Say what? Yep, you read that right. You can send flowers to a MAN.
Aren’t flowers kind of girly? So are kittens and candy, but men like those too. In fact, ask around and you will be surprised how many men will tell you that they would be pleased to receive flowers. Even manly men—you know, the Indiana Jones-type guys.
Having said that, you don’t want to rush out and buy a man any frilly floral display. His masculinity still needs to be taken into account, so some thought needs to go into the type of arrangement you send to him.
Although there is no hard and fast protocol for sending flowers to a man, take note of these 3 standard rules before you choose and send your thoughtful gift:
Rule #1: Choose bright colors and clean, contemporary arrangements
Studies show that when it comes to flowers, men are more partial to vibrant colors like red, orange, and yellow. Men also enjoy green or flowering plants (an excellent option if he’s an outdoorsy type).
Stay away from purple and pink blooms. These are typically a more feminine color choice. You want your man believe the flowers are for him (and not secretly for you!).
Also, choose bold flowers and arrangements with clean, linear lines. A contemporary or natural style is a solid and safe choice. You can choose something unique and unusual, but keep it classy; avoid anything over the top and steer clear of froufrou (please, no man wants to see a plush toy peeking out of his floral arrangement).
Rule #2: Send flowers for any occasion, but be sensitive to the place of delivery
There’s no right or wrong time to send flowers to a man. Think about when he normally sends flowers to you (birthdays, anniversaries, illness, or just for a pick-me-up). Chances are, he will appreciate receiving flowers for similar events.
However, be considerate of the “where”. Say you want to send your fiancé some flowers to congratulate him on his promotion at work. While the occasion is perfect, think twice before you have flowers delivered to his workplace. You never know if someone might tease him for having a bouquet on his desk. Let’s not do anything to embarrass him!
Oh, and don’t bring flowers to his martial arts tournament. Ever.
Rule #3: Personalize the arrangement
While it’s true that many men do like flowers, it’s hard to know exactly how they will be received the first time you send them. Some men might find it strange to get a floral gift if they’ve never been given one before.
The best thing to do in this situation is make the arrangement personal. For example, if your man loves National Geographic, include the latest National Geographic magazine with your gift. Also, write a personal note to let him know why you are sending him flowers. Maybe even tell him you want him to know how special you feel when he puts in the time and thought to choose a bouquet for you.
Go for it! You’ve got nothing to lose by sending flowers to your man. It can’t hurt. If he thinks it’s weird, no harm done.
More likely than not, you’ll sweep him off his feet!
Mahima Narula has been in the floral business for over a decade. Currently, she is the head of business at Flora2000. They are the industry leaders in international flower delivery. Please visit their website for more information.