Archive | February 2015

Valentine’s Day Trivia and Facts 2015

Did you know?

More than 100 million roses are sold at Valentine’s Day. Of cut flower purchases, Valentine’s Day ranks #1, making it the number one holiday for many florists.

Of Valentine’s floral purchases, 64% are made by men and 36% by women. What are they buying?

78% Cut flowers
15% Flowering houseplants
5% Outdoor bedding and garden plants
2% Green plants
Of cut flowers purchased, 45% are roses, 34% mixed flowers, 13% carnations, and 8% other single flower types. Of roses purchased, 74% are red, 10% pink, 5% peach/salmon, 3% yellow, 2% white, 4% mixed colors, 2% other. For whom are they buying?
Men:
84% wife/significant other
4% friend
5% mother
3% daughter
5% other
Women:
24% mother
19% husband/significant other
13% daughter
14% self
12% friend
6% parents
2% grandmother
1% sister
9% other

Source: Society of American Florists Survey results are from a nationwide survey of 481 men and 534 women conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research

love

Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud,
never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges
and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you
will be loyal to him
no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
Always expect the best of him
and always stand your ground
in defending him.
All the special gifts
and powers from God
will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever.
Living Bible I Corinthians 13:4-8

(Pictured: That’s Amore Vase Arrangement of Roses and Lilies)

Valentines Day Trivia

Feb12

Here’s some Valentine Trivia you may not know…

God loved the flowers and invented soil. Man loved the flowers and invented vases. ~Variation of a saying by Jacques Deval

Medieval Europeans believed birds mated on February 14th.73% of U.S. men buy flowers on Valentine’s Day.15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.Queen Victoria sent over 2,500 Valentine’s during her reign.

The Welsh used to give each other wooden spoons on February 14th. During the nineteenth century, romantic Brits would simply pick the first person they say on February 14th to be their Valentine.Finns celebrate Valentine’s Day by being nice to their friends.

Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone on Valentine’s Day, 1876, If it weren’t for Mr. Bell, we’d still be spending each Valentine’s Day waiting by the telegraph.

In the 17^th century, a hopeful maiden pinned five bay leaves to her pillow and ate a hard-boiled egg before going to sleep on Valentine’s Eve. It was believed this would make her dream about her future husband.

Red Hearts are an ancient symbol of love. Because the human heart beats faster when one is excited, the heart was thought to be the centre of emotion and feeling in ancient times.

Interlocking Hearts, also known as the true-love knot, represent two hearts joined as one. Sometimes the true-love knot is joined with a capital “A”. The “A” stands for the Latin phrase “Amor vincit omnia”, meaning “Love conquers all.”

Valentine candy boxes are heart-shaped and tied with red ribbon to symbolize giving one’s heart.

To be awakened by a kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered very good luck.

In the United States, 64% of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic valentines day with their Sweethearts.

73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are Men while 27% are women.

188 Million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually.

(Pictured: Dozen Contemporary Roses)

More Valentines Day Traditions Around the World

Feb10

In France young unmarried people as well as older unmarried people would go into houses facing each other and start calling out across from one window to another, pairing off with the one they have chosen. If the young man didn’t fancy his valentine he would desert her and as a result afterwards a bonfire would be lit where the young ladies would burn images of the young man and would yell out abuse as she burnt the image of the young man.

In Germany women plant onions in pots, giving each a man’s name and placing them near the fireplace. The first sprouting onion is the husband-to-be.

In Japan downtown Tokyo department stores sell elegantly wrapped chocolates, but the candy buyers are all women. In Japan women are expected to give men chocolates. On Feb. 14, office ladies, known as OLs in Japanese, buy giri chocos — obligation chocolates — for their bosses. If a woman is interested in someone, she lets him know by giving honmei chocolates “true feeling gifts,” which bear romantic messages.

In Italy Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a Spring Festival and his held in the open air. The young would gather in leafy glades or ornamental gardens, where they would listen to music and hear poetry read, then they would stroll off with their valentine together into the gardens. In Turin it was once customary for an engaged couple to announce their engagement on this day. For a while before the day shops would be decorated and filled with all sorts of bon-bons. In Rome St Valentine’s Day in known as Lupercalia – a very romantic and pleasure-loving occasion. Order your Valentine Flowers Early!

(Pictured: The Pinks Are Hot)

Do You Know Your Valentines Trivia?

Feb5

Valentine Quiz

Take this Valentines Quiz and test your expertise of Valentine’s Day and its rich history…

1. What did people used to believe would happen if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day?

2. Who imprisoned Valentine?

3. Why was he imprisoned?

4. On what date was Valentine supposedly executed?

5. How many Valentine cards will be bought in a year?

6. Name 2 countries, other than the U.S., that celebrate Valentine’s Day.

7. In Roman mythology, February 14th is associated with which goddess?

8. What custom does the saying “He wears his heart on his sleeve” come from?

9. What is the flower associated with Valentine’s Day?

10. When did Hallmark make its first Valentine Card?

Bonus question:

How do you write I Love You in German? In French? In Spanish? In Italian? In Portuguese? In Cantonese?

Get the answers here: https://tulipstalk/valentine-quiz-answers/

Top Ten Gifts To Give Your Valentine 2015

Feb2

Top Ten Gifts to Give Your Valentine

February is the month of love. Inside every romantic a fire is kindling, making us all aglow with feelings of love, passion and friendship. True romantics really love to “show off” their romantic prowess. If you are one of those dire-hard romantics or if you are a would-be romantic the right gift is sure to put you at the center of your intended’s attention.

1. Flowers always top the list of most romantic gifts. Everyone sends roses. Sure roses are nice and “yes” they are the symbol of love and romance, however some people actually prefer other varieties. Why not be original this Valentine’s Week? Find out what his/her favorite flowers are and send a dozen of those. A bouquet of birds of paradise, antherium or orchids with a card that says “my love (passion, feelings) for you is/are like a tropical heat wave” could be just the ticket to paradise. Sunflowers are especially nice for a friend, to spread some sunshine in the world, to brighten someone’s day. Visit www.EdenFlorist.com for more Valentine’s ideas.

2. Write a poem or a love letter. The art of letter writing is almost extinct (especially with the internet). Think about the last time you got a written note or card in the mail. Did it bring a smile to your face? Were you pleasantly surprised? Not a poet? Check out http://www.poemofquotes.com/tools/poetry-generator.php and http://www.romanceopedia.com/R-LovePoetry.html. Two great sources for finding and writing poetry for the object of your affection.

3. Be original. Why not hire an artist and get custom art created just for your intended? You could find one near you by calling a local art institute, vocational technical school or even college level art students. They will generally do it for the practice and a small fee (unless the one you choose is already famous).

4. Be his/her loyal servant. Everyone loves to be pampered. Give your valentine a gift certificate (or several) good for a chore of your choice (or theirs if you are brave). Check out http://www.edenflorist.com/article_info.php?articles_id=49 to download and print out some FREE gift certificates.

5. Relax and spend time together. Rent a movie, butter some popcorn, turn down the lights, ignore the phone, pager, and personal computer and cuddle together. Feed your valentine grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, or whatever will make him/her feel the romance. Make sure the movie is one they would really love to watch.

6. Create Valentine Balloon messages. Write special messages on little strips of paper (or create them on your computer) fold them and put them inside deflated latex balloons. Blow the balloons up (with air) and drop them around the house for your valentine to discover. Tape a Valentine card to the front door with instructions and a pin so they can “pop” the balloons.

7. Have a scavenger hunt. Write little notes about how you feel or what he/she means to you. “Hide” them around the house along with some candy or a special treat. Add a clue at the end of each note about where to find the next one. When she or he finds the last note, have a special something waiting there, say a candle-lit bubble bath and two glasses of wine.

8. Room service. Rent a fancy hotel room in your own town, order room service and watch movies for a whole weekend. A variation of this might be a day at the spa or make your own spa at home, complete with massage oils…etc.

9. Picnic for two, anyone? It could be outdoors or right in your own living room. Set the scene with candles, candies and his or her favorite food. Let’s not forget the champagne!

10. Write, “I love you” on the bathroom mirror, write little notes and stick them under the pillow, in their lunchbox, briefcase, car windshield, underwear drawer. Create your own valentine box. Ask your valentine to write a note every day from now until valentine’s and place it in the box. You do the same. On Valentine’s Day each of you take turns reading the contents over a romantic candlelit dinner or in front of the fireplace. Who knows, you just might get lucky that day! Be sure to order your Valentine Flowers early. Visit Eden Florist today!

(pictured: The Enchanted Bouquet)