Parents and children celebrate going back to school with a bang. There is lots of back to school shopping and back to school parties to enjoy. But what does the teacher get?

This year, send your child's teacher some flowers. Better still, buy a bouquet of flowers from your local florist and have your child present them. Flowers aren't quite as tasty as an apple but the smile lasts longer.

Another idea is to visit your local flower shop and see if they have any mugs that are appropriate for your child's teacher. They could say "#1 Teacher," "You're The Best," or anything like this. Then, ask your florist to create a small mug bouquet or candy mug for the teacher. Both are excellent gifts that are unique and creative.  Instead of adding to the pile of apples on the desk, add a smile instead with a candy mug or mug bouquet.

Of course, no teacher will refuse a balloon or two, especially tied to the rim of a candy mug or back to school flower vase. They may wish to put them in a different part of the room so as not to make the other children feel badly about getting nothing or something smaller. If this is a concern for you, make sure the flowers are presented at the end of the day or to the teacher's home. Bringing back to school flowers and gifts at the end of the day not only spares embarassment for others, but it also gives you a chance to speak to the teacher when more one-on-one time is available and the stress of the day is gone.

For more back to school gift ideas, contact your creative local florist!

August is the official wrap of summer. Parents and children get ready to go back to school. College students begin the countdown to spring break. Couples celebrate anniversaries with the same fervor and passion as they did the very first time — or at least will with this fun idea!

Anniversary flowers are a must. Just like gifts on Valentines Day, most women expect something special on this day. Anniversary flower bouquets are a great way to celebrate your lasting romance, but why not spice it up a bit this year? A themed dinner date is a fantastic way to earn some laughs, share some kisses, and get bonus points for creativity. You never know. Your honey may pay you back with something creative of their own. Here are some ideas for a very special evening with spicy flair from some other cultures:

(Guys) Mexican Themed Anniversary Dinner Date: Become her Latin lover for an evening. If this seems like the cheesiest thing you can think of, great! Your lady will most likely give you credit for creativity, have a few laughs at your expense, and think you're adorable for trying. Then again, you could pull off the Rico Suave appearance.  Her reactions either way are worth a shot.

Anniversary flower ideas for this theme: Keep two small vases of flower stems on the table while you eat. Red is a fiery color that excites the senses, especially the sense of passion. Also, a rose between your teeth as you invite her to tango–hot! Funny, but cute. Don't forget to shower your senora with compliments and present her with a very special bouquet of flowers for your anniversary. Flowers are something she can keep to remember the evening!

(Girls) Bollywood Themed Anniversary Dinner Date: Become his sultry Indian princess for an evening. Have fun with the outfit. Set the mood for an evening of great Indian food and a little show from the hottest dinner date he's ever had. As with all spicy foods, be wary of his reactions to spicy foods. If this one seems too much for his tummy, tone down the food but keep the theme of the evening.

Anniversary flower ideas for this theme: Color is a huge part of the bollywood movement. India is full of rich color and beautiful surroundings. Live up to this theme with fresh flowers in vivid colors. Ask your local florist which flowers have the fullest color for your anniversary. Though he may not be riding an elephant to dinner, a large necklace of flowers is a fun way to remind him of the culture that you are celebrating.

What do you think? Think your guy/girl will love it? If this idea makes it way from your head to the anniversary night, please return to Flower Shop Network and let us know how it went. Happy anniversary!

This particular "dumb" decision is the smartest decision you'll ever make. Not surprisingly, I have a dumb cane story ("dumb" story for short).

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia picta)

My grandma is all about houseplants. She's 82 now and has been keeping houseplants growing in her home as long as I can remember. She's pretty good at it but age is starting to creep up on her. That's the nice way of saying that she's bound to her motorized scooter and can't really care for plants herself anymore. Since she's only an hour away at any given time, my mother, sister and I usually rotate turns going over there to visit and to water her houseplants.

I was around 18 when she had hip replacement surgery and I stayed with her for a week to help out. She was so funny! All I remember was receiving instructions on how to do everything. If I decided to water the plants, I had to be shown how it was done 70 years ago. If I was dusting the furniture, I needed to know how it was done 50 years ago and why the 50 year old furniture still looks good. She's a hoot and a headache all at the same time.

I'd never seen houseplant leaves polished the way Gram did it. A military spit shine would've left something to be desire compared to this woman's plant care skills. She has Dieffenbachia all over her house so the first thing I remembered when I saw Dumb Cane plants in the photo gallery was the image of her bending over from her then hand-powered wheelchair to show me how experts care for Dumb Cane.

She gently rubbed the leaves of her dumb cane with the ease of a bomb deactivator but none of the steadiness. She mixed up some concoction of soap and water that I'm sure was repeated to me but it just seemed like soap and water. She washed the leaves and turned to me with a phrase I'm trying to forget but can't. It was too funny. Her brow was furrowed and a bit sweaty. Her hair was mussed from the day's chores. She looked at me with as deadpan an expression as she could've had and said "that's why I've had this plant since 1991." Knowing my grandmother, she was probably right. I still couldn't stop laughing, probably to keep from crying.

I've loved Dumb Cane since that day. One look and I'll always remember my Grammie.

What do you think of when you look at dumb cane houseplants? Did you receive one as a gift? Ever given one as a gift? Let us hear your Dumb Cane comments below!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Pardon the off-key singing, but I feel that it's finally time to discuss birthday enclosure card messages. That's right. Those pretty little cards attached to arrangements of flowers from local florists. What makes birthday card messages so special? Why everything of course! Many people even keep the enclosure card in a scrapbook long after the day has passed. You've gone the extra mile to send flowers. You've gone above and beyond to make the birthday boy or girl feel like royalty for a day. The memories are made by what is said and done on that day. What do you want your card message to say?

For most people, sending birthday flower arrangements is the easy part. It is composing the perfect enclosure card message for birthday flowers that is baffling. Trying to be funny? Want something so sweet it rots the teeth? Need quick and simple but sincere? This is where birthday card messages from local florists come in handy. As it just so happens, here is a list of the top 30 birthday card messages as compiled by local florists. When sending flowers this year, make it the most memorable gift of the day with one of these enclosure card messages.

Wacky Happy Weepy Laughy Birthday Card Messages For All

1)       (Funny) 29 again? Talk about recycling! Happy Birthday

2)       May God grant you a day filled with happiness, a year filled with joy.

3)       Today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. You deserve a lifetime of beautiful tomorrows. Happy Birthday.

4)       (Funny) Another birthday? Before you start feeling old and depressed, just keep this in mind: I have pantyhose older than you!

5)       (Funny) Another birthday? Why it seems only yesterday you were a whole year younger! Happy Birthday.

6)       (Funny) Another candle on your cake? That is no cause to pout. Be glad that you still have the strength to blow the things out.

7)       (Funny) At birthday time, it's good to remember our friends. Actually, it's good to remember anything!

8)       Because you're you I'm celebrating today! Happy Birthday

9)       Count not your years by adding the days but with joy count the friends you've made on the way. Wishing you a year of joy and friendship.

10)   (Funny) Don't do anything embarrassing on your birthday this year. You don't have as much time to live it down as you used to.

11)   (Funny) Don't worry about those unsightly sagging varicose veins. Wear a mini skirt and tell people they're net hose.

12)   (Funny) Don't worry sister, you're not getting older just more like mom.

13)   For your birthday, I wanted to get you the thing you need most but how do you gift-wrap a 25-hour day? Happy Birthday

14)   Friends in the Lord are always close at heart. I'm so glad God brought us together as friends. Happy Birthday

15)   Go ahead and have another birthday if you want to. But don't expect me to keep up with you. Happy Birthday.

You're only halfway through! Find more birthday enclosure card messages brought to you proudly by FlowerShopNetwork.com.

People who received a birthday bouquet full of the birth month flower of August probably remember what it is. If you've read last year's August birth month flower blog, "Glad To Have Gladiolus", you probably remember also.

Ok. So I just gave you a huge hint. Don't make me have to work here.

Red Gladiolus Are A Great August Birthday Gift!

The birth month flower of August is the gladiola. Though poppy holds this title, you're not going to find it in a birthday bouquet from your local florist. What you are likely to find in a birth month flower birthday bouquet is a wide range of flowers centered around (or at least including) gladiolus in orange or red. Why orange and red? Because orange, red and light green are the official birth month flower colors for August.

Ready for the flower meaning of gladiolus? "Strength of character; Sincerity; Generosity; Natural Grace" These together make a gladiolus birthday bouquet one of the most meaningful, sweet gifts that you can send! Florists use gladiolus often because it's a fresh and beautiful flower with a lot of features that enhance each arrangement. Add in a dash of meaning and a hint of happy birthday wishes and you have a great birthday gift!

Summer flowers like the gladiolus are perfect for August birthdays. Orange and red are excellent colors to represent the full summer sun, the breezy sunsets of the summer, and the way the seasons are preparing to change. Just before the leaves begin to turn color, August birthdays are very special because they are shared by people who are always on the cusp of something great. Luckily for you, it's easy to find a birthday gift for someone this fantastic. Just ask your local florist about August birth month flowers.

Celebrate Unity With Red & White Roses

Red and White Roses Represent Unity

Red and white roses are gorgeous. They are beautiful whether variegated in these colors or bunched together. With the fourth of July approaching, why not celebrate independence and unity at the same time with a red and white bouquet of roses?

The flower meaning of red and white roses is what drew me to them this July. With a patriotic spirit, I came across "unity" and knew that this flower meaning would be one of the most important yet. Political views aside, we can all agree that a very critical need in this country is the sense of unity.

Many of our forefathers declared "united we stand, divided we fall" and knew exactly what it meant. Having separated from a country once loved, the spirit of patriotism began with those brave people who knew that to be free we must be one force with one mind, one common goal, and one heart.

White Roses Help Express Unity

Unity will never go out of style. Patriotism will never be out of fashion. This Independence Day, celebrate not just with fireworks and funnel cakes but also with red and white roses. Let it be a symbol of the unity that keeps this country great and not the petty differences that divide people. Have a loved one in the military who is serving overseas? This Independence Day is especially important to them because they are fighting for our right to be unified and independent.

There are many ways to show appreciation for the troops. Wear a white rose next to a red rose on your shoulder or a rose corsage. Send a red rose to your loved one away from home. Even if it's a picture sent via email, you can still celebrate with them by wearing the same or complementing color on your shoulder. Later, send them a picture of  you with wearing your rose. What an excellent way to share a meaningful moment.

Have an idea for how to wear a red or white rose? Let us know how you plan to celebrate the holiday by commenting below!

My brother's son was born on June 22nd. It was a bit earlier than we'd expected but we were all happy to finally have him here! I left work and raced to the hospital about an hour away. I found out their room number and walked in. I was expecting "New Baby" flowers, balloons, baby gift baskets, etc. Something! Anything! What did I find?? Nothing!

Nothing.

I was surprised, a little embarassed because I hadn't been able to call ahead for a gift delivery, and quite unimpressed with the calibre of friends who would just show up empty handed for no reason! My sister had already been there and brought lunch. My other brother wanted to wait til they made it home to visit. All sets of parents were acting like normal grandparents. I showed up with camera in hand and expected to have to push away gifts to get a shot of the baby. Unfortunately, no. Ugh.

There is a happy ending. I moved an hour and a half away on the baby's one week birthday. Not wanting to leave without seeing my nephew, I visited him and his parents the day before. Come to find out, their house was filled with baby stuff and baby gifts. Much to my surprise, a bouquet of new baby flowers was on the kitchen counter. I was shocked and appalled that no one had considered baby gifts when we were at the hospital. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that someone had taken the time to have new baby flowers delivered with a stuffed animal. It was adorable!

I know for sure that the next time one of my friends or family has a baby, I will call ahead and have flowers delivered. I do NOT want to repeat that experience.

When it's time to shop for a birthday gift for a Leo, strike "trip to the mall" off of the list. Instead, call your local florist and ask about zodiac flowers for a Leo. This is a unique gift that they probably aren't going to get twice. The creativity of zodiac flower arrangements shows that you're paying attention to the birthday boy or girl and really wanted to go the extra mile for a cool gift this year. Well you did! At least, you will have when you contact your local florist and talk about zodiac flowers in a birthday bouquet.

So what flowers qualify as Leo zodiac flowers and astrological flowers? Here are the most popular blooms for Leos:

Orange Carnations Are Always Fun!

• Carnations (yay!!!)
• Amaranthus
• Peonies
• Anthuriums
• Cacti
• Sunflowers
• Venus Fly Trap (though you'll have to go farther than your local florist to find this TRULY unique gift)

So when it comes to shopping around for a birthday gift for your loveable Leo, look to your local florist. They have just what you need this year — zodiac flowers!

My best friend recently had a baby. My brother and sister in law are about to welcome a son also. It's hard to stop the maternal inclination that comes from being around wonderful women like this. It's also hard to plan a baby shower without thinking about new baby gifts. Of course, it's easy to opt for the cute gifts with the "ooo" and "awww" factor. It's just as easy to be practical and get Mommy gifts that she'll need when little baby arrives. However, the best new baby gift is the one that isn't about the baby at all-it's about mommy.

Celebrating the birth of a child, just like with every other occasion, flowers are a great gift for making the woman feel special. Friends of the daddy? Send flowers and you'll be in momma's good graces also! The part that most people get stuck on is the card message. It can be difficult to put sentiments into words with new baby card messages. For those of us rather handicapped in regard to this particular ability, the following list makes it easy to say congratulations. Local florists have spoken. Here's what their top 10 new baby card messages have to say.

Lullabye & Goodnight:  Top 10 New Baby Card Messages

1)       Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.

2)       Best wishes to you and your new little one.

3)       Babies are a gift from heaven. You must be special to have one of its angels.

4)       Congratulations on your new arrival.

5)       May the joy of parenting bring you a lifetime of laughter and happiness.

6)       Wishing your family a happy and healthy life together.

7)       Cheers to you and your growing family.

8)       May your child have a lifetime of health, love, and happiness.

9)       Goodbye tummy. Hello Mommy!

10)     Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Want to view all 20 new baby card messages? The next 10 are just a click away. There you can print them to share with your customers or email the link to a friend. Brought to you by FlowerShopNetwork.com.

So they don't really bounce. Rubber plants are still pretty awesome. Even people who aren't familiar with houseplants know what a ficus is. Well, rubber plants are among the most popular in the ficus genus. Rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are seen in households and offices all over the country. There's more than one reason for it. Here are several reasons why the rubber plant is so popular with every type of person (*hint* they make great gifts too!):

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

For the person who has too much love to give, rubber plants require some loving. They need moderate attention because they require a moist but well drained environment, a balance of light and shade, and a steady fertilizer regimen over its life.

For the person who has a black thumb, rubber plants are good practice. They're pretty resilient, even if they do require a little more attention than most houseplants. Ficus elastica can stand up to a moderate black thumb. If someone needs a houseplant to practice plant care on, try the Ficus elastica. It's a beautiful houseplant and easy to love!

For the person who has a green thumb, it's enough of a break to be easy but isn't so "stand back and watch" that it's boring. Rubber plant care is great for the houseplant lover who has been nurturing houseplants for years. Challenging but not draining, entertaining but not overwhelming.

For the cubicle dweller with a grudge, rubber plants slow the desire to permanently call it a day. Some days at the desk are just not worth enduring, or so it seems when the cubicle is lifeless. Rubber plants are convenient for the office and bring enough natural cheer to the room to inspire more productivity, creativity, and a positive demeanor.

For the sleepless new mom, rubber plants pose no fear of harming the baby. Rubber plants also last a while when properly cared for. This is something that takes only 3 minutes a few times per week. Easy to do when baby is sleeping! Plus, rubber plant baskets pose no threat when babies crawl into them. Use them for climbing support? Maybe.

These aren't the only reasons why people love rubber plants but they sure are a great place to start!