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Category: Special Occasions

Host Gift Guide

Posted on by Amber

The season of family and friend gatherings has arrived with Thanksgiving just around the corner.

If you’re not hosting this year and want to show your appreciation to the host of the party but don’t know where to start or what is appropriate, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s Friendsgiving at your besties or Thanksgiving at your aunt’s house, we have something to help you say thanks to the host for their hard work.

Host/Hostess gift guide:

Flowers 

A classic. It’s hard to go wrong with flowers, but how do you pick the perfect arrangement for the host? Consider going seasonal and giving them our Fall Bouquet filled with roses, sunflowers and carnations. Alternatively, you can give them a splash of color with our Garden Bouquet that features a vibrant hydrangea, daisy poms and mini carnations.

There’s a bouquet for every taste on our website, or you can stop at one of our stores and we’ll help you find just the right one for your host.

Chocolates 

We know after the big holiday meal no one wants to think about eating again for a year. However, the chocolates can be stored away for your host to enjoy at a later date. It will be a perfect snack for them later when the last thing they want to think about is going into the kitchen to prepare more food.

A serving board

If your host volunteered to host the gathering, chances are they are a party planner and typically have many people visit their home throughout the year. A serving board is perfect for them to have something cute and functional to display cheese and crackers. This board features a beautiful floral design and the sentiment “the sweet comfort of home”. It will show your appreciation to them for opening their home up to you.

A plant

Plants are the perfect addition to any home and your host will be able to appreciate your gift long after the holiday season. This is also a great gift for the host who has everything, because there is no such thing as too many plants. Consider gifting this Bromeliad Planter in a seasonal orange container or the timeless Friendship Garden.

A gift basket

Everyone loves a good gift basket. Our “Movie Night” basket is perfect for the movie buff while our snack basket will offer them plenty of treats to enjoy well after the special occasion.

Tea

Hosting is fun, but stressful. Give your host some tea to calm their nerves and offer them a little caffeine boost. The Jubilee collection from Tea Forte has a little bit of everything with 10 different blends. There’s something for every taste.

A decoration

If they are a decorator or a collector of trinkets, this Willow Tree figure, “With Gratitude” is a wonderful way to say thanks. The bright yellow flowers the figure is holding invoke joy and the message on the accompanying card will show your gratitude towards them. They will always remember the special occasion whenever they glance at the gift.

Jewelry

Is your host a fashionista? Then treat them to a new piece of jewelry. Consider the Isle of Skye abstract “joy” bracelet to express how being invited to their gathering and being in their company makes you feel.

When picking out a gift for your host, just keep in mind that it truly is the thought that counts. No matter what you chose, your host will be grateful for the acknowledgement of their hard work to put together the event.

Gift ideas for Boss’s Day

Posted on by Amber

Boss’s Day, Oct. 16, is a time to show the leadership at your job your appreciation. 

One way to thank your boss for their dedication to helping you grow in your career is with a small gift. Shopping for your boss can be challenging, however, especially if you don’t know them too well outside of the workplace.

To help you find the right gift for your boss we’ve compiled a Boss’s Day Gift Guide for you. These are gifts perfect for anyone.

Boss’s Day Gift Guide:

Retro Succulents

Plants have been shown to contribute to the well-being of employees, making this a perfect gift for the boss who has to put in long hours at the office. It will give them a connection to nature. 

The Retro Succulent dish garden is a good desk plant option. Succulents are easy to care for and the stylish, minimalist container adds a zen feeling to whatever space it is placed in.

Kork Succulent

Our Kork Succulent is another modern option to brighten up an office space. The neutral colors will blend in with any style and are a nice option for those with smaller work spaces.

Happy Face Succulent Garden

Add a pop of color with this mini succulent garden. The happy container will quickly brighten up an office.

Chocolate & Mug Gift Set

Help fuel your boss’s day with a new mug for their coffee and sweet treats from Hershey’s Chocolate.

Presentation Box of Tea – Wellbeing

Gift your boss a moment of relaxation with a collection of teas focused on wellness. There are three specifically curated herbal teas in this collection and two green teas.

Asher Milk Chocolate Pretzels

Keep it simple, but thoughtful with a bag of milk chocolate covered pretzels from Asher’s Chocolates, a family-owned business based in Souderton, Pennsylvania. Perfect for a boss who keeps a stocked snack drawer.

Flowers

You can’t go wrong with flowers. For Boss’s Day, we recommend our Tuscan, Small arrangement. It features a bold vase with cheery carnations and daisy poms. 

However you choose to honor your, they will appreciate the recognition for their hard work and dedication.

Garden roses are back and a popular option for weddings

Posted on by Neal


Garden roses, which once were the everyday rose sold by local flower shops, are back in their uniquely big and fragrant ways.
Their large blooms and strong scent not only distinguish them from today’s standard roses but also make them an increasingly popular option for weddings and other special occasions.
This is how Alexandra Farms in Bogota, Colombia, the source for most of the garden roses that Connells Maple Lee buys, toasts its product: “Garden roses are to roses what champagne is to wine.”

BRED FOR PERFORMANCE

Decades ago, Connells Maple Lee and other florists grew their own garden roses. What today is known as a standard or modern rose didn’t exist.
By the 1970s, however, an oil embargo made it prohibitively expensive for Connells Maple Lee and other domestic florists to heat their greenhouses. Meanwhile, Bogota, by virtue of lying on a plateau near the equator, enjoyed warm days and cool nights – or near-perfect conditions for rose production. (Today, the major rose-producing nations are Colombia, Ecuador and Kenya.)
But as with many things in life, there was a trade-off: The farther away growers were from florists, the hardier that roses (and other flowers) had to be to withstand the added time and rigors involved with shipping.
So, a choice had to be made between flower bloom size and fragrance on the one hand and vase life (or how long a flower lasts once it is cut) on the other. Garden roses have twice as many petals as standard roses, which manifests as significantly bigger blooms than standard rose blooms.
“In many cases,” according to Alexandra Farms, “you couldn’t get a garden rose with a long vase life if you wanted it also to have many petals or fragrance, so [growers] moved toward standard roses. Rather than getting more beauty or fragrance in the varieties they grew, they got longer vase life. In short, [roses] lost some of their charisma in favor of performance.”
Famed rose breeder David Austin changed that by developing a garden rose genetic line specifically for the cut-flower market.
“Now, garden roses are bred for performance in addition to their charismatic qualities,” according to Alexandra Farms, “so you can have the best of both worlds.”
Meanwhile, improvements in post-harvesting techniques – from hydration methods to anti-ethylene treatments (ethylene gas can promote premature flower death) to better packaging – “have enabled us to grow more productively and ship our cut flowers around the world,” according to Alexandra Farms.
The grower said it has tested more than 1,500 varieties of garden roses for beauty but also for shelf and vase life.

ALTERNATIVE TO PEONIES

Garden roses are available in almost every color that exists for standard roses. True to their champagne reputation, garden roses cost more than standard roses, but they are a cost-effective alternative to peonies.
Garden roses are sometimes described as having “powder puff” petals that mirror those of peonies and make them a good substitute when peonies aren’t available.
Peonies require frozen soil – and therefore seasons, Alexandra Farms explained. The plants must freeze in the ground for months in order to sprout in the spring. Based on time of year and availability, peonies can be considerably more expensive than garden roses, which are available year-round.
But Alexandra Farms, which grows 61 varieties of garden roses in Colombia, noted that garden roses don’t have to be limited to weddings and other special events.
They “can be used for anything including home décor, vase work, etc.,” according to the grower. “The garden roses grown at Alexandra Farms were bred and selected for longevity, as well as beauty. They are hardy and work well for any use.”

Great Prom Night Flower Tips And Suggestions

Posted on by josh

If you’d like to learn more about prom flowers or floral preservatives, you’ll enjoy the following resources. Call Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts at (614) 808-1693 to order your flowers today.

  • This webpage offers excellent tips for ordering and selecting prom flowers.
  • Read this article to learn why ordering prom flowers early is important.
  • Did you know corsages have been worn since the time of ancient Greece? Read about the fascinating history of corsages at this website.
  • Learn more about extending the life of fresh flowers and using floral preservatives by reading this article from the University of Minnesota.
  • Check out this article to learn about the types of prom flowers available.

Make Her Feel Beautiful on Prom Night: How to Pick the Perfect Corsage

Posted on by josh

After the dress, your date’s floral corsage is one of the most important elements of her prom night attire. An elegant corsage should be just the right size and compliment the color and style of her dress. Read this guide for choosing the perfect corsage so your date will feel like the prettiest girl at prom:

  • Ask Questions: Find out what color and style your date’s prom dress will be. If possible, get a picture of the dress or a sample of the fabric to take to your florist. By doing so, you can be sure you’re getting flowers and ribbon that match the dress perfectly.
  • Discover Her Tastes: Some girls love roses while other girls prefer carnations or more exotic flowers. Prom flowers are not limited to the traditional sweetheart roses. You can get corsages with orchids, daisies, alstromeria, and even hydrangeas. Ask your date what her favorite flower is, and then talk to your florist about incorporating that flower in an appropriate color.
  • Order Early: Certain flowers are in high demand at prom time and others must be special ordered. Speaking with your florist a couple weeks ahead of time will ensure you get exactly what you want.
  • Add Some Glitz: Ask your florist about pearls, beads, crystals, or rhinestones that can be added to your corsage. These accents give the flowers an extra special touch and add an element of elegance to your date’s ensemble.

If your prom date wants to surprise you with her dress, you can still order a stunning corsage. White or cream-colored flowers will go well with almost any dress, as will sheer iridescent ribbon.
For the perfect prom corsage this year, contact Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts. We’ll be happy to help you select the right corsage for your date. Give us a call at (614) 808-1693 for more information about how to order.

When Should You Send Flowers to a Person You are Dating?

Posted on by josh

Sending flowers is a nice gesture when you are dating someone. You may be wondering when you should call the florist to schedule a flower delivery. Watch this video to learn all you need to know about dating and flowers.
As the dating coach in this video explains, you can almost never go wrong with sending flowers, even after a first date! Popular holidays like Valentine’s Day are also good flower giving opportunities. You can really make your sweetheart’s day by sending flowers for no particular occasion. Don’t forget to vary your flower choices to keep your special someone guessing!
Call Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts to order flowers for your flame. We can create the perfect arrangement for any holiday or occasion. To order, call (614) 808-1693 today.

4 Tips for Choosing an Excellent Easter Plant Gift

Posted on by josh

Easter is a great time to send the gift of growing plants and fresh flowers to your friends and family members. Many wonderful kinds of plants are available at your local florist, and each one is beautiful and unique. Here are some tips for picking the perfect Easter plant:

  1. Symbolic Plants
    Consider the meaning of the plant you are sending for an extra personal touch. Easter lilies, peace lilies, and palms have religious symbolism, making them great gifts for pastors, church leaders, or family members with a deep spiritual connection to the holiday. Lilies in general are symbolic of hope, peace, purity, and innocence, and are universally recognized as appropriate flowers for Easter gifts.
  2. Practical Plants
    You may want to consider an Easter plant gift basket that will keep on giving long after the holiday. Herbs not only make beautiful gifts for your loved ones, but can also be used to spice up their favorite dishes for months (and possibly years) to come. Some great herbs to give as gifts at Easter include mint, thyme, sage, and rosemary.
  3. Outdoor Plants
    If the recipient of your gift loves to garden, send a plant that can be grown outside, like an azalea. Azaleas are beautiful gifts that herald the spring blooming season and can be planted outside to continue growing and thriving for years to come. In some areas, palm or bonsai trees can also be planted outside.
  4. Colorful Plants
    Decide if you want to send a plant that blooms with stunning color. Gardenias, lavender, kalanchoe, and cyclamen all have amazing flowers that will bring a splash of spring color to your gift. You can even find some bonsai plants that bloom, giving your loved one the best of both worlds—color and greenery.

At Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts, we have beautiful Easter plants that are perfect for giving this holiday. Call us at (614) 808-1693 to order your flowers or Easter plants today.