Jacobsen's Floral Insight

HAPPY 2012!

2012-01-01T17:59:00.000-08:00

Start the new year right by freshening up with our beautiful tropical house plants. Green plants give off life sustaining oxygen while taking in carbon dioxide and other pollutants. It would serve us well to remember that without plants and trees we wouldn’t have oxygen. Tropical plants grown in our homes are similar to little air purifiers. Silk greenery can’t do that.

Pick up some green today at any one of our 3 locations!

ORDER EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS FOR BEST SELECTIONS

2011-12-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

FOR BEST SELECTIONS AND LIMITED KEEPSAKE AVAILABILIY BE
SURE AND PLACE YOUR ORDERS FOR THE HOLIDAY EARLY!

Fresh Christmas Tree or Artifical?

2011-12-05T17:23:00.000-08:00

Struggle between getting a fresh christmas tree or artifical?
Here are a few tips that may help with your decision.

Fresh VS Artificial

Pros of having a fresh tree

Fresh scent
Takes in carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases
and release fresh oxygen into the air.
Christmas tree farms help sustain the rural economy and provide jobs
Another tree is planted for each one harvested to ensure a steady supply year after year

Pros of having artificial
More cost-effective
Flame retardant
No mess from needles
Comes Pre lit –saves time! or pack away totally assembled.
Comes in choice of colors!

Cons of having a fresh tree
Sheds needles
Can become a fire risk if not correctly maintained
Can only be left up for a limited time and less economical
Transporting the tree and disposing of it after use can be difficult

Cons of having artificial
Can look phony and synthetic
There is no advantage to the home economy,
most fake trees are made abroad
Time required to assemble the tree
Requires storage space in the home

Thanksgiving "Thanks"

2011-11-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

Are you traveling for dinner?

The customary gesture to show appreciation for the invitation
is to arrive with fresh flowers for the hostess. Take a beautiful
bouquet of fresh fall flowers wrapped or a beautiful floral
arrangement for their home.

Queen for a Day!

2011-05-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Suprise mom on May 8th and make her feel like a queen - give her a bouquet of colorful fresh flowers arranged to perfection! Many choices to choose from, long stem roses, fresh garden mix flowers, tulips from holland, exotic tropicals. Mom not a flower fan? Then show her your
love and appreciation with outdoor patio porch pots or hanging baskets - brimming with colorful
summer annuals that she will enjoy for months to come! Geraniums, fushia's, begonia's, petunia's, baskets, window boxes and urns. Lots to choose from for that special mom!

Administrative Professionals Week !

2011-04-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Secretary's Day is a day to honor our nation's secretaries. Every year, a day in April is set aside for this recognition. Begun in the 1960s, Secretary's Day has become a day to celebrate all administrative assistants for their hard work and devotion. It's easy to celebrate Secretary's Day. With just a little thought, you can let the secretary in your life know how much you appreciate them.
Instructions
1
Send flowers, a card, a fruit basket or other small gift to the office. Women love to receive items like this while at work. It makes them feel appreciated and noticed.
2
Have lunch catered in, or take your secretary out to lunch. Let her choose where to eat.
3
Take a break later in the day and have cake. You can get a bakery to shape the cake into a form such as a stapler, computer or business report. Be creative.
4
Lighten her load. Don't overwhelm her with work on Secretary's Day. Let her leave early. Give her some paid time off to relax or run personal errands.
5
Give her job-related gifts such as pens, personalized business cards, a name-plate or computer accessories. Or give her a gift certificate to a store like Office Max or Staples.
6
Decorate her desk or cubicle with balloons and banners proclaiming "Happy Secretary's Day".

10 good reasons to celebrate Easter -hope this brings a smile!

2011-04-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

10. It's a great excuse to eat guilt free chocolate. 9. You can put on a bunny suit, and hop around and no one will raise an eyebrow. 8. You get away with saying things like I want jellybeans, and I'm gonna eat ‘em to. 7. It gives you a good excuse for wearing yellow and blue. 6. You loved Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of Christ. 5. You really love bunnies, and want to post them all over your Myspace. 4. You have a bag full of eggs and you don't know what to do with them 3. You figure Good Friday sounds like a good day, and might actually bring you some luck. 2. You love the taste of bunny ears, when made of chocolate And The Number One reason, 1. The Good Lord gave us Easter Blessings, it worked for him, so you thought maybe it would work for you too.

Happy Easter Happy Spring!

2011-04-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

Easter arrives in full bloom April 24th representing the magic of spring! Celebrate the holidays of Passover ( April 18 )- and Easter by sending loved ones beautiful flowering plants and colorful fresh spring flowers in celebration of the resurrection, rebirth and new beginnings.

2011-03-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Feeling Lucky?
St. Patrick's Day is coming up on March the 17th!
Stop in for some lucky shamrock plants, belles of Ireland, green carnations or pin on some green for your St Patrick's fun and festivities!

Power of the romantic flower

2011-02-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

A Valentine Flower Gift holds the true essence of love with all types of emotions and feelings. The Valentine's theme is all about love, romance and appreciation and perhaps, the most popular gift all over the world on the 14th of February is the Valentine Flower Gift. Whether it is a carefully bought bouquet of flowers or just a stem, it is sure to express a warm feeling to your sweetheart. Valentine Flower Gift appeals to every single soul with its beauty and fragrance. Flowers as tokens of love are as communicative and as eloquent as words, if not more. In fact, where words fall short and fail to express the deep down sentiments, flowers express them much more beautifully.

Tulip Time!

2011-01-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

Shake off those winter blue with colorful dutch tulip bunches - the perfect way to add some
fresh, much needed color for home or office. Available at all 3 locations - just $9.95 bunch!

Ring in 2011 with beautiful flowers!

2010-12-26T17:10:00.000-08:00

Ring in 2011 with a sparkling floral arrangement for the new years eve festivities
or stop by and pick a wrapped and ready flower bundles that will surely delight the host and hostess! Happy New Year!

We can help make the season bright!

2010-12-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas can be an exhausting time and we are here to help. Stop by for one of a kind gifts
at any of our 3 Jacobsen's locations and let us help make your holidays a happy one. Great quick
pick up hostess gifts for those christmas parties and festivities! Tis the season!

Hanukkah -Festival of Lights Origin

2010-11-29T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication.The Hebrew word Hanukkah means dedication. Hanukkah is also written Hannuka or Chanukah. The holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew Month of Kislev and lasts eight days. Hanukkah usually falls in the month of December, but occasionally can start in November.
The books of the Maccabees tell the story of Hanukkah which occurred in 165 B.C. After three years of struggle, the Jews in Judea defeated the Syrian tyrant Antiochus. The Jewish people held festivities in the Temple of Jerusalem, and rededicated it to God. After removing all Syrian idols from the Temple, the Jews found only one small cruse of oil which to light their holy lamps. Miraculously, the cruse provided oil for eight days. Judas Maccabaeus, the Jewish leader, then proclaimed a festival to be observed by Jews.
During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions are made to the poor. Each evening, one additional candle is lit on the Hanukkah menorah (candelabra). By the last evening, eight lighted candles stand together.

Time for giving Thanks on 11-25

2010-11-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and families will be reflecting with gratitude, and counting their blessings. No holiday table will be complete without a thanksgiving centerpeice to compliment the perfect turkey dinner! Here a few tips when choosing the perfect arrangement for the holiday.

How to choose a floral centerpiece for Thanksgiving

Give thought to the size and shape of the table

If you are using a long rectangle table, choose a long and low centerpiece or 2 smaller arrangements to keep your table streamlined and in proportion. If your table is oval, it is best to choose an oval or round style. Compliment the arrangement with candles for the perfect setting.

Is this a formal Thanksgiving dinner with guests?

Consider an arrangement in a beautiful style with more upscale flowers such as Asiatic lilies, roses, sunflowers fruit and alstromaria ….complete with a colorful pillar or taper candle.

Is this a traditional family Thanksgiving?

Think about a more traditional arrangement such as a cornucopia
consisting of fall colored carnations and Asiatic lily’s or a
sentimental container filled with fresh fall flowers and fall trimmings.

Are you traveling for dinner?

The customary gesture to show appreciation for the invitation
is to arrive with fresh flowers for the hostess. Take a beautiful
bouquet of fresh fall flowers wrapped or a beautiful floral
arrangement for their home.

For more great selections, visit our website at http://www.jacobsensflowers.com/
Or call 877 688 3434

Meaning of Roses

2010-10-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Roses...The gift of Roses can be the perfect way to convey a variety of emotions, so go ahead and express yourself!
Red: Love,
RespectPink:
Perfect Happiness, Grace and Joy, Please believe me
Dark Pink: Thankfulness
Yellow: Joy, Friendship
White: Innocence and Purity, I am worthy of you, you're in heavenly
Peach: Modesty
Orange: Fascination
Lavender: Enchantment
Red and White together: Unity
Sending a dozen roses: Gratitude
Sending two dozen roses: Congratulations
Sending fifty roses: Unconditional Love

Sweetest Day - Don't forget the beautiful flowers and chocolates!

2010-10-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

When: Saturday October 16th

Now here is a day dedicated just for your sweetie. It exists as an opportunity for you to recognize that sweet and special someone. It doesn’t matter who that person is, or what their relation to you. They just have to be "sweet" in order to get a little recognition.
Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland, Ohio philanthropist and candy company employee started Sweetest Day. He wanted to bring happiness to orphans, shut-ins and under-privileged. His intent was to show these people that they were not forgotten. In 1922, he started this holiday by giving candy and small gifts. He often used movie stars to distribute the gifts.
The popularity of this holiday quickly spread. Today, is celebrated with loved ones and friends. However, we encourage you to follow the intent of the original holiday, and find ways to give candy and small gifts to those in need.
Perhaps you should send that special "sweetie" some flowers!

Celebrating Grandparents Day!

2010-09-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

The force behind National Grandparents Day belongs to Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to give support for lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.When is Grandparents Day? In 2010, Grandparents Day falls on Sept. 12th -besure to let your grandparents know how much they're loved and show your appreciation for all the love and support they given you, or send someone you know who is alone and without family some much needed joy by sending them a beautiful floral bouquet.

Growing Trend of Sending Beautiful Roses

2010-08-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Roses are the most beautiful flowers in nature. The beauty and fragrance of these flowers makes them unique and the most popular. Roses are in demand in almost all countries of the world. The colors and different varieties of roses make them more popular among the peoples of the world as a whole. Roses are always the first preference of people who want to send flowers to their friends and relatives. You can always choose to send flowers for your loved ones and make them happy and contented. It is believed that flowers are the natural vehicle for the transfer of love in a beautiful way. Internet contains a variety of sites that allow you to send various types of roses to loved ones near and far. Roses tend to have the ability to say sentiment again and again from the heart, so sending flowers to your loved ones can make them remember your thoughts much longer. You can always choose to send flowers to any of the special events such as birthdays and anniversaries, thoughts of sympathy, etc. You can always choose to send flowers that are grown in different colors for your loved ones for various occasions. Roses can actually help you express your heartfelt feelings to someone close to your heart. Different colors of roses can represent different sentiment. Red roses are for love,and respect, Yellow roses communicate happiness and friendship, and light pink roses and imagine that you understand, or sympathetic admiration. If you would like to express your appreciation and gratitude, you can do this with pink flowers. If you want to convey desire and enthusiasm, then you can do this with orange roses. White roses can show innocence and purity. This trend of sending flowers remains very popular and, of course, is here to stay for many years to come.

10 good reasons to send her flowers!

2010-08-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

10. To remind her that you exist.
9. So she'll forget that you came 2 hours late for your last date.
8. To prevent her from dumping you for someone who will give her flowers.
7. Because you can't figure out what else to give her.
6. Sending flowers is easy – you can order them while you are watching the game.
5. She'll tell her girlfriends about it, and soon you'll gain a reputation for being a gentleman.
4. Because life is a bed of roses. Avoid being the thorn.
3. She'll expect them. Sooner or later. Better sooner.
2. It makes you happy to see her smile.
1. Because you love her!

Happy 4th of July! Celebrate Our Independence!

2010-06-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

Independence Day, commonly known as July 4th or the Fourth of July, commemorates the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and would henceforth be free and independent states. Regarded as the birthday of the United States of America, the day is typically celebrated with parades, fireworks, ceremonies, barbecues and family gatherings.

Show your patriotism and celebrate freedom with our 4th of July wrapped flower bunches and arrangements! Perfect for the holiday festivities!

Fathers Day is June 20th!

2010-06-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Express your love and thanks for Dad this Sunday by sending him an arrangement that's as stylish as he is! Green plants are also the perfect way to lighten up Dad's room at home or office."

" Thanks Mom!" -- Mothers day is May 9th

2010-04-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

The Origins of Mother's Day

Mother’s Day, Muttertag, La Festa della Mamma, Mothering Sunday, Fête des Mères, Día de las Madres...they go by many different names, but however you say it, the expression of love and appreciation is the same.

The modern version of Mother's Day with families bringing Mother's Day flowers and gifts to their moms can be traced back to seventeenth century England. Mothering Sunday was the fourth Sunday in Lent...a special day when all the strict rules about fasting and penance were put aside. Older children who were away from home learning a trade or working as servants were allowed to return home for Mothering Sunday. The family gathered for a mid-Lenten feast with Mother as the special guest. Along with a rare visit from her children, mothers were given treats of cakes and wildflower bouquets. While ‘Mothering Sunday’ is still celebrated, most now know it as Mother’s Day.
The history of Mother's Day in the rest of the world is a bit different. In the USA, the early English settlers often disapproved of the more secular holidays and the Mothering Sunday tradition never really took hold. Early attempts to have a day to honor mother's were mixed with woman's suffrage and peace movements and were not very popular.
Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, suggested the idea of an International Mother's day to celebrate peace and motherhood in 1872. There were many other women who were active with local groups holding annual Mother's Day remembrances, but most were more religious gatherings and not the holiday that we know today.
Julia Ward Howe first championed a day to celebrate peace and motherhood in 1872.

One of the women, who was working on establishing Mother's Day as a national celebration was the mother of Anna Jarvis. Mrs. Jarvis held an annual gathering, Mother’s Friendship Day, to heal the pain of the Civil War. After she died in 1905, Anna campaigned for the establishment of an official Mother’s Day to commemorate her mother.
"Miss Anna Jarvis was as good as her word. She devoted her entire life to the struggle to have Mother's Day declared a national holiday. In the spring of 1908, Anna wrote to the Superintendent of Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother had taught Sunday School classes for over 20 years. She requested that a Mother's Day service be held in honor of her mother.
Thus, the first official Mother's Day celebration was held at Andrew's Methodist Church on May 10, 1908, with 407 persons in attendance. Anna Jarvis sent 500 white carnations to the church in Grafton. One was to be worn by each son and daughter and two by each mother in attendance.
Another service was held in Philadelphia later that afternoon where Anna resided with her brother. Anna had requested that the first official service be held in Grafton, where the Jarvis family had lived so much of their lives and where her mother had served for so long as a teacher and public servant." ( Mother's Day Shrine.org)
Anna Jarvis' campaign is the reason we have a formal holiday. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared that Mother’s Day should be celebrated as a national holiday on the second Sunday in May.
It didn't take very long for Mother's Day to change from a semi-religious occasion of prayers for peace and appreciation of the work and love of mothers around the world to a gifts, flowers, candy and dining out extravaganza. Anna Jarvis was actually arrested at a Mother’s Day festival while trying to stop women from selling flowers. Jarvis said “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment not profit.”
Mother's Day may not have turned out to be the holiday that Julia Ward Howe, Anna Jarvis and countless other women around the world imagined, but it is a celebration of mothers...dedicated to honoring the women who give so much to their families without asking for anything in return. Perhaps every day should be Mother's Day, but most families are too busy with everyday business to say thank you for every meal or every good night kiss.
Once every year, the world stops being busy and says thank you. Flowers, cards and gifts are just the outward signs. What mothers love most is the fact that their families really do notice all that they do and for one day every mom is queen for a day...
Happy Mother's Day!

Don't forget to say " thank you!"

2010-04-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK

Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. Today, it is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays.In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce. Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff. Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.
APW is always the last full week in April. In 2010, Administrative Professionals Week is April 18-24 with Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 21.

Easter is April 4th! Here is a little FYI

2010-03-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

One of America's Favorite Blooming Plants
We can thank Louis Houghton, a World War I soldier, for the popularity of the Bermuda lily --better known as the Easter lily -- in this country. In 1919 he brought a suitcase full of hybrid lily bulbs to the southern coast of Oregon and gave them to family and friends to plant.
The climate there was ideal for growing this lily, a native of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and by 1945, over one thousand west coast growers were producing bulbs for the commercial market. Despite a sales window of only approximately two weeks each year, Easter Lilies are the fourth largest potted plant crop in the U.S., ranking among poinsettias, mums, and azaleas as America's favorite blooming plants.
Selecting the Perfect Easter Lily
Whether you plan to give plants as gifts or use them to decorate your own home, the following tips will help make your Easter Lilies keep on giving.
Two of the greatest charms of the Easter Lily are form and fragrance, so look for high quality plants that are aesthetically pleasing from all angles. Select medium to compact plants that are well balanced and proportional in size (not too tall or short). The best selection would be a plant with just one or two open or partly open blooms, and three or more unopened buds of different sizes. The ripe puffy buds will open up within a few days, while the tighter ones will bloom over the next several days.
As the flowers mature, remove the yellow anthers before the pollen starts to shed. This gives longer flower life and prevents the pollen from staining the white flowers. When a mature flower starts to wither after its prime, cut it off to make the plant more attractive while you still enjoy the fresher, newly-opened blooms.
When selecting plants, be sure to also cheek the foliage. An abundance of dark, rich green leaves are not only attractive, but a vital sign of good plant health. The foliage should appear dense and plentiful, all the way down to the soil line, a good indicator of an active, healthy root system.
Easter Lilies and Pets
According to the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC), certain types of lilies can cause renal failure in cats that have ingested a portion of the lily. So, while Easter Lilies don't pose a threat to humans or other pets we recommend they be kept our ot reach of feline friends. For additional information, contact your veterinarian or visit the Animal Poison Control Center at aspca.org.
Caring For Easter Lilies
In the home, Easter Lilies prefer moderately cool temperatures. Ideal daytime temperatures are 60 to 65 degrees F., with slightly cooler temperatures at night. Avoid placing plants near drafts, and avoid exposure to excess heat or dry air from appliances, fireplaces, or heating ducts. The lily will thrive near a window in bright, indirect natural daylight, but avoid glaring, direct sunlight. Easter Lilies prefer moderately moist, well-drained soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to the touch, but avoid over-watering. If the pot is wrapped in decorative foil, be careful not to let the plant sit in trapped, standing water.

Celebrate St Partrick's Day 2010

2010-02-22T15:18:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to the Irish and the Irish at heart all around the world, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in big cities and small towns all over the world. With parades, "wearing of the green,", Irish food, drink, and activities, there is much to do for old and young alike. A national holiday of Ireland, March 17th is an annual feast day which celebrates St Patrick, the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. A time of fun celebrations, no one will be complete without wearing a green flower or 2 on their attire. Green fresh floral arrangements and green bouquets are available for all St Partrick fun and festivities! Erin go braugh! (Ireland Forever!)

Take a moment

2009-07-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Make a difference…
A study was conducted on seniors to explore the effects flowers would have on those who experience different living situations and life changes.

Prevention in a budvase...

1. Flowers Decrease Depression. Study participants showed a significant increase in happiness and positive moods when flowers were present.

2. Flowers Refresh Recent Memory. Seniors performed higher on everyday memory tasks and experienced enriched personal memories in the presence of flowers.

3. Flowers Encourage Companionship. Seniors who received flowers re-engaged with members of their communities and enlarged their social contacts to include more neighbors, religious support and even medical personnel.

Instinct tells us that flowers lift our spirits, but, their effects on seniors are especially profound, if not surprising. Happier people live longer, healthier lives and are more open to change, with a small dose of nature, (like flowers) and can do a world of wonder for our well-being as we age.

BUY FLOWERS - KEEP SMILING!

2009-06-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Women's Day magazine encourages women to treat themselves to flowers because research shows they will keep you smiling for several days!

The Gift of Roses!

2009-05-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

June is Rose Month!

The gift of roses can be the perfect way to convey emotion….go ahead, express yourself!

Red: Love, Respect

Pink: Perfect Happiness, Grace and Joy, Please believe me

Dark Pink: Thankfulness

Yellow: Joy, Friendship
White: Innocence and Purity, I am worthy of you, you're in heavenly

Peach: Modesty

Orange: Fascination

Lavender: Enchantment

Red and White together: Unity

Sending a dozen roses: Gratitude

Sending two dozen roses: Congratulations

Sending fifty roses: Unconditional Love

Sending colors of emotion!

2009-04-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

What color are you feeling?
Discover the colors of emotion…

Need a Hug?
Arrangements in pastel shades make one feel safe, snug and loved.
Soft yellows, pinks, aqua, and peaches would make a nurturing
Bouquet for anyone who would benefit from a warm, loving embrace.

Feeling Fun Loving?
Whimsical arrangements are perfect for the free spirited and fun loving! Bold, contrasting primary colors, reds, blues and yellow as well as secondary colors, purples, greens and oranges, set a delightful tone and is received with pure glee!

Want Romantic?
Expressions of love and admiration are best suited with a blend of delicate warm and cool colors such as lavenders and pinks. Intimacy, relationships and comfort is captured with this blend.

Seeking Relaxation?
Tranquil describes the peaceful color scheme of clear light shades of greens, misty blues and other cool colors. Perfect for those seeking comfort from life’s stressful situations.

Feeling Passionate?
Anytime you want to feel magnetic, the rich luxurious color combinations of robust reds, purples, pinks and gold set the mood for sophisticated, passionate and even seductive settings.

Flower Givers Perceived As Successful And Caring

2009-03-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

Research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to others gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotional intelligent people.

Flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Upon receiving a gift of flowers, female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and friends.

Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people, having the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That's pretty powerful!

Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers. CEO's and leadership teams at some of the world's top global companies, will see powerful implications of gratitide and appreciation.

A simple call to the florist can make a big impact beyond conventional gifting occasions. Some favorite, unexpected gifting opportunities include surprise recognition for a job well done; an "I miss you" gift for an out-of-town family member, and a simple gesture of "thanks for having us" upon visiting a friend's house.

A successful person is not nescessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts. Not much besides flowers evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.

Send us your comments and let us know what you think on the power of giving flowers and if you have been on the receiving end of someone's thoughtfulness and generosity.