If you’re living away from your loved ones this Valentine’s Day and want to send a package in the mail, don’t wait too long and pack your parcel carefully. It can take up to two weeks for an international parcel to arrive, and the postal service does see a bit of a surge in traffic at this time of year.

DaFlores takes care of your flower delivery needs.

With its recent woes and cut down of services, you’re cutting it fine already if you use parcel post or airmail, but USPS does have priority mail both nationally and internationally to speed things up (you can even use express mail if you’re tardy).

Another option is to employ services such as UPS, FedEx and DHL to get your parcel there in time. Since they specialize in fast delivery, that should do the trick. Internationally-speaking it can get expensive, but even UPS ground will still get a parcel to your loved one in the United States or Canada before Valentine’s Day—if you get organized right now.

UPS will package parcels effectively for you, giving you security that your thoughtful gift will arrive in time. But if you’re packing parcels yourself, there are two things you mustn’t skimp on: Padding, and tape. You can stash away bubble wrap from previous parcels you receive and reuse it to ensure the item, at the center of its packaging, doesn’t move around. Movement within the box is the single greatest cause of damage.

For lighter items that aren’t breakable, you can also pad with wadded-up paper such as advertising sheets and newspaper, but bubble wrap is lighter and cushions better. As for tape, choose good tape. Store brands from office stores are decent, but some of the name-brands are actually superior. The heavier the item, the stronger the tape should be. Cheap, flimsy tape can break and will spoil the surprise.

Of course, you can avoid all of this work by using daFlores online florist. Our range of gorgeous blooms creates the perfect impression this Valentine’s Day, and your expression of love is delivered right to the doorstep. Since we use garden-fresh flowers daily, they’ll last for at least a week, guaranteed. You can add gifts such as bottles of wine, balloons and chocolates, and we also have custom collections with teddy bears and balloons and other sweet items.

It’s just three weeks to Valentine’s Day already…isn’t that amazing? Time flies when you’re having fun, and January seems to be one of those months that just zooms on by. You can lock in the best Valentine’s Day prices if you order soon; the earlier, the better, since the laws of supply and demand apply quite sternly to holiday flowers.

Beautiful roses for Valentine's Day and romance

It’s easy to order Valentine’s Day flowers from daFlores.com. Pick the country where you’ll be sending flowers—we cover the Americas, and parts of Europe and Asia—then either click the Valentine’s Day button or use the drop-down list from the Occasions menu. You’ll see a convenient selection of perfect flowers that you can send to your sweetheart or spouse. We have romantic roses, of course, but you can also send elegant tropical flowers or sweet pink gerbera daisies.

Due to the exceptional busyness of the Valentine’s Day holiday, we can’t offer same-day delivery on Tuesday, February 14. But if you order now, you can have them delivered on or just before the day. One of our prides and joys is that we insist that our vendors use fresh flowers every morning. That lets us guarantee they’ll stay fresh an entire week—at least. We’ve known customers delighted with our flowers even after that. So you can get your Valentine’s Day flowers early, or even send a string of bouquets in the weeks leading up to that romantic occasion.

Whether you want to go the old-fashioned route and send your flowers anonymously, or just want to include a greetings card, daFlores.com has the team and experience to do you proud. With 24-hour hour customer service in Spanish and English, by telephone and email too, you’ll always be able to get the help you require. Whatever your Valentine’s Day flower needs, modest or extravagant, daFlores will look after you and your loved ones from beginning to end. It’s what we do.

Winthrop Rockefeller and Barbara Sears tied the knot on February 14, 1948. If those names ring a bell, they should; Winthrop was part of the Rockefeller oil empire and an Arkansas governor, while Barbara was a scion of the famous Sears family. They shifted their marriage up from Friday the 13th and within a year had a son and a divorce. But at least this grand society marriage started out right.

Send roses for Valentine's Day

We at daFlores don’t go back that far, but we reckon they should’ve sent more flowers, and our flowers are fit for the grandest setting. When flowers have their own language, sending them can help to bridge the gap in poor communication. And the fact that they chose the year’s most romantic date to marry speaks volumes about intent.

Valentine’s Day is the most common day to marry, and daFlores can help you with your wedding flowers. Whether it’s sprays of white roses to fill your church or centerpieces for your wedding table, our worldwide team of expert artisans has the skills and loving touch you need. Red roses, white roses, and delicate lilies are all perfect choices for your special romantic occasion. And, used often through the years, they keep that love obviously alive and well.

Fair warning, though: If you’re hasty like Rockefeller and Sears, we still can’t do same-day delivery on Valentine’s Day. Order early and we’ll move heavens and earth to make your beautiful flowers.

When you get married on Valentine’s Day, that’s a fairytale starting. The fairytale ending is really up to you. But we at daFlores are on hand 24×7 to assist in your long journey together. Never forget romance and never forget an anniversary when you use daFlores.com on your February 14 wedding day or anniversary.

Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you’re excluded from Valentine’s Day happiness. There’s an art gallery in southwest England that’s come up with a nice idea for this Valentine’s Day. The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol in the United Kingdom is hosting an art gallery get-together on Valentine’s Day, specifically to let singles meet new, art-minded friends and maybe forge relationships.

As a single, you deserve Valentine's Day flowers too

The special event, open to singles only, lets visitors have a glass of wine while looking at current exhibitions of art. While singles often join an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign, there are more fun ways to spend the evening.

If you’re single, take a look around and see if there isn’t an art gallery or similar venue putting on a Valentine’s Day reception. Such events always raise a few dollars for the institution in question, but they’re a good way of meeting others. The assumption is that, if you’re interested in the same topic, you have something in common with attendees. Even if it doesn’t “lead” anywhere, you’ll have had a good evening out.

You can also get together with your single friends and have a meal together, either in a restaurant or takeout. Valentine’s Day can be a celebration of friendship too, and there’s fun and solace in numbers. Add some wine and chocolates to your flower delivery order and you’ve got the perfect opportunity to share.

For those of you who’re single, we at daFlores are just as ready to send you beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers as we are to send them to couples. Regardless of your relationship status, we treat you to a wonderfully fresh and fragrant flower arrangement, crafted by experts. More than anything, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t have to be a depressing evening for anyone. If treating yourself or your friends to a wonderful mixed bouquet can make the day better, we say come on down.

Sometimes we cause pain to one another, accidentally or through misjudgment, and that’s always very sad. Hearts are tender, precious things that are quickly and easily wounded. If you’ve made a mistake and genuinely know what it was that you did wrong, you can say you’re sorry with Valentine’s Day flowers from daFlores. Build your own Valentine’s Day and make the case for healing and moving on.

Red roses for Valentine's Day

The first thing you need to do is examine the situation. Are you truly regretful? Because the slightest whiff of insincerity makes your greatest efforts a waste of time. Then, while this may seem counter-intuitive, make the apology without frills and accessories (i.e. flowers), because then there is no doubt that it comes from the heart.

Depending on what’s going on, the process of healing can take a while. But once you’ve made it clear what your intentions are, you can send your “anytime” Valentine’s Day flowers. Our collection of flowers is the most romantic set we put out every year, so you can easily choose anything from this range and know it will speak of love and romance.

Here’s how you do it: Pick the country where you’ll be sending flowers, click through on our Valentine’s Day button, and choose from the arrangements on offer. You can always add a box of chocolates or bottle of wine if you’d like, as a further personal flourish; some of our Valentine’s Day flowers already have those as part of the arrangement.

Keep at it. Hearts can take a long time to heal. But with sincerity, openness and warmth, you can come out of the other side stronger. True love is all about living and learning and showing a willingness to grow, accept and learn to accept the lessons that life brings.

Valentine’s Day is fun for kids, too! Whether you have a group of seven-year-olds or teenagers aged 13 going on 30, a Valentine’s Day party is a grand way to celebrate the love of friendship. Here are a few ideas for Valentine’s Day decorations and parties for kids.

Pink roses for a child's Valentine's Day

Sweet-smelling flowers can form the centerpiece of a Valentine’s Day table. Spread the table with a red cloth—either a real cloth or an inexpensive plastic cover, available at department, discount and party stores everywhere. Scatter white rose petals or confetti on the table (have a vacuum cleaner nearby for quick cleanup!) Delivery roses come without thorns, so you can order a dozen or so pink roses and have one per guest, or let the hostess—your child, usually—arrange them how she wants. Younger kids might appreciate brighter colors, like those found in our mixed bouquet collection.

Serve pink drinks like pink lemonade, pink-frosted cookies and strawberries. Better still, have the children make their own cookies, either from scratch or from a package mix. Cooking together is the stuff of memories and of friendship! Then serve the food on pretty paper plates. Younger children can take part in crafts or coloring; there are plenty of free resources around for coloring sheets that you can print in advance. Let each child have a set of crayons and enjoy a little peace and quiet as they play.

Arrange for a Valentine’s Day movie night. The choice of movie should vary depending on the age group. Seven-year-olds might enjoy the romance in “Lady and the Tramp,” for example, while teenagers might lean more towards the strange world of “Twilight.” Get your teenager involved in picking out the movie, and work with her to set up the decor—it’s part of growing up. Set up a few candles—preferably in safe containers, especially if your kids are boisterous–and let the group eat popcorn. Flowers around the room will add a sweet-smelling atmosphere.

We at daFlores hope that you and your children have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

The daFlores.com Valentine’s Day collection is here! To access our collection of gorgeous flowers, choose the country where you’ll be sending flowers and click the big, welcoming Valentine’s Day flowers button. You can also select the collection from the Occasions menu. You’ll be taken to a wonderland of red roses and other romantic flowers, such as lilies and pink gerberas. From there it’s up to you, because all our flowers are beautifully hand-crafted by experts that we’ve personally selected.

You can filter your selection of Valentine’s Day flowers based on price, but we suggest thinking of the recipient and matching your choice to her tastes. Pink is great for Mom, but if it’s your wife or girlfriend, you can’t go wrong with red roses. It’s the surest sign that you think of her all the time and really want her to have a special Valentine’s Day.

When your loved one is far from home, we have the Valentine’s Day flowers for you. This is one of our top three holidays and we absolutely love sending your love and good wishes around the world. Whether you want to send flowers to China or to the girl next door, we have the resources you need.

Just browse our selection of gorgeous bouquets, pick the one you know she’ll love best, and fill out the address and payment information. Our flowers are guaranteed fresh for a week so, if you want them to come a little early and extend the romance this year, we can help. We have a wide selection of classic red roses and sweet little mixed arrangements with tiny, star-like asters. Check out Valentine’s Day flowers with daFlores and let us take care of all your flower delivery needs.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Twelve drummers drumming

We’ve just had the New Year, with all the drumming and fanfare that entails. We at daFlores wish you a very happy year in 2012, and this post is the last in our Twelve Days of Christmas series…or maybe that should be Twelve Days of 2012?

With Twelfth Night coming up on January 6, the holiday season will soon be quite over for another year. We hope it’s been a joyous and happy one and that you’re excited about the clean new slate for the future. If things are now seeming a little flat and anti-climactic, how about brightening the New Year up with some sunflowers or tropical blooms Their bright and cheery colors can’t help but lift moods and bring the New Year right.

You can use this time to set the year up in the way you want, inviting all the good things into your life. It’s easy to order New Year’s flowers with daFlores; just go to our website, pick the country where you’ll send flowers, and the language you’ll use (we’ve translated our site into several – even Chinese). We’ve divided our catalog up into different types of flowers, occasions and price ranges, so picking the right flowers to greet your loved ones in 2012 is a cinch. Add wine and special gifts, and you can truly personalize your flower giving.

Whatever you choose, be it tender pink roses or an elegant mixed bouquet with lilies, our team of dedicated, hand-picked florists will bring in fresh flowers daily to create your bouquet. That’s the daFlores secret – we think big, but we’re a family-owned company that cares about quality and your happiness. That’s why daFlores is in the business of bringing smiles – right to your door.

Happy New Year.

 

Twelve Days of Christmas: Eleven pipers piping

It’s New Year’s Eve…in some of our countries, it’s here already. DaFlores has amazing flowers that you can send to usher in 2012, whether it’s for Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year tradition, or for a no-holds-barred New York celebration.

You know that the Twelve Days of Christmas came out of the United Kingdom when you hear of 11 pipers piping. Bagpipes are part and parcel of Scottish culture, and Scotland was a safe place for Catholics. If you recall, back at the start of our series, we explained that the song arose from a time when Catholics were persecuted. At this time of year, when we hear 11 pipers piping, we think of the traditional Scottish New Year, Hogmanay.

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” suggests Auld Lang Syne, which was based on a Robbie Burns poem. That famous Scottish poet penned many an ode, but none so famous as this. The song is, roughly speaking, about raising a toast to old friends, present or not. DaFlores is in the business of connecting you with your loved ones, and sending New Year’s flowers is a wonderful way to remind your loved ones that you care.

Whether you’re near or far, we treat your flowers with the same loving care. Each bouquet is hand-crafted by a florist who not only has at least a decade’s experience, the shop has been personally inspected by yours truly. We don’t want you starting the year with substandard flowers, so we bring in fresh blooms daily – even at our busiest times.

DaFlores suggests bright and cheery flowers to bridge the gap on New Year’s. Reds, oranges and yellows remind us that spring is coming in this dark and dreary, post-Christmas period. They can’t help but bring a smile and show your affection for the recipient.

We at daFlores wish you a very happy New Year, full of dreams come true, success and happiness.

 

Twelve Days of Christmas: Ten lords a-leaping

Flowers are for men, too! We’d like to think that there are special men in your life, men you’d like to make leap with joy when they receive your thoughtful gifts. From your dad to your brother to your husband, daFlores has gifts and flowers that are ideal for those gentle men.

When choosing flowers for a man, look for flowers that are traditionally not very feminine. Pink is usually out, but bright colors like sunflowers and gerbera daisies are in. These always bring a smile and can be safely sent without causing offense. Roses might work under some circumstances; red roses are always fine for a romantic man, while yellow is fine for a family relationship or friend.

When you move into the professional realms, tropical flowers are a good choice. Their fiery colors are bold and their form can be feminine, but doesn’t shout femininity, if that makes sense. These are powerful blooms that could also be sent as part of a business relationship, even to a man. If you’re as bold as these flowers, you can create a powerful impact by sending them and showing that you think outside the box.

Our Colombian customers have an extra layer of goodies to make your men leap with joy. Our gift selection includes tasteful baskets, including man-friendly items such as wine baskets and gourmet snacks. This line is something we plan to expand to other countries in future, but you could also look into our fruit and flower combinations as a gift for your special men.

As we move towards 2012, consider what you could do to help your favorite people start the New Year right. DaFlores is behind you every step of the way with around-the-clock, bilingual customer service and an easy-to-use website. You can bridge a long distance with flowers, or you can have them delivered to the house next door. Whoever are your lords-a-leaping, daFlores will help with amazing flower delivery.