Check the water supply immediately upon arrival. Add lukewarm water as needed. For best results, use floral preservative, if provided. Mix the preservative with room temperature water, in the proportion recommended on the package. If floral foam is used, make sure it is always thoroughly saturated. Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear, fresh water.

Display your arrangement in a cool location, out of direct sunlight and away from electrical appliances. Avoid particularly hot or cold areas.

To rearrange any flowers, re-cut the stem ends under water using a sharp knife or scissors. Then, insert each flower back into the arrangement. If floral foam is used, be sure to insert the stems firmly and deeply.

Why Send Flowers?

Since time immemorial Flowers have been a significant object of gifts. Perhaps the most popular gift all over the world is the gift of Flowers. Wonder what makes flowers so appealing?

Flowers are exquisitely beautiful and their fragrance is exhilarating, it is also because they carry the freshness of nature and the world outside with them. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, good cheer, heightens feelings of life satisfaction, flowers also affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally perceived to be.

Whether it is a carefully chosen bouquet of flowers or just a stem, it is sure to bring good cheer and a warm feeling to the recipient. Flowers not only express these sentiments, but they carry with them an emotion, of which words is difficult to convey. Practical things are not romantic. There are a very small percentage of couples in this world who keep falling in love over new toasters. Go for flowers or a romantic gift basket instead!

At one time or another, almost everyone has experienced the near indescribable joy of receiving flowers. The hundreds of women and men surveyed described a gift of flowers as unlike any other because flowers create lasting memories and make people - both givers and receivers - feel cared about and special. The fleeting nature of flowers also encourages people to appreciate flowers when they are beautiful and vibrant. Research has shown that people love to give and receive flowers. 92% of women can remember the last time they received flowers, and 97 percent of men and women recall the last time they gave a floral gift. With a gift of flowers, you know that someone is thinking of you right now, this very minute. It's the memory of the gift and the emotions that last forever. Winston Churchill once said "You make a living by what you get, You make a life by what you give."

There are a variety of flower giving etiquettes and they may vary from country to country, reflecting traditions, cultures and history. What we hope to share with you here, some useful general guide to giving flowers. Flowers can be given for many reasons associated to an occasion or they can simply be given for no reason at all too.

A Guy's Guide To Giving Flowers

For the man who thinks "it's a jungle out there" when it comes to buying flowers, these simple tips will pave the way.

Be Spontaneous.

You don't have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers. In fact, flowers given for no reason other than "I was thinking of you today" mean much more because they are unexpected.

Don't Overlook Anyone.

A bouquet can express a range of feelings -- from romantic to friendly to something in between. Your wife or sweetheart will love to receive a surprise gift of flowers. So will your mother, daughter, sister, and friends.

Try Something New.

Women are interested in a wide variety of flowers and colors. So, when giving roses, consider pink, peach, yellow, white, or assorted colors to catch her attention. And, remember, most women appreciate a beautiful assortment of fresh flowers, as well as roses.

Get More Bloom For The Buck.

The prices of some flowers vary seasonally. Roses, for example, are usually a great value during summer months. In the winter, mixed bouquets may be a better way to go.

Flowers Are Never Boring.

Because of their infinite diversity and unique appeal, flowers never lose their specialness. Each new floral arrangement is a fresh and individual declaration of appreciation -- reflecting positively on your imagination and thoughtfulness.

Flowers Don't Have To Mean Commitment.

Relax, guys. Women know when an arrangement simply means that you care.

Be Prepared.

When ordering flowers, have ready the recipient's name, address, and phone number. If you're not sure what to order, ask for assistance.

Get Professional Help.

Selecting flowers may be a bewildering experience for the uninitiated man. Fortunately, help is available. Consult your professional florist for a special arrangement that will match both your sentiment and her personality.

A Gift Of Flowers Goes A Long Way.

Every woman can remember the last time she got flowers!

Rose Colors and Their Meaning

Color Talks! Although it is commonly accepted that all roses convey warmth and affection, the person receiving them may know the meaning of roses colors and understands the symbolic message conveyed. It would be nice to insure that you are communicating the right message to that special person. Read on to find the meaning of the color of roses!

Red roses symbolize romance, beauty, respect, courage, passionate love and unity and are the most popular of all roses. Red roses also stand for the creative spirit of love, the true love stronger than thorns. True red is the Lover's rose. Amaranth red means long-standing desire, Cardinal red means sublime desire. Carmine means false desire (not true desire). Fiery red means flames of passion. Red rosebuds are meant to reflect the beauty of a young lover and mean "pure and lovely". Red roses in full bloom say, "I love you still."

Red & White roses together signify unity or togetherness. They are given when facing a challenging life event or to celebrate a strengthening relationship.

Red and yellow blended means gaiety and loyalty, jovial and happy feelings.

Burgundy roses mean unconscious beauty.

Lilac represents the first emotions of love.

Purple roses stand for enhancement, magnification, opulence, majesty and glory and means I will always love you.

Lavender roses symbolize caution and the need to proceed slowly and carefully. Lavender roses also indicate a need for discretion but it also becoming widely accpeted as representing love at first sight and enhancement.

Blue roses stand for fantasies, hoping for miracles, new opportunities and possibilities.

Orange roses indicate enthusiasm, desire and fascination. The orange rose says, "I am proud of you!"

Coral roses signify desire.

Peach roses signify desire, anticipation, sincere appreciation and optimism for the future. Pale peach roses are a symbol of modesty.

Pink roses stand for elegance, gracefulness, refinement, gentility, style and poetic romance but are combined with fun and lightheartedness. It is the rose of sweet thoughts and thank you. Pink roses also signify gratitude, sympathy and appreciation. Dark pink stands for thank you, appreciation and gratitude. Light pink roses convey admiration, sympathy, gentleness, grace, gladness, joy, friendship and sweetness. The combination of red roses and pink roses stands for strong romance and passion. Dark Pink roses are symbolic of thankfulness while pale pink roses are a symbol of joy and grace.

White roses represent unity, loyalty, reverence, humility, love stronger than death, sincerity, purity, silence and innocence as well as youthfulness. Sometimes called the "flower of light," the white rose also means spiritual love and anticipation of happiness. White roses can also be used to highlight the message of the other rose colors. White (Bridal) roses symbolize a happy love. White rosebuds can also signify girlhood or "too young to love."

Yellow roses signify strong feelings of pure joy, gladness, happiness and friendship, but were once used to convey jealousy. Friendship is the main meaning of the yellow rose but it also signifies familiar love and domestci happiness. Yellow roses also symbolize fun and freedom. Today, the yellow rose is used to embrace a new beginning, apologize or express sympathy, and to say, "remember me" , "I am sorry', or "I care." Yellow roses are appropriate for marking the beginning of a new life together or for starting all over again. A Yellow rose with red tip indicates friendship falling in love.

Pastel or pale blends represent sociability and friendship.

And the meaning of roses in mixed colors - 'you're everything to me'. A mixed-color bouquet carries all of the meanings of each individual rose.

Rosebuds symbolize beauty, youth and a heart innocent of love or: "You are young and beautiful."

Hybrid tea roses say "I'll remember you always".

A single rose stands for simplicity and means you are the only one. In full bloom, it means "I love you" or "I love you still." It can also symbolize love at first sight.

Two roses taped or wired together to form a single stem represent a commitment, an engagement or coming marriage. They represent the mutual feeling that the bond between the two of you is inseparable and nothing can come between you.

Six roses means I miss you. Seven roses signifies infatuation.

A dozen roses means "I love you" and denotes gratitude for your presence.

Eighteen roses means "I am sorry."

Twenty-five roses mean congratulations.

Fifty roses means unconditional love.

Ninety nine roses means be mine and you complete me.

A full rose placed over two buds signifies secrecy and a crown made of roses stands for reward or virtue.

So there you have the meanings of the color of roses! The next time you give or receive roses, you will know what their colors mean. Perhaps you will find out something someone may have been trying to tell you all along or you may tell someone something without saying a word and all because Color Talks!

Popular Enclosure Card Messages

All About Sympathy Flowers

According to a study conducted by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, after family, friends, and eulogy, flowers rank first among those who have lost a family member or friend as the most meaningful aspect of funerals. Furthermore, at a time of loss, recipients rank flowers and sympathy cards as the most meaningful of gifts. Those surveyed believe flowers and plants are a critical component of funerals, providing a necessary diversion, something to talk about, and a bright environment at a somber time.

Asked to identify gifts and memorials that helped a great deal with grief, a majority of surveyed respondents named flowers and plants. Respondents also agreed strongly that looking at the cards to see who sent flowers is a comfort.

Flowers show respect for the deceased, as well as loving support of family and friends, especially when you cannot be there in person. Flowers also make for a more pleasant atmosphere, helping those present feel as comfortable and welcome as possible. With flowers at a service, you help create a lasting and beautiful memory for those who have gathered to mourn the loss of someone dear.

Even when a charity or other organization has been selected to receive financial contributions in memory of the deceased, flowers are considered by most to be an appropriate expression of additional sympathy and support.

Flowers can reflect many religious beliefs, including eternal life and rebirth. Your floral consultant is well aware of the differences between faiths and will assist you in this regard.

There is a wide variety of floral tributes for every budget. Among them: bud vases; table arrangements; standing arrangements; sprays; casket drapes; wreaths; planters; and other designs which reflect a more personal aspect of the deceased, such as favored flowers, colors, and styles. Here, too, your professional florist can advise you.

Among floral sympathy expressions, distinctive fresh flower designs and garden basket planters are becoming increasingly popular as they may be easily transported home after the funeral to serve as a comfort to the family. Other popular and thoughtful gifts are fruit and food baskets sent directly to the family at home.