When you are looking to hire a florist ask for a referral from people that you know. Look for a florist who is trustworthy, creative and who has a reliable history of integrity and deliverability. Shop around for one that fits into your style and budget. Interview a few before making your final decision. Find out what their mission statement is or their customer commitment. Ask if there is a minimum order required, how much they charge for delivery service and do they have a referral program to offer you future discounts.

There is nothing worse
than being excited to sur-
prise someone with flow-
ers and you learn that
the delivery was de-
layed because of a lack
of accountability and integrity.
The personality of the florist is
important to building rapport and
a lasting relationship. Your effective com-
munication with him/her will ensure
prompt service. As your relationship grows
with your florist, so will their understand-
ing of your budget, style and specific needs
to allow them to better serve you and select
what’s exactly right for you when it comes
time to delivering the final product.
Andre Ellis is the owner of Andre’s
House of Floral Design in Los Angeles,
California. His mission is to satisfy his
customer with quality, freshness, style and
design. He has such passion about his pro-
fession and says that nothing is more re-
warding for him than satisfying his
customers with his exotic floral creativity.
He aims to please and brings pleasure to
the eye and emotions of his recipients.

When should you send flowers? You can send flowers anytime. Don’t wait for a special occasion to send flowers, create your own unique occasion and send flowers “Just Because.” It will add to the element of surprise. Sending flowers after a first date is a great way to say “thank you” for a time well spent. It’s always nice to send flowers to someone that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to offer service to you. For example, perhaps the bride would send flowers to her catering manager for doing such a spectacular job during her wedding service. Andre also says to send flowers to yourself. Huh? Yeah you heard him. To yourself. That was a first for me as well. I’ve never thought to have flowers sent to myself to inspire myself or

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Do your research and look for a florist who has a reliable history of deliverability.

 

you’ve missed your golden opportunity to make a lasting impression on the girl/man in your dreams, no need to worry, just pick up the phone, dial your local florist and say it with flowers. Yes, flowers. A significant floral arrangement is guaranteed to get the attention of your target and will speak a private language to the person you’d like to impress.

What exactly can you say with flowers? You can say just about anything you’d like with flowers. Your local florist will gladly help you make an informed choice that will speak your specific language and effectively communicate your intention.

When should you send flowers? Flowers are sent for congratulations on achieving something significant like winning a competition, weddings, funerals, birth of a new baby, major holidays, graduations, job promotions, anniversaries, retirements, birthdays, picnics, dinner parties and everything in between. If you are a business owner it’s considerate to send flowers when someone in your company has closed a big deal, year

brighten up my home.

Beware of sending flowers that are overly fragrant, like Gardenias. You may not want to send them to a small office cubical or a setting with limited space because it might be a bit overpowering for the recipient. Plants are a better idea to send to someone who may have sensitivity to certain smells or have environmental allergies. Plants last longer than flowers. A freshly cut floral design should last seven to 10 days or sometimes a little longer.

Floral arrangements can be very basic and simple on the traditional side or wild, exotic and flamboyant. Red-colored flowers represent love, white for purity and yellow for friendship. You decide what message you’d like to convey and share your intimate thoughts with your floral designer. You should do a little research before you send flowers. Find out the person’s favorite kind of flower, specific colors that they are partial to, and what fragrance they enjoy smelling.

Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day still top the chart for the busiest holidays to send flowers so don’t forget to place your order in advance to assure prompt delivery service. But, before you call to order, have a credit card handy with a budget in mind of what you’d like to spend, know the person’s favorite flower and have your sentimental message ready to give to the person taking your order, as it will save lots of time.

Flowers demonstrate your care, respect and love. Lovely flowers and various floral arrangements are the best means to show expressions of love. I don’t know about you, but I have never met anyone that didn’t enjoy feeling significant when their floral arrangement arrived so don’t hesitate to make someone’s day special by showing your appreciation and saying it with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

The next time you can’t think of that perfect gift to give, just call up your florist and request a special occasion, holiday gift basket or flowers. Don’t forget to tip your delivery driver when he makes you smile with those beautiful flowers. $3 to $5 will suffice for a job appreciated. ;

 

Tanya Hutchison is a model and beauty advisor with Arbonne International in California. An expert in the skin care industry, etiquette advisor and modeling instructor, she is the author of the books Phenomenal Beauty and Chicken Soup for the African American Women’s Soul. Her web site is t.myarbonne.com.