Finding Great Floral

When you're not sure what to get a friend or loved one for a special occasion, you can't go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers. If your giving budget allows, you can even create a one-of-a-kind gift using theme items along with the floral arrangement. 

Flowers make the perfect present for any type of event of special life moment, including birthdays, holidays, bridal and baby showers and anniversaries. For arrangements that look their best and are the most wallet-friendly, try to pick in-season blooms, such as lilacs in the spring, roses in the summer and dahlias in the winter. Ask your florist to fill the bouquets out with plenty of greenery for a lush look.

As another option, consider choosing realistic-looking silk flowers instead of the real deal for a present that will last forever. Silk flowers are also convenient as they can be dyed to match any theme. 

Here are some floral gift ideas according to special event:

1. Birthdays

Flowers are a thoughtful way to let someone know you're thinking of them on their birthday. When designing the arrangement with the florist, start with the celebrant's favorite flower. Next, you can choose blooms in her favorite color, such as purple hydrangeas or lilacs, pink sweetheart roses or carnations, or yellow tulips or daisies. 

Another way to pick birthday-inspired flowers is according to her birth month. For example, daffodils represent March, roses represent June and asters represent September. Complete the gift with a "happy birthday" mug, a customized picture frame or a piece of jewelry, such as birthstone earrings or a necklace pendant.

2. Holidays

Floral arrangements also make heartwarming holiday gifts. Treat a close friend or loved one to a red and pink bouquet in a classic crystal vase for Valentine's Day, a white wicker basket filled with fragrant spring blooms, such as tulips, freesia and daffodils for Easter, and the traditional poinsettias at Christmastime. 

3. Bridal and Baby Showers 

Congratulate someone on her upcoming wedding or baby with flowers and coordinating gifts. For a bridal shower, go with an all-white arrangement of roses, calla lilies and peonies in a delicate antique milk glass vase. You can also have a vase personalized with the wedding date and bride and groom names as another idea. 

If you're attending a baby shower and know the baby's gender, create a sweet all-pink or all-blue bouquet accented by baby's breath. An all-yellow arrangement of roses, tulips and daffodils is perfect gender-neutral gift.  

Complete either gift with edible treats, such as gourmet candy in themed colors.