Random Acts of Flowers

M.J. Ryan, happiness expert and author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series, has coupled her expertise on the power of gratitude with her love of flowers to create Random Acts of Flowers, a list of her favorite reasons to send a floral gift.“I see flowers as a way to capture special moments and emotions in life,” says Ryan. “People truly and fondly remember when they get flowers, and you will continue to feel thanked throughout your relationship long after you send them.”
Here are Ryan’s Top 10 Random Acts of Flowers:
One Who Makes a Difference: Think of the carpool mom, scout leader, local volunteer or apartment doorman who makes an everyday difference in your life. A surprise bouquet is a convenient, informal way to say “Thanks for making my life easier.”
Wedding Arrangements: When asking a friend to join your wedding party or expressing thanks to a shower hostess, ask your florist to help make it special by delivering an arrangement in advance of the big day.

Best Friend Boosts: Send a celebrational bunch to a best friend who lands a dream job, a sibling who receives a promotion at work, or a friend who reaches a personal milestone. Show them you care about their success.

A Moment of Calm: Help someone dealing with a hectic time in their life relax with a tranquil gift of flowers. Your florist can give you ideas on soothing colors and styles, and help you deliver that “moment of calm.” The recipient will be impressed by your thoughtfulness.

Life Lessons: Surprise your child’s teacher or tutor with an eye-popping arrangement for his/her desk. Ask your child to put his/her favorite teaching moment on the gift card to make a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Lifeguard Reward: Send flowers to thank your baby-sitter or pet sitter as a surprise thank-you for safely guarding your most prized possessions.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Welcome a new family or delight an elderly neighbor who does not get out much with a colorful flowering plant or fresh flowers for their kitchen. It’s a great way to break the ice, meet a friend and show you care.

Fresh Squeeze: Don’t wait for Valentine’s Day to say “I love you.” Research shows that people like to receive flowers when they least expect it. Send a surprise floral hug to make your romance spontaneously blossom. Or, on your birthday, send flowers to your mom to thank her for all she’s done for you.

Delivery is in the Details: Show your appreciation to your hair stylist who always manages to fit you in during a pinch, or your doctor who spends those extra minutes to show he/she cares.

Declare You Care: Send a bouquet to celebrate a friend who has recovered from an illness or a new mom on her first day back to work. It will be a beautiful reminder of your support and friendship.

“Flowers are the perfect expression of gratitude and appreciation, and they deliver a message with sincerity and care,” says Ryan. “The new research shows that these positive characteristics also are attributed to the giver. Giving flowers is an act of kindness, and the results are anything but random.”

This information provided by the Society of American florist and About Flowers.com

Harrisburg Magizine Reader's Choice Award

Thank you to everyone who voted for us and made us the Reader's Choice Florist for 2009! We will continue to serve you and look forward to another great year of service!

Get Hip to the Flower Fundamentals: How to be the Savviest, Most Sophisticated Gift Giver of All Time

Camp Hill, PA – At one time or another, most everyone has experienced the near indescribable joy of receiving flowers. But how much do we really know about sending great floral gifts? According to recent research by The Michael Cohen Group, both women and men want to know more about buying flowers with confidence.

To deliver abundant floral know-how, the Society of American Florists (SAF) teamed up with floral and interior designer Rebecca Cole, author of Flower Power and co-host of Discovery Channel's Surprise by Design. Together, they developed the Flower Fundamentals, helping people to become the savviest, most sophisticated floral gift givers they can be.

“It's easy to become a connoisseur of flowers and plants,” Cole said. “And, like knowing about fine wines or great foods, knowing even the basics about flowers will help people feel more self-assured throughout their lives, from gift-giving to weddings to entertaining.”

Introducing The Hip Giver's Guide

SAF and Cole created Flower Fundamentals: The Hip Giver's Guide, a month-by-month resource to flowers that are in style, a library of flower and plant varieties, holiday tips and advice, fresh floral research and much, much more. The Hip Giver's Guide is ideal for those who want tips on how to choose a local florist, read up on popular varieties of flowers, get design ideas and more.

What Hip Givers Know

The Michael Cohen Group research reveals just how much people love to give and receive flowers. Ninety-two percent of women can remember the last time they received flowers, and 97 percent of men and women recall the last time they gave a floral gift.

The hundreds of women and men surveyed described a gift of flowers as unlike any other because flowers create lasting memories and make people – both givers and receivers – feel cared about and special. The fleeting nature of flowers also encourages people to appreciate flowers when they are beautiful and vibrant.

“With a gift of flowers, you know that someone is thinking of you right now, this very minute,” Cole said. “It's the memory of the gift and the emotions that last forever.”

What Hip Givers Said

88% say flowers can change your mood for the better
99% agree that a person who gives flowers is thoughtful
89% believe that someone who gives flowers is sophisticated
83% would like to receive flowers when they are not expecting them

What Hip Givers Don't Know

While the majority of floral gifts are purchased from a local florist shop, the top five things gift givers don't know about their neighborhood florist include:
They are design professionals with the artistic ability to create different looks to suit different occasions Many local shops offer several convenient means of ordering, including phone lines and Web sites accessible 24 hours a day
Shop owners are connected with thousands of other local florists across the country and internationally, and can ensure your customized arrangement is sent on time to just about anywhere
Even the smallest of community florists has access to a wide variety of fresh flowers and plants on a daily basis

Local florists offer a variety of customer service extras, including how-to workshops, rewards programs, reminder services and more. “Let your florist be your personal gift consultant,” Cole said. “Tap into their knowledge to learn more about flowers, or let them simply make you look good. It's up to you.” Log on to http://development2.safnow.org/hipguide.htm to become one of the savviest, most sophisticated and perfect gift givers of all time.

Background
The independent research, including focus groups and a nationwide survey of 800 consumers, was conducted by The Michael Cohen Group of New York City (January 2005).