Bloomex Gift Baskets to Support LLSC for Giving Tuesday

What are you doing for Giving Tuesday! December 2, 2014, has been designated as this year's global "Giving Tuesday". It's a great idea that is catching on in Canada—a new movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after the spending excesses of Cyber Monday.

Giving Tuesday is the "opening day of the giving season,” leading us into holiday good will. It has become a designated day across the world where charities, companies and individuals join together to share commitments, rally for favourite causes and think about others.

Bloomex supports several charity initiatives throughout the year but for this year's Giving Tuesday Bloomex decided to provide extra support to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). LLSC provides information, treatment options and support for people living with blood cancers at every stage of their journey, as well as providing valuable support for caregivers. One person in Canada will be diagnosed with a blood cancer every 28 minutes; leukemia and lymphoma account for almost half of all childhood cancers in those aged 0-14 years (Statistics courtesy of Canadian Cancer Society 2013). 

LLSC does amazing work all year on behalf of those living with blood cancers. Bloomex has designated four wonderful gift baskets with special pricing to support this valuable cause. Buy any of these gift baskets today and Bloomex will donate twenty percent of the proceeds directly to LLSC. As a further bonus, Bloomex will provide free shipping (yes, you read that correctly) on these amazing gift baskets if you order them on Giving Tuesday!

Buying these gift baskets is a win-win-win: you get your holiday shopping done quickly and easily while saving delivery fees, you send someone a fantastic gourmet gift basket to enjoy, and you support the valuable work of LLSC. What are you waiting for? 

Wine & Cheese Gift Basket

Perfect for any wine lover! This gift basket comes complete with delectable snacks and two bottles of premium wine (one red, one white) in an attractive basket with your personal message. $12.00 from this purchase will be donated to LLSC!

Blue Ribbon Gift Basket

This attractive gift basket contains a generous assortment of delicious gourmet treats that convey your good taste and indulge theirs! $11.00 from this gift basket sale will be donated to LLSC!

Snack Lovers Gift Basket

This lovely gift basket is hand-packed full of delectable snacks and treats that will delight any recipient. $9.00 from the sale of this gift basket goes directly to LLSC!

Chocolate and Cookie Lover Gift Basket

If you know someone with a sweet tooth, then this is the gift basket to send! Packed with scrumptious and decadent treats, this is an array of goodies that will have anyone smiling. $8.00 from the sale of this gift basket goes directly to LLSC!

Join with Bloomex this Giving Tuesday and help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada! Together we can make a difference to those living with blood cancers.

Bloomex Thanksgiving Contest WINNERS

 

The winning entries have been selected! This year Bloomex announced that it would host a Thanksgiving contest open to all residents of Canada (click to read more about the contest). 

Entrants were encouraged to write a short note to the company to share what they are thankful for this year. Two winners were to be selected, with each winning a $50 gift card from Bloomex!

Although Bloomex received several interesting and enjoyable entries, the panel had to narrow it down to just two winners. A big thank you is expressed to all those who entered. We look forward to reading more entries next year. And stay tuned for our next fun contest!

Here are the two winning entries. It's always good to take a moment and reflect on the things we appreciate in our lives, and these ladies proved they are good at doing just that. Many thanks to both Sylvia and Jessica. We hope you enjoy your gift cards from Bloomex! 

Winning Entry from Sylvia G., of Mississauga, Ontario: 

I am thankful for all the companies that offer contests for us consumers to win. They help simple people like us experience stuff we would not get to do otherwise. One year I was fortunate enough to win a 1 year supply of Nestle Chocolate Bars. That year my kids were extremely popular at school, as we gave away chocolate bars by the handful. Then there was the time we won a trip for 4 to see the Polar Bears in Churchill, MB. It was a trip of a lifetime, with memories to last forever. Who cannot be thankful for all the bounty in Canada and the wonderful people one meets when out and about.  I am thankful for the fact that I am able to speak to someone from Russia, Germany, France, Israel, Asia, Australia and Africa, just by walking out my front door and going to the mall. It is as if there is a mini world right here. I am thankful for Google that allows me to search for anything and everything and I am thankful for You Tube that helps keep me entertained even as I work on my computer.  I am thankful for big business and small, all of which are always bringing new products to the market that help make my life convenient. I could go on forever about how appreciative I am to be living at this moment in time when technology has improved our lives considerably, when flicking a switch or touching a button or screen brings you entertainment from around the globe. I am thankful for life itself!!!

Winning Entry from Jessica W. :

As I'm sure many will say, I am thankful for my family. I have been so blessed to have the most amazing, caring and over-the-top parents. Growing up I spent a lot of time in hospital and my parents were there with me every single day, my mother even slept on a tiny couch at my bedside for nearly 6 weeks. Imagine not sleeping in your own bed for 6 weeks? While living off hospital food... she's a keeper!
Aside from the hard times my parents have been mine and my sister's number 1 fans, they devoted their evenings and weekends to our endless hockey games, tournaments and practices, no matter what the weather.
They have supported both my sister and me through everything, including my 6 years of post secondary schooling (and still going). No matter what, my parents have always been there and have always had our backs, they've been there to lift us up at the worst of moments but they have also been there for the happiest of times.

Now as we are about to enter a new chapter in our lives as a family...my sister is pregnant and due in January with the first grandchild! I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and my amazing family. They truly mean the world to me and because of them I have been able to overcome so much. I owe so much to them, more than they will ever know.I could easily write a novel about all the amazing things my parents do and why I am ever grateful for them. They are my rock.

With that, again, I am thankful for my family who can make light of any situation and who have helped shape the person I am today and the person I hope to be.

Preserve the Memories: Keep your Flowers

Flowers are a special gesture, meant to convey so many emotions for so many occasions. Whether we receive flowers to welcome a new baby, to celebrate a special birthday milestone, or to express love and romance, flowers often coincide with life's biggest milestones. They provide a lovely expression of someone's thoughts and sentiments, but what happens when the blooms inevitably fade?

There are several ways to preserve your flowers, and make the memories last. You can display the preserved bouquet in your home, or turn the blooms into other creative keepsakes.





Here are the top ways to preserve your beautiful flowers: 

1. Drying
You can do this yourself, with very little fuss. Simply hang your flowers upside down in a safe area– usually a darkened room or closet is best. If needed, you can loosely tie the stems with string (not a rubber band). It will usually take about 4-6 weeks for the flowers to fully dry, and expect some shrinkage and colour change as they drying occurs. For a variation on this, you can also dry flowers by placing some sand in a brown paper grocery bag, then placing your blooms inside. Shake gently to lightly coat the petals, then place the bag outside in direct heat for a few days. The sand will help to preserve a bit more of the colour. You can then bring the bag inside, remove the blooms (shake off excess sand), and hang them to dry as above.

2. Silica Gel
You can purchase silica gel at most local craft stores. The name is misleading as it isn't really a gel, but more like a fine sand. Follow the instructions provided with the box, but you usually need borax to work with the gel (be sure to wear gloves!). Cut the stems off the flowers, and mix the borax and silica as instructed (often it's four parts borax, to one part silica). Pour a layer of the mix into the bottom of an airtight container. Place flowers face down and cover with the mix, until the container is full. Cover tightly, and place in a dry, undisturbed place. The process should take about a month, after which you can carefully remove the flowers and the powder on them. Be aware that silica gel may darken the blooms, but you do end up with nicely preserved flowers.


3. Pressing
With a heavy book, some tissue, cardboard, and newspapers, you can press your flowers and create a wonderful keepsake. Place cardboard on a flat surface, and cover with a sheet of newspaper and one of tissue. Place your flowers on the tissue, and cover with more tissue, then another sheet of newspaper, and another piece of cardboard. Repeat until you  have stacked all the flowers. Place a heavy book and another heavy object on top, and leave the stack for about a month. Be careful as you uncover each layer.

4. Freeze Drying 
You will need to book a professional for this, but the results are impressive since much of the look and colour of your original blooms will be preserved. If you wish to use a professional service you will need to get your flowers to them while the blooms are still fresh. The process involves spraying the flowers with a special starch to preserve them, then placing them in a freeze-dryer to remove all moisture.Most professional firms will offer you a choice of shadow box or other professional display methods.






 

Once your flowers are dried, you can set the tied arrangement on a dresser or mantle, place them in a pretty vase or container, or fashion them into a wreath for your wall. You could place them into a glass display coffee table or a shadowbox along with other keepsakes from your special day. You can also use some of the dried blooms to make ornaments (clear glass ornaments are available at most local craft stores).
However you choose to display your dried flowers, they will help you remember your special event, and you will get to enjoy them and the memories for years to come.

Oh, Baby! Ideas to Welcome a New Arrival

William and Kate, more formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, announced today that they are expecting their second child. 

The announcement of a new baby on the way is one of life's most exciting times! Family and friends will want to celebrate such happy news with cards, gifts, flowers and perhaps by hosting a baby shower. Thousands of gifts for Prince George were presented before and after his birth, including a rocking horse and polo mallet from the Obamas, a surfboard from Australia, apple trees, and a fattened bull and calf from the Samburu peopel of Kenya.

While each birth may not be a Royal event, every baby is an equal miracle, and each new parent deserves to be treated with a little extra love and TLC. Here are some ideas for anyone who wants to welcome a new baby.

Morning Bright Bouquet

The big announcement

You may wish to send flowers to congratulate the parent(s) on their joyous news. Keeping flower selections bright and cheerful is always an excellent way to go. And what to write on the card? Here are some great suggestions: 

"Congratulations on Your Happy News! You’ll have your arms around your little one before you know it!"

"Congratulations on your pregnancy. We are looking forward to meeting the newest member of the family."

"All your life you were learning how to be a good human being. Pregnancy will teach you how to be a good mother. Congratulations."

"I am happy for your pregnancy but I am happier in knowing that a baby will be born in the arms of such loving parents like you."

"My heartiest wishes to you, mom-to-be. Have a happy and healthy pregnancy. Enjoy this special moment of your life!"
"New life, new responsibility, and many new discoveries are coming. Congratulations on your pregnancy."

"The craziest roller coaster ride in the world is not at Disneyland or Universal Studios, it is the nine months of pregnancy. Good luck and enjoy the twists and turns of your pregnancy."
"The doctor may cut off the umbilical cord that ties you with your baby, but no one can cut off the cord of love built over the next nine months which will tie you with your child for a lifetime. Congratulations on being pregnant."

The baby shower 

When it comes to baby showers, the more, the better! New babies need a lot of gear and new parents will really appreciate some help with the provisions. There are many tips for how to host, and for how to personalize the event. You can find some great baby shower game ideas at babycenter.com.

When it comes to decor, an especially cute and memorable idea is to use rain boots to hold a pretty bouquet of your choice to prepare for the "shower" of gifts! (Hint: make sure the boots are nice looking and relatively new.)

TLC for Mom & Dad

A spa gift basket may be just the thing to provide a thoughtful treat to a new parent. Try the Supreme Spa Basket to provide some much appreciated pampering. Busy parents or a mom-to-be with a fussy appetite will also really appreciate a fruit, cheese, or other food-related gift basket. 

Supreme Spa Basket

Fruit Elegance

Arrival Day

To welcome baby, flowers, teddy bears, and/or balloons are all great choices! Visit the Bloomex New Baby page for a long list of great suggestions!

Simply Sweet Bouquet

Some suggestions for the card message:
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."
"Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy's heart instead of her tummy. Congratulations on your new arrival!"
"Congratulations! May your baby be blessed, his/her road forward a blessed adventure!"
"We welcome your dear new child to this world with love."
"Babies are special, babies are fun, congratulations on your new little one!"
"Another miracle in this world. Welcome!"
"I don't know who is more blessed. Either you are for having a new little baby, or your baby is for having you as parents. Congratulations to everyone!"
"We are wishing you a lifetime of happiness with your new little baby."
"We pray for health and happiness to you and your little one.
"I'm wishing you continued blessings as your family grows."
"There’s no greater gift to a loving couple wanting to be parents than a child! I’m glad you have been given that gift. Congratulations!"

And remember, just the fact that you cared enough to send flowers, a gift basket, and a card, will go a long way toward giving new parents a much needed boost of confidence and support. They will treasure your kindness for years to come!

The Art of the Apology: Saying Sorry with Flowers

Saying sorry can be very difficult, though everyone messes up. When you have done something to cause someone hurt or inconvenience, you may feel remorse, guilt or regret. Whether you choose to apologize in person or in writing, there are some aspects to the apology that apply to every situation, and can boost the chances for healing and forgiveness. 

A true and complete apology should encompass three aspects: acknowledgement and regret for the hurt or inconvenience your actions caused, taking responsibility for your own actions without making excuses or casting blame elsewhere, and an indication of how you will try to fix the situation going forward.

Take some time to think about the situation, your actions, and the other person. Evaluate their feelings, and the hurt they may be experiencing. Think about why the event occurred, and evaluate if you feel genuine remorse, and why. Reflect on what you might do to improve the current situation or to prevent a repeat occurrence in the future.

Be sincere. An apology message does not have to be elaborate to be effective. Conveying a true expression of regret is often enough to help heal the situation.

Be specific if needed. For example, “I’m sorry. I realize that by being late I caused us to be late for the visit with your parents. Please let me make it up to you by taking your parents to dinner next week.” Or if you miss a friend’s birthday, you could say “I am sorry I was so disorganized this year and let such an important date go by. You mean so much to me and I feel awful. I added an alert to my phone so I won’t miss your birthday again."

Use light humor only if you are absolutely certain the other person will accept it. Making light of the situation does not usually constitute a genuine apology and may end up hurting the person more.

Whatever you decide to write, sending flowers and a sincere message that you gave thought to can be a bridge toward healing for all concerned. Flowers that traditionally convey apology include a mix of red and white roses, pink carnations, or white tulips, but there are many choices available and you should think most about the intended recipient. 

You may or may not earn forgiveness, but odds are that you will at least open the doors to communication. And you will feel much better for making the effort.

Here are some suggestions for card messages you can include with your flowers: 

 

"I am so sorry. I know I hurt your feelings and I feel terrible about it."
"I’m sorry for being so insensitive and insane. I know that it’s not an excuse I hope you can have a forgiving heart soon. I miss you."
"I’ve said things I should never said, I’ve done things I should never done- tell me how can I make things right. I’m sorry and I miss you so much!"
"I am truly sorry for the pain I caused you."
"How can ½ be 1 without you, my other half? Please forgive me."
"I'm sorry. I know it is difficult for you to trust people and my lying to you hasn't made it any easier. I shouldn't have lied no matter how afraid I was of your reaction."
"I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry with me. I will never speak that way to you again."
"Accept these flowers in place of the words I said."
"We haven’t talked since our last fight, but I want to tell you that I’m still the same friend you had before. And I still am going to be, so please forgive me."
"I'll never forgive myself...but I'm hoping you will. I'm sorry."
"I may not be perfect, but I have perfect regret. I am so sorry for what happened."
"I love you so much. I would do anything to make you smile. I can’t believe I just hurt you. Please forgive me. I am so sorry."

World's Most Expensive Flowers

Tulip Bulbs

Believe it or not, in the seventeenth century tulip bulbs were a hot commodity. The bulbs were prized for their shape, their rarity, and their vivid colours. Having tulips back then was a status symbol, and special tulip vases were often used to display them. For a time bulbs were bought and sold at frantic pace in a kind of "tulipmania": some were known to sell for about 10,000 guilders, or about $5600 today.

Saffron Crocus

The crocus is a beautiful purple flower, but it’s the yellow stamens that are the big winner for this plant. The stamens are used to make saffron, the world’s most expensive spice. To get about 500 grams of this spice takes about 80,000 flowers, which are picked and dried by hand. This popular spice sells for about $1500 per pound!

Gold of Kinabalu Orchid

This rare and beautiful plant is an endangered species of orchid, and it’s very hard to come by. Firstly, it grows only in a small area of Kinabalu National Park in Malaysia. Secondly, it blooms only in April and May. Add to this it’s slow growth rate and beautiful appearance and it’s one rare beauty. These orchids sells for approximately $5500 each.

Shenzhen Nongke Orchid

This orchid is the priciest one ever sold. It is a man-man variety that took eight years to develop and grow.  It also takes four to five years for its flower to bloom. This orchid sold at auction in 2005 for a whopping $160,000!

Kadupul Flower

And the most expensive flower? This rare and fragile beauty is actually the flower of a cactus from Sri Lanka that is not only hard to find but also blooms only at night. The flower dies before dawn, and if picked, dies even more rapidly. For these reasons it has never made it to a shop for sale, and its value? Priceless!

5 Ideas For Winter Flowers Around the House

There's a chill in the air throughout much of Canada. The great Canadian myth is that we all embrace the cold weather and get outside for winter activities, and for many of us that's true. But a large group of people will also be spending less time outdoors in the coming months as the cold proves daunting in many places.

If you're more of the "hibernation type," keeping your space beautiful and inviting is crucial to maintaining your energy and happiness. While there's no substitute for the warmth of the sun, here are 5 bouquets that will warm your spirits up regardless of how far below 0 the weather is outside.

Winter Classic Bouquet
$44.95

Just in time for the holidays, the Winter Classic Bouquet sparkles with the colours of the season. A gorgeous mix of 12 White and 12 Red Carnations, this arrangement will have you feeling festive.

 Beautiful in Blue Bouquet
$39.95

Ideal for Hanukkah celebrations or any other occasion, this unique bouquet features a lovely assortment of cream roses, Chrysanthemums, Alstroemeria, White Lilies and more.




Sweet Tenderness Bouquet
$34.99
(pictured at top)

The Sweet Tenderness bouquet is a gorgeous assortment of many types of flowers, including Pink Alstroemeria, Pink Carnations and Mini Carns, trendy White Waxflower, 2 stems of Daisy Chrysanthemums and assorted greens. It's quite a fragrant bouquet, perfect for bringing the outdoors inside.

Heavenly Sunsets Bouquet
$44.95

Our Heavenly Sunsets bouquet is a yellow bouquet featuring 10 stems of wonderful Yellow Alstroemeria paired with 6 Yellow Roses for a bright, vibrant look that brings light and colour in to the room.

100 Blooms of Alstroemeria
$49.99

This arrangement brings an incredible variety of colour in to your living room. Alstroemeria is sometimes known as a Peruvian Lily, and this bouquet is an exquisite display of why these flowers are gaining such popularity in Canada.

MORE IDEAS FROM BLOOMEX:

• 50 Occasions & Holidays to Send Flowers For
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Flowers
• The 20 Best Ways to Use Flowers
• Top 10 Gift Ideas for a Housewarming Party

Top 5 Best Selling Flowers in Australia (and where to find them in Canada)

G'day mate! One of the great things about Bloomex is that whether you're in Canada, the United States, or Australia, we're here to serve you.

Our Australian operations are growing quite quickly, and several bouquets and arrangements are proving very popular in 2013. Let's take a quick look at the top 5 countdown.

  

5. DESIGNER'S COLLECTION

Australia | Canada 

Our Designer's Collection puts the work and decision-making into the hands of our supremely talented florists and floral designers, making this a beautiful, worry-free option for customers not quite sure exactly what they're looking for.

Recipe for Romance bouquet

4. RECIPE FOR ROMANCE

Australia | Canada

A gorgeous assortment of pastel-like tones, featuring an arrangement made of roses, mini carnations, elegant Lisianthius, Waxflower and Gladioli.

3. ROSES AND TEDDY SPECIAL

Australia | Canada

It's no surprise that this combo package is very popular, as it's a perfect assortment to send to someone special.

2. DOZEN BOXED ROSES

Australia | Canada

A total classic for a price that can't be beat. Bloomex's box of dozen roses goes for half price in Australia and Canada.

Sunset Serenity bouquet, the top-selling
product on bloomex.com.au

And the number one top selling product in Australia is....

1. SUNSET SERENITY

Australia

Australians just can't get enough of this gorgeous bouquet, which has been among the best-sellers since Bloomex Australia launched in 2011. Features an assortment of fresh-cut  Daisies, Lilies, Alstromeria, and greens.