Floral Etiquette

According to a long established unwritten tradition in our country, the number of flowers in a bouquet obeys the rule "odd up to a dozen", that is, the number of flowers matters if there are three, five, seven, nine or eleven. It is customary to bring an even number (up to ten pieces) of flowers in a bouquet as a sign of sorrow to funeral ceremonies. If there are twelve or more flowers in a bouquet, their number no longer carries any definite semantic meaning.

Speaking about the maximum or minimum number of stems in a bouquet, it should be emphasized that the more flowers in a bouquet, the more solemn it looks. But excessive excess can destroy the individuality and sincerity of the gift, making it annoyingly frilly or even vulgar. A single flower is a special gift: according to etiquette, it is acceptable as a sign of special intimacy between a man and a woman. However, only a noble plant can express such a secret meaning: a proud rose on a long stem or a regal orchid. But do not be afraid to be inspired creators in expressing your feelings in a “flower” language: in a certain situation, a single chamomile presented to your beloved can tell more than a pompous bouquet of roses!

The choice of a bouquet depends on who exactly the flowers are intended for, as well as on the reason for which you are going to give them. According to the laws of flower etiquette, a girl should be presented with half-opened roses or roses in buds. For an adult woman, it is more appropriate to give fully opened roses or carnations. It is customary for a man to present large flowers with long stems. In the event of official celebrations, red or pink roses, yellow or pink carnations will be an appropriate gift for a woman. For a man in the same situation - red roses, red or white carnations.

If your bouquet is addressed to a loved one, friend or relative, then its composition will be determined most of all by what you want to tell them, what feelings to express “without words”. According to flower etiquette, the most eloquent "language" of the queen of flowers is roses:

red roses are a message of sensual passion;

purple roses express unbridled desire;

white roses are almost an official declaration of love;

yellow roses are especially insidious - after all, this is a sign of separation; It is worth giving these beautiful flowers only if you are absolutely sure that they will understand you correctly, or if you really give them goodbye, it happens!

It is customary for elderly people to give decorative or flowering plants in pots on special occasions. Bouquets of seasonal flowers will be quite appropriate, not excluding unpretentious garden flowers (dahlias, asters) and the simplest field ones (cornflowers, chamomiles).

Flowers in baskets - a special place in the set of rules for flower etiquette. Baskets are appropriate for presenting in the event of official corporate celebrations, seeing off to retirement, brides to a wedding and artists at the end of a performance or concert. Baskets are also an idealt in case you cannot give flowers in person. In this case, your card must be included in the basket, containing a few words to justify your absence, or a greeting card.

In case of a serious delay for the celebration, flowers can be presented according to etiquette no later than 12 noon the next day.

After you have decided on the choice of a bouquet, you must present it correctly. It is absolutely unacceptable to give flowers in a "transport" paper wrapper. The protective packaging from the bouquet must be removed without fail before entering the room. As a last resort, partially unfold, and after an introductory greeting, the owners of the house have already completely freed the flowers from packaging. Modern rules of flower etiquette allow you to give flowers in a special decorative film, mesh and rice paper, which are elements of floral decoration. You can carry flowers in any position, but be sure to turn the bouquet with the stems down on the doorstep.

After all the greetings and congratulations, a man invited to a celebration for a married couple should, in accordance with etiquette, present a bouquet to the mistress of the house. This should be done, even if the husband's birthday is celebrated in the family and flowers are intended for him. If the guests also arrived as a couple, a man must give flowers. A woman, invited to the holiday alone, chooses herself to whom she will give the bouquet - the owner of the house or the mistress.

If a young man goes on an official acquaintance with the family of a beloved girl, according to etiquette, two different bouquets are strictly obligatory: delicate pastel colors for the chosen one and a brighter range for her mother.

Before and during the greeting, the bouquet should be held in the left hand, and it should be given directly to the right. It is necessary to get rid of the wrapper from the bouquet, if there was one, imperceptibly and independently, when the opportunity presents itself.

Birthday Bouquet

A child's birthday is a special occasion, even if it is the birthday of a very small person. The flower arrangement at the head of the crib is not only useful for the perception of the baby himself, but will also fill the house with a truly fabulous atmosphere. And during the obligatory treat, this composition must be moved to the festive table and the setting around it should be formed. The main rule of a baby bouquet: flowers should not have a strong scent!

If you are invited to a friend's birthday party, try to please him with a personal, small baby bouquet. Plants should be chosen low, in the most daring colors. Colorful bouquets are just what you need. Round bouquets decorated with greenery, ribbons, bows and colored wrappers are good. Children's bouquet should be cheerful and always bright!

When choosing a bouquet for an adult's birthday, it is best to find out which flowers are his favorite. And give the appropriate bouquet.

Anniversaries

Bouquets for the hero of the day are traditionally solemn; liberties with composite bouquets are allowed only to family and close friends. The hero of the day is presented with bouquets of dark, saturated shades, it can be burgundy roses, red carnations, chrysanthemums.

It is best for a woman to give those flowers that she loves. If nothing is known about the tastes of the hero of the occasion, a bouquet of red roses would be a win-win option. Composite bouquets should also emphasize the seriousness of the event. Complex compositions of lilies, gerberas, orchids and anthuriums, decorated with curly greenery, are suitable here.

Anniversaries are one of the few holidays where decorative potted flowers as a gift are a good form. In these cases, flowers in pots, designed to leave a long and good memory of the celebration, are customary, like solemn bouquets, to be displayed in a place of honor in the room for receiving guests.