Flowers generally have a positive effect on us. If you have ever given or recieved flowers from someone the first response is usually a smile or an expression of appreciation. That’s why we buy flowers to celebrate all types of occassions - we want the recipient to feel good.

Researches from Rutgers University have discovered flowers also can have at lasting effect on us and can change our moods in a healthy and natural way. You can read the study here. They have also discovered that flowers can help senior citizens cope with the challenges of aging.  (Better make a note, Grandparents Day September 13th.) 

The researchers have laid the scientifc foundation for what many of us already know. If this is news to you then you should look into this further - especially if you are looking to stay upbeat and positive. 

With the New Year finally hear many of us are looking to improve our attitude, lose weight, quit smoking, start a business or make some kind of commitment to living better.  Whether you send flowers to someone or incorporate them into your living spaces you know they can only do good.

What do you think about the study?

As a kid I always appreciated balloons no matter what color, shape, or size. Besides feverishly swatting them in the air as most kids generally do - providing hours of endless fun, or making water ballons there wasn’t much to do with them after that. You had to be careful not to play to rough or POW! bye-bye ballon.

But balloons like other toys have evolved and can now be mutated into different shapes and caricatures. I just love those creative balloon twisters you run into sometimes at the carnival or restaurant. I’m always amazed at how easy they are able to twist a balloon into a dog or a butterfly. I ran across this balloon twister demonstrating how to make a flower. Maybe you can try it!
 

Did anyone notice that December 12 was National Poinsettia Day? The day was declared in honor of the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett on December 12, 1851 by an Act of Congress.  How can we overlook the man who introduced us to what is now the most popular flower during Christmas.

Joel Roberts Poinsett was born on March 2nd, 1779 in Charleston, South Carolina. As a young person he was well educated, fluent in many languages (French, Spanish, Italian, and German) and studied medicine, law, and military science. Poinsett also traveled extensively to Europe and Asia as a young man.

Poinsett served the U.S. in numerous capacities from diplomat to being a member of U.S. House of Representatives.  He was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1825 - 1829 by President Madison. It was during this time that he visited the area of southern Mexico called Taxco del Alarcon and discovered what was later to become known as the poinsettia. (The Aztecs referred to the winter-blooming plant as cuetlaxochitl; its Latin name is Euphorbia pulcherrima or “the most beautiful Euphorbia.”)

Poinsett, also an avid amateur botanist, sent samples of the plant home to the States and by 1836 the plant was most widely known as the “poinsettia.”

Today poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season. While California is the top poinsettia producing state, poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states. If you can’t find a real poinsettia plant there are many retail outlets that sale faux poinsettias.

Joel has introduced us to more than just a colorful plant, but a traditional holiday decorative symbol. And over the holidays the floral industry generates over $220 million dollars during the holiday season.

I’m not sure what else can be done on National Poinsettia Day other than buy poinsettias. Is anyone even paying attention?

Of course there is an NCCA Bowl game in San Diego named the Poinsettia Bowl. But shouldn’t they at least play that on Dec 12?

Whose buying the flowers? Women. Why? Because women see flowers and admire the arrangments, colors and frangrances. Women aren’t waiting for men to send them a romantic bouquet to admire. They are buying flowers to accentuate their living spaces. Recent studies have revealed buying flowers to decorate the home can also improve emotional wellbeing.  Here are some numbers that demonstrate who’s buying the flowers and for what reasons:
 

Data collected by Ipsos-Insight FloralTrends Consumer Tracking Study, 2005.

As the market trends show it looks like men aren’t buying a whole lot of flowers for their wives, girlfriends or moms. The exception of course maybe Mothers Day, Valentines Day, and Anniversaries.

As a romantic gesture flowers are good and they are an easy and thoughtful gift. Some insight from inblooom.com.

Women are buying flowers for a lot of reasons. Flowers are and probably will be something women will always gravitate to more than men because of esthetic reasons.  

Can you add something to this?

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is done in the evening, usually as a gathering of friends and/or family. It’s an occassion where we not only plan the dinner menu but the design and style of the dinner table.

Making your Thanksgiving dinner table look elegant and stylish may only take a simple autum inspired centerpiece. Here are some fabulous centerpieces that are definitely worth checking out,  especially if you’re looking to brighten-up your Thanksgiving dinner table!

FTD Centerpieces

1-800-flowers Centerpieces

Teleflora Centerpieces

Here are a few tips from AboutFlowers to help decorate your dinner table:

• Accessorize a large table by placing a long, narrow centerpiece in the center of the table. Add a few smaller accent pieces or candles on each side of the arrangement for an added effect.
• Scatter colorful fall leaves, flowers and votive candles along the center of your dining table.
• Decorate small desserts with flowers or make an ice ring with flowers to chill champagne or wine.
• Ask your florist to design the arrangements for your buffet table on several different levels to keep the eye flowing all along the table.
• Place a garland of fruit, flowers and fall foliage over your front door.

Some recomended flowers for Thanksgiving:

Chrysanthemums, bittersweet, gerbera daisies, roses, carnations, alstroemeria, lilies, wheat, solidago, monte casino, marigolds.

Just a decade ago most of the flowers we bought came from the flower growers throughout the western and southern United States.  But our taste for more unique and specialty blooms has changed the origin of where we now get most of our flowers.

Although California is still one of America’s top flower producers, with Washington second, U.S. flower growers face stiff competition from Columbian imports, which account for more than 90% of total cut flower sold in some categories according to Food and Water Watch, a Washington D.C. watch-dog group. Countries like Ecuador and Colombia with their lower wages, lax regulatory and safety standards provides a cheaper export platform for competing against U.S. flower producers.

“…Imported roses and carnations have already grown to dominate the U.S. retail flower market, and Colombia is the primary supplier of imported roses and carnations. Between 1992 and 2006, the share of imported roses grew from 34 percent of the U.S. market to 91 percent of the U.S. market, and the share of imported carnations rose from 67 to 97 percent. … Since 2000, Colombian carnations made up more than 95 percent of imported carnations by dollar value. Colombia’s share of total rose imports grew by 13 percent over the past decade, from 64 percent in 1998 to 72 percent in 2007.”

So in addition to U.S. trade policies, such as the Columbian Free Trade Agreement, these countries are able to produce better quality, longer lasting flowers becuase of their hospitable climates, leaving many US flower producers at a disadvantage because of unpredictable weather changes. 

“The reason Colombian flowers are consistently proven to be the best all comes down to the near perfect conditions in the Sabana de Bogata region where the majority of Colombian flowers are grown. Situated just a short drive from the main airport, this vast plateau sits on the Equator, surrounded by the Andes mountains.

Together with a stable all-year-round temperature and strong sun, the region is acknowledged as one of the best growing areas in the world … indeed the envy of many other countries who have to deal with fluctuating heat and light which creates a fluctuation in product quality. Add to that the latest technology, a constant re-evaluation of varieties to make sure they have the latest colours and varieties and it’s easy to see why Colombian flowers have consistently topped the polls with florists and wholesalers alike…” this according to the Columbia Land of Flowers website. 

Together, Columbia and Ecuador accounted for roughly 90% of all roses, 98% of all carnations, and 95% of all chrysanthemums sold in the U.S. last year.

It’s a surprise to know that the flowers we order online or at the local florist perhaps traveled half way around the world to ultimately wind up in the hands of our girlfriends, moms, husbands, home decorators, secret admirers and on and on and on. Now we know!

We all know that vitamins are responsible for replenishing and strengthening our bodies. A recent research study has shown that flowers, dubbed the vitamin F, can help feed our minds with inspiration, wellness, gratitude, love and optimism.

Jayme Barrett, a personal fulfillment expert and best-selling author of Feng Shui Your Life points to university research studies linking flowers with mental well being such as creativity, compassion and tranquility.

Watch Jayme Barrett explain the floral energies in this Video: