Floral Occasions & Holidays

Roses 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!”

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It’s that magical time of year when families and friends gather to celebrate the Christmas holidays. Guests of all ages converge for the festivities, transporting gifts and exchanging hugs. No doubt, the joyous chatter will eclipse any sound coming from the holiday movie on television. Chaos aside, these are unforgettable moments when memories are chiseled into our minds to be treasured for many generations; they trigger memories of Christmases past and set ablaze a sense of wonder that only happens once a year.

Holiday Centerpieces that delight the senses

Arriving guests will notice a mélange of sights and sounds, but it’s the sense of smell that commands centerstage. Although aromas from the kitchen may be heavenly there is a breathtaking scent from the realm of nature that is unrivaled. Yet, in December with most activities restricted to indoors, engaging with nature requires more effort. The sun wraps itself in a cloak a little earlier each day and slips behind the curtain, taking its shafts of golden beams with it. In these light-deprived days, Mother Nature spends more time painting the night sky with stardust, but she does not neglect ripening her soul-caressing flowers for Christmas. She has adorned them with grandeur and explosive bursts of color, as evidenced by her magnificent crimson Christmas poinsettia. This is the ideal time of year to bring nature’s masterpieces indoors – in a resplendent Christmas centerpiece.

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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 Christmas flowers 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.

Shop Poinsettia Plants

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!

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Are you in charge of hosting Thanksgiving this year? Whether it be your first time or your fifteenth, hosting and cooking for this big occasion can be a milestone moment. We asked award-winning designer David Tutera to share his tips for Thanksgiving hosting & what the holiday means to him.

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One of the greatest days of the year is almost here – Thanksgiving! What plans do you have to celebrate this year? Will you be having friends and family over to your house, or will you be attending a Thanksgiving dinner party? If your schedule includes heading over to someone else’s home this Thanksgiving, you know the drill – you should never show up empty handed! That said, today, we wanted to share some of our favorite Thanksgiving hostess gift ideas – here are a few things you can bring:

1. Flowers. Not only will your host enjoy looking at their flowers once the holiday is over, but they’ll also make for the perfect centerpiece for their Thanksgiving table! These Thanksgiving flowers are primarily made with orange, red and yellow flowers (perfect for the season), so any one is sure to add an additional festive feel to Thanksgiving dinner. 
2. Gifts for entertaining. Your Thanksgiving host is going to be doing a lot of entertaining, so how nice would it be for them to have some new accessories to use? For example, a wine tool kit will help with a lot of their beverage needs and give everyone something new to drink out of! (Speaking of wine kits – mason jars, beer and wine are always great gifts too) Continue Reading…

History of Singles’ Day

Singles’ Day began at Nanjing University in China. It was initially called “Bachelor’s Day” since it started out with only young men celebrating the occasion, however, it is now celebrated by both genders. The holiday is celebrated on November 11th (11/11) because of the four single “ones,” and the Chinese name of the holiday, “Guanggun Jie,” appropriately translates to “bare sticks holiday.” The occasion started in the 1990s and has been spread throughout China and beyond. It was created to help stop the negative connotation surrounding the idea of being single, especially in universities. The holiday is celebrated with fun, uplifting activities to enjoy the fun of being single!

How to Celebrate Singles’ Day

A Night on the Town Dancing and Singing Karaoke

What better way is there to meet new people and enjoy your single life more than singing your heart out and dancing the night away? We couldn’t think of any either, which is why Singles’ Day often involves parties and karaoke!

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What Is Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), is a holiday that is celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember those that have passed on. The holiday resembles All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which are celebrated after Halloween on the Christian calendar.

First developed in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is most notably celebrated in Latin American regions, although it is becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States, too!

Why Is Día de los Muertos Celebrated?

When the Aztecs first began observing this occasion over 3,000 years ago, their ultimate goal was to honor and celebrate the deceased as their spirits returned, not necessarily to mourn those who are no longer with us. While it is definitely still a time of reflection and remembrance, the main focus is to celebrate the lives that our loved ones lived.

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What is Diwali?

Once a year in autumn, during the darkest new moon in the Hindu month Kartik, Hindu communities and temples will shine bright with millions of candles and lamps. This celebration, known as Diwali – or the festival of lights – dates all the way back to ancient times! Diwali 2019 is celebrated on October 27th and for several days after, depending on the family’s religion and traditions.

The traditional name of this holiday, Deepawali originates from the Sanskrit words deep, meaning light and avali, meaning row. Depending on the region and religion, the duration of the festival (3-5 days) as well as the history and origin of the holiday may vary. Although Diwali is mainly a family affair, Diwali is also a religious day for many Hindus. Many celebrate the holiday to bring prosperity and good health to their families.
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Children and their grandparents have a special bond unlike any other. After all, who else are you going to turn to when mom and dad say no? But in addition to being the ones who take your side and sneak you extra cookies, grandparents offer unconditional and unwavering love and support. In honor of National Grandparents Day on September 8th, 2019, it’s time to flip the script and start spoiling them!

The History of National Grandparents Day

It wasn’t until 1978 that President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. Though President Carter officiated the day, it was Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a West Virginia native, who truly began and popularized National Grandparents Day. And it’s clear to see why — together with her husband, she had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild before passing in 2001.

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