There's a
lot of ways you can share your feelings as Valentine's Day approaches, but few
more traditional or beautiful than a bouquet of flowers. Fresh flowers have
always been seen as an embodiment of beauty and is regarded as an expression of
the wishes that reside in the heart of the giver. We can only conjecture that
the incorporation of flowers into Valentine's Day festivities began with the
same intention.
The most
popular Valentine's Day flower and also my (all-time favourite) is the Red Rose. The mythological significance
of the red rose is that it is believed to be the favourite flower of Venus -
The Roman Goddess of beauty, love and romance; making it the perfect blossom to
be gifted to someone you love.
Historians
believe that the tradition of giving a red rose on Valentine's Day gained
significance during the Victorian times when Charles II of Sweden introduced
the Persian custom of "the language of flowers". Poets and bards
furthered the tradition by eulogizing the red rose as symbol of passionate love
and romance.
Though
I am partial to red roses, there are quite a few thoughtful, romantic and
surprising floral alternatives that say which mere words can't. Tropical
arrangements like Orchids' and Anthuriums' are reminiscent of the
exotic locales they hail from; adding a hint of fantasy to your floral mix.
Orchids in particular are delicate and graceful, representing love, luxury and
beauty. Red and pink Tulips'
symbolize fresh beginnings, apt for giving at the start of your romance. Sunflowers', with their open face and
bright yellow petals, convey warmth, happiness and adoration. Lilies' are elegant and refined which
blends magnificence and beauty with purity and Innocence. Give these to
announce your undying love for your partner. Carnations', Gerber daisies'
typically look innocent and fun. Grab a bunch to say "I admire you",
thank you", "you make me happy", "I love you".. all at
once.
Choosing
a bouquet that conveys your feelings can sometimes be a tough choice. I would
like to suggest a few guidelines to help you with your perfect bouquet for that
someone special. I'd like to quote poet/writer Sir Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who has beautifully worded my
own philosophy -
“It is the time you have
wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
As a
floral designer, I have always believed that simplicity, uniqueness of design
and use of excellent material is the mainstay of any gift. So, beware of
flowers that are soft from the stem or when the petals seem translucent. This
generally means that the flowers won't last and may not even make it past
Valentine's Day. Ask your floral designer to discreetly wrap the bottom of the
stems with some wet cotton and foil before wrapping it in the paper of your
choice. This is to make sure that the flowers remain healthy and don't droop or
wilt!
Make it a showstopper! The bouquet needn't necessarily be large, but a dramatic ikebana style or wrapping the casually put-together bunch with some handcrafted rice paper and matching ribbons, can definitely up the ante in the luxe department.
Add the
finishing touches to your bouquet with a heartfelt message, your charming smile
and sincerity.
Follow
these simple steps and you'll spend the day blissfully in love and she'll spend
the day in awe of her beautiful flowers chosen exclusively by YOU!
