Bloomex Supplies Tulips to Veterans at VE Day Celebration

Photo from cbc.ca

Each May brings the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, which first took place on May 8, 1945 to mark the date the Allies formally accepted the surrender of Nazi forces. Canada and other Allied nations honour the date with commemoration ceremonies held on both sides of the Atlantic. This year marked the 70th anniversary of VE Day and an especially moving ceremony took place in the Netherlands at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery

Photo from www.thankyoucanada.nl

Canadian soldiers played a huge role in many of the conflicts, and are especially remembered for their contribution in assisting the Dutch. The First Canadian Army fought a grueling nine-month campaign to liberate the Netherlands, and to provide food and other relief to its citizens.

This contribution and the more than 7600 Canadians who died during the Dutch Liberation, have never been forgotten. To this day Canada enjoys a very special relationship with the Dutch, who continually acknowledge and thank Canada for it's assistance on both sides of the Atlantic.

The grateful Dutch have sent thousands of tulips to Ottawa to honour the sacrifices of the Canadian forces. The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa highlights this contribution, with thousands of international tourists enjoying the beautiful tulips that bloom every spring in the capital as a result. 

 

VE Day 2015 was celebrated in Canada with a ceremony at the National War Memorial, followed by a Veteran's luncheon at the main tent of the Tulip Festival. The Tulip Festival event was attended by dignitaries including Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

This year, Bloomex was proud to provide the tulips and special "Thank You" cards for the Canadian veterans in attendance.











Other Canadian soldiers also joined in at the Tulip Festival site as part of a World War II reenactment that included vintage vehicles from the era. Evening fireworks capped off the event.

Bloomex was very proud to be part of the opening day of the Canadian Tulip Festival and to support our amazing veterans young and old for the 70th anniversary of VE Day.  It was an honour to meet some of the men and women who made such noble sacrifices on behalf of Canada in this conflict.

For more information on the Bloomex Tulips for Veterans, please read the Press Release.
Click to read more about the 70th Anniversary commemorations and Canada's contribution to the liberation of the Netherlands.

Click to see more photos from the "Thank You Canada" campaign between the Netherlands and Canada. 

Win FREE MOVIE PASSES!

Great news! Bloomex is proud to partner with Elevation Pictures in helping to promote the heartwarming new film I'll See You in my Dreams! As a result of our support, we are pleased to offer you a chance to win FREE MOVIE PASSES!

This brand new romantic dramedy is coming to Canada soon and stars major Hollywood talent Blythe Danner (from movies such as Meet the Parents, Little Fockers,The Prince of Tides, and Brighton Beach Memoirs). Blythe is also otherwise known as Gwyneth Paltrow's Mom! Rhea Perlman (from Cheers and other hit comedies) and Sam Elliott (The Hulk, The Golden Compass, Ghost Rider, Draft Day, and more) also star in the film.

The movie is vibrant, funny and heartfelt. Danner plays a widow named Carol, a former songstress who learns that life can begin anew at any age.  With the support of three loyal girlfriends (June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place), Carol decides to embrace the world again. She begins an unlikely but supportive friendship with her pool maintenance man (Martin Starr), pursues a new love interest (with the rugged and dashing Sam Elliott), and reconnects with her daughter (played superbly by Malin Akerman, of movies such as Couples Retreat, The Watchmen, The Proposal, and the television series Trophy Wife). 

Critics are loving this movie...Check out a review to learn more! 

View the Trailer for your own sneak peak!

The tickets are on us! You could WIN YOURSELF A FREE PASS (each pass will admit two people) just by entering— makes a perfect Date Night or Girls Night Out!

Passes are are available for: 

1. The advance screening, Thursday May 28, 7 p.m.

Toronto: Varsity & VIP Cinemas, 55 Bloor Street West

Vancouver: International Village Cinemas, 88 West Pender Street

2. The main movie release (Run-of-Engagement Passes), running from May 29 in Toronto and Vancouver, and from June 5 in Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

DON'T WAIT: Enter to Win now! 

MESSAGE: Like us on Facebook, and send us a Message

EMAIL: Email a short note to contest@bloomex.ca 

1. Be sure to tell us WHICH CITY you are in, and if you want the ADVANCE SCREENING or the MAIN RELEASE passes. Main Release passes are good for use at any movie time at participating theatres in designated cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax). Advance screenings are in Toronto and Vancouver only, as listed above.

2. Contest open to residents of Canada who can use the passes in the cities listed.

3. Winners will be randomly selected from the pool of contest entries. There are 10 advance passes available for Toronto and 10 for Vancouver. There are 5 Main Release passes available for each of the major cities as listed.

3. Advance screening passes will be emailed to you, so you can print and bring on May 28.

Main release passes will be mailed to you. 

Have fun! We hope you enjoy "I'll See You in My Dreams" as much as we do! 

Mother's Day Contest Winners

Sarah & her Mom in 1995

Bloomex was so pleased to receive many amazing photos and stories about our wonderful Moms during this year's Mother's Day contests. We've picked a few of the highlights to share with you! Thank to all those who entered. It's very clear that #bloomexmoms rock!

Amber wrote us: "Single mommy of these two beautiful boys & would not change a thing." 

Amber later Tweeted a photo of her contest flowers and a sweet thank you note: "@Bloomex_canada They are absolutely beautiful !!!! Thank You so much xoxo "

Hassan sent us this photo of him with his Mom. His message reflected his love for her: "I just want it to say I'm proud to have a great mother who looks after me and my 2 younger brothers and how she looks out for my aunty alice as well and proud to call her my mother. I couldn't have wished for a better mother than her and I think she has done a great job raising us boys and putting up with our crazy ways as kids."

 

Nicole and her mom Joanne enjoying a "Mother-Daughter date night." Nicole says "the fact that she still has fun, no matter what, is definitely why she is so deserving."

Dan wrote us with this wonderful message about his mother: "My mom has always been a hero in my and my siblings own eyes. She raised us and worked in order to provide shelter, foods, and emotion kinships. She took charge as strong mother figure & as breadwinner when my dad could not find work during ethnic cleansing period.  She read books, stories even midst of tough & long day of tough labor work.  Therefore, I would always treasure the difficult time and barely have enough to make end meets.  My mom make sure all basic necessities are met for all of us and emotion touches as well.  So my mom is hero in many of our eyes, minds and heart."

Melissa won flowers for her mother Galia and sent a thank you on Twitter:

 "@Bloomex_canada WOW! My mother and I thank you! These are so beautiful 🌷❤️ "

For one of the Hero Mom entries, Harjit states,"My Mom was and always will be my Hero. She selflessly raised four daughters and a son while giving up her own dreams. My Mom did this without hesitation, and for that I will always be grateful to her. For over 30 years, she faced various health challenges but she always had a huge smile on her face, and she never complained, as she wanted to be strong for us. Her kindred spirit, selflessness, and unwavering love for her family has left a strength in all of Thanks for the chance to win beautiful flowers for Mothers Day." 

He later thanked us on Twitter for his gift basket and flowers with a lovely photo (see above):

"@Bloomex_canada A bright and colorful assortment of beautiful flowers from Bloomex! #MothersDay"

There were so many wonderful entries we wish we could share them all! We hope that everyone enjoyed a very happy Mother's Day, and that we all found a way to cherish or remember our special mothers this year. 

Check back often for your chance to win during our next big contest...:)

Kylie: the fun Mom!

 

Linda sent this from a mother-daughter "road trip" to Mexico

Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Pretty in Pink

Mother's Day is almost here! Mother's Day is set aside as a special day to honour motherhood, and more specifically, our lovely mothers. These ladies brought us into the world, care for us with love and support, give us advice (even when we think may not want or need it), teach us wrong from right and are there for us in a million ways. Showing gratitude is a must, and it's little surprise that Mother's Day has evolved to become one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. 

Mother's Day in North America traces back to the late 1800s. Julia Ward Howe suggested a day of peace to honour mothers. Ann Jarvis, a peace and health activist, founded Mothers Day Work Clubs to raise awareness for health issues that affected child mortality rates. Following Ann's death in 1905, her daughter organized a movement to make Mother's Day an officially recognized holiday in many of the U.S. states. It became a national holiday in 1914 and Canada adopted it as well. In England, Mothering Sunday dates back to the 1600s and was celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent following a service to honour the Virgin Mary. 

Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in over 50 countries around the world, though not on the same date. Many of us are looking for gift ideas to delight our Moms this year, whether she is nearby or across the country. Bloomex has some wonderful flower and gift ideas this year that will bring joy to Mom, while accommodating any budget. 

Flowers

What Mom doesn't light up when she receives a bouquet of beautiful, blooming flowers? Flowers are always an amazing choice when it comes to treating Mom. Bloomex has so many choices, we can't possible list them all here! We've picked a few highlights that are especially lovely for Mother's Day, but be sure to scope out the full Bloomex site to choose your favourite! 

Blooms for Mom

1. Blooms for Mom Bouquet

2. Delicate Delight Bouquet 

Joy of Flowers Basket

3.Joy of Flowers Basket 

4. Tulips 

Steal the Show 

5. Mother's Day Designer Collection 

6. Steal the Show 

What a Treat

7. What a Treat 

8. Pretty in Pink 

Flower & Gift Packages

Bloomex offers excellent Mother's Day collections and unique packages that let you treat Mom to something extra special, such as gourmet chocolates, gourmet truffles, teddy bears, greeting cards, and vases, sent along with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Best of all, the pricing on these packages is amazing! 

1. Mother's Day Melody Collection Specials

2. Mother's Day Tulip Combos

3. Mother's Day Sweet Blossom Collection 














Gift Baskets

Pamper Mom this year and send her a lovely collection of thoughtful gifts that will delight her. Each gift basket is attractively hand packed with care and available for delivery across Canada. Bloomex offers a huge range of gift baskets for all tastes and budgets. It's Mother's Day done easy! Here are a few suggestions that Mom might especially love:

Ultimate Spa Basket

1. Spa Gift Basket Collection 

2. Sweets & Treats Gift Basket

Tea Lover Basket

3. Fruit Gift Basket 

4. Tea Gift Basket










  



Cakes, Cookies, and other Gourmet Goodies

Deluxe Vanilla Cake

Send Mom a special treat this year! Bloomex saves you the baking with delicious gourmet cakes you can send Mom to help her celebrate an especially happy Mother's Day. 

You can also choose from gourmet chocolates, gourmet homemade cookies, and other treats to send alone or add to your flower order.

 

Whatever your choice for Mother's Day, Bloomex has you covered!