7 questions that will help you pick the perfect birthday gift ...

If you want to make someone’s birthday special, you have to pick the perfect birthday gift. There are so many choices that it can be hard to figure out where to start looking. In order to pick the perfect birthday gift, you have to ask yourself certain questions about the recipient. With the help of this list, you should be able to find something that will make her (or his) day.


1. WHAT SHOWS DOES SHE LIKE?

If you know that the #birthday girl is obsessed with a certain show, you can buy her the DVD. If she already owns every season, go online and search for merchandise. There should be clothing, cups, and stuffed animals based on the program. If the show doesn’t have many products or you want to do something a bit more creative, order a personalized tee-shirt or key chain with a photo from the show on it. When you’re trying to pick the perfect #birthday gift, try to figure out what the recipient loves most.

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2. IS SHE INTO ANY SPORTS?

If she loves a certain sports team, there are plenty of products you can buy her with the team’s logo on it. You can even pay for a membership to a fantasy football or baseball team. If she plays a sport, buy her something related to it. Does she need new clothes? Buy her a jersey.
3. IS SHE BROKE?

If you’re giving a gift to someone who’s struggling financially, she’ll appreciate the #money. It might feel impersonal to give her cash instead of a thoughtful gift, but it’ll help her out more in the long run. The point of gift giving is to get something that the recipient will enjoy. Don’t feel bad that you’re simply giving her cash. Sometimes, it’s the best option.
4. DOES SHE HAVE A PET?

Some #people care more about their pets than themselves. If that’s the case, then you might want to skip getting the #birthday girl a gift and search for something for her pet. Buy a chew toy, some bones, or a new #bed. You’ll probably save yourself some #money, and you just might make a pup wag its tail.
5. DOES SHE PREFER HOMEMADE GIFTS?

If the person you’re buying for likes handcrafted gifts, then you might want to skip your trip to the store. Create a collage that includes pictures of #things they like and photos of the two of you. You could also go old school and create a mix tape (or YouTube playlist). If they prefer knickknacks, sew them a scarf or decorate a vase with paint. Decide what you’re best at artistically and use it to your advantage.

6. DOES SHE HAVE THE BARE NECESSITIES?

A toaster seems like a boring #birthday gift, but it can be the perfect present if the recipient actually needs it. What would you appreciate more: a pretty painting for your wall or a new coffee maker so you can get through your early mornings? Buy her something that she’ll use daily. Or, if you’re good at fixing #things, volunteer to repair the dishwasher she broke months ago. She’ll be happy to have it working again.

7. WHAT FOOD DOES SHE LIKE?

Who doesn’t like to eat? If you know the #birthday girl loves a good meal, invite her over for her favorite dish. If you don’t want to put an entire dinner together, just whip up some dessert. Or, if you’re not confident in your cooking abilities, buy her a gift certificate for her favorite restaurant. Just give her enough #money so that she’ll be able to get something she likes.

Source: lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com

10 Weird Facts About Tulips from Teleflora.com's Blog

Tulips are one of the most quintessential spring flowers. They’re seen often in flower beds, fields and gardens, as well as in table arrangements and bouquets. In fact, the vibrantly colored blossoms are so symbolic of spring that they’re one of the most popular flowers for seasonal wedding arrangements! 

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Check out these 10 weird, interesting and fun facts all about tulips:

1. An Amazing Variety
Tulips can be divided into about 150 various species, but there are more than 3,000 naturally occurring and genetically cultivated varieties of the flower worldwide. New varieties of tulips are regularly created, but it takes each one at least 20 years to go from the beginning stages of cultivation to your local florist’s shop.

2. The Symbolism of Tulips
Tulips have a wide variety of meanings, with each color symbolizing something different. In general, tulips are said tosymbolize love and signal spring’s arrival. Red tulips represent true love, white tulips say “I’m sorry,” and purple tulips symbolize royalty. Interestingly, a multi-colored bouquet of the blossoms is said to be a compliment of the recipient’s eyes. The flower is also the symbol of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. A variety of tulip was actually named after James Parkinson, the doctor for which the degenerative disease is named. The foundation began using the flower in 1980.

3. The Price of a Flower
At one point in history, tulips were the most expensive flower. In fact, in the 1600s the flowers were more valuable than most people’s homes, and cost almost 10 times what an average working-class man earned in a year.

4. Perfect Symmetry
Tulips are known for their bold colors and beautiful shape, and most varieties are indeed almost perfectly symmetrical. The blooms have three petals and three sepals, but since the sepals are almost the same size and shape as the petals, tulips appear to have six petals to a bulb.

5. Cook With Tulips
Like many other flowers, tulips are edible! In fact, during World War II, tulips and tulip breads were often eaten by those who couldn’t afford other foods. The flowers can be used to replace onions in many recipes and are even used to make wine.

6. Holland’s Exports
The Netherlands are the largest producer and exporter of tulips worldwide, growing and exporting nearly three billion bulbs each year. At one point in Holland’s history, tulips were its fourth biggest export, behind cheese, gin and herring.

7. The Meaning of a Name
Tulips’ shapes are what originally gave them their name. The name originated from the Persian word “delband,” meaning turban.

8. Tulip Mania
During the 1600s when tulips were extremely valuable they caused what’s now known as “Tulip Mania.” People in the Netherlands traded tulips for their value, and the flowers actually ended up causing what some say is the first economic crash, likely due to the bubonic plague.

9. The Lily Family
The beautiful flowers are actually related to another popular spring flower: the lily. Tulips are a part of the Liliaceae family, which also contains lilies, onions, garlic and asparagus.

10. Queen of the Night
Tulips are known for their bright and sunny colors, and they have actually been cultivated in every color except for classic blue (blue tulips exist, but they have a purplish tint). One of the most interesting colors of a tulip variety is the deep purple of the Queen of the Night tulip. The flower is so dark it appears black in some lights and is quickly gaining popularity for its unique hue.

Tulips are clearly an intriguing flower with a rich history. If you want to send the spring flower to a friend or loved one, look no further than Teleflora’s Tulip Treasure arrangement or Spring Romance Tulip Bouquet!

11.BONUS TIP: Cut tulips continue to grow!
Did you know that cut tulips keep growing in the vase? They grow another inch in height or more after they have been cut. They also twist and turn and will lean and bend gracefully toward sources of light. The intertwining of tulips in a bouquet is caused by the dual effects of continuing stem growth and the gentle pull of light and gravity on the flowerhead.

Source: Teleflora.com's Blog

Summer Solstice Planting Guide for Gardening Procrastinators

The first day of summer – also known as the summer solstice – lands on June 21 this year, which means the warmest season is almost upon us! While for most people that’s cause for celebration, for those who didn’t have time to garden this spring, the beginning of summer means the end of their opportunity to grow beautifully blooming plants and flowers. Or does it? There are actually some flowers and vegetables that thrive when planted during mid-summer. So if you were a little late to garden this year, don’t lay down your trowel and gardening gloves just yet. Here are a few things you can still plant in late June and July:

Flowers

Believe it or not, there are tons of flowers that grow well over the summer. Marigolds, for instance, are a gorgeous annual with deep golden and orange blossoms that mimic summer’s sunshine perfectly. Other good choices include sunflowers, impatiens and beautiful columbine. Even if you already planted any of these annuals once this year, plant them again this summer. That way, they’ll keep your garden looking beautiful for another few months. Keep in mind that some flowers, including impatiens, will do better with partial shade, rather than full-day sunlight.

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Herbs

Starting an herb garden, or even an herb container garden, can be done at the beginning of summer if you choose types that thrive in the heat. Great choices for the season include basil, parsley, chives, sage and thyme. Not only will they grow well, but all of the above would be delicious to use in your summer cooking. Toss some fresh basil into a caprese salad or some parsley or sage into a pasta.

Vegetables

If you’re interested in planting vegetables over the summer, you still have plenty of options when June and July roll around. Veggies that love the summer sun include corn, eggplant, squash, zucchini, peas, carrots and bell peppers. If you’re more interested in fruit, you may want to consider planting melons – they grow well in heat, and they’re also a fresh and delicious treat for warm days.

Avoid planting any cold-weather vegetables, though, as these won’t make it through the season. These include greens (like lettuce, spinach and cabbage), cruciferous veggies (including broccoli and cauliflower) and peas.

Beans

Another crop perfect plant in the summertime is beans. Choose varieties that grow well in your particular climate zone, and try to plant them in June if possible. Some varieties will give you fresh beans within just a month or two!

Planting for Next Year

Remember that later in the summer is a good planting time as well. In fact, late summer and fall are when many people start planting their perennials for the following spring season. Take this time to start planning which plants and flowers you’d like to add to your garden so that you’re ready in time for the next planting season in a few months. Until then, relax and enjoy your freshly grown vegetables and your beautiful summer flowers.

4th of July Centerpieces for Your Holiday Barbecue

The sunshine, the fireworks, the time spent with family and friends: Who wouldn't like the Fourth of July? Independence Day is one of the most exciting holidays of the year, largely because it's often celebrated simply by spending time with our loved ones. Plus, the day is typically met with warmth and sun, making it one of the most popular grilling and barbecue occasions of the entire year (along with Memorial Day and Labor Day). Get Teleflora coupon code for saving

If you're planning on hosting a barbecue to celebrate Independence Day this year, you'll likely be decking out your backyard or patio with fun and patriotic decorations, from star-spangled banners to red, white and blue table settings. But if you haven't thought about your patio table centerpiece quite yet, we've got you covered. Here are some Fourth of July centerpiece ideas for your upcoming holiday barbecue:

Find Your Summer Flowers

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons for showing off gorgeous flowers, so if you're planning on including blooms in your centerpiece, you have plenty of options.

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 If you're going for a patriotic vibe, opt for red, white and blue blooms, including roses, carnations, lilies, mums, shasta and gerbera daisies, hydrangea, geraniums and tulips. Or, you can embrace the sunny season by mixing in a few yellow blooms, like daffodils. Whatever you choose, make sure they're delivered no earlier than the day before so that they're as fresh and vibrant as can be when you show them off on your patio table.

Think Rustic
The Fourth of July is the perfect occasion to go for a more rustic party theme, especially since the party is already outdoors. So, opt for more rustic centerpieces if you want, like flowers arranged in mason jars or even watering cans. 

Focus on the Food
Just because you're serving up hot dogs and burgers doesn't mean you can't turn the traditional grill foods into their own beautiful centerpiece. Place your food selection on cake stands and platters of various heights, and arrange them across the table in a random pattern. Then, put small white votive candles in various spots around the food, and the whole thing will seem casual, yet sophisticated.

Keep Things Simple
Centerpieces don't have to be extravagant, especially for such a relaxed and informal holiday. In fact, the perfect centerpiece may just be a single kind of flower arranged in a simple vase. One option? Red tulips in a blue glass vase – your guests will love the simple and beautiful effect. 

Scatter Bud Vases
If you'd rather take up less space but still adorn your table with pretty blossoms, consider using bud vases. Fill the small containers with one or two red, white or blue blooms, and stick a couple of miniature American flags in some of them. The end result: pretty and patriotic!

If you're looking for an extra-special centerpiece, or a gift to send to a family member who can't be at your holiday barbecue, Teleflora's America the Beautiful arrangement is an amazing option. Its statement-making asiatic lilies, red roses and carnations pair perfectly with the added American flag and cobalt-blue glass vase. 

Source http://www.teleflora.com/

4 Canada Day Celebration Ideas for July 1st

Canada Day is a holiday celebrated every year on July 1 to commemorate the country's independence from England. On July 1, 1867, the Constitution Act was signed, turning three colonies into one country: Canada. Now, Canadians get the day off of work to honor the country's birth! And as with any birthday, Canada's calls for some celebration. There are tons of fun ways to celebrate the exciting summer holiday, no matter where you live. Take a look at four celebration ideas for Canada Day this year:

1. Host a Canada Day Party
Because Canada Day falls on the first day of July, it typically boasts sunny, warm weather. So, what better day to host an outdoor party in your backyard? Barbecues are a common way to celebrate the holiday, but any party that allows people to spend outside will be a lot of fun. Make it a Canada theme by taking advantage of red and white decorations, foods and utensils. Try red punch for the little ones or sangria for the adults. 

If you're thinking of decorating with flowers for your party (as many do), you have tons of opportunities to use red and white blooms. Go for roses, carnations, mums, lilies, tulips or white peonies for seasonal arrangements that will fit in with your celebrations perfectly. Set up some of your blossoms in red or white vases, containers or mason jars for a pretty and casual table centerpiece for your patio.

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2. Celebrate With Your Local Parade
Many communities in Canada celebrate the independence holiday by holding small parades or street festivals. These are a very fun way to spend the holiday, especially for families with smaller kids. Check out what your city or town has to offer on the holiday and plan on doing some celebrating with the rest of your community.

3. Visit a Big City
Bigger cities in Canada, like Ottawa or Toronto, also tend to have parades and festivals but on a larger scale. Canada Day is on a Wednesday this year, so take a day trip to a big city near you to participate part in the festivities. Depending on where you go, you'll likely be able to watch parades with big crowds, hear free concerts and even see some fireworks! Or, take a five-day weekend if you can get a couple of days off work, and use the opportunity for a mini vacation. 

4. Make Crafts With Your Kids
If you're planning on spending the day at home with the kids, doing some crafts can be a fun way to hang out as a family. Canadian flags are an easy craft for kids at any age, and they can be hung as decorations if you're having people over for dinner. Set up a paint zone, and draw two vertical black lines on a piece of white paper, separating the paper into thirds. Have your kids paint the outer thirds red. Then, instead of painting a maple leaf, color your children's hands with red paint and have them leave a hand print in the center of the flag. 

3 Really Romantic Summer Bouquets

What else puts romance in the summer air like a gorgeous bouquet of flowers? Celebrate the gift of love and love of floral gifts with a fresh bloom. Whether you're enjoying an anniversary, birthday or just a warm summer night, you can dazzle your special someone with these stunning bulbs:

1. Teleflora's Turn Up the Pink Bouquet
Bubbling with perky pink gerberas, full orange roses, carnations and matsumoto asters, this bouquet is as colorful as a Van Gogh painting. And did you know that each color of a rose offers a distinct meaning? Orange roses conjure images of fire and glowing sunsets, so you can tell your special someone "I love you" with passion. Gerberas, meanwhile, belong to the same family as sunflowers, and are generally associated with cheerfulness. If you didn't even enough of the color pink, the bouquet is delivered in Teleflora's pink glass cube.

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2. Sunny Day Pitcher of Sunflowers
Who needs a pocket full of sunshine when you have a pitcher? Brighten your love's mood and room with a Sunny Day Pitcher of Sunflowers, bursting with large yellow sunflowers in a matching ceramic pitcher. In fact, sunflowers have long been a symbol of beauty, only complemented by their resemblance to the life-giving sun. These bright bulbs are perfect for a birthday or other celebration coming up in the summer months. So, if you're looking to sweeten the deal, this dazzling display is sure to impress.

Send Sunny Day Sunflowers in a ceramic pitcher

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3. Full of Love Bouquet
The Full of Love Bouquet boasts titillating tulips and lush roses. There are also carnations and waxflowers, accented with fresh pitta negra and pittosporum. To carry on with the meaning of roses, pink ones represent gratitude. After all, saying "I love you" is just another way to say "thank you for all you have given me." Presented in a glass vase, this bouquet's name tells it all.

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Bug Off! Plants that Deter Mosquitoes, Bugs and Flies

Source image: Teleflora.com

You're enjoying a fun backyard party, chatting with your neighbors on the patio and eating some good food, when all of a sudden you feel it – that sharp pain that means you've been bitten. Bug bites may not completely ruin a perfectly good afternoon outdoors, but they are certainly irritating, especially when they won't stop itching. Biting bugs like mosquitos and flies are drawn to some types of flowers because of their sweet scents, but did you know that there are actually a few plants that repel insects? Make your patio a bug-free oasis by keeping these plants around when you're spending time outside:

Marigolds
Marigolds are annuals that bloom over the spring and summer with stunning blossoms, typically in fiery orange and yellow colors. But it isn't just their beauty that makes marigolds a good addition to your patio. The flowering plant actually repels mosquitos and flies because of their strong scent. You can buy Marigolds or Marigolds bouquets at Telelora.com, Ftd.com, Proflowers.com. Get Teleflora coupon code, Ftd flowers coupon for saving! 

Catnip
Catnip is scientifically proven to repel mosquitos better even than DEET, an ingredient found in many bug sprays. Plus the plant blooms with tiny purple flowers during the spring, making it a pretty way to spice up your patio (and one your cats will definitely love). 

Citronella
If you've ever read the ingredients list on a mosquito repellent, it's very likely you saw "citronella" on the label. This type of grass is actually found in most mosquito repellents, but it works in its natural grass form too. 

Rosemary
If you already have an herb garden, you're in luck, because many common cooking herbs double as insect repellents. One of the most notable herbs people use to keep bugs at bay is rosemary. Rosemary is amazingly easy to grow – plus, if it's grown in containers on your patio, you can easily bring it inside during the winter, where it will thrive in a warm, sunny windowsill.

Mint
Mint is another herb that people often use both for cooking and keeping away insects. The herb can be used often in any number of recipes, but it's also a great way to keep mosquitos off of your patio. In fact, many people recommend using mouthwash before heading outdoors since the smell is so repellent to insects. 

More About Keeping Bugs Away
While these plants are great as natural repellents, there are some things that will draw insects no matter what you do. If you're eating outside, try to keep the food covered as much as possible and do your best to get rid of any standing water in the area to prevent mosquitos from hanging around.

Source: http://community.teleflora.com/