Category: Floral Occasions & Holidays

Administrative Professionals’ Day, aka Admin Day, celebrates those in the office who keep the wheels turning. Sometimes they’re called executive assistants, administrative secretaries, or office managers. An admin’s responsibilities could range from filing paperwork and coordinating meetings to assisting the CEO and managing the office. Both their title and responsibilities depend on the size and type of office.

One thing they all do is support the office in some way, and today is the day to say, “Thank you and Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day!” So what is the best way to do that?

What to Give: Good Thank You Gifts

• A gift like a plant, flowers, a box of candy, or a gift card to their favorite restaurant or coffee shop. These can all be made to feel personal when paired with a sincere thank you note (more on that below!).
• Lunch via a food delivery app i.e. Seamless, UberEats, etc. or when social distancing is over, at a favorite restaurant. Let them pick where to go, round up the team, and have fun. Order appetizers and dessert without asking; this is a celebration! Bring a card signed by everyone along with one of the gifts above if it’s in the budget.  If you’d like to send something now, food delivery apps are a great next option.
• Time off. If it’s within your ability to do so, let them spend the day or afternoon however they’d like.
• A Social Media Shout Out: Everyone likes to be recognized. Skip the photo (they might not find it flattering) and instead use a picture of the office or a stock “thank you” photo. (Another cute idea is to find and use one of their baby pictures. Make sure it’s tasteful– no nudes.) Say something along the lines of “Whitney rocks! We couldn’t do it without her. Here’s to the best admin an office could ask for.”

How to Give It: Card, Email or Text?

A handwritten card is the best method of delivery. It’s the most personal and doesn’t make the recipient feel like they need to respond as do email and text. Some tips on the message:

• Exclamation points: Use sparingly. It will depend on the length of your message but you’re probably fine with one or even none.
• Emojis: Pass. Use your words and save the silly faces for your friends. You know your office best, but generally a well-written thank you won’t need adornment.
• Make sure you’ve spelled names correctly.
• Proofread twice.

What NOT to Give: Bad Thank You Gifts

• No crude joke gifts; no “funny” profane mugs, t-shirts, or other off-color gifts.
• No alcohol. A bottle of wine is a lovely thing to bring to a dinner party but not the office.
• Nothing religious.
• No clothing. Accessories like scarves or gloves may be ok if you know them well, but clothing is generally too personal and intimate.
• Nothing you wouldn’t give to someone in a position of authority like your boss. For example, no lingerie, beauty products, or self-help books such as how to do your job better.

If you’re wondering if your gift is inappropriate, it probably is. Your best bet is to stick with one of these classics.

What to Write

Keep it short and sweet. Humor is fine but don’t let it get away from you; something that is meant to be funny often comes across insulting or just plain weird.
Here are some samples of what to write:

• Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day! Thank you for all your hard work keeping the office running smoothly. We truly appreciate you!
• Thank you for your help this year. You’re a hard worker, you always take the initiative to see what needs to be done, you’re quick to learn and you’re patient with those of us who aren’t. We are lucky to have you.
• Thank you for your excellent work and positive attitude. Things can get crazy here but you manage to take it all in stride and never lose your cool. Great job.
• Happy Admin Day! It’s people like you who make work a nicer place to be.
• I found this quote and thought of you: “The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.” Thank you for being such an amazing admin and making it all look easy.
• You can run the office without a boss, but you can’t run an office without admins.
  • Thank you for all your incredible contributions. We couldn’t do it without you.

Written by Contributing Author Kathy Milano

Social distancing can make you feel like you’re missing out on the spring events you had planned, but there’s no reason to skip the festivities altogether. Thanks to modern technology, virtual parties are all the rage! Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or a baby shower, you can still make that special someone feel loved on their big day. Here’s a quick guide to getting your virtual celebration started.

Pick the Event Type

Whatever you have coming up on your calendar will determine the type of get-together you’ll be hosting. Think occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, and baby showers. You can also host virtual hangouts for events such as dinners and happy hours. Whatever’s happening, you can certainly make the most of it.

Choose a Theme

The choice is yours! Game night? Dance party? Costume party? Pick a fun theme everyone will be excited about to ensure a good time.

Decide Who’s Hosting

It’s always fun to host a party, but it also entails lots of planning and organizing. Decide whether it’s best to leave the hosting to one person who’s up for the adventure, or if two people should play co-host instead. It’s also helpful to set rules for when people can chime in to avoid virtual chaos!

Create Your Guest List

You can’t throw a party without guests! Creating a guest list can be a big help when it comes to planning. Is this a party for your closest friends or your immediate family? Perhaps it’s happy hour with your co-workers? Once you have that figured out, remember to be reasonable so everyone can enjoy themselves. Inviting everyone you know probably isn’t the best idea.

Select a Video Chatting Software

Given the amount of video chat apps and software available, getting everyone together from afar is quite simple. Before sending out invitations, test several platforms to see which works best for your group. Remember, the software should be compatible with the number of guests you’ll be inviting. From Google Duo to Zoom – which is great for large parties – there’s an app for every occasion! Below is a list of common video chat platforms.

• Zoom  
• Google Hangouts 
• Google Duo 
• FaceTime (for Apple users only) 
• Skype 
• Facebook Messenger 
• Zoom 

Treat it Like an Actual Party

A virtual party is still a party. Clean up, dress up, and be excited for your guests to show up! Once the party starts, greet guests and introduce them to anyone they haven’t been acquainted with. Then, ask ice breaker questions to get everyone involved, such as:

What’s the next thing on your bucket list you’d like to accomplish?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

If your life was made into a movie, which genre would it be?

Don’t forget to incorporate interactive games, such as a fun round of “I Spy” or challenging questions to see who knows the guest of honor best. The party should naturally flow from there.

That’s all there is to it. Happy partying! If you’ve thrown a successful virtual party, we’d love to hear about it. Let us know on social!

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.

What are your best hosting tips for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is about tradition, family, and being home.

I love to set a table and make it an experience. Place cards, flowers, fabrics, colors that embody the fall and adding spices and berries and texture to the table. I believe you want to truly be present at any table, therefore collectively experiencing the five senses is what makes a table become an experience. The smell/fragrance of the food and spices, the touch of texture of the fabrics on the table, and place settings. The sounds of background music that creates the ambiance. Seeing the faces of your family and friends at the table and of course tasting all the wonderful dishes made in your kitchen.

For first time hosters, what would be your best advice?

vironment you are creating.  Your first holiday you should never be stuck in the kitchen.  Make it easy on YOU. If you have to order in it’s OK or if you need to do something simple that is totally OK….in fact ask your guests to bring a favorite dish from their family traditions to YOUR home. Make a plan and make sure all elements of YOUR thanksgiving menu are met. It is a fun way to break the ice to your first time hosting thanksgiving by asking your guest to share their recipes and a story of the dish they brought to your table.

We ❤️ fall decor! What is trending now for Thanksgiving to help decorate your home?

The color of metallics!!!! Combining gold and bronze with copper and silver and pewter and adding wood to the mix is on trend.  If you don’t have a full place setting for you dinner guests then make it all eclectic creating a more casual setting. The use of various textures is on trend as well.

What is the best thing for guests to bring hosts for Thanksgiving?

A bottle of wine, BUT flowers are always fabulous because they will for sure make everyone smile. Flowers that execute the season: Dahlias, roses, sunflowers, berries, Zinnias and more. A door wreath or runner of flowers for the dining table is wonderful.  Embrace the season. Berries, colorful leaves, grapevine, miniature pumpkins used as vases to hold flowers or to display candles. Dried spices that add texture and fragrance, too.

What are you thankful for?

EVERY DAY I am Thankful for my amazing family….my husband, Joey… our two daughters, Cielo and Gracie, and our two doggies, Lucy and Teddy.  It is my family that defines who I am….!

The best April Fool’s Day pranks are the ones that make everyone laugh — even the prankee. With this day of mischief and trickery right around the corner, now is the time to solidify yourself as the prankster of your office, family, or friend group (or all three!).

1. The Squirting Flower

No joke is more timeless than the good old squirting flower prank. All you need to pull off this classic “got-ya” joke is an artificial flower, a coffee straw that matches the color of your flower’s center, a small squirt bottle, and a medicine dropper. Throughout the day, ask people for a hug or to read something that’s printed on your shirt. When the time is right, discretely squeeze the bottle sitting in the pocket of your shirt or taped to your chest, and enjoy a good laugh!

2. Smelly Flower Surprise

If there’s one thing most flowers are known for, it’s their sweet scent — but not today! Prank someone you love by leaving a bouquet of smelly flowers in a vase on their table. After a little while, the not-so-beloved smell of these flowers will fill the room and send your loved one on a quest to find the source of the smell. Some of the most foul smelling flowers are:

• Above Titan
• Stinking Corpse Lily, a.k.a. Rafflesia arnoldii
• Western Skunk Cabbage a.k.a. Lysichiton americanus
• Carrion Flower a.k.a. Stapelia gigantea
• Stinking Root Parasite a.k.a. Hydnora africana

3. Air Horn Surprise

April Fool’s Day may fall on a Sunday this year, but we don’t think that should mean your entire office gets off scot-free. Surprise everyone with a belated April Fool’s prank by taping an air horn to the base of someone’s seat. When they sit down and lower their seat, the air horn will go off. Needless to say, no one in the office will need coffee to wake up that morning.

4. Photo Flip

Looking to prank your parents with a little light-hearted fun? Switch out some of their favorite photos around the house with your favorite celebrity, other members of the family, or cartoon characters. The best way to really pull one over on them is by not telling them how many pictures you’ve tampered with and to let them stumble across pictures all year long.

5. Flower Font Switcheroo

Looking to prank the techy in your life? Swap out their pre-set Arial or Times New Roman font for one of these free, downloadable flower fonts! The second they sit down to write an email or draft a proposal, they’ll be surprised to learn that all of their fonts have been hit with a dash of flower power!

Once your prank war has ended, thank your friends and family for being such good sports by gifting them with a trick-free bouquet of flowers.

With Valentine’s Day being in February and with weather being unpredictable, sometimes it is tough to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day date. Whether you just met the person of your dreams, have been dating for a while, or are married with children, these fun date ideas are perfect in the rain, snow, or on a sunny day. So, if you’re looking for something different from dinner and a movie, here are some ways to make an ordinary date, extraordinary whether you have just a few hours after work, or the whole weekend.

Spend a Day at the Spa

Sometimes all the planning, dinner reservations and outfit changes are more stressful than fun. Instead of a typical night out, spend the day in at a spa. Relax in the steam room or get a massage and facial all at your own pace. And who knows, maybe you’ll pick up a tip or two from the masseuse that you can try on your loved one at home later.

Relive (or Rewrite) the Past

Recreate your first date together by going back to where it was held. If you want to really get into it, try to find the same clothes you wore too. Talk about what was going through your head at the time and if you’re feeling really daring – first impressions of one another. If it wasn’t exactly the date of your dreams, spend the time planning your ideal date together and make it happen.

Last Minute Date Ideas

Has February 14th snuck up on you once again? You don’t need hundreds of dollars and weeks of planning to make the day special. All you need is a little imagination and the person you love beside you to make the day memorable. Here are a few last minute ideas that are sure to set the mood.

Cook for her/him

Do you come home to a beautifully cooked meal every night? If so, give your loved one the night off and grab an apron! Go online and look up the recipe for your loved one’s favorite meal. Even if it doesn’t come out perfect, they’ll love the time and effort you put into making the night special. And don’t forget to set the mood with some candles and flowers!

Late night reservations

Most reservations are made for 8pm, so if you two are a couple of night owls, think about grabbing late night drinks around 10pm.

Stroll on the beach

It might be February, but grab a sweater and take to the sea! A stroll along the beach at sunset is not only romantic, but it’s free! If your area allows it, drive your car up on the sand and have a picnic on the beach while still staying warm.

Visit an art gallery

New York City is host to some of the most famous galleries in the world, so take advantage of them. But if you can’t get to Manhattan, there are still plenty of small, local galleries and museums you could explore.

Breakfast in bed

Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year – not exactly the most exciting day of the week for a night out. Turn the tables and celebrate earlier in the day. Wake up an hour or so before you normally do and enjoy a relaxing breakfast in bed together.

Get Bit by the Travel Bug

Even if you live together and spend the night together all the time, it always feels more romantic when you’re in a different place. Pack a bag (or two) and head to your favorite resort or hotel for a few nights. Nothing relieves stress better than turndown service, a nice dinner and hopefully a hot tub. But if you’re spur of the moment travelers, take a minute to learn the ‘do’s and dont’s’ of last minute travel.

Do go charter

Flights go up the closer you get to the departure date, so if you’re traveling last minute look up deals on charter flights and you’ll see major savings – especially to sunny destinations.

Don’t leave on Saturday

Tuesday – Tuesday vacation anyone? Flying midweek can save you hundreds on plane tickets. Not to mention, the airports are usually less crowded.

Do take a gamble with secret hotel deals

Type in the area you are looking to stay in, preferred star rating and price and you’ll be randomly placed into an unbooked hotel room. You won’t know what hotel you are staying in until the transaction is complete, but the price will be worth the risk. You can find these deals on Priceline Negotiator.

Don’t be picky

If you’re looking to travel last minute and on a budget, don’t have your heart set on one location or room. If you go with the attitude of “I just want to get away somewhere sunny!” you won’t be disappointed. 

For Americans, sending flowers to show love, caring and concern is a longstanding tradition appreciated by both givers and receivers. It’s so popular, in fact, that last year we spent some $2.6 billion on flower gifts for the Mother’s Day holiday alone — $26.6 billion on floral products throughout the year.

Why our fascination with the fresh and colorful eye candy? Scientists believe we have such strong associations with the bountiful blooms that they can boost our sense of well-being.

“Flowers have immediate and long-term effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory for both males and females,” notes research by Rutgers. “The simple presentation of flowers, even a single flower, will release a strong and immediate behavior reflecting positive affect. It’s possible that the flowers — either through their visual or odorous qualities — have effects on brain chemistry.”

Whatever the reason we enjoy flowers so much, there are several steps we can take to make the gifting experience more enjoyable for the giver and the receiver. Consider these tips next time you’re choosing fresh flowers for your loved one.

* Choose delivery. You may be tempted to pick up a few cheap cellophane-wrapped stems at your local grocery store, but understand that won’t have the same panache as a professionally designed, packaged and delivered bouquet. No matter the occasion, there’s a little thrill of surprise that comes from that knock on the door from a delivery person carrying a gorgeous display of blooms.

* Think ahead. Ordering online well ahead of time can not only offer you peace of mind, but may save you money by allowing the flower company to make the delivery a few days before or after a holiday. That timing may also allow your loved one to stop and appreciate your gift at a time that’s more convenient.

* Know her favorites. Delight your loved one by finding out ahead of time which kinds of flowers she prefers, then ordering ahead to ensure your florist can secure that variety. Different blooms can carry different associations based on personal experience; perhaps pink roses bring back happy memories of her mother’s rose garden but orchids remind her of her aunt’s funeral. She may also be partial to beautifully scented varieties such as lilies, freesia, lavender or hyacinth. The Rutgers research points out that women who receive flowers report positive moods as many as three days later.

* Inquire about details. It’s perfectly OK to ask how many stems of each flower will go into a given arrangement, or to find out whether it will be delivered in a plain glass vase or a beautifully designed keepsake planter. You may be able to request more flowers be substituted for an elegant container — or vice versa.

Check out 1-800-flowers.com for a comprehensive selection of floral designs and other meaningful gifts, no matter the occasion.