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Floral Occasions & Holidays, Valentine's Day

Deliver Valentine Smiles With Funny Valentine’s Day Messages

January 5, 2019

Funny Valentine's Day Message: Bouquet of FlowersThere’s no doubt about it: Flowers are the best at delivering smiles, and hilarious greeting cards are the best at delivering gut-busting laughter. So this Valentine’s Day, the smile pros at 1-800-Flowers.com have teamed up with the comedic geniuses of someecards.com to create the ultimate feel-good gift. When you’re sending that bouquet of romantic red roses, don’t forget to pass along one of these very funny Valentine’s Day messages too. It’ll have your sweetie rolling on the floor with glee, guaranteed!

Funny Valentine's Day Message: Early Valentine's Day Gift

Funny Valentine's Day Message: Surprise Date

Funny Valentine's Day Message: Exes
Click here to e-mail or share any of these funny Valentines Day messages with your Valentine!

Home Decorating with Flowers

Get Ready for Administrative Professionals Day: Creative Ways to Brighten up Your Office Space

April 2, 2018
Silver Celebration Orchids

Silver Celebration OrchidsAdministrative Professionals Day 2018 is coming up on April 25th! It has also been called Administrative Professionals’ Week which begins April 23rd.—So all you secretaries, receptionists and office workers, get your headquarters ready: It’s your time to shine! You are the people who make every business a success, and exceptional employees like you deserve to have an equally special work space. Here are some fun and creative ways to brighten up your office space just in time for the holiday!

Decorate Your Desk With Flowers and Plants

Whether you work in an office or a cubicle, accessorizing your space with flowers has lots of benefits. In office environments, where décor is typically minimal and, well, dull, a colorful bouquet of flowers or a pretty green plant will bring instant natural beauty to your workstation. But it’s not just about the wow factor; flowers lift your spirits and make you healthier and more productive too! They allow you to enjoy the outdoors even on days when you can’t leave the office, and studies show that plants remove toxins from the air and improve concentration. Check out the 1-800-Flowers.com Greenhouse to find out how this works and which flowers are best for purifying indoor spaces. 

Create a Tranquil Space With a Water Fountain

Instead of listening to the monotonous clicking of keyboards all day, bring some zen into your cubicle with the calming sound of a desktop water fountain. It’ll drown out other annoying sounds and it’ll help you relax, allowing you to get your work done in peace. Just make sure the running water isn’t so loud that it distracts you and your co-workers!

Transform Your Chair With a Cozy Pillow and Blanket

Your desk chair is your home for about eight hours a day (even more on late nights!), so you might as well make it as comfy as possible! If your chair isn’t particularly cushiony, soften it up by placing a cute pillow on the seat. You can also wrap a pretty pashmina around the back of the chair: You’ll make a stylish statement and you’ll have something to wrap around your shoulders when the office gets cool.  

Warm up Your Floor Space With a Pretty Rug

Get rid of those boring plastic floor mats sitting underneath your chair and replace them with a plush rug. Its fuzzy texture and bright colors will show off your personality and make your office visitors feel right at home! It’s a small change that’ll give your office space a big makeover.

Use Placemats to Bring Pops of Color to Your Desk

Think there’s nothing spectacular about your plain white desk? Think again! Look at it as a blank canvas—it’s up to you to bring it to life! Turn it into a work of art by sliding a patterned or brightly colored placemat under your computer screen, keyboard, file organizers, etc. You’ll feel like you’re sitting at a whole new desk! Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

Different Uses for Christmas Wreaths

December 14, 2017

Lush evergreen wreaths are one of the most versatile decorations you can use to bring some traditional warmth into your home at Christmastime. And when you opt for a beautiful faux arrangement—like our Plaid Holiday Wreath, which is decorated with festive pine cones and vibrant red berries—you have a truly original ornament that you can use in countless ways for many years to come. Here are just a few of the many different uses for a Christmas wreath!

christmas wreath on red door Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

The Most Popular Christmas Flowers to Decorate With

December 4, 2017

Flowers are Mother Nature’s very own decorative ornaments, so it’s no surprise that they’ve become a staple of Christmas décor all over the world! There are so many festive blossoms to choose from, it’s impossible to stick with just one when you’re adorning your home for the holidays. Read up on the most popular Christmas flowers and how you can merry-fy your home with them this season.

Poinsettias

With its long, velvety red leaves, the poinsettia is the definitive Christmas bloom. But did you know that it’s actually a tropical plant? Read our blog post on the history of poinsettias to find out how they became associated with Christmastime, and use our poinsettia decorating ideas to spread the Christmas spirit! Continue Reading…

Wedding Flowers

Real Fall Wedding Inspiration: Marianna’s Vineyard Wedding Flowers

October 9, 2017
Marianna's Vineyard-Themed Fall Wedding Bridesmaid Bouquets

Get Inspired by These Wine-Themed Wedding Ideas From a Real 1-800-Flowers Bride!

Marianna's Vineyard Wedding FlowersWhen Marianna, our Senior Email Marketing Manager, exchanged vows with her hubby, Chris (who also works at 1-800-Flowers as Director of Merchandising!), on November 19, 2011, it was an occasion to celebrate. So to raise a toast in honor of their love, Marianna chose an intoxicating theme for their wedding: fall vineyard! From the deep merlots to the champagne whites that abound during the season, their wedding perfectly captured the rich and fragrant essence of autumn. The fall time has always had special meaning to this couple, so it was only natural that they plan an autumn wedding and infuse it with everything they love about the season—especially those naturally luxurious fall colors. Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

How to Pick the Right Valentine’s Day Flowers for Your Sweetheart

January 31, 2017

big-bear-hugs-103247SRoses are red, violets are blue … and picking the perfect Valentine’s Day flower is so hard to do! Actually, it only feels like it is. When you’re looking for a truly original bouquet for your Valentine, it may seem like there are way too many options out there. But knowing what each type of flower symbolizes helps you choose the one that best represents your never-ending devotion. Not a flower expert? Not a problem! Here’s our guide to five popular Valentine’s Day flowers and their meanings so you can find the best way to say, “You make my heart bloom with passion!”

florist-delivered-blooming-love-161132Roses

This one is a no-brainer. Roses can be found everywhere on Valentine’s Day, and for good reason. These radiant red flowers have been the ultimate symbol of romance and beauty since the ancient Greeks dedicated the flower to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Their petals practically ooze passion, and their long, slender stems give them an air of elegance and grace. Roses show your loved one that they are a true classic, so opt for these buds if your Valentine is a traditional diehard romantic.

Bouquet You’ll Love: Blooming Love Premium Red Roses

Tulips

Sweetest Love Tulips

Running a close second in the race for most popular Valentine’s Day flowers, this beautiful red bulb is known all over the globe as the symbol of perfect love. It gets its starry-eyed reputation from a Turkish legend in which a prince, after finding out that the love of his life was killed, took his own life. The flower was said to spring from his drops of blood, and its dark center is the proof of his flaming passion. Other tulip color meanings: cream-colored tulips signify everlasting love; white, newness; pink, compassion and affection; orange, energy and desire. So if your sweetie brings nothing but fresh, colorful excitement to your world, give them a rainbow-like bundle of tulips to show them that your love will never grow old or stale.

Bouquet You’ll Love: Sweetest Love Tulips

lucky-love-her-103911Carnations

These fragrant little blossoms are the sweetest expression of pure love. The white variety is the symbol of good luck and innocence, and red carnations embody fascination, individuality and affection, making them the ideal gift for the adorable, one-of-a-kind darling who’s stolen your heart and run away with it.

Bouquet You’ll Love: Lucky in Love Continue Reading…

Flower & Plant Care

Bye, Bye, Buggy: How to Remove Bugs From Plants

November 9, 2016
Lucky Ladybug

Lucky LadybugAfter all the time you spend caring for your plants, the last thing you need is a gang of reckless insects sabotaging your hard work. Here are our expert tips on how to remove bugs from plants (both indoors and out) so you can have a happy, healthy, pest-free garden!

How to Get Rid of Flies and Gnats

Buzzing flies and gnats that cloud around your garden pose more of a nuisance to you than they pose a threat to your plants. But since their larvae feed on roots, you’ll need to shoo those flying pests away before their hungry little ones come along.

An ordinary store-bought insect spray that contains Acephate should do the trick. Just lightly tap the leaves of your plant so the flies or gnats can swarm into the air. Spray the solution into the air around your plant, and then mist it onto your plant and the soil surrounding it. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle: Too much Acephate could damage your plant. Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

All About Kwanzaa

December 20, 2015

A Kinara Lit for KwanzaaIt’s time to honor family ties, community bonds and African-American culture: Kwanzaa 2015 begins Saturday, December 26, and ends on Friday, January 1!

Kwanzaa History and Traditions

Kwanzaa began back in 1966, when Professor Maulana Karenga of California State University, Long Beach, created the holiday to reconnect African-Americans with their cultural roots and traditions. The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which translates to “first fruits.” The first harvest has been celebrated in African history since ancient times, beginning with the Egyptians. It has been commemorated as a time to strengthen bonds between people, give thanks for the bountiful earth, honor past generations, commit to self-improvement, and rejoice for family and the many blessings of life. Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

Fun Family Activities for Hanukkah, From Dreidel to DIY Menorahs

December 8, 2015

Jewish Family Celebrating HanukkahHanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה), also known as “The Festival of Lights,” means much more than exchanging Hanukkah gifts and lighting candles eight nights in a row. It’s a celebration that brings families together to share and enjoy age-old customs that have been passed down from one generation to the next. So start some new and exciting traditions with your loved ones this holiday season; try out these fun family activities for Hanukkah!

DIY Menorah

ballet menorah for chanukah
Gather everyone ’round the kitchen table and have each family member create their own menorah out of any supplies you have lying around the house: food (apples are a great option), glass bottles, clay, Play-Doh or paper towel tubes. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your creative juices flowing!

Playing Dreidel

Play a Traditional Game of Dreidel: The traditional game of dreidel is probably one of the most well-known Hanukkah activities to play with the family! There are four Hebrew letters on the dreidel to go along with the game, including “nun,” “gimmel,” “hey” and “shin,” each with a different meaning. Not sure how to play dreidel? NYC’s Temple Emanu-el has a great how to play dreidel article to help you learn and start having some fun!

Dreidel Spinning Contest: Add a “spin” to the traditional dreidel game! As a fun change of pace, hold a contest to see who in the family can whirl a dreidel and make it spin the longest.

Hanukkah Gelt (Chocolate Coin) Scavenger Hunt

What is Hanukkah without the gelt?  Have fun with Hanukkah chocolates! Before your guests arrive, hide those delicious little chocolate coins throughout the house.  After dinner, break everyone up into teams and search for them. Whoever finds the most coins wins a prize, in addition to the chocolate.

hanukkah-crafts-kids-dreidelsHanukkah Bake-Off

Find some Hanukkah-themed cookie cutters and whip up some yummy holiday desserts with your kids. Put your own personal touch on the cookies by decorating them with blue and white icing and sprinkles.

Make-Your-Own Hanukkah Magnets

Hanukkah magnets not only make the perfect kitchen decorations for the holiday season, but are also fun to make with the family! Set out some wooden craft sticks, children’s paint, glue and glitter, and have your kids make the Star of David by gluing the sticks together and decorating them.  Stick an old magnet behind the star and display the kids’ art on the fridge.  Menorah magnets are another fun option and feel free to be creative with the materials used! Continue Reading…

Floral Occasions & Holidays

Why Christmas Poinsettias Are THE Holiday Flower

December 2, 2015

poinsettia-plant-3187lNothing conjures up images of a traditional Christmas celebration quite like the rich, velvety poinsettia plant. Since these blooms have become so tightly connected with the winter holidays, we bet you didn’t know they’re actually tropical! Here’s how Christmas poinsettias became the ultimate holiday flower.

The History of Poinsettias

The Aztecs once called poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitl,” which meant “mortal flower that perishes and withers like all that is pure,” and used them to dye their clothing and cure illnesses. They believed that red was the color of wholesomeness, so they often included poinsettias in their religious rituals.

The plant wasn’t introduced to America until the 19th century, when U.S. ambassador and botanist Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett traveled toMexicoand discovered it in the Mexican wilderness. He was so enamored with the leafy blossoms that he sent some to his home inSouth Carolina. As time passed, the poinsettia—which was officially named after its American founder—caught on and became a staple of Christmas celebrations in homes all over the country. An official holiday was even created in honor of the wildly popular plant: National Poinsettia Day, which is celebrated on December 12. Continue Reading…

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