Mothers Day Facts and Ideas..

The first celebrations of Mother's Day can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who worshiped mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. During the 1600s in England a special day was set apart as Mothering Day, a day of taking small cakes and trinkets to mothers.

In the United States the idea for Mother's Day has generally been credited to Anna Jarvis. The first Mother's Day observance was a church service held at her request in Grafton, West Virginia (the burial place of her mother) on May 10, 1908. Because of her mother's fondness for them, Miss Jarvis wore a carnation to that first service. She went on to play an active role in encouraging the government to establish a national holiday to honor mothers everywhere. By 1911 Mother's Day was being celebrated throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico, Canada, South America, China, Japan and Africa. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as National Mother's Day and asked all Americans to offer their respect and love for mothers publicly.

Mom Deserves to be Pampered

For all the work Mom does throughout the year she deserves to be pampered on Mother's Day.

The Society of American Florists has provided the following tips to make Mom feel extra special:

If you're planning on taking Mom out to eat, take a plate, bowl, napkin and set of silverware to your florist the week before Mother's Day. Ask your florist to make a floral arrangement in the bowl and include the silverware among the flowers. Then slip in an invitation to her favorite restaurant.

Invite Mom to brunch or dinner at her favorite restaurant and have a flower arrangement delivered right to your table for all to see.

For Moms that like to cook, ask your florist to create an herb garden design with several small pots of herbs.

Make a special tribute to Mom by sending a decorated "Mother's Day Tree." The week before Mother's Day, take several of your favorite family photos to your florist and ask him to attach them to a plant or miniature tree using colorful ribbons. Prepare the photos ahead of time by pasting them onto pretty colored papers or put them in small frames.

If your Mom is planning on attending worship on Mother's Day, find out what she plans to wear and ask your florist to design a special corsage to match. For a very special twist, choose a new dress or hat for Mom and have it boxed and wrapped with the corsage in place of a bow on the outside.

Give Mom something to relax with by wrapping a new book and asking your florist to place it into a fragrant flower bouquet with a note that reads "Today is your day to relax!"

Ask your florist to help you create a special spa kit. A few days ahead of time, bring goodies like nail polish, a loofa sponge, bath crystals, oils and other pampering items to your florist and have him design a basket with the spa items on one side and flowers on the other. You could even add a certificate for a manicure, pedicure, massage or spa treatments at a local day spa or salon.

If you want to surprise Mom from across the miles, ask a florist in her town to make a floral arrangement and include an airline ticket for a visit to you. Be sure to mail the ticket to the florist well in advance and confirm that he received it.

Incorporate flowers into a theme gift. If Mom is an avid gardener, ask the florist to create a design that includes gardening goodies such as a trowel, garden gloves, seed packets and tools. If Mom is a bird watcher, how about a design in a bird feeder? An athletic would certainly appreciate a pair of workout shoes - with flowers arranged inside. Tennis balls, golf balls or sport headbands can be a unique addition to any floral arrangement. If Mom loves clothes or jewelry, tie a scarf or drape a necklace around a vase of flowers to make the gift extra special.

For the Kids

Give Mom a "double feature." Provide your florist with the latest edition of the newspaper movie section, and ask him to include it in a box of flowers. Decorate the outside of the box with movie theater candy and attach a card that tells Mom she gets to see a movie of her choice. Of course, you buy the tickets and the popcorn!

Let Mom know you think she is your treasure with a treasure hunt! Visit your local flower shop and pick out several pretty stems of flowers. Ask the florist to put water tubes on the flowers. Tell Mom that she is on a treasure hunt and give her clues as to where she can find each of the flowers. At the end of the hunt, have an empty vase ready with a card telling Mom what a treasure she is to you. Then you can arrange the flowers in the vase together.

Give Mom a kitchen break. Take a cooking pot from your kitchen along with some kitchen utensils to your florist. Ask him to make a floral arrangement in the pot that includes the utensils. Give the arrangement to Mom with a note that tells her she is getting a kitchen break. Then let her sit back and relax while you and Dad prepare dinner.

Surprise Mom with a home pampering party. When she comes in the door, have rose petals on the floor leading to the bathroom. Prepare a bubble bath and float rose petals in the water. Place small vases of flowers on the edge of the tub with scented candles and a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Then leave her alone to relax.

Breakfast in bed is a treat that every Mom loves. Dads and kids can prepare a special morning for Mom by greeting her with a homemade breakfast in bed, on a tray adorned with fresh flowers.

For a very personal tribute, write her a note telling Mom why you're glad she's your mom and attach it to a long stemmed rose.

Present Mom with a vase of her favorite flowers. On each stem tie a "coupon" for a chore that you promise to do.

Click here for statistics for Mother's Day.

Visit us online at http://www.southparkflorist.com/

or call 1-800-796-9730

Information provided by the Society of American Florists.

Flower Therapy

DISCOVER THE COLORS OF EMOTION

THROUGH FLOWER THERAPY

International Color Expert Leatrice Eiseman Reveals

How Flowers Bring Feelings To Life

The power of color is well established. Throughout time, nature’s spectrum has played a vital role in areas that significantly impact our everyday lives, from the color of our walls, to our clothes, to our cars – and, even more meaningfully, our emotional responses. In this realm, color may be more essential to our consciousness than we realize.

International color expert Leatrice Eiseman, who has earned international acclaim for her five book titles, including Colors for Your Every Mood and The Color Answer Book, has unearthed the philosophy of Flower Therapy. Eiseman believes that certain color combinations – easily expressed in floral arrangements - can stimulate and relax the senses, release happy memories and enhance our moods.

“Our response to color is intensely emotional, and flowers can be a catalyst for feelings that stimulate more than just our senses of sight and smell,” said Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “An artful floral arrangement has the ability to convey a feeling or create a mood without using words, just color.”

Additionally, scientific research shows that flowers and plants have a beneficial impact on state of mind and emotions. Rutgers University behavioral studies have proven that flowers provide a simple way to improve emotional health – that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

Flower Therapy

Throughout our hectic, fast-paced lives, we seek to rejuvenate ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. According to Eiseman, flowers, in conjunction with their design and color schemes, create feelings that enhance our moods.

“Color can help us find the balance we seek from our surroundings. And, flowers are an ideal way to harness the power of color to enrich our lives,” said Eiseman.

The following are Eiseman’s five emotional color palettes that are expressed through color combinations in floral arrangements and the flowers that bring them to life.

Nurturing: A true sense of caring is created by a combination of colors that are fragile, soft and tender. Arrangements in pastel shades and the softest yellows, peaches, warm pinks, creamy whites and subtle greens make us feel safe, snug and loved. Consider a nurturing floral arrangement for a new mother, a sick friend or a grieving loved one – anyone who would benefit from a caring, loving embrace.

Romantic: A sensation of intimacy, nostalgia and comfort is captured in this color palette, a blend of delicate warm and cool colors with lavenders and pinks at its heart. Romantic arrangements express loving sentiments and admiration to mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, best friends, significant others and brides-to-be.

Sensuous: The rich, luxurious color combinations of the sensuous palette set the mood for sophisticated, passionate and even seductive settings. Robust reds and purples, hot pinks and spicy oranges are at the soul of this dynamic floral feeling. Consider a sensuous arrangement for a very special evening or an elegant dinner party – anywhere you want to feel magnetic and extravagant.

Tranquil: Serenity and relaxation are the essence of this color scheme. Its peaceful palette, reminiscent of sky and sea, is dominated by clear, light shades of green, misty blues and other cool hues. A vase of tranquility is perfect for busy moms, harried professionals and those who seek a moment of calm from life’s stressful situations.

Whimsical: Fun-loving, free-spirited, playful feelings are conveyed by the whimsical palette, which is characterized by bold, contrasting colors. Floral arrangements featuring these hues set an upbeat tone and are ideal for birthdays, graduations, promotions and other celebrations.

“There is no doubt that beautiful surroundings provide us with a special environment that helps us thrive,” said Eiseman. “Flowers are an easy and affordable way to add a splash of color and emotion into your life.”

Your Florist =Your Flower Therapist

To achieve Flower Therapy, it can take just one phone call to your florist, a profession that for over a century has designed arrangements that make moments special. A good florist will ask questions about what atmosphere or mood you are trying to create and will provide expert advice on gifts that enhance any sentiment or occasion.

ASKING YOUR FLORIST FOR FLOWER THERAPY
When it comes to achieving Flower Therapy, consult a professional florist to ensure your desired emotion is expressed just the way you want it. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with the names of the hundreds of flowers available. By following these simple tips from the Society of American Florists, anyone can order flowers with confidence, send the perfect floral gift for any occasion, and choose a gift that takes into account the feelings of others.

When ordering floral gifts, describe the recipient’s personality, as well as favorite hobbies or colors. Your florist can match the floral arrangement with the recipient’s personal preferences.

Tell your florist if the gift is for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary or other personal milestone) or just because. He or she can offer suggestions on how to best create an emotion with flowers.

If the flowers are for decorating or entertaining, describe the environment where they will be placed so your florist can create an arrangement that complements the style and colors of your home.

Selecting A Florist

Word of mouth is often the best resource when looking for a florist. An outstanding florist will have a good reputation in your community. If you use a telephone book or directory assistance to find a florist, look for one with a local address. If you choose a national service with a toll-free number, pick an established organization with a strong reputation for providing great service. For those looking for a florist, here are some recommendations:

Good florists ask questions about what you're looking for, offer expert advice and suggest floral gifts to match any sentiment, occasion, personality or home decor.

Look for artistry in the florist’s arrangements, design and presentation.

Choose a florist who will get to know you, keep track of your floral preferences and send reminders of upcoming special occasions.

Look for convenient hours, easy-access location and a satisfaction guarantee.

From the familiar rose to exotic tropicals, a great shop carries a complete menu of flowers and plants to choose from.

Florists who belong to professional groups are committed to being the best in their field. Look for affiliation with national wire services (FTD, Teleflora), national trade associations like the Society of American Florists, state and local trade associations, and local community and civic organizations.

CLICK HERE for more information on the five emotional color palettes.