8 Great ‘Just Because’ Gifts -- for Every Budget

It’s true that we generally send flowers, chocolates or presents to mark an occasion – as a way to say thanks, a way to say sorry, or a gesture of good faith. But really, life doesn’t need to present special circumstances for you to express how you feel about someone.

Take advantage of the element of surprise and impress your friends, colleagues, family or significant others with Bloomex. Here are some ideas for every budget to get you started…

Under $30:

Designer’s Collection I ($25.00 ON SALE): Take the worry out of selecting the perfect arrangement with our Designer’s Collection bouquet. Bloomex’s professional floral designers select and creatively arrange at least 15 stems of assorted flowers or a single type of flower.

Radiant Roses, a lovely gift
that's friendly on your wallet.

Super Snapdragons($21.99): Snapdragons are a beloved flower, and this vibrant bouquet brings a ray of light in to any room. It includes 8 Snapdragons of assorted colours, complimented with fresh greens.
 
Radiant Roses ($19.99):  It’s pretty hard to go wrong with red roses. The Radiant Roses arrangement includes 3 extra long stemmed roses, adorned with Baby’s Breath and fresh greens. A simple, elegant way to let someone know you’re in their thoughts.

Under $50:

Recipe for Romance ($34.95): This gorgeous bouquet features Cream Roses, White Spray Roses, Gladioli, Miniature White Carnations, Lisanthius and Waxflower. The soft colour palette of pink accented by white make this bouquet so elegant and beautiful.

Crazy for You Bouquet ($39.95): Take some red roses, add some spray roses, white Alstroemeria and Pink Mini Carnations. Top it off with some assorted greenery, and you’ve got a winning recipe. The interplay between the red, pink and white make this bouquet a delicate, lovely choice to send to your significant other.

Under $90:

Bestseller Bouquet ($59.99): A bestseller for a reason. This loaded bouquet features a white Gerbera Daisy, 6 Roses, 2 Spider Chrysanthemums, 3 Chrysanthemums, 4 Carnations, 2 Mini Carnations, a White Snapdragon and seasonal greens.

Super Love Combo, a $104.99 value, yours
from Bloomex @ $79.99

One of a Kind ($64.99): This package is a gorgeous assortment of presents, and you’ll pay much less than if you’d purchased each item individually. The One of a Kind package contains 12 Mixed Colour Long Stem Roses, a unique Ruby Red Vase, an adorable Teddy Bear and a Box of Premium Belgium truffles. To top it off, shipping is free between Tuesday and Friday provided you order a day in advance before 5 p.m.!

Super Love Combo ($79.99): This package is an unbelievable value. 12 Mixed Long Stem Roses, a large box of premium chocolates, a coloured glass vase, teddy bear and a personalized card make this the perfect gift. And like the One of a Kind vase, shipping is free between Tuesday and Friday provided you order a day in advance before 5 p.m.

Want more gift ideas? We've got a page for that. Check out our 'Just Because' section on bloomex.ca by clicking here!

7 Great Gifts to Say Thanks

Endless Love Bouquet from bloomex.ca

In today’s fast-paced world, the simple act of expressing a sincere ‘thanks’ has largely been lost. But it doesn’t have to be. Although it seems like nobody has any extra time, Bloomex takes the hassle out of ordering flowers and you know that once you click, you’re in good hands.

A little gesture can go a long way, and a token of appreciation combined with a handwritten note is an easy way to make a lasting impression. So check out these seven gifts from Bloomex that make for a perfect way to say thanks.

For the friendly acquaintance….
Maybe it’s the babysitter that had to stay late, or the person that returned your lost wallet out of the good of their heart.
We recommend: Gourgeous Geberas ($24.95). This colorful bouquet brings a ray of color into any room, and its beautiful, vibrant blooms ensure that it lives up to its name.

For the boss…
Boss gave you a promotion you weren’t expecting, or gave the thumbs-up to extra vacation time? It might not be most people’s first thought, but a planter basket for their desk is a great way to score some points.

Lily Sunshine Bouquet from bloomex.ca

We recommend: Colourful Garden ($34.95). This looks great on office desks and at 10” x 6”, doesn’t take up too much room. 

For your parents…
Perhaps they’ve done something nice for you lately, or perhaps it’s just a general ‘Thanks, mom and dad.’ It’s never a bad time, is it?
We recommend: Lily Sunshine ($34.95). This bright yellow bouquet of Asiatic Lilies makes for a perfect reminder of their favourite (just kidding!) child.

For the teacher…
Whether it’s for your kids teachers around the holidays or end of school, or you’re a grad student, a bouquet for a beloved teacher is a lovely act of gratitude.
We recommend: Fruits and Chocolates ($39.95). This basket comes loaded with 4 assorted chocolate treats, a branch of grapes, 2 oranges, 3 apples, 3 pear and a nectarine. Kind of puts the old, standard, solitary apple to shame, doesn’t it?

For the colleague…
It’s always nice when a colleague at work steps up to help you out with that big project, or covers your phone when you have to step away from your desk.
We recommend: Fruit and Cheese Basket ($49.95). Practical and handy, this basket contains assorted premium cheeses, 3 apples, 4 pears, 1 branch of grapes, 3 oranges and a nectarine. Your colleague can cut back on buying snacks for work for weeks!

Summer Flower Basket from  bloomex.ca

For the 'BFF'…
An everlasting friendship should never be taken for granted; it should be celebrated. Let your best friend know that you’ll always be there for them.
We recommend: Summer Flower Basket ($109.95). This beautiful colorful basket of flowers will bring warmth into any room regardless of the weather outside. The wicker basket contains Asters, Chrysanthemums, Cosmos and Dahlias – ideal for saying “thank you for being a friend.”

For your significant other…
Our significant others become the most important people in our lives, so be sure to express your gratitude toward them, whether they’ve done something specifically nice for you lately or not. They deserve it!
We recommend: Endless Love ($84.95). This bouquet is absolutely breathtaking. Twelve long stem red roses – always an excellent choice – are accented by five White Calla Lilies and complimented by fresh greens. 

For more ideas on saying thanks, be sure to check out our “Thank You” Flowers & Gifts page on Bloomex.ca, right here!

The Meaning of Rose Colors - Red, White, Pink and More

Roses have been a favorite for thousands of years of humanity. According to the University of Illinois, cultivation of roses likely began around 5,000 years ago in China. Cultivated roses are thought to have been introduced to Europe around the late 18^th century, laying the foundation for what we now know as modern roses.

Red Roses, simply timeless

With so much history, it’s no wonder that individual shades and colors of roses have had meanings attached to them over the years. But aside from florists and a select group of hobbyists, who really knows what those meanings are? Allow Bloomex to shed some light...

 

RED: This one’s easy. The inimitable classic red rose symbolizes true love, and also suggests passion. The most classic, typical color for sending roses, and with good reason.

WHITE: White roses are always one of the most popular colors or shades of roses, and they have come to symbolize innocence and purity.

PINK: Perhaps the earliest rose to evolve, a pink rose has come to symbolize appreciation and gratitude, among other things.

YELLOW: Appropriate for most occasions, yellow roses primarily send a message of friendship and joy.

ORANGE: Sending orange roses is a bold move, and can convey desire and happiness.

LAVENDER: Has generally come to symbolize love at first site.

DEEP PURPLE: Often associated with enduring or long-lasting love.

(And hey, if you're in the mood to send some roses after reading this...we've got them for half-price at Bloomex for delivery on Fridays!)

Flower Festivals Worth a Visit in 2014

The Canadian Tulip Festival

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (and Gatineau, Quebec).
Date: May 9-19, 2014
The rundown:  After Canada provided shelter to the Princess Juliana of the Netherlands during World War II, the Dutch royal family decided to show their gratitude with an annual donation of tulips in perpetuity. While Ottawa is the third-coldest national capital in the world, the Tulip Festival marks the end of the winter weather as the flowers – and the city – spring to life. Over a million tulips are on display, drawing over 500,000 visitors yearly.
More information: tulipfestival.ca

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Location: Washington, DC, USA
Date: March 20 – April 13, 2014
The rundown: The Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, gifted the American capitol with 3,000 Cherry Trees in 1912, as a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States. The first festival was held in 1935, and save for a few years during the second World War,

More information: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

The Rose Parade

Location: Pasadena, California, USA
Date: January 1, 2014
The rundown: Started in 1890, the parade has become an annual New Year’s tradition, featuring a large assortment of floats, horses and bands. The college football Rose Bowl game is usually played on the same day, and was actually started as a way to fund the parade itself. Last year’s parade featured 42 floats, 23 marching bands and 21 equestrian units.
More information: www.tournamentofroses.com/RoseParade.aspx

Feria de las Flores Medellin (Festival of the Flowers)

Location: Medellin, Colombia
Date: August, 2014
The rundown: Known as the most important social event of the year for Colombia’s second-largest city, the festival dates back to 1957. The week-long event includes a large parade of flowers, paegents, automobiles, a horse parade and a variety of concerts.
More information: www.feriadelasfloresmedellin.gov.co/en/

Jersey Battle of Flowers
Location: Jersey (Channel Islands)
Date: August 2014
The rundown: Started in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, the festival has become a mainstay on the small, beautiful island of Jersey since then. It consists of a parade of floats, and though there’s no “battle” element to it anymore, the name has stuck over the years (it is a pretty cool name, after all.) The festival has drawn over a million visitors over the years.
More information: www.battleofflowers.com

5 Flowers to Send for a New Baby Boy (even if it's not a royal one)

Prince George of Cambridge: kind of a big deal. Photo via The Guardian.

Prince George has arrived!

With the recent birth of George Alexander Louis a.k.a. His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, the implications will be wide-ranging . Flower shows in England hoping for increased attendance, and economists are projecting a £240 million (about $372 million USD) bump for Great Britain’s economy.

Of course, Prince George is no ordinary baby. He's less than 20 days old and, naturally, already has his own Wikipedia page (don’t feel bad, he was born in to it.) So while Prince George is perhaps destined for the throne one day, he does have one thing in common with us, um, commoners: his birth is going to result in a lot of gifts and flowers for William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

With that in mind, it seems like a good time to take a look at five ideal flowers to send for the birth of a baby boy. Traditionally, well-wishers send blue flowers for a boy, and we’ll include a little blue in this list, but also think outside the box a little bit…

1. Red-yellow Bi-Colored Roses: A mixed bouquet of yellow and red roses have long been a symbolic way of saying congratulations. But for a twist, what better way to offer congrats than sending roses that combine the two colors into one? Bi-colored roses are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why with their gorgeous blooms.

2. Anemone: Its beautiful delicate blooms bring a quiet beauty to any space. Perfect as part of a bouquet in a newborn’s room.

3.  Blue Hydrangea: An unexpected choice, maybe, but as part of a bouquet or arrangement, blue hydrangea stands out beautifully.

Sunflowers: a bright choice

4. Sunflowers: Just a classic choice to bring some light into a room. Light and airy, sunflowers exude innocence and purity. A small amount of people develop sunflower allergies though, so if there's the slightest concern, go with a flower that produces little airborne allergens, like daffodils.  TIP: Buy sunflowers in bulk for unbeatable value.

5. White Gerbera Daisies: An absolutely stunning choice in any setting. The white Gerbera Daisy is classic, simple and representative of the innocence of youth that marks a baby’s first days. Check out this lovely bouquet.

Do you send flowers to celebrate a new birth? What type would you send to William and Kate? Let us know in the comments below.

6 Hot Flowers for the Cool Fall Season

Is it August already? Time flies when you’re having fun, and summer always seems to go by too quickly. The changing of the seasons means different things to different people, what with the kids heading back to school, work life returning to normalcy, the gradual adding of layers to our clothes, and the shortening of days. 

No need to be gloomy though, because on the bright side, fall provides an array of fresh flowers, in tones and colors that reflect the spirit of the season.

Let’s have a look at some trendy options for fall parties, wedding flowers, bouquets, and centerpieces.

The gorgeous Bronze Fuji Spider Mum

1.       Bronze Fuji Spider Mums

These gorgeous Chrysanthemum Daisies are always a popular choice, and in fact, only grow during the fall season. It’s truly unique shape has been said to resemble an exploding firework, and  the bronze-colored bloom is the perfect shade to tie in with the colors of the fall.
(Bronze Fuji Spider Mums by the box)

2.       Orange Mokara Orchid

What a beautiful shade for autumn. The Orange Mokara Orchid works especially well for fall wedding displays, centerpieces, bouquets and the like.
(Bulk Orange Mokara Orchid)

3.       Yellow Celosia

The Yellow Celosia offers a unique bloom, and makes for a neat addition to wedding bouquets. We’re suggesting yellow, but this plant blooms in many colors reminiscent of the setting autumn sun.
(Bulk Yellow Celosia)

4.       Orange Gerbera Daisy

The Gerbera Daisy offers a similar look to a sunflower, but with the versatility of many different colors. An orange Gerbera Daisy is the perfect splash of fun to add color and style to fall weddings and looks great in harvest-style arrangements.
(Bouquet) or (Bulk)

Elegant and lovely, the Orange Dahlia

5.       Orange/Red Dahlia

Okay, okay, we couldn’t pick just one. Dahlias have such an elegant bloom, and paired together, these two

shades offer lovely contrast.

(Bulk Orange Dahlia) or (Bulk Red Dahlia)

6.       Red/Yellow Pin Cushion Protea

Available starting in August until May, this exotic flower is an extravagant addition to your fall party planning. The red and yellow version often features accents of other colors as well. The Protea really stands out as part of a bouquet arrangement.
(Bulk Pin Cushion Protea)

The sight a red eyed, wheezing and sneezing bride may not be a perfect picture for a wedding but that vision may come true if a bride has allergies. Brides with allergies may think their only other option is to use imitations of the real thing but there is hope. There are ways to prevent or ease potential allergic reactions if you choose the right type of flower.

Experts at Bunches Direct say choose flowers that release less pollen.

Flowers like spray roses, which are tiny but come in a variety of colors, have a light scent and a low capacity to release airborne pollen can still add color and style to your wedding.

Other safe flowers

hydrangeas

orchids

roses

hybrid tea roses

Some lilies can also be a good choice if the brown pollen-bearing anthers on the tip of each stamens are removed.

Flowers to avoid

oriental lilies

mini asters

montecasino

goldenrod

sunflowers

chrysanthemums

stephanotis

gardenias

babies breath

stock

misty

Various blossoms from trees should also be avoided. So, steer away from blossoms from orange, almond and cherry trees.

A good floral designer or a how to do-it-yourself floral guide can help put together arrangements and bouquets with any flower.

There is no reason for a bride with allergies to forgo a flower filled wedding event. If she chooses the right flowers she can avoid an allergic wedding catastrophe.