image source: Our Food Stories
This year, a present in the post is a much more likely turn of events, and what is more of a welcome surprise than flowers? Read on, as I turn my thoughts to what makes floral gifts so special.
The meaning of flowers is joyously simple. They are a symbol of life, nature and renewal. That is why they make a thoughtful gift on any occasion, whether it is to celebrate a move into a new home, a birthday, a special thank you or of course, at Christmas too.
Often, you give flowers to friends and family to go with another gift. They are the icing on the cake, if you like, something that brings instant cheer. And often, you get someone else to create the bouquet for us. Perhaps a favourite florist who we trust to put the right colours and varieties together. This way, you are bound to get a beautiful flower arrangement but, sometimes, it is a little less personal.
There is a lot to be said for making your own bouquets to give as gifts. Buy individual stems, choose the wrapping and the ribbon and spend some time putting them together. It doesn’t matter if you are not an expert florist. The thought that is gone into your arrangement will shine through and make the gift that much more meaningful.
If you are not sure where to start, think about the style of the person your flowers are for. Is their home modern and minimal, traditional and pretty or more bohemian and eclectic? Clean, simple interiors suit an understated design such as a cluster of white blossoms wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with twine. For a softer, more romantic look, combine full blooms with taller sprays of leaves. Loose arrangements like this look beautifully natural and are also easy to make for those of us who are less confident.
Fresh flowers, with their natural scents and colours, lift the emotions and the senses as well as pleasing the eye. The only downside is that they don’t live forever. If you want your floral gift to make a more lasting impression, try making an arrangement of life-like flowers instead. Most faux blooms and greenery are almost impossible to tell apart from the real thing. Choose between English roses and apple blossom twigs as well as more structured white hydrangeas and willow branches. You can use them to make an original and creative bouquet, or present them on their own.
Single stems such as a white lily or snowball can look incredibly striking and are a great option if you are on a budget. Instead of wrapping them in paper, you could display them in a glass vase for added impact. A slender bottle vase flatters a fuller bloom, or cut the stem shorter and place in a full-bodied shape like a round vase.
From the classically festive to more contemporary wintery bouquets, each one will make the perfect Christmas gift or addition to your December decorating!
