Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.  ~Seneca

It’s funny the holidays you come across when you spend the majority of your time googling flowers. Did you know that there is a World Kindness Day? Impressive.

Gee Beet Phang (Photo: The Straits Times)

World Kindness Day was started just over a decade ago at the first World Kindness Movement conference in Tokyo, Japan. Apparently, there was a 35 year tradition of participating in a day that celebrated small acts of kindness. (Sounds a lot like the American “Sweetest Day”, doesn’t it?)

The purpose of World Kindness Day is very communal and sweet. It’s a day established to encourage people to remember that we are not just a person of one race, country, creed or religion. We are a part of the world which is made up of wonderful, different people. Each and every person deserves love because of their humanity, not just something special they have done, said or are.

It’s a beautiful sentiment shared by millions which have caused the holiday to spread our way. This year, we celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13th.

You can read more about World Kindness Day (it’s all over the Internet), but here’s the story that caught my attention:

Get Beet Phang is a 60-year-old cleaner who clears tables at a Suntec food court in Singapore. This act was part of the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) which hopes to extend good tidings through World Kindness Day on the 13th.

Get Beet Phang received 35 bright yellow gerbera daisies on Tuesday, November 3rd, from colleagues who wanted to show their appreciation for how kind and helpful she has been all of these years. In the article from The Straits Times, the recipient goes on to say that she has been working for 13 years and has never received as many flowers. The look on her face in the photo that runs with the article is priceless. She looks elated to have received so much attention.

The SKM is prepared to donate more than 40,000 daisies to donate and will be celebrated in over 60 venues in Singapore alone. Imagine what kind of trademark we could leave on the world if we decided to send flowers or a card to someone that we value. The idea is mind-boggling and exhilarating.

It’s small acts of kindness like this that make it easy for people to be gracious to one another. Kindness is contagious. You almost feel obliged to be kind to someone who has been nice to you because you want to make them feel what you felt. Rather than spreading negativity, why don’t we do something of our own to take part in World Kindness Day?

What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind.  ~Cleveland Amory

Chinese Valentine’s Day is actually very cool. They do not regard their form of the holiday in the same way as we western hemispherians. (*grin*) It’s still a neat holiday for lovers and I’ll tell you why. But first! — a little Chinese Valentine’s Day history for you history buffs.

The History of Chinese Valentine’s Day

Chinese Valentine’s Day falls on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. For those playing along at home, that’s August 26, 2009. The traditional story is a love story told of two star-crossed lovers (a droll joke, or so you’ll later learn). One is the 7th daughter of the Emperor of Heaven. Her love interest is an orphaned cowherd. A true “he’s from the wrong side of the tracks” story or a pasture in this case.

Anyway, the emperor couldn’t stand the thought of them together so he decided to banish them to stars far away. He sent his daughter to the star Vega and the cowherd to the star Altair. Being a somewhat benevolent father, he decided to allow them to see each other once a year. You can probably see where this is going. That day–now celebrated as Chinese Valentine’s Day–is the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar Chinese lunar calendar. You can almost hear the a-ha’s.

Modern Celebration of Chinese Valentine’s Day

Chinese girls and women do not take their dates for a night out and expect an armful of chocolates and flowers. Instead, they all visit a matchmaker in hopes that doing so will provide blessings for their future relationships. Couples in love also go to the matchmaker to ask for blessings on their relationship. There are several other interesting traditions but the one that really caught my eye for obvious reasons is how the young ladies use flowers.

They decorate the ox’s horn with flowers in hopes of preventing future disasters in their relationships. My only question now is where do I find a PETA approved Ox horn and a bucket full of flowers?

How Florists Help Celebrate Chinese Valentine’s Day

Lovers may not be visiting their florist for love advice on this day but that doesn’t mean that florists can’t help lovers find a way to share their affection. In fact, the westernization of many traditional celebrations puts them in the starting line-up! Aside from the crazies like me muttering something about “flowers for my ox horn”, you can still give fun gifts from the local flower shop to your lover on this day.

If you are a Chinese-American or just one who likes to celebrate random holidays (and I do!), this is a fun occasion for gift giving. Surprise your date with a bouquet of flowers as you leave to see “the matchmaker” in your life. A cute little twist would be to send flowers with an enclosure card that reads “for your ox horn”. Now off to my local florist for a gift for the most non-traditional traditional holiday I’ve ever heard of!

Earth Day is today–April 22, 2009. The pre-k students at the local school (my favorite little girl included) are celebrating Earth Day 2009 with an outdoor picnic. I thought that was a great idea.

My grandmother’s 80-something birthday (she stopped counting in the 1960s) is tomorrow so I’m going to her house to plant a tree in her backyard and do some light gardening.

My brother and his wife are very environmentally conscious. They are throwing a small get-together for some of their friends; much like a raw food party. What are you doing to celebrate?

I want your stories and ideas for how to celebrate Earth Day in 2009. Are you spending time outside today? Are you spending time with friends and family? Reading a nature book to your child as tonight’s bedtime story? Who knows. Maybe you’ll give me and someone else a great idea for Earth Day 2010!

Happy Earth Day!

That’s right. Sunday is International Woman’s Day 2009. I didn’t know much about it until last year when I was talking with a friend who had received flowers for this holiday. The conversation was less than enlightening and went something like this.

• Me:  Oh cool flowers. What’s the occasion?
• Her:  Thanks. International Woman’s Day.
• Me:  What??
• Her:  International Woman’s Day. It’s pretty awesome.
• Me:  What is it?
• Her:  *Blah blah blah* Google it.

Anyway, I took her advice and got some pretty good information. Check it out! International Woman’s Day has been around since the early 1900s. Can you imagine celebrating something like this when women weren’t allowed to vote? This was a severely restricted time for women. That took a lot of guts! Sometimes I just want to hug the women that came before us and tell them thanks for making it possible for us to be who we are.

IWD has been celebrated on March 8th of every year since 1913. That happens to fall on a Sunday this year so I recommend sending flowers a day or two early. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Even better, it’s a wonderful gesture to receive flowers from a sorority sister, secret sister or secret pal, husband, best friend or relative.

To celebrate together is an amazing thing. To stand up and acknowledge the things that our ancestors have done is incredible. To sit down together and enjoy being able to work normal hours for nearly identical pay is another thing for which to be thankful. Much in the minority among other women, I’m a bit of a chauvinist who tends to side with men. I’ll admit it. Even the ladies that fall into this group can’t help but appreciate the rights that we have thanks to brave women that preceded us.

Know a lady that exudes quality? Perhaps it’s her bravery or courage that make her stand out. Perhaps she’s the sweetest little old church lady that ever existed. Whatever this woman is/did/does to make you love her, acknowledge that with the gift of flowers for International Woman’s Day. Why not? Maybe the compliment will be returned to you one day when someone falls in love with every wonderful quality that you possess.

Get your bragging shoes on. We want to hear your stories about the women in your life that have made it possible for you to be who you are. Who are you celebrating on International Woman’s Day? Even if you’re celebrating you, share your stories with us here.

Joyeux Noel. Feliz Navidad. Mo’adim Lesimkha. Mele Kalikimaka. Merry Christmas.

Kier, Brynn, and Matt of Flower Shop Network hope to spread smiles from our hearts to yours. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

No matter how you choose to say it this year, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Flower Shop Network!!! As we share time with friends and loved ones, we are also very thankful for you. We wish you the best of moments and happy memories this holiday season.

Crimson and Cream Bouquet of Fresh Flowers

With Christmas Eve just a day away and Christmas Day just after that, it’s very likely that you already have your Christmas decorations up and out. However, some decorations are just better when brought out the day of or the day before the occasion. Any person that wants to decorate with fresh flowers should consider this unspoken rule.

While time is of the essence as the holiday crunch begins, there’s no need to worry about adding a whole bunch of time to your holidays. Just relax because these fresh flower decorating tips are quick, easy and beautiful:

• Two to three days before your holiday dinner, pick up a Christmas flower arrangement from your local florist. This can be placed on the family table before the meal and easily moved when the food is being served. While guests are mingling, a colorful arrangement can serve as a festive centerpiece.

• Another fun idea is to ask your local florist for stems of flowers. Single flowers can be sporadically placed in the midst of the Christmas tree branches to add a fresh flair. The deep green of a Christmas tree creates a lovely backdrop for poinsettias and other known holiday flowers, but other flowers might be easier to find in single stems. As with any fresh flower idea, decorate with these items within 1-3 days of the holiday.

• “Oh by gosh, by golly. It’s time for mistletoe and holly.” While Frank and Bing sing this little ditty, get in the spirit by hanging bunches of mistletoe in the doorposts. These beautiful little berries can also be used as placecard holders. Take a small sprig and insert a placecard between the stems. This is a very festive decoration that guests will love.

These fun ideas take almost no time but add a significant bit of decor to the home. Guests will love your creative use of fresh flowers.

Have a fun tip for decorating with fresh flowers? Please share your comments below.

Though many of us will be buried elbow deep in a Thanksgiving turkey by now, or tofurkey for many of my friends, myself and the rest of the Flower Shop Network crew wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you have a blessed and happy holiday.

Thanksgiving Unity Floral Centerpiece

Every year I’m invited to an elaborate Thanksgiving party, and must greet the occasion with an air of Southern hospitality. Many people have heard the common rule, “Never arrive to a party empty-handed.” It’s one of those understood rules of etiquette that can be a bit hard to carry out in a unique way for yearly occasions such as Thanksgiving gatherings. However, I recently learned of a very fun and festive gift for the hostess.

Jamie and I were recently discussing our upcoming plans for Thanksgiving. Though I think my presence is gift enough, I still wanted to find a great gift for the ladies in my family that are hosting our Thanksgiving dinner this year. Jamie is wise in the ways of the world and suggested a unique fall floral centerpiece. We brainstormed for a bit about all of the ingredients in a gift like this such as miniature pumpkins, colorful foliage, fall flowers, berries and more. When we put all of these things together, I knew that I just had to share this great gift idea.

Nature's Bounty Cornucopia

Imagine how beautiful a carved pumpkin with flowers brimming over the top would look next to the turkey. Want something a little smaller? Try surrounding pillar candles with a wreath of fall flowers. These very traditional Thanksgiving centerpieces are tried-and-true gifts. For the real traditionalist, a cornucopia filled with fall flowers and festive fruits is a great way to liven up the table.

If you don’t feel up to the task of creating your own fall centerpiece but are still interested in sending flowers to your host, contact your local florist whose creative fall centerpieces will soon become the life of the party!

Happy Halloween From Flower Shop Network!

Flower Shop Network employees, including myself, recently enjoyed a small Halloween celebration while we were working through the holiday. Many of us chose to come to work in our costumes, snacked on festive goodies, and enjoyed a day of jovial jabs.

From a giant Lego man to a small hillbilly woman, we had a wide range of costumed friends roaming around the halls. Being in the festive mood, I’ve decided to post some of the pictures in hopes that it would inspire you to equally wonderful moods this holiday season. Who knows? This may even be what sways you toward throwing that fun holiday office party for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Frightfully Good Customer Service

Clowning Around With The Indians

(Left) Anita Perkins of FGmarket.com dresses as a cute little clown; the pretty Indian maiden, Wedding and Party Network’s Lacey Willie, poses alongside.

(Right) It’s hard to tell who is a super villain and who is a super heroine in this photo. Samantha Reavis scares up a good time as an FSN Relay Coordinator. Brynn Jackson (me!!) tries to be inconspicuous as Super Girlfriend by night and FSN Copywriter and Brilliant Blogger by day. Not exactly Clark Kent, but it works. Kristin Evans, another FSN Relay Coordinator, is a frightful sight for sore eyes on the far right.

Thats One Giant Lego

Angel of Mercy

(Left) Kier Heyl of Technologies poses as a giant Lego™. For those of us who know Kier best, there is no doubt that this is the most perfect costume for him ever. Ever.

(Right) Gena Parrish, a wonderful Relay Coordinator for Flower Shop Network, comes as an angel of mercy. After all, it is breast cancer awareness month! Gena’s recent bout with cancer herself has been an inspiration to us all. We always knew she had a halo somewhere!

Wilma-Billy

Super Girlfriend By Night

(Left) Wilma Baney of Wedding and Party Network looks like she could make a mean smoked opossum! Underneath that gruff exterior is one of the sweetest people around though. I’m suddenly tempted to buy barbecue sauce and corn cobs.

(Right) Brynn Jackson by day, Super Girlfriend by merit…er…night. Pay close attention. You never know what superpowers your friendly copywriter may possess. I stand for all that is good, romantic, and entirely devoted in the world.

Kristin As Cruella Deville

Lacey Summons Rain

(Left) Lacey Willie summons rain, or so we think, during a temporary break from pictures and fun on the phone. It’s hard to type the sound that is made when someone pats their hand to their mouth and mimics an Indian so I’m going to suggest taking a moment to figure it out for yourself. *moment*

(Right) Kristin Evans, though disguised as Cruella Deville from 101 Dalmatians, secretly loves dogs. We’re now all hoping that her hair naturally grays in this way. Seriously.

When spooky frights and ghastly sights have your head all in a tizzy over Halloween decorations, put your weary mind at ease with these great decorating tips!

• Quirky jack-o-lanterns become the life of the party when used as a creative vase for fresh fall flowers. This idea is also great for pumpkin decorating parties, Halloween party ideas, or for fun daytime autumn decor without hassle. Another great perk is that flowers are much safer for children than candles.

• Pumpkins, gourds, and squash come in a variety of colors making them perfect for lining along a walkway, adorning a stairway, decorating a mantlepiece, or as festive minis inside colorful fall flower centerpieces and arrangements.

• Whisper a sweet hello to candy corn! The sugary confection is always one of the first signs that fall has arrived. Small containers or glasses filled with candy corn make excellent placecard holders for Halloween parties. If sending flowers for Halloween, ask your local florist to attach a small bag of candy corn to the arrangement with orange and black ribbon. Sending a gift basket? Don’t forget this unforgettable item!

• Christmas has mistletoe; Halloween has mums. Another way to decorate for your Halloween party is by carefully placing potted chrysanthemum blooming plants around the home and garden. Chrysanthemums are easily decorated with small plastic spiders and scary toys. When lining walkways or adding color to a porch, mums scream “frighteningly fun” — and isn’t that what you’re going for?