With a brand new year on the horizon, we've all started thinking about what we can do to make it better than the previous. We all have good intentions when creating New Years' resolutions, however, most of us never follow through. Why? We tend to make a lot of promises to ourselves we can't keep — Loose 20 lbs; stop smoking; read a book every month. While these are great goals to have, it can be extremely overwhelming to start these all at once on January 1st.

How To Keep Those New Year's Resolutions

Choose New Year's resolutions that aren't as hard to keep. Instead, make goals to yourself that are broad, fit into your routine and are also fun to do! Instead of focusing on drastically changing your habits, choose resolutions to enhance those aspects of your lifestyle.

Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year

Each flower has a meaning that dates back as far as Victorian times. These meanings symbolize anything from 'love' to 'wealth & prosperity.' This New Years, let flowers symbolize what you want 2012 to mean to you. Symbolic flowers with specific meanings will help you visualize and empower your goals. Order flowers for yourself or to decorate your home for the new year, make it a new tradition. Use the flower meanings tool to find symbols of exactly what you want your new year to be for you and your family.

Best New Year's Resolutions To Keep

• Spend more time with family. (Aster, Lily, Statice)
• Go to lunch with friends more often. (Aster, Peony)
• Enjoy life more. (Gerbera Daisy, Peony, Statice)
• Find time to read more. (Iris, Protea, Heather)
• Learn something new. (Iris, Protea)
• Join a gym class you'll actually enjoy. (yoga, dancing?) (Gerbera Daisy, Protea)
• Save money. (Iris, Heather, Bells of Ireland)
• Find ways to recycle more. (Iris, Aster, Protea)
• Cut back on smoking. Find ways to commit to the quit. (Protea, Gerbera Daisy, Aster, Lily)
• Devote more time to hobbies and fun. Especially with the family. (Aster, Peony, Statice)
• Visit somewhere new. (Protea, Heather, Gerbera Daisy)
• Give or volunteer to help those in need. (Aster, Protea, Heather)

Here are a few good flower meanings to get you started: Continue reading "Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year Resolutions" »

Colorful candles burning bright, each lit on eight very special nights.

Hanukkah is here! The first candle lighting began last night and today is the first day of Hanukkah. So grab your dreidel, it's time to celebrate Hanukkah!

What Is Hanukkah? A History

Hanukkah celebrates the triumph of faith and courage over military might, when a band of Israelites stood up for their right to be Jewish. They were prohibited under penalty of death from studying their sacred texts or performing important mitzvot. Their holy Temple had been defiled, and they were ordered to worship other gods. A small band of faithful Israelites, known as the Maccabees, rose up and defeated the invaders, reclaimed the Temple, and rededicated it to God.

The eternal flame in the Temple's great menorah (the lamp stand) had to be lit, but the Jews had only a one-day supply of the sacred olive oil needed to burn (which took 8 days to prepare). They decided, in faith, to light the flame anyway, and a great miracle occurred. The jug of oil refilled itself every day with enough oil to relight the Temple's great menorah, and this continued for 7 days, the exact time it took to prepare new oil!

Continue reading "Hanukkah: Love & Light" »

By now you've probably got all of your Christmas decor up, shopping mostly done, and are looking forward to the last of the holiday parties. Have you gotten a hostess gift yet? If not, your florist has you covered! Skip the busy mall and visit your local flower shop for the best selection of holiday flowers and gifts.Think flowers are a bit old fashioned? Think again!! Contemporary Christmas floral styles are incredible and will have your hostess' jaw on the floor!

From traditional red and green, to bright and colorful, your florist can do it all! Going to a themed Christmas party, or know the specifics of your hostess's decor? It's not to late to order something completely custom! (But you better hurry)

Need a last-minute gift for the person who has everything? Flowers of course! Order now and your florist will take care of all the hard work for you! Your beautiful Christmas arrangement will be delivered right to their door. No wrapping, on time and hassle free — what could be better than that!?

Just check out these DAZZLING styles:

Continue reading "Jazz Up your Christmas Decor With A Little "Holidazzle" From Your Florist" »

If you haven't taken the time to stop by your florist this season, what are you waiting for?? In addition to great holiday flowers and centerpieces, your local flower shop will also have unique holiday decor, the best poinsettias, gifts and most importantly, TONS of holiday inspiration!

The photo above is the inside of Trig's Floral & Home in Minocqua, WI. You could walk around this store for days and still not see everything worth seeing! Here you can find the best in holiday gifts and decor, why would you need to go anywhere else?? This florist is a one-stop-shop for the season!

Need gift ideas? Check out this florist's shop in McFarland, WI. The Petal Patch truly has something for everyone! Whether you need something for your niece, brother, or that friend who has everything, they've got your covered!

Continue reading "The Holiday HotSpot: Your Local Flower Shop" »

While it's not the biggest holiday on our radar this season, the African holiday, Kwanzaa, is celebrated by millions all across the nation. It's a perfect holiday for this season with it's focuses on family, community and culture.

Like the winter solstice, the celebration of "first fruits" is ancient and dates back to Egypt and Nubia in Africa. Kwanzaa's name comes from, "Matunda ya Kwanzaa" meaning "first fruits" in Swahili. Kwanzaa celebrations last 7 days; observed from December 26 to January 1 each year.

The principles of Kwanzaa are incredibly powerful and meaningful. They focus on not only building ones self, but also family and community. Each of the 7 days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a specific principle.

The Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba):

• Umoja (Unity): Re-affirming unity of family and community, as well as nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves stand up.
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
• Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore people to traditional greatness.
• Kuumba (Creativity): To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

No matter what your race, religion or background, the principles of Kwanzaa are values we can all support. They not only are building blocks for ourselves, our family and community, but serve to reinforce and enhance them. Continue reading "Kwanzaa: Family – Community – Culture" »

I have to admit, probably my favorite part of this job is looking at all of the beautiful pictures of flower arrangements posted on our Facebook wall every day. I am always astounded at the creative and out-of-the-box methods florists use to create incredibly unique holiday arrangements every year. No two are ever alike! The way florists keep it fresh every year stems from their creative abilities. I love these beautiful holiday flowers, and I know you will too…

The three pictures above are all from the talented Tom of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, NJ. Tom decorates the lobby of the same hotel every week, and it always looks outstanding! These three are the holiday designs he's created this year, and we LOVE how creative and unique they are! Instead of going with the traditional red and green, Tom has chosen small details of the season to highlight. The white and silver for winter; the cranberry and popcorn as hints of Christmas tree garland traditions, and the green tree ornaments mixed with mesh and star-like orchids. Fabulous work, Crossroads!

We can't leave off this beautiful BLUE Christmas tree also shared with us by Tom at Crossroads Florist. Done for a large corporate lobby, this uniquely hued tree is sure to catch everyone's attention! The blue used is so vibrant and vivid; we love it!

We love these festive, holiday centerpieces created by the talented designers at The Enchanted Florist in Asheville, NC. These designs feature the elegance of sleek, curved Calla lilies, mixed with the traditional Christmas cedar and a various of red ornaments. Janet, owner of The Enchanted Florist says, "Christmas Centerpiece doesn't always have to be the same ole thing." And she's definitely right! These were for a corporate Christmas party in her city.

Click to see LOTS more pictures from "Creative Flower Shops And Their Latest Christmas Floral Designs"

Life seems to speed up during the holidays. Our extra time is devoted to decorating, shopping, gift wrapping, and we seldom think of much else. Well, we want to remind everyone to be generous during the holidays. There are so many out there who won't be getting anything this year.

Gift Baskets Are A Great Way To Be Generous During The Holidays

Come up with a way you can be generous this holiday season to those in need. Here are a few ideas:

• Have your local florist deliver a fresh-fruit gift basket to a nursing home.
• Have a gift basket delivered to your local shelter.
• Send a gift basket to someone's home who can no longer get out

You can also show your generosity by:

• Volunteering at your local shelter or soup kitchen
• Donate to your local food bank
• Volunteer at a local nursing home or hospice
• Donate old coats and jackets to the needy
• Donate to kids in need through programs set up by local schools
• Donate toys for kids in need through local charities.
• Encourage friends to do the same

If we all do just ONE thing from these lists, imagine the difference it could make in the lives of so many.

My Story of Holiday Generosity

One of my favorite memories of the season is actually from my high school years. There was a teacher who got a little wrapped gift for every single student in the whole high school, from 7th to 12th grade. This teacher didn't drive a fancy car, or wear fancy clothes, or live in a big fancy house. She was admittedly poor herself, but her heart wouldn't.. no, couldn't let a single kid go without receiving something for the holidays. The gifts she gave were nothing fancy either. You might get a pair of used wool socks (I did one year) or some little hand-me-down something from one of her kids, but we knew she gave all she could. She didn't see the gift as the important part, but the act of giving and generosity was something she wanted those who knew her to focus on. I will never forget you, Mrs. Lopez.

Continue reading "Remember To Be Generous This Holiday" »

Can you believe it's the first of December already? The holiday season is in full force. With the big sales after Thanksgiving and everyone getting their Christmas shopping done early, it's no wonder most people are taking time in early December to relax. What better way to de-stress than by ordering beautiful flowers for your home?

This December, our favorite flower arrangement is Winter Wishes. This non-traditional design is perfect for those wanting a little fun in their holiday decor. It features everyone's favorite flowers, red Gerbera daisies along with shimmery silver ornaments that ring in the Christmas Spirit! With it's bright red carnations and playful white snapdragons, this flower arrangement is perfect for all ages. Move over poinsettia, this fun holiday design is coming through!

Remember, always shop local when buying flowers. Flower Shop Network is here to help you connect to a real local florist.

Continue reading "December's Favorite Arrangement" »

Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier ever year. If you haven't already got your tree up, here are a few easy tips to make your Christmas tree look extraordinary.

• 'Fluff' all of the limbs on your tree. If your tree is fake, take the time to ungroup all of the branches on every limb, try to fill in every hole. Yes it takes time, but it will make your fake tree look fuller, and more real-to-life.
• Extra 'fluff' the bottom limbs. Don't let your tree just cut off at the bottom, pull branches down with limbs pointing slightly upward to make it look rounded and natural.
• Inside out. Add shiny, 'filler' ornaments to the inside first to make it look more full.
• Let ornaments hang. Do your best to let your ornaments hang naturally and not get caught up on limbs below. Even if you have to adjust the wire-branches around each ornament, it will look much better than if it was stuck on a branch. Also, the branches you adjust will fill in more holes.
• Adjust ornaments with faces. If you have ornaments with faces, point them in a natural position. Example: little bird clip-ons – adjust the wire in the tree branches to have them sitting straight and looking in the direction you want.
• Use garland in new ways. Garland doesn't have to be the same old tinsel wrapped around the tree over and over again. Try using beads, ribbon, pearls, etc instead of traditional garland. Hang it in new ways, such ans vertically down the tree, or weave it in-and-out in big loops. Continue reading "10 Easy Christmas Tree Decorating Tips" »

This weekend was such a BUSY shopping weekend — Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday. Well, we decided tomorrow should be Treat-Yourself Tuesday. Why not pamper yourself with all the money you SAVED over the weekend? Ever girl loves flowers; start your day of pampering by having flowers delivered to your home or office. It only takes about 5 minutes to order (remember local, local, local!), and your whole week will be enhanced by the beautiful flowers and lovely fragrances. Your florist will take care of everything and deliver them right to your door! (Santa better look out!)

If you shopped as much as I did, I know you need a pick-me-up this week, and fresh flowers are just the ticket! Some might hesitate at buying flowers for yourself, but why not? Forget red roses, you can choose a style that is all your own with your favorite colors and flowers. You might be surprised just how many beautiful types of floral designs are out there. Tell your florist about your favorite things, and let them create a custom arrangement just for you.

Flowers make your day better, but don't stop there! Continue Treat-Yourself Tuesday with a nice hot bath, your favorite teas or wines, a good book. You've spent all weekend thinking about gifts for others, make this Tuesday all about YOU.

Flower Shop Network is an advocate for real local flower shops. To find your local florist, click here.