Gifting flowers is a stellar way of expressing love, care, affection, and gratitude. One can also buy flowers to spice up the home during a special occasion. Thanks to the versatility of flowers, the country’s blooms industry is now valued at $5 billion! But people often make mistakes when gifting someone flowers, leading to unnecessary trouble. Read on to find out what these errors are and how to avoid them.

Not knowing what each flower represents
Each flower has hidden symbolism. Knowing these meanings can help one get the right message across and save them from potential embarrassment.  Here is a short, handy guide to help one understand what each flower represents:

• Red rose :  Beauty, romance, and love
• Dark Crimson rose :  Mourning
• White rose :  Innocence and purity
• Red tulips :  True love
• Purple tulips :  Royalty
• Daffodils :  New beginnings, rebirth, unrequited love, and eternal life (a single daffodil represents misfortune, so always pick a bunch!)
• Lilacs :  Confidence and youthful innocence
• Violet :  Virtue, modesty, and faithfulness
• Baby’s breath :  Innocence and pureness of heart
• Sunflower :  Cheerfulness, loyalty, and adoration
• Lily :  Beauty, pride, humility, and wealth
• Orchid :  Luxury, beauty, love, strength, and femininity
• Daisy :  Beauty, purity, and innocence

Ignoring their arrangement
How the flowers are arranged in a bouquet can affect the essence of the gift. A substandard arrangement could ruin the emotion. So, pay close attention to how the bouquet is arranged and packed. Avoid gifting flowers in plastic wraps, as this can harm the environment. Opt for thick wrapping paper, tissue paper, or gift paper for an enclosed arrangement.

Not considering the occasion
In addition to knowing the meaning behind certain flowers, it is essential to consider the occasion for gifting. For instance, sending a bouquet of red roses to a funeral could be disrespectful. As a general rule of thumb, opt for muted blooms for morose occasions (white, yellow, or blue generally work). For birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, pick brighter, happier flowers. A little research on the topic can help one find the right flowers, colors, and arrangements for any event!

Opting for a generic bouquet
Buying a generic bouquet is convenient, but it might stop one from making a positive impression. So, try to find out what the other person likes and customize the bouquet based on their preferences. Doing so can be a major value-add!

Sending the flowers to the wrong address
One of the most common mistakes people make when ordering flowers is giving a wrong or incomplete address. This error can lead to a lot of frustration, delays, or even missed deliveries. So, pay attention when preparing the address and double-check it while placing the order. It may also be a good idea to check the receiver’s availability beforehand.

Overlooking the filler flowers
When choosing or making a floral arrangement, people often ignore the fillers. Sure, the focus flower is significant, but one must also pay attention to the color and texture of the filler flowers to give the bouquet a more cohesive appearance.

Forgetting to leave a message
While it may not feel like a colossal mistake, forgetting to add a message (or at least a name) can confuse the recipient. So, always leave a card with a personalized message to spell out the emotions behind the flowers and make the gift more special.

Rushing to order at the last minute
Several florists offer same-day delivery. While availing of this service may be okay when running extremely short on time, one should not make it a habit. Last-minute deliveries are often fraught with errors like sending the wrong arrangements and delivering to the incorrect location. So, avoid the rush by placing the order well in advance.  If remembering dates is a problem, set a reminder on the phone, add an event to the calendar, or pen down the occasion on a sticky note and hang it on the desk.

Giving the same flowers more than once
Receiving the same floral arrangement time and time again is boring. Unless a person is well aware of the receiver’s choices, they should opt for or create unique arrangements each time. Doing so can go a long way in adding a personal touch to the gift.

Going for cheaper options
Of course, sticking to one’s budget is important when gifting anything. But this does not mean opting for the cheapest flowers at the store. Instead, individuals should look for fresh, pretty flowers that fit well within the budget. To save more and make a heartfelt present, one can take on the task of arranging the flowers themselves. Set the arrangement in a vase or glass bottle, and have fun with the project. It is bound to make the gift feel a whole lot special!

Tacking on a complimentary gift
When ordering online, avoid adding complimentary gifts that do not make sense because it could taint the sentimentality of the gesture! If flowers do not feel like enough, one should take some time to think about a gift that the receiver will genuinely appreciate. For instance, a box of chocolates or a cake could be good options to send alongside a bouquet for an anniversary or a birthday.