Sending Flowers: Their Significance, Social Use and Proper Bouquet Arrangement
Today, flowers have come to mean more in the life of the American people than ever before. This flower frenzy is clearly marked by the remarkable growth of the florist business. On Valentine's Day alone, the Society of American Florists reports that more that 175 million roses are typically sold. (This statistic doesn't even consider flowers in mixed bouquets!)
Even the smallest of towns has its little flower shop and these are often the most attractive shops in town. The introduction of improved business methods, a keen application of technical knowledge and the development of an ever-growing knowledge base-- with so many magazines, books, and periodicals about flowers-- seems almost a necessity.
Moreover, the florist's work is exercising a decided influence upon the development of good taste. Her output is one of sheer beauty; a good florist's bouquet attracts the eye as does nothing else. The forms that proper arrangements assume are noticeable by everyone, and the occasions for the use of flowers is many. In the home for "everyday", at weddings, at times of happiness and times of sorrow; at festivals and gala occasions, and as decorations for public assemblies of a serious nature, both secular and religious, flowers are the one thing that can never be out of place if properly chosen and arranged.
From the earliest times, flowers, the most joyous gift from Nature have played a conspicuous part in the social and religious life of man. The primitive caveman was attracted by their color, and learned to appreciate the difference they made in his otherwise drab, barren surroundings. Some flowers he found pleasing in scent and other flowers were good to eat. We know that primitive man wore flowers about his neck. He found that certain flowers had curative properties; others he associated with thoughts of good and evil and endowed them with religious significance. Thus, at an early period, flowers came to be used at religious ceremonies, at harvest and seasonal festivals, and in connection with courtship customs.
In Egypt, Greece and Rome, and even among Native Americans, we find love expressed symbolically by flowers. In both Greece and Italy, the doors of those houses inhabited by maidens were adorned by masses of flowers placed there by admirers. It was ancient custom, also, to announce a betrothal by wearing a flower as a conspicuous mark of the engagement. And it was with flowers-- not rings-- that the lovers of early days exchanged their vows of affection.
Flowers have always spoken, too, of beauty and success, of sympathy and hospitality. The chosen queens of the tournaments and joustings were crowned with flowers; and the wreaths of Laurel, Ivy and Myrtle were the prized awarded to the champions in athletic games. Today, we similarly send flowers to the graduate and to those we choose to compliment for their skill or prowess.
Sending flowers as gifts: There are many occasions that arise in which it is suitable to send flowers. When sending flowers to a lady (as an admirer), traditionally there need not be a card sent, although the gentleman caller would probably be wise to send one anyway. Of course, if you send flowers in remembrance of some holiday-- such as Christmas, The New Year, or her birthday- a card is an absolute necessity. The florist holds onto the card and sends it along with the flower bouquet. Sometimes sending a growing, flowering plant is used by way of variation. Daisies and Tulips are commonly sold in flower pots.
Remember: Sending flowers is almost always acceptable. To send flowers is appropriate even when gifts of a more material nature-- such as jewelry-- may be lacking in cultural taste.
Today, flowers have come to mean more in the life of the American people than ever before. This flower frenzy is clearly marked by the remarkable growth of the florist business. On Valentine's Day alone, the Society of American Florists reports that more that 175 million roses are typically sold. (This statistic doesn't even consider flowers in mixed bouquets!)
Even the smallest of towns has its little flower shop and these are often the most attractive shops in town. The introduction of improved business methods, a keen application of technical knowledge and the development of an ever-growing knowledge base-- with so many magazines, books, and periodicals about flowers-- seems almost a necessity.
Moreover, the florist's work is exercising a decided influence upon the development of good taste. Her output is one of sheer beauty; a good florist's bouquet attracts the eye as does nothing else. The forms that proper arrangements assume are noticeable by everyone, and the occasions for the use of flowers is many. In the home for "everyday", at weddings, at times of happiness and times of sorrow; at festivals and gala occasions, and as decorations for public assemblies of a serious nature, both secular and religious, flowers are the one thing that can never be out of place if properly chosen and arranged.
From the earliest times, flowers, the most joyous gift from Nature have played a conspicuous part in the social and religious life of man. The primitive caveman was attracted by their color, and learned to appreciate the difference they made in his otherwise drab, barren surroundings. Some flowers he found pleasing in scent and other flowers were good to eat. We know that primitive man wore flowers about his neck. He found that certain flowers had curative properties; others he associated with thoughts of good and evil and endowed them with religious significance. Thus, at an early period, flowers came to be used at religious ceremonies, at harvest and seasonal festivals, and in connection with courtship customs.
In Egypt, Greece and Rome, and even among Native Americans, we find love expressed symbolically by flowers. In both Greece and Italy, the doors of those houses inhabited by maidens were adorned by masses of flowers placed there by admirers. It was ancient custom, also, to announce a betrothal by wearing a flower as a conspicuous mark of the engagement. And it was with flowers-- not rings-- that the lovers of early days exchanged their vows of affection.
Flowers have always spoken, too, of beauty and success, of sympathy and hospitality. The chosen queens of the tournaments and joustings were crowned with flowers; and the wreaths of Laurel, Ivy and Myrtle were the prized awarded to the champions in athletic games. Today, we similarly send flowers to the graduate and to those we choose to compliment for their skill or prowess.
Sending flowers as gifts: There are many occasions that arise in which it is suitable to send flowers. When sending flowers to a lady (as an admirer), traditionally there need not be a card sent, although the gentleman caller would probably be wise to send one anyway. Of course, if you send flowers in remembrance of some holiday-- such as Christmas, The New Year, or her birthday- a card is an absolute necessity. The florist holds onto the card and sends it along with the flower bouquet. Sometimes sending a growing, flowering plant is used by way of variation. Daisies and Tulips are commonly sold in flower pots.
Remember: Sending flowers is almost always acceptable. To send flowers is appropriate even when gifts of a more material nature-- such as jewelry-- may be lacking in cultural taste.
