegar & Sugar —  Flowers need sugar as food. Sugar is a substantial ingredient in flower food packets. The problem is, sugar accelerates bacterial growth. And you get those gunky, slimy leaves around day 4 to prove it. The solution is to add an acid. Enter vinegar, the bacteria-fighting agent to combat any damage the sugar creates.

It’s the perfect pair, and the combo held its own in our survival-of-the-fittest trial.

The Winner Is…

Every night before hitting the hay, we put this vase of flowers in the fridge. They were typically in there for about eight hours. When we woke up, we took the flowers out and displayed them with the others on the dining room table. It seems such a simple solution, but it kept our flowers fresh well through day 7. It makes sense that florists keep their flowers inside a large refrigerator.

Though anchored in science, many of the theories only have an inkling of truth to them. Your best bet to keep your flowers alive longer is using the flower food packet that comes with your arrangement and placing them in the fridge overnight.

12 Gifts To Give Your Girlfriend On Her Birthday

Birthdays are always a special occasion and rightly so. It is that one day of the year which you can call your day. All the cake, gifts and pampering, just for you. That said, birthdays are all the more important to girls. They make lists for their birthday parties months before their birthdays, the countdown begins a month before at the least, you have a special reason to shop that is ‘birthday shopping’ and what not. In all of this, the girls always remember and cherish those people who go the extra mile to make their birthday an eventful one and the one that they won’t forget. Parents, friends, boyfriends or husbands, whomsoever it be, you forget a girl’s birthday, you’ve had it from her. Birthday gifts can be a tough puzzle to crack for the guys. A girl may want a million things, but to gift her the perfect thing for her birthday will make not only her day, but her year. So for all those guys out there who have a tough time choosing that perfect gift for their girlfriend’s birthday, fret not, we are here to the rescue with some cute gift ideas for the girlfriend –

12. A Photo Collage

A photo collage is a very cute idea for your girlfriend’s birthday as it is thoughtful and also has a personal touch to it. You can actually make a collage in a certain shape such as a heart or star etc by cutting the photos properly. Please don’t resort to an online photo collage maker as it just shows your uninterest. You can take pictures from your days of friendship, your first date, a trip you took together, a picture with her friends, parents, pet etc to make sure that you know you’re thinking of her. It is an inexpensive but a very adorable idea.

11. Tickets To A Play/Museum She Likes

A girls may want all things fancy but she will forget all of that for a gift that someone has put thought into. Nothing can sweep her off her feet like giving her the tickets to a play, a match, a concert or a museum that always wanted to go. It shows that you listen to her and are interested in things that make her happy. A romantic play or a romantic gig can make things even better and she will always thank you for the kind gesture.

10. A Gift Hamper

A gift hamper can always make a girls day. Now a days, gift hampers are easily available online and in shops. Some shows also let you make your own hamper by choosing what all you want in the hamper and they decorate it for you. The Body Shop has some of the best hampers that includes body butters, lotions, soaps, perfumes, moisturizers etc. These are all the things that a girl wants and the fact that she gets them all at once, packed in the most cute basket with a bow on top is even better.

9. Candy Bouquet

Girls like flowers, girls like chocolate and girls like gifts. You mix all of them in one big gift – what could go wrong? Candy bouquets are a new concept wherein, you have a bouquet that is entirely made up of candies and chocolates or a flower bouquet which has chocolate bars here and there. You can make such a bouquet by yourself and choose all her favorite chocolates and flowers. It is a very innovative idea. 

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8. A Day At The Spa

Everyone works hand in their lives and everyone deserves a good break. Make your girl feel like she deserved to unwind and relax for a day and book an appointment for a full spa day with your girlfriend for her birthday. It is better that such a spa day is made one day before her birthday so she can relax without missing people’s calls for wishes and so that she can feel youthful and rejuvenated for her big day. Such a gesture will truly show how much you care about her health and well-being too. You can take the spa together so that you can spend more time with her.

7. Personalized Gifts

Nothing pleases us more than a gift which has a warm personal touch. You can gift her a personalized painting, jewelry with her name or something that she believes in on it, mugs, bed-covers etc.Today, buying such gifts is extremely easy and there are also some stand-alone shops which make personalized tshirts etc on demand. If you don’t want the world to know what the personalized gift has to convey, put something that is an inside joke or a secret between just the two of you. This will make her feel loved like nothing else.

6. Birthday Week

It is the latest trend to celebrate a loved one’s birthday and the girls will especially love such a heart-warming surprise. The idea is to celebrate not just a birthday, but the entire birth-week by sending or giving 7 small gifts for each day of the week. You start exactly a week before her birthday and send the better gifts as the birthday gets closer. The perfect gifts for a birthday week are glowers, cards, cupcakes, books, hand-written letters, bracelets and other dainty jewelry etc. You can organize a surprise party for the actual birthday. This is a gift like no other!

5. Clothes & Shoes & Accessories

All a girl wants and needs are some great clothes, shoes and accessories to go with that and you can give her just that for her birthday. But this doesn’t simply mean that you pick out a top or a dress and give it to her. You can actually make a goody bag for your girlfriend. Buy a bag that she’s been eyeing for months and buy dresses or tops that YOU think would look great on her and put them in the bag. Get shoes to match with the clothes you’ve bought and accessories too. This way, she’ll know that you have put some thought in the buying of the gift. Shop eBay.com and get the latest eBay redemption code june 2016 now

4. Handmade Cards & Flowers & Soft-Toys

If you are creative enough and want to show how much you love her, you can make her a big card and pen down all your thoughts about her and your relationship in a hand-written letter. A nice bouquet of flowers can also be a great gift for a girl who values thought more than the cost of the gift. And of course, no matter how old a girl is, her heart will always melt at the sight of a soft-toy. Cards, letters and flowers may be called old-fashioned but a romantic-at-heart will always prefer such small genuine gestures over lavish ones. A letter written in ink will always be more heart-felt than a one written in Arial font in size 10.

3. Jewelry

Jewelry, whether dainty or boisterous, always has a way to find the door to a girl’s heart. And a piece of jewelry that is not just with a big price-tag but with lot of warmth and thought behind it, is always a good idea. A pretty ring, a dainty necklace, cute earrings – the options are endless. All you have to do is choose the one you think your girlfriend can wear the best. Jewelry sets are also a great option for gifting your girl. And of course, you can also get personalized jewelry online. It doesn’t have to be Tiffany’s, it just has to be with loads of love.

2. Romantic Dinner Date

Believe it or not, every girl wants a guy who buys a dress for a girl and leave it on her bed with a note saying ‘Be ready with this on at 7.’ It is unbelievably romantic and the girl’s heart will melt within seconds. So that, a nice romantic dinner date is definitely one of the best ways to surprise and to gift the dress to your girlfriend. Again, the restaurant may not have to be a grand one. A quaint little place with good food, a nice glass of wine is just about perfect for any girl. And the very fact that you took so many efforts to make her day special will bring any girl to tears.

1. Romantic Vacation

And last, but not the least in any way, is the perfect gift that you can gift your girlfriend – some quality time with YOU, away from the daily hustle-bustle. Now,m quality time can be spent in the comfort of your home as well, but a vacation gives the girl a chance to take a break from the every day monotony and spend time with you in a more relaxed environment. A road-trip, a weekend spent in a cottage, foreign country or whatever it is that you can do for her, she will always be grateful. A place she has always wanted to go, or a place that toy wanted to always take her to, anywhere is good. The idea is just to go away, together.

How Does One Give a Thoughtful Gift?

Giving a gift is always exciting, but it can be challenging as well. Even if you know the ins and outs of the recipient’s tastes, it can still be tough to find a gift that really gets your message across. In order to better understand what truly makes a thoughtful gift, we decided to consult a number of experts in gift giving, and we are very pleased with the results. Hopefully this helpful guide with tips from professionals will help you to choose a thoughtful gift that will be cherished for years to come.

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Don’t Shop for Yourself

As you are browsing for gifts in-store or online, you are inevitably going to be tempted to shop for gifts that you would love to receive. This instinct is completely understandable, but it is important for you to try to put yourself in the receiver’s shoes, rather than looking at things from your own perspective.

As Jane from Challah Connection said, “A thoughtful gift is a relevant gift; one that reflects the recipients’ passions, loves, hobbies, and life. It is a gift that is the result of deep thought of the recipient and what would make him or her happy. It is NOT a gift that the gift giver would love to have, which is often the case.”

It’s Not Just About the Item

Receiving a gift is much more than acquiring a new item. With that in mind, it’s important to think about your approach. You might want to bring the recipient to a special place where you have memories together, or surprise them at home or at work. Remember, simply buying the most expensive gift you can afford is not always the best option. In fact, it may work against you. Maria from Fine Foods elaborated on this point:

“The gift should be something that the recipient would be pleased with – from my personal experience I don`t like receiving expensive gifts because I know that the person who gave it to me had to pay a lot for it (and honestly I know we all work really hard to earn it) so I accept little presents easier.” Brenda fromBrenda’s Gift Baskets summed it up well, saying, “It doesn’t have to be a large, expensive gift. It is the thought that goes into the gift.”

Find the Right Packaging

Can you imagine if Christmas gifts were just wrapped in newspaper or tin foil? You had better believe the season would not be nearly as jolly! When you give a gift, you want to make an impression. Yes, the wrapping paper and bow are going to be torn off in a hurry, but that is part of the fun – the anticipation.

We asked Brenda from The Royal Chocolate for advice on giving a thoughtful gift, and she noted, “A gift does not need to be extravagant to be special. The box, bow, and packaging all add to the gift. Finding a price point that’s comfortable and then exploring a few thoughts and emotions should bring the gift giver to a place where they are excited to present the gift. That’s successful gift giving!”

Start Planning In Advance

If you know that you are going to be giving a gift to someone in the future, start thinking about it now. When you are with that person, try to pick up on clues that will help you when you are shopping later. When you are at that person’s home, look around and try to get a feel for their tastes. You may also want to look for things that could be useful. For example, if you are thinking about giving a blender, you could suggest that the two of you make smoothies. If the recipient pulls out a brand new blender, you know that’s not an ideal choice.

We got some great advice from Sabyna at Petals by S&A who told us one of her commonly used approaches: “I ask my customers to try and personalize with color. I ask if they notice what colors the person wears, or a color they have noticed in the person’s home, especially the kitchen.”

Think About Unique Traits

As you try to come up with a thoughtful gift, you should consider all of the things that define the receiver. Naturally that is going to include hobbies, but there is so much more to a person than just what they do in their leisure time. A truly thoughtful gift often transcends what is clearly visible on the outside, showing the recipient that their inner qualities are recognized and appreciated.

Lea from Galilee 33 noted, “When giving a gift, one should ask him or herself which beliefs, morals, principals, and views guide the receiver.  When one receives such a gift, it is obvious that the granter thought far beyond the external package and into the soul of the person receiving it. It is immediately touching and holds a value far beyond the price of the gift.”

As Sylvia from Baskets Galore stated, “What has meaning for one will not mean the same for someone else, so it varies from person to person.”

The Classics Never Go Out of Style

Depending on the occasion, sometimes a unique take on an old classic is the perfect gift. For example, a beautiful bouquet of flowers is universally loved and appreciated. Erin at Teleflora said:

“Gifting a beautiful bouquet of flowers often says everything without having to say anything at all! To really capture one’s heart, think about their favorite color and flower type that may even bring back a fond memory for that individual. The thoughtfulness that you put into that professionally arranged and hand-delivered floral arrangement will WOW them with delight. Add a love note to your bouquet and you will have them beaming ear-to-ear!”

Everyone Enjoys Food

When in doubt, go for a tasty treat! After all, nobody would be unhappy to receive a nice supply of their favorite snack. When we asked The Frederick Basket Company for advice, Vicki responded, “…For instance, for the tea lover, a beautiful mug, assorted teas, local honey and tea biscuits. For the sports lover, a selection of craft beers, and snacks to enjoy while watching their favorite sporting event.  The possibilities are endless! The fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach!”

Other Suggestions

Dmitriy from GiftBasketsOverseas.com was kind enough to provide us with some other excellent suggestions to make a gift memorable:

• Sending a product by the recipient’s favorite chocolate or cheese brand
• Quoting the receiver’s favorite poem on a greeting card, which can be attached to any gift
• Sending something that reminds the recipient of good times spent together with the sender. This could be a DVD of a movie they once watched together, or a book written by a favorite author.

Give an Experience

Sometimes the best gift isn’t a tangible object, but a memory. For instance, Kristin at Cloud 9 Living gave us some poignant advice on thoughtful gift giving, saying:

“There’s no more meaningful way to honor someone than by treating them to an experience that reflects who they are: their personality, favorite hobby, a cherished milestone, fondest memory, bucket list wish, etc. And doing so can be equally as meaningful for the gift-giver, too—because there’s a good chance that the recipient of an unforgettable outing/adventure won’t soon forget who gave them something so unique.”

Be Thoughtful

When it comes down to it, giving a thoughtful gift takes just that – thought! Spend some time really thinking about what makes that special person in your life tick. Think about other aspects of the gift besides the gift itself, such as when you give it, where you give it, how you give it, and so on. As the helpful folks at Oh! Nuts succinctly said, “You send a gift when it counts on the topic that matters.” Really think about why you are giving the gift, and then simply fill in the blanks from there. For more helpful advice on giving thoughtful gifts, please don’t hesitate to contact Thoughtfully today.