Say it with Flowers

You can say whatever you want with flowers. Love, Appreciation, Commiseration, Congratulations - the list goes on and on.

But no matter what it is ... what better way is there to show someone you care? You can give flowers on any important occasion whether that is Valentine's day or any other day.

With flowers you definitely tell the lucky recipient that you care. Even if you are giving them other goodies, flowers always add that bit extra oomph to any occasion and especially Valentine's day.

Both men and women appreciate them although you may well select different types for each.

Let’s face it, flowers bring joy and happiness. It’s not hard to understand why…they are a symbol of desirability, caring, fertility and life. They are ideal gifts to present to anyone on any occasion as they are not only fitting for love, joy and happiness but also sympathy, gratitude and appreciation.

This wide appeal and popularity has driven a big growth in flower shops that offer flowers and arrangements and flower suppliers are now providing various attractive offers such as other gifts and discount rates.

Discounted flower delivery is one popular offering by some but not all florists. But you have to be careful, offers will vary with discounts only for certain areas or overseas. Most flower shops provide same day flower delivery services; this is rarely discounted and is often only available within a specified distance of the store and if you order by a certain time of day.

You definitely want to be assured of the freshness and quality of the flowers they deliver. I have found it is best to select an established flower seller especially in these harsh economic times which have seen many small retailers go out of business.

Discounted Flower Delivery Phoenix has this Top 5 list:

# 1 Roses are way out front as the romantic flower for lovers. They convey love with color and the sweet aroma that wafts off their soft petals. There are over 150 types of this beautiful flower so you can go for 3 years giving roses every day before you run out of new varieties

# 2 Tulips are a great alternative to the rose. Traditionally they also mean love and come in a wide variety of colors even black. The tulip symbolizes perfect love with sculpted petals,shape and scent. A simple bouquet of six or more is ideal to give to your sweetie on Valentine's Day.

# 3 Lilies are truly elegant flowers and look best by themselves…with no fillers besides maybe a touch of baby’s breath. The main colors are red, white and yellow and symbolize beauty...so a perfect compliment for your Significant Other. Lilies epitomize beauty and are very romantic.

# 4 Carnations come in a wide variety of colors which can mean different things. Pink, yellow, white, red, purple, burgundy and green. Some carnations even have different color edges. They also live a long time which helps your loved one appreciate them (and you) longer.

# 5 Orchids. This flower is hot! It can symbolize seduction, love, beauty and refinement. A single orchid can be a lovely way to tell someone that you care about them and is very romantic and can show your loved one you are try new things (beside the rose).

Is it the most romantic day of the year? Or is it stressful, sentimental and an overly commercialized nightmare? Whatever your opinion, let me give you some suggestions on how to survive this February 14th with your relationship--and your sanity--intact.

Think Ahead Save yourself a lot of stress and do some advance planning. It will ensure a great romantic Valentine's Day--one where you won't be stuck going to the pizza restaurant down the way or paying through the nose for a rush delivery of flowers. Restaurants are jammed that night, so book early at your preferred eatery.

If you think ahead you could have a more personal gift, such as tiepin, a locket or a bracelet engraved with your lover's initials or a special message. It doesn't have to be mega bucks…the thought really does count. A personal; gift can be more meaningful than candy and even jewelry. Eg a framed photograph of you both, a love poem, a hand drawn coupon for a massage. How about creating a trail of notes and small gifts leading up to the 14th to make it a truly memorable day.

Money To Burn? Americans spend more than $30 million per year on Valentine's Day. Flowers, candy, meals and chocolate are common gifts. However while the holiday is not about how much money you spend, some decide to go for broke and lash out a lot of $$$ on that special someone.

How about a Bombardier XRS executive jet a bargain at $48 million or a private island in Thailand for only $23 million and easily snag a SSC Ultimate Aero sports car for a mere $654,500. Crazy prices huh? But if you’re not an Onassis consider an antique piece of jewelry, a framed picture, a rare book, all will certainly make an impression as will the old favorite diamonds -they are always welcome even if there isn’t a proposal attached. Alternatively, book a long weekend away at a country inn, or a tropical paradise.

Down to the Wirers (you know who you are)

For procrastinators, flowers, candy, and cards are all available until pretty much zero hour. But consider a home cooked meal, or even a special takeout. You can light some candles and put on some music. Write your own card and put your own personal message inside, and it will mean far more. Pick up any book of love poetry for inspiration. Afterwards watch a romantic movie or play a game.

Anti-Valentine's Day The hoopla surrounding Valentine's Day can put people off. Rebels call the 14th "Singles Awareness Day.".

So if you're single, treat yourself to a great meal, a warm bath, an excellent scotch or bottle of wine, a funny movie basically something comforting and indulgent. Ignore the commercial aspects to the day. If you’e a couple take a low-key approach a quiet dinner at home, a movie or a concert. And simply agree--no red or pink or chocolate allowed

Valentines Day, also known as St. Valentines Day, is an almost world wide holiday celebrated even in Japan and Africa.

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. It originated well over a thousand years ago in Europe, is held in celebration of a Saint Valentine. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

There is confusion, even Pope Gelasius I who started the holiday in 496 A.D. only says they were “…great men whose deeds where known only to God.” The link to romance came in later around the 14th century when it was associated with love in one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s poems.

One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served in 3rd century Rome. Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men – as he felt unwed men made better soliders. Valentine defied Claudius and married lovers in secret. He was caught and put to death. Another story suggests that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons.

While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him. Before his death, he supposedly wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression still in use today. So the truth is hazy, however he was clearly sympathetic, heroic, and critically a romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Some feel the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Feb 14th as Valentine's feast day to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival which began February 15th. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed then sprinkled with salt and wheat (spelt). Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been brought up wolves or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. (nothing particularly romantic about that…but wait) The local boys took goat skin strips dipped them in the blood and would gently slap both women and crops with them. Roman women welcomed this as it would make them more fertile.

Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. (this was an early form of eharmony.com)These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. but at the same time he decided the Roman 'lottery' pairing off was un-Christian and outlawed.

During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February -- Valentine's Day -- should be a day for romance.