You Can't Go Wrong With Flowers And Chocolate
Flowers and chocolate: the classic gifts.
You want to get a gift for the one you love, the hostess who invited you over or as a thank you for a close friend. Immediately, you think of some of the classic presents. Should you bring flowers? How about sending some chocolate? Even better, give both! You may think these gifts are clichéd, but they are classics for a reason. Flowers and chocolate are nearly always appreciated and are ideal to give for a variety of reasons. Still need some help? These tips will help you select the perfect flowers and chocolate for whatever you want to say.
Choosing Chocolate
With chocolate, bigger is not necessarily better. While some brands have splashy big boxes or assortments nestled into velvet-covered heart-shaped boxes, glamorous packaging does not tell you anything about the quality of the chocolate that rests inside. In most cases, the boxes of chocolate you can buy at discount stores, drugstores and grocery stores is mediocre at best. Spend a little time and money to go to either a local chocolate confectionary or to pick up a box of high quality chocolate from a quality chocolate provider. Think about the person for whom you are buying the chocolate.For a romantic gift, consider a tiny box of specialty truffles. For a hostess gift, a larger assortment she can share would be lovely.
Buying chocolate for Grandma? If she wears dentures, you may want to avoid the nuts and chews. There are even sugar-free varieties available for those with health concerns. While most chocolate stores have pre-packed boxes, you can also go in and select a custom assortment. This is the ideal way to get someone's favorite flavors, with none of the fillings that no one ever wants.
Selecting Flowers
Your local florist has hundreds of floral options; how can you select what to give? While it is difficult to go wrong with flowers, you can give the perfect bouquet. If you want to say romance with your flowers, try a bouquet of a single variety of flowers. Roses are always beautiful and fragrant.
Want something lighter hearted? Try tulips or Gerber daisies for a fun bouquet for the one you love. Arrangements are nice floral gifts for hostesses, friends and family. Select seasonal blooms to match the décor of the recipient, a favorite color, or a theme. You can find highly cultivated floral arrangements or something a little more free-form like a bouquet of wildflowers. For a charming summer bouquet, put together a bunch of violets and Queen Anne's lace. If exotics are more to your taste, look to lilies or orchids.
Want to honor someone on a special day? Maybe a wrist corsage is in order. For a longer lasting floral gift, look for potted flowering plants. Many floral plants will keep their blossoms for several weeks and some perennials will even continue to bloom each year. Some classic perennials are miniature roses, African violets and orchids.
Whatever you select, as long as it is from the heart your gift of flowers and chocolate is sure to be appreciated.
Author: Ann MacDonald
About Author: Ann MacDonald is a Southern California based freelance writer. She has written for a number of print and web magazines and holds a B.A. in Communications Studies.