If you are like me you have parties galore to attend this time of year. They may be dinner parties, office parties, cocktail parties or holiday open houses. In fact, I did a very informal survey of my customers and most people said they had at least 5 events to go to between now and New Years!  And oftentimes we are not sure what to bring the host or hostess as a thank you.

That’s where Eden Florist can help! We help you find the perfect centerpiece or cut flowers or holiday plant to add a touch of class to your arrival. 

Need other ideas for a hostess gift? How about a nice bottle of wine or champagne, or scented candles, the latest best-seller or perhaps a little trinket or holiday keepsake such as a bell or wine glass?

The gift does not have to be extravagant or elaborate or even expensive. It just needs to be in good taste and something you think your host will appreciate. Believe me the host will appreciate your thoughtfulness. 

The important thing is to never arrive empty-handed.

If you’d like more ideas for holiday gifting, read these articles:

 A Gift in Hand for the Holidays ~ http://wemagazineforwomen.com/a-gift-in-hand-for-the-holidays/

 Etiquette Everyday ~ Holiday Etiquette http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/holiday_FAQs_giving.htm

Ps. If you don’t have time to get a little something, give Eden Florist a call (800-966-3336) and let us take care of the delivery for you. And if you forget to bring something, send them the next day! That always works and you will be remembered.

Pss. I’d love to know what types of gifts you bring to parties. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section below.

Anytime is the right time to send flowers! In fact, there are dozens of reasons (if you need more than one) to send flowers to someone special. For instance, did you know that August is Hug Month, Black Business Month and Romance Awareness Month?

If you need more ideas for sending flowers to the object of your affections, there are other holidays in August that are just perfect to do so.

They include: 

Single Working Women’s Week Aug. 2-8 (for the time-strapped woman), National Resurrect Romance Week Aug. 9-15 is a good time to bring back the romance, and Be Kind to Humankind Week Aug.  25-31 (know someone who needs a little pick-me-up)?

And lets not forget Happiness Happens Day Aug. 8 (just for the happiness of it), Eden Florist 28th Anniversary! Aug. 13 (that’s right, 28 GREAT YEARS) shared with National Left Handers Day Aug. 13 (even though only about 13% of the world population are lefties, I bet you know at least one left hander and they even have a national holiday all their own).

V-J Day Aug. 14  is the perfect time to honor a Veteran or your favorite service man or woman with flowers, Best Friends Day Aug. 15 (a great way to show how much you care), National Personal Chef’s Days Aug.18-20 (dinner, flowers and …?), Poets Day Aug. 21 (flowers have been the subject of prose since the dawn of time – so give a poet flowers to enjoy) , Kiss and Make Up Day Aug. 25 (if you or someone you know is in the Doghouse, flowers could be just the ticket out), Women’s Equality Day Aug.  26 (celebrate the women in your life with flowers) and Global Forgiveness Day Aug. 27 (is there someone in your part of the world that needs to be forgiven)?

Be sure and check out Eden Florist for a complete selection of flowers, plants, gourmet gift baskets and more.

Remember anytime is the right time to send flowers!

Ever since the dawn of time, people (mostly men) have been in the doghouse.  Imagine how much trouble Adam would have been in if he had not eaten that apple!  He might have had to spend the night (or several) in the dogasaurus cave! But that’s another story….

For as long as I can remember, people (mostly men) have been coming into my florist and saying “Help, I’m in the doghouse.”  In fact, I can remember the very first time a customer said that to me, I replied, “No problem, we specialize in doghouse repairs.”

And so began what would one day become a national holiday. Now Get out of the Doghouse DAy is not really a celebration.  I mean how could it be?  Its more of an observance. Because most of the time people (mostly men) are looking for something to “smooth things over.”  While flowers can certainly help get back in the intended’s good graces, it is easier to be forgiven when the offender is remorseful, sincere and he (or she) ads a dash of romance.

Now, I’m not suggesting you BEG Forgiveness (unless the situation warrants it), I am suggesting that bringing home a bouquet and being open to talking it out will give you a better chance of “getting out of the doghouse.”

In 2002 my staff and I conducted a survey and a majority of women said that although they preferred to talk about their troubles, they also thought flowers were a romantic way to ask for forgiveness. For men the answer was much simpler. They prefer make-up sex. Maybe adding a petals around the house and on the bed would satisfy both!

So next time you are in the doghouse think of flowers as a start… flowers suggest romance and let’s face it, romance is what most people (mostly women) really want.

So next time you are in the doghouse, bring home a bouquet and a willingness to talk things out and you could find yourself out of the doghouse and back in the Main House.

And remember, Eden Florist specializes in “doghouse repairs.”

To read some fun doghouse stories visit: http://www.tulipstalk.com/category/doghouse-stories/

To submit YOUR Doghouse Story (and enter our doghouse competition) visit: http://tulipstalk.com/DoghouseSurvey.pdf.

Did you know that today begins National Make Someone Smile WEEK (July 19-25)? That’s right. And all across the country thousands of florists are delivering flowers to people in hospitals, nursing homes, and foster care centers to people who might not otherwise get any flowers.

Started in 2000 by Teleflora, it has become “the floral industry’s most successful charitable program. Last year’s program spanned 144 cities throughout the United States and Canada, more than 2,000 florists donated their time. Teleflora’s program delivered more than 35,000 bouquets to those most in need of a smile.”

Eden Florist will be participating in Make Someone Smile Week by dropping off flowers to my local library, favorite grocery store clerk and more. 

Check out the article “How do you Make Someone Smile? Send Flowers, of course!”   It’s my list of  21 people and places to send a smile and get on in return.  and be sure to visit: EdenFlorist.com to send flowers to someone who needs a lift.

And when you give a smile, it is almost impossible not to get one in return! And wouldn’t it be nice to be “blamed” for doing something good (for a change)? *SMILE

So keep smiling! And be sure to send someone flowers to make them smile too!  It could be a total stranger or someone you love. Its up to you.

Feel free to leave your LIST of people you would like to make smile in the comments section below. If we get enough response, I may even have a contest and give free flowers to the writer AND the person she/he wishes to send flowers. How about that to make someone smile?

Happy Make Someone Smile Week!

Gemini: May 22 – Jun. 21

Gemini’s symbol is the twins.  Geminis are versatile, highly adaptable and somewhat mysterious. Gemini are playful, youthful and fun-loving. Bordering on the mischievous, Geminis are expressive, clever and social. 

 You can choose narcissus or buttercup, roses or poppy. Lady Gemini like almost every flower and her preferences depend on her mood, that changes very quickly.

Geminis delight in fun loving, cheerful flowers such as daisies, gerberas, summery sunflowers or quiet sophistication of the rose.  Geminis like nearly every flower so match the flower to the ever changing mood of the creative, lighthearted Gemini, are one of the most creative of all the zodiac signs. Roses are a perfect choice with the range of colors that symbolize friendship. love and even passion.

Geminis colors are bright yellow, black and white and their birthstone is agate.

So my staff and I created a Tropical Disc Jockey Bouquet.

Here it is:

Each “record” in the arrangement is imprinted with ”National Disc Jockey Day ~ January 20, 2009″

If you’d like to order this bouquet, call us at 954-981-5515 or 800-966-3336 today!

For the man who thinks “it’s a jungle out there” when it comes to buying flowers, these simple tips will help pave the way.

Be Spontaneous
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers. In fact, flowers given for no reason other than “I was thinking of you today” mean much more because they are unexpected.

  Don’t Overlook Anyone
A bouquet can express a range of feelings — from romantic to friendly to something in between. Your wife or sweetheart will love to receive a surprise gift of flowers. So will your mother, daughter, sister and friends.

  Try Something New
Women are interested in a wide variety of flowers and colors. So, when giving roses, consider pink, peach, yellow, white, or assorted colors to catch her attention. And, remember, most women appreciate a beautiful assortment of fresh flowers, as well as roses.

 Get More Bloom For The Buck
The prices of some flowers vary seasonally. Roses, for example, are usually a great value during summer months. In the winter, mixed bouquets may be a better way to go.

  Flowers Are Never Boring
Because of their infinite diversity and unique appeal, flowers never lose their specialness. Each new floral arrangement is a fresh and individual declaration of appreciation — reflecting positively on your imagination and thoughtfulness.

Flowers Don’t Have To Mean Commitment
Relax, guys. Women know when an arrangement simply means that you care.

Be Prepared
When ordering flowers, have ready the recipient’s name, address, and phone number. If you’re not sure what to order, contact EdenFlorist.com direct. Our experienced staff of professional floral consultants will be happy to help you.

Get Professional Help
Selecting flowers may be a challenging experience for the inexperienced flower-giver. Fortunately, help is available. Contact EdenFlorist.com directly for a special arrangement that will match both your sentiment & her personality.

A Gift Of Flowers Goes A Long Way
Every woman can remember the last time she got flowers!

Source: Society of American Florists

Sweetest Day, October 18^th ~ is always observed on the 3rd Saturday in the month of October. Sweetest Day began in Cleveland, Ohio in 1922, during the Great Depression.  About 60 years ago, Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland man and a candy store employee felt that the city’s orphans and shut-ins were often being overlooked and neglected. To instill in them a sense of being cared for, he handed out small gifts and candy to those who had fallen on hard times, with the help of his friends and neighbors, on a Saturday in October. Other Clevelanders soon followed suit, and the celebration came to be known as the “Sweetest Day“.

Sweetest Day tradition is observed by giving small presents, such as cards, candy and flowers, to family, friends, and lovers. It gives us an opportunity to reach out to the not- so-well-off sections of the society and spread happiness in their lives. Sweetest Day has no political, ethnic or religious roots, it is observed as an global recognition of humanity.

Be sure to order flowers early for Sweetest Day.