All About Flowers – Our Blog | Flora2000.com

…An Eternal Symbol of Love and Romance

Throughout world history, the rose  has been the symbol of love, purity, devotion, inspiration, beauty, elegance, compassion, spirituality and sensuality. The significance of the rose is both religious and mythological. It was prized as the flower of Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks, and to the Arabs it represented the highest spiritual achievement and to the early Christians it was the flower of the Virgin Mary.  The Rose was also a symbol of secrets held in confidence; It was an ancient practice to hang a rose over a council table, letting all who attended know they were sworn to secrecy.

Ancient authors highlight the ritual of the use of the rose in Greek life. Greek myths accentuate the symbolic nature of the rose. The most famous surround Aphrodite (Venus) as Goddess of love. She sprang forth into life from the foam of the sea, and where the foam fell to the ground white roses grew. This and later myths about Aphrodite display the dual nature of love: purity and innocence represented by white roses; desire and sexual gratification by red ones. In the 5th century BC., Anacreon composed an ode in praise of the rose, its beauty, perfume, power to heal and the esteem in which it was held by the Gods. The Greek philosopher Epicurus had his own private rose garden in Athens, wherein he instructed his pupils regarding the highest pleasures.

 Theophrastus records that in some gardens, known as ‘Gardens of Adonis’, exceptionally pretty roses were cultivated in silver pots. They were grown for their perfume which devotees believed kept illness at bay, as well as for use in wreaths. As in Greek mythology, the rose plays a recurring and symbolic role in Roman legends. Rose wreaths were awarded by the Romans as a mark of honor for a major military success, and in later ages for every minor victory. Rose petals were scattered in the path of the victors at the Games. The association of the rose with wine and revelry was prevalent at the height of the Empire. The Roman Emperor Nero at banquets made rose petals to rain from the ceiling on the guests below. Stories of roses carpeting the floor of the banqueting hall to a depth of two feet when Mark Anthony visited Cleopatra verify that this trend caught on. The Romans used roses in abundance at funerals, and garlanded their tombs with rose wreaths. Rose buds were offered to the departed during the festival called Rosalie. The rose was a symbol of life because of its beauty, a symbol of death because of the inevitable withering of its blooms and a symbol of eternal life because of its association with the Gods. The predilection of the Romans for roses is attested by the excavation of the remains of private gardens in the ruins of Pompeii, and the depiction of roses in surviving frescoes found there.

Graeco-Roman Egypt affords examples of how practical occultism made use of roses in the land of the Nile. It is believed that the roses cultivated in the West since Greek and Roman times originated in Persia. The last pagan Roman Emperor, Julian, called the Apostate by his Christian opponents, died on an expedition there in 363 CE. Since then, the rose has been associated with all aspects of the spiritual life, and mystical poets have used the symbolism of the rose to express the complexities of existence.

 

T.B.C.

Thanks to Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia, the National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. McQuade, a mother of 15 children, 40 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren founded and initiated the campaign in 1970. She made it her goal to educate the youth in the community about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. She also urged the youth to “adopt” a grandparent, not just for one day a year, but rather for a lifetime. Grandparents’ Day is a day to remember and show your grandparents how much you love and appreciate them in your own special way.

Grandparents appreciate every gift they receive from their near and dear ones. It doesn’t matter to them if it’s expensive, economical or homemade. The thought and emotions that go behind those gifts make their day and bring a priceless smile to their faces. What’s important is we remember them not just on this special day dedicated to them, but all year round.

Sometimes it is hard to find the perfect gift for grandparents, since many of them seem to have pretty much everything! Some people love to prepare a get-together luncheon, tea, or dinner in their grandparents honor. Some don’t have that privilege because they’re miles apart. For those who are far from their grandparents presence and have no way to express their thoughts and feelings in a more personal manner, a virtual and instant way to get to their hearts is through E-cards. You can personally choose designs that would best represent your feeling for them and convey to them how much they mean to you. Just make sure that they know how to access their emails.

You can send across delectable gifts such as chocolates, cakes and various other goodies that your grandparents would really enjoy and find enticing. You can also gift them rejuvenating Spa hampers and personal care hampers as they make for a thoughtful gift.

Whether it is for expressing your love or as a gesture of affection, flowers are the perfect gift for any occasion as they are appreciated by one and all. You can send across beautiful floral arrangements to your grandparents and light up their day. It’s the best way to express the warmth you harbor within.

 Another great gifting idea for Grandparents’ Day is to give your grandparents custom-made picture frames. In fact, you can even put personalized messages and add a personal touch to the frames by putting in family pictures taken over the years. This is something that they will truly cherish and will always remind them of those special moments they have shared with you.

You can also send them books related to the things they love most such as gardening, knitting, cooking, carpentry etc.

 

So this Grandparents’ Day on 9^th September, gift them something truly heartwarming and thoughtful and make this day extremely memorable for them.

 References:

– Send Gifts and Flowers to U.S.A.

– Send Gifts and Flowers to U.K.

– Send Gifts and Flowers to China

– Send Gifts and Flowers to Germany

– Send Gifts and Flowers to Canada

The captivating beauty of flowers has always been a source of inspiration and fascination for people of all ages all around the world. Their intoxicating smell and the rainbow of colors, makes them a favorite of those who can appreciate their aesthetic qualities. Whether it is for expressing your love or as a gesture of affection or as a source of inspiration for poets, flowers are an integral part of our lives and are a staple on birthdays, funerals, graduation and weddings. They offer themselves as natural air fresheners, decorative elements, oils and scents, mood enhancers, medicinal herbs, pest repellent and most importantly serve the function of pollination which sustains our ecosystem. But besides being beautiful they also have a special meaning behind them.

 

“Learn from nature’s beauty. These flowers are not only lovely when they’re in full bloom, but they also have meanings that can encourage and inspire you along life’s journey”, says Jennifer E. Jones, Inspiration Editor and lover of the lotus flower.

Below are some Flowers with their commonly accepted traits: –

Iris – Faith

Have faith. Believe in the impossible and never give up on the dreams of your heart.

Poppy – Imagination

Let your eyes be open to all the different opportunities around you. Dream big!

Lotus – Purity

If you’re feeling washed up and damaged, know that your soul is pure. You’re perfect and whole just the way you are.

Sunflower – Happiness

Find the joy in your life with this happy flower. Take a lesson from the sunflower, stand tall and forever smile!

Orchid – Strength and Beauty

Have confidence and don’t hide in the background. There is strength in your beauty!

Rose – Love

The most beautiful of flowers, the rose inspires us to love each other. Be the very essence of love with your kindness, patience and willingness to endure.

With so many interesting facts and meanings associated with them, it is no wonder that people love growing flowers and look at them as a source of everyday inspiration and personal growth besides using them as decoration for their homes and special occasions. They are refreshing and exotic beautiful entities that have been loved by people all across the world for centuries.

Flower meanings are a source of inspiration for romantic couples as well. Understanding different flower type, the meanings of flowers and what they symbolize can add an emotional or spiritual dimension to your choice in floral arrangements. As a bride you can express your deepest love and intimacy for your groom with your choice of wedding flowers. It is the perfect secret love language just for the two of you.

It’s no wonder why Flowers are nature’s crowning beauty; the longer you gaze at them the stronger they grow onto you.

References:

– Send Flowers to U.S.A.

– Send Flowers to U.K.

– Send Flowers to Phillipines

– Send Flowers to Germany

– Send Flowers to China

– Send Flowers to Australia

Eid-ul-Fitr, also commonly known as Eid is one of the main festivals of the Muslims but is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by people of all faiths and religions across many nations. This year, the festival of Eid will be celebrated on 20^th August 2012 worldwide. After observing an austere and a highly disciplined schedule during the holy month of fasting, Eid is welcomed as the occasion full of celebration and rejoicing. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Eid Mubārak’ (Blessed Eid) or ‘Eid Sa‘īd’ (Happy Eid). In addition, many countries have their own greetings in the local languages – in Turkey, for example, a typical saying might be ‘Bayramınız kutlu olsun’ or ‘May your Bayram – Eid – be blessed’.  Muslims are also encouraged on this day to forgive and forget any differences with others or animosities that may have occurred during the year. Eid prayers are followed by the Khutba and finally the Dua asking for forgiveness after which it is customary to embrace the persons sitting on your either side and near and dear one’s. Eid prayers are very important apart from the five daily prayers and all the Muslims are required to attend the special prayers in mosques.

Amongst other traditions of Eid, gifts hold a special significance during this festival and are exchanged in abundance between family, relatives and friends. Eid gifts, including Eidi (money and gifts), are frequently given to children and immediate relatives.

In the fast paced lives that we lead, many of us forget the relevance of celebrating the little joys of what our religion and culture offer. But in major Muslim predominant countries like the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and others, there is a great level of festive spirit and family bonding that takes place during this time of the year. A great way to make one’s presence felt and be a part of the celebrations this Eid is by gifting relevant gifts like a Fruit Basket, Sweets Hampers, Dry Fruits or customized Eid gifts that have Eidi. Family members staying far away from home would ensure that their love and message reaches their family before 20^thAugust, which is usually a good time to wish loved ones. At this time of the year the women of the house ensure the home is cleaned well and the personal spaces are lively, since a lot of guests and relatives visit. Therefore a fresh bunch of flowers too would make a good gift and would certainly brighten up their homes.

May this Eid be extremely delightful for and everyone celebrate harmony, warmth and brotherhood in a truly special way. Eid Mubarak!!

References:

– Send Eid Gifts to the U.S.A.

– Send Eid Gifts to the U.K.

– Send Eid Gifts to the U.A.E.

– Send Eid Gifts & Flowers to Bahrain

– Send Eid Gifts & Hampers to Pakistan

– Send Eid Hampers & Gifts to India

A quick guide on the Why,When and What to Gift to Women.

Sigmund Freud once asked, “What do women want?’’. Well, the answer to this mystical and mysterious question is quite simple. All women want is a dash of appreciation, a bucket full of love and a bouquet of breathtaking flowers.

For the many roles that a Woman plays in our life from that of a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a friend, there are those many ways in which one can show their affection, gratitude and love in return. Gifts and a personalized message to her on her Birthday or universally accepted occasions like Mother’s Day, Women’s Day or Friendship Day is all that it takes to make up for a years’ worth of love received. It is sure to bring a big warm smile on her face.

Flowers are nature’s most wonderful gifts to mankind, thus you can adorn her home with the freshest flowers of the season, express your love by surprising her in the middle of the night with a huge Gift right next to her bedside, say ‘Thank You‘ with poise by cooking a sumptuous meal for her or follow the simplest ritual of pecking her cheeks in the morning when the sun rises.

Distance may separate us from our Mothers, Sisters or Friends, but technology and the internet have made it extremely convenient to send gifts across the globe to our loved ones. Statistics reveal that 73% of online gifting is done from Men to Women. A good website should offer a variety of gifting items ranging from Flowers, exotic plants, fashion accessories, gourmet hampers, feel good products etc.

A sweet delight or an exquisite hamper never fails to impress any women.

Quick Tips:

– Online gifting has made it very convenient to find international brands under all under one roof with delivery worldwide. Choose a website that offers an in-depth variety in products and good assortment of brands, flowers, foods, gifts, etc. This will help you send multiple products and will make your gift look greater than its value.

– Check for ‘Women Gifting’ tabs or ‘For Women’ tabs on the website. There you will find more women centric products or color options which can add the extra zing to your gift and appear more feminine and thoughtful to the receiver.

– Always keep the message on the card warm, personalized and generous. Any women would appreciate love which is explicit and detailed.

– Midnight deliveries are certain to add a surprise element to the overall gifting experience.

– Save up for that one grand gifting affair which is an annual feature in your list of expenditures. The one big fat gift can create a lasting impression on her mind.

– Watch out for ongoing promotions like Sales, Discounts or Promo Codes available on coupon sites, where you can save anywhere between 50% – 75% on your purchase.

To sum it all up; nothing can replace a bouquet of that one exotic flower that is grown at the other end of the world. You may buy it from an online gifting portal but the special woman you gift it to, will surely appreciate the thought and effort behind the gift and adore you for it.

History has it that expensive jewels, artillery, animals and other resources were offered by powerful kings and rulers as an ostentatious gesture, either to impressive a princess or while doing trading. The worth of a rule could easily be judged by the nature of gifts he would send. This legacy of relationship building has been handed down to the corporate world where the ‘Customer is King’ and ‘Shareholders are Family’. Today wine hampers, flowers and branded stationery have been accepted world wide as most commonly gifted items for any Corporate. We have seen a whole range of customized gifts like branded note pads, electronic tools, stationery and appliances being considered for gifting purposes. The call is the toughest when sending gifts to your clients and senior management, especially when a deal closure or a big promotion is round the corner. Though time and again, it has been proven that no gift can replace the warm gesture of sending nature’s beautiful wonders like flowers and plants. Among flower varieties, it is observed that Orchids, Lilies and Carnations are preferred for business gifting while the majestic rose is reserved for loved ones. Online gifting trends have shown that Gift Baskets which include a vintage wine and salty snacks, are the growing favorites of the MNCs. Assorted chocolates and sweet delicacies or an Italian Hamper comprising of olive flavored foods and wine, are newer babies entering the market, which has been predominantly ruled by flowers.

Different flowers signify varied meanings; though mostly specific to the country you are sending the gift. In China gifting flowers to Teachers is considered the most popular gesture of saying Thank You . In European nations, flower bunches of a single variety is usually the trend. The Phalaenopsis plant variety; belonging to the Orchid family of flowers, are considered very exotic and expensive in the West and are usually the first preference in USA for senior management and client gifting. Hunt down a bunch of the most exotic flowers or order a plant from across the globe and you’ll earn yourself the compliment and much awaited deal!

Due to budget constraints head offices would cast a clear differentiation in External and Internal Gifting. So while Gift Budgets for key clients, partners, external stakeholders may vary from $100 – $200 USD, employee gifting hits the ceiling at $80 USD. Here customized or unique gifts are sourced for external gifting while standard gifts are circulated across the company. It is a widely accepted practice to indulge in seasonal gifting during Christmas and New Years apart from the usual occasions like Birthdays and Anniversaries.

Tips: With companies expanding business globally, finding the right gifts for your partners in their country becomes a matter of reputation and relationship building. Several hundred websites and companies now specialize in corporate gifting, ensuring utmost attention to detail and customer satisfaction. They can assist in budget allocation, gifting options, packaging and delivering the gift with detailed reports and feedbacks as well.
– The biggest constraints faced are ensuring quality and timely delivery of the gift. Make sure you choose a reliable ecommerce website or agency with a proven track record.
– Choose a central agency with a worldwide reach to ensure standardization and freshest gifts.
– Be sure you have the correct and complete contact details before sending the list of recipients to your gifting agency.
– If your office is located far from the agency, call for physical testing of the gift samples and ask for diverse options from them so you can see the product for yourself.

Be sure you have researched well in advance and make wise decisions in choosing the right Corporate Gift!

View the Flora2000 Business Gifting Catalog

Proteas are such an amazing flower. Native to South Africa, the flower can easily live 7-10 days in a fresh arrangement. And, better yet, as it matures, it will dry and look fabulous for months. It keeps its color and form – just gets a little darker and of course, crispy.