Consider this to be your early reminder: This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 11. Do you already know what you’re going to do to mark the occasion? Here’s a tip: It’s a traditional gift to give your mother a fresh bouquet of flowers, in addition to whatever else you might have planned.
Need some help to make the right choice? We’ve got some tips for you to help pick out the perfect arrangement for your mother. Whether or not you’re planning to take her to brunch, give her a gift, or just call her from across the country, you’ll want to send her flowers as a special extra. It will put a smile on her face.
Here are the top tips for floral arrangements you could choose for your mother this year:
- Carnations – Did you know that carnations are the official emblem of Mother’s Day? The flower was chosen by founder Anna Jarvis, because it was her own mother’s favorite flower. Red carnations are the traditional choice for adults to give their mother. (A bouquet of white carnations is traditionally placed graveside when a mother is deceased.)
- Tulips - The tulip is a perfect flower to send because it’s a springtime classic. Of all of the flowers on this list, tulips will best communicate a feeling of refined grace and style.
- Orchids – A beautiful bouquet of orchids tends to last longer than other flowers before fading, which makes it a perfect gift to give your mother. Orchids traditionally are linked to luxury, wealth and beauty. When paired with another gift, orchids will make any occasion seem even more special.
- Daisies – A bunch of daisies might just be one of the most popular choices to send or give to your mother on her special day. Daisies have a long history – think ‘she loves me, she loves me not’ – in the cultural zeitgeist, and just look like what we all think of when we imagine a child picking a special flower out of the garden for mother.
- Seasonal flowers – Is your mother a bit cutting edge, unique, or savvy? Does she like to shop locally, eat carefully prepared food and prefer her gifts to be handmade by artisans? Then you might want to pick a flower that’s grown locally, or is in season during the month of May. Flowers in season this month include peonies, alstromeria, calla lilies, cornflower, delphinium, freesia, gerbera daisies (see the photo above), iris, and so many others. Talk to your florist for unique ideas!
- Foliage plants – If your mother is a more no-nonsense sort, or a well-versed gardener with a green thumb, pick up a living foliage plant. She’ll appreciate having a potted plant as a keepsake. Only purchase a living plant, though, if you know that she won’t mind the maintenance. (This isn’t the right choice for mothers who travel frequently, or have a very busy schedule.)
Bonus tip: Fathers, don’t forget to get a beautiful bouquet of flowers for your young children to give to their mom. It will make the day feel more special for everyone, when the youngest people in your family get to help please their mother. Happy Mother’s Day!