Journal

Funeral Flowers for a Man: What to Send
The short answer: there are no flowers a man cannot be remembered with. Families often look for one of three things when choosing funeral flowers for a man: strong colours such as red, white or blue, natural greens with a quieter look, or something that points to who he was. This guide walks through each one, what fits your relationship to him, and what to write on the card. Start with who he was A tribute means the most when people in the room recognize him in it. Before you... Read more...
Same-Day Flower Delivery in the GTA: How It Works
The short answer: Mystic Flowers offers same-day delivery of fresh flowers across the Greater Toronto Area, with different routes on Sundays. Gift baskets are the exception, because they are made to order and need a day's notice. This guide explains which areas we reach on which days, what to have ready when you order, and when it is worth picking up the phone. What can go out the same day Fresh flower bouquets and arrangements are what our same-day delivery is built for. Our florists hand-arrange each order in our... Read more...
Baby Shower Flowers and Gifts: What to Send
The short answer: bring or send a gift basket the parents can use, and send flowers to the host or to the venue a day ahead. A baby shower is about practical help for new parents and a nice afternoon for the guests, so the best gifts do one job or the other. This guide covers what to give, how to order for a group and what to write on the card. Flowers or a gift? Flowers and baby gifts solve different problems. Flowers dress up the room and thank... Read more...
Lunar New Year Flowers: What to Send
The short answer: choose red, gold, yellow or pink, send something in full, healthy bloom, and have it arrive before the family's celebrations begin. In 2027, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 6. Orchids and bright mixed bouquets are safe and welcome choices. Here is how to pick something that suits the people you are sending to. Who celebrates and how it differs Lunar New Year is marked by many families across the GTA, including those with Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean roots, and customs differ between them. Many Chinese... Read more...
Diwali Flowers and Gifts: What to Send
The short answer: choose bright, warm colours such as yellow, orange, pink and red, and have the flowers arrive before the celebrations start. In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8. A bouquet or a plant makes a welcome gift for a host, and a short, warm card is all it needs. This guide covers what to send, when to send it and what to write. Why flowers suit Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by many Hindu, Sikh and Jain families, including many in Brampton, Mississauga, Markham... Read more...
New Year's Flowers: What to Send and How to Keep Them Fresh
The short answer: for a New Year's Eve party or dinner, send a bouquet in its own vase a day or two ahead, in white, gold or a deep single colour. For a New Year's greeting that lasts well into January, choose flowers that open slowly, such as roses and lilies still in bud, or a plant. Keep them cool and away from the heat of the party, and they will still look good on January 1. Why flowers suit the new year The new year is a quiet gift... Read more...
Flowers for a Holiday Party Host: What to Send
The short answer: send the flowers the day before, in a vase or as a plant, so your host has nothing extra to do while guests are arriving. If you are bringing them yourself, choose something that needs no arranging. A bouquet handed over at the door often means your host has to stop what they are doing and hunt for a vase. This guide covers what works, what to skip and what to say. Send ahead if you can The kindest way to give flowers to a host is... Read more...
Hanukkah Flowers and Gifts: What to Send
The short answer: choose blue and white, or an all-white design, and leave out anything that says Christmas. Flowers are a warm gift for a Hanukkah host or for family and friends who celebrate, and a short, sincere card is all you need. This guide covers what to send, when to send it and what to write. The colours of Hanukkah Blue and white are the traditional colours of the holiday, and they make choosing simple. Silver is a lovely accent, since it echoes the look of many menorahs and... Read more...
What to Write on a Christmas Card With Flowers
The short answer: one or two warm sentences are all you need. Say who it is for, wish them well, and sign your name so they know who sent it. A short message that sounds like you means more than a long verse copied from somewhere else. Below are messages you can use as they are, or change to suit the person. When you order from Mystic Flowers, every order includes a free handwritten card, so your words arrive written by hand with the flowers. Because a card that travels... Read more...
Sympathy Flowers for a Coworker or a Boss: What to Send
The short answer: when a coworker loses someone close, a simple gift from the team is usually best, sent to the home or to the funeral home with a short, warm card signed with everyone's names. When a coworker or a boss has died, the workplace often sends a larger piece to the service, such as a standing spray, on behalf of the whole team. This guide covers what to send, how to organize it and what to write. First, find out what the family wants Before you order, check... Read more...
Sending Flowers to a Long-Term Care or Retirement Home
The short answer: choose a small, sturdy arrangement that comes in its own vase, give the resident's full name, the home's name and the room number, and check first if there are any limits on flowers or plants. Good choices are low bouquets with a gentle scent, small plants that need little care, and cheerful colours that are easy to see. This guide explains how to choose and how to get your gift to the right room. Check the home's rules first Long-term care and retirement homes each have their... Read more...
Holiday Gifts for Clients and Staff: Flowers, Plants and Gift Baskets
The short answer: choose a gift that the whole team can enjoy or that one person can take home, check the office's holiday hours before you send, and keep the card short and personal. A gift basket suits a team that likes to share, a plant suits a client's desk for months, and a centrepiece or a poinsettia dresses up a reception area through the last weeks of the year. This guide covers what to send, how to manage a list, and how to get the timing right. Start with... Read more...
Christmas Centrepieces and Table Flowers: How to Choose
The short answer: measure your table first, keep the design low enough to talk over, and match the colours to what you already own. A long table takes a larger centrepiece with several candles, a small table or a sideboard suits a single candle, and white and gold are the easy choice if your dishes or decorations are already busy. This guide covers how to choose, how to place it, and how to keep it fresh through the holidays. Start with the table, not the flowers A centrepiece that looks... Read more...
Sending Flowers to a Business: What to Know
The short answer: a business is one of the easiest places to send flowers, as long as the address is complete and someone is there to receive them. Include the company name, the person's full name, the suite number and the floor, and send them on a weekday during office hours. For most workplaces, a compact vase arrangement or a potted plant is the safest choice, because it arrives ready to display and does not take over a desk. Good reasons to send flowers to a business A client thank... Read more...
What Does In Lieu of Flowers Mean? What to Do Instead
The short answer: "in lieu of flowers" means the family would rather you do something else instead of sending flowers to the service, usually a donation to a charity they name. It is a gentle request, and the kindest thing to do is honour it. It does not mean you cannot show you care. A donation, a card, a meal or a small gift to the family at home a little later are all welcome ways to do that. Why families ask Families choose these words for many reasons, and... Read more...
What Do Rose Colours Mean? A Guide to Choosing
The short answer: red means romantic love, pink means gratitude and affection, white means purity and new beginnings, yellow means friendship and joy, purple means love at first sight, and blue means secret love. Mixed colours say that one colour is not enough. If you are not sure, choose the colour the person loves. No one has ever been upset by getting their favourite colour. A quick guide to rose colours Red: love, romance, passion, respect and courage Pink: love, gratitude and appreciation White: innocence, purity, spirituality and marriage Yellow:... Read more...
Flowers for a Graduation: What to Send and What to Write
The short answer: a graduation bouquet should feel bright and proud, and it should be easy to carry and photograph. A hand-tied bouquet or a dozen roses in the graduate's favourite colour works for almost anyone. If the graduate is moving out or starting a new job soon, a plant or a gift basket will last longer than the party. Add a card that says what you are proud of, and you are done. Who sends flowers for a graduation? Parents and grandparents are the most common senders, but they... Read more...
Mother's Day Flowers: What to Send and How to Choose
The short answer: the best Mother's Day flowers are the ones that match her. If she loves a classic look, a bouquet of pink roses or mixed roses is hard to beat. If she enjoys gardening or would like something that lasts, a potted plant or an orchid is a lovely choice. Choose a design that arrives in its own vase or pot, write a real note on the card, and order early, since Mother's Day is one of the busiest weekends of the year for florists. Start with what... Read more...
Valentine's Day Flowers: What to Send Beyond Red Roses
The short answer: red roses are the classic Valentine's Day flower, but they are far from the only good choice. Pink roses, lavender roses, lilies and mixed bouquets can feel more personal, especially for a newer relationship or someone who has received red roses many times before. Think about the person, the stage of your relationship and where the flowers will be delivered, then keep the card simple. Here is how to choose. What the colours say Colour is the quickest way to change the message of a Valentine's bouquet.... Read more...
Flowers for a New Job or Promotion: What to Send
The short answer: congratulations flowers for a new job or a promotion should look bright and confident, and they should be easy to keep. A cheerful mixed bouquet in its own vase suits a celebration at home, and a low-care plant or an orchid suits a new desk or office. Send them to the place where the person will actually be, and keep the card short and specific. Here is how to get the details right. New job or promotion: what is the difference? The two occasions feel similar, but... Read more...
How to Care for Lilies: Pollen, Buds and Keeping Them Looking Good
The short answer: trim lily stems at an angle, keep the water fresh, and let the buds open at their own pace. As each bloom opens, you can remove the pollen-covered anthers so the pollen does not stain petals or fabric. If you have a cat at home, keep lilies out entirely, because they are dangerous to cats. Lilies are a generous flower with a few habits of their own, and this guide covers those. For general advice on any cut flower, see our guide on how to keep a... Read more...
Flowers for a Teacher or Coworker: Small Thank You Gifts
The short answer: for a teacher or a coworker, a small gift that is easy to keep on a desk is usually best. A compact vase arrangement or a low-care plant suits both, and it does not need to cost much. Keep scents gentle, check any allergies you know about, and send it where the person will actually be. Here is how to pick something that fits a classroom or an office. Why small gifts work well here A gift for a teacher or coworker has a different job from... Read more...
How to Care for Roses: A Guide for Cut Roses
The short answer: give cut roses a deep drink as soon as they arrive, trim the stems at an angle with a sharp blade, and keep them in clean water in a cool spot. If a rose head droops, it usually means air is blocking the stem, and a fresh cut under water will often bring it back. Roses are thirsty flowers with a few habits of their own, so a little rose-specific care goes a long way. Our guide on how to keep a bouquet fresh longer covers the... Read more...
Casket Sprays Explained: Who Sends Them and How to Choose
The short answer: a casket spray is the large arrangement that rests on top of the casket during the visitation and the funeral service. It is usually chosen and paid for by the immediate family, such as a spouse, the children or the parents, and it is ordered once, so it helps for the family to agree on one design. Friends and coworkers usually send a standing spray, a wreath or an arrangement instead. Here is what to know before you choose. What is a casket spray? A casket spray... Read more...
Get Well Flowers: What to Send and What to Write
The short answer: send something cheerful and easy to care for, keep the card message short and warm, and think about where the person is recovering. A bright bouquet in a vase suits most people at home, a plant suits a longer recovery, and a small basket or a balloon is a nice touch for a child. Here is how to choose. Start with how they are recovering Get well flowers are about the person, not the illness. A few questions help you pick the right gift: Are they at... Read more...
Winter Flower Care: Bouquets and Plants in the Cold
How to look after flowers and plants in a GTA winter: bring deliveries in quickly, keep them away from heat and drafts, water well, and care for plants and centrepieces. Read more...
Funeral Flowers for a Mother, Father or Grandparent
What the family, children and grandchildren usually send when a parent or grandparent dies, with colour ideas, faith customs and card wording. Read more...
How to Care for Succulents and Planter Gardens
Simple care for succulents and mixed planter gardens indoors: light, watering, winter care, tidying, repotting and gift ideas. Read more...
Retirement Flowers and Gift Ideas
Retirement gift ideas: flowers for the last day or the party, plants and orchids for the next chapter, gift baskets from the team, and card wording. Read more...
Funeral Flower Etiquette for Different Faiths and Cultures
Funeral flower customs across the faiths and cultures of the GTA, when flowers are welcome, when food or a donation is kinder, and safe choices when you are unsure. Read more...
Housewarming Flowers and Plants: What to Send
The best housewarming gifts: easy care plants, flowers in a vase, gift baskets, what to avoid and what to write on the card. Read more...
Sympathy Plants or Flowers: Which to Send
When to send sympathy flowers and when a plant is the better gift, which plants to choose, and what to write on the card. Read more...
New Baby Flowers: What to Send and When
When to send flowers for a new baby, what to choose, colours, plants and baskets, and what to write on the card. Read more...
How Long Do Cut Flowers Last? A Guide by Flower
Typical vase life for roses, lilies, orchids, carnations, tulips and more, and seven easy ways to make any bouquet last longer. Read more...
Thank You Flowers: What to Send and What to Write
Who to thank with flowers, which flowers and colours to choose, plants and gift baskets as alternatives, and what to write on a thank you card. Read more...
Anniversary Flowers by Year
The traditional flower for each wedding anniversary, from carnations for the first year to yellow roses for the fiftieth, with ideas for turning each one into a gift. Read more...
Flowers for a Cremation or Memorial Service
Flowers are welcome at a cremation or memorial service. What to send around an urn, when to send it, who sends what, and what to do when the family asks for donations. Read more...
How to Care for an Orchid
How to care for potted moth orchids and cut orchid bouquets: light, watering, humidity, common problems and getting an orchid to bloom again. Read more...
Sending Flowers to Someone in Hospital
How to send flowers to someone in hospital: checking the unit allows them, getting the address right, choosing a suitable arrangement, timing, and get well card wording. Read more...
Christmas Flowers and Holiday Gift Ideas
A guide to Christmas flowers: classic holiday blooms, centrepieces, bouquets, baskets and poinsettias, who to send them to, card wording and planning holiday deliveries. Read more...
How to Care for a Poinsettia
How to keep a poinsettia colourful through the holidays: light, temperature, watering, pets, common problems and what to do after Christmas. Read more...
Birthday Flowers by Month and Personality
Birth month flowers from January to December, how to choose birthday flowers by personality, age and budget, card ideas and timing tips. Read more...
What to Write on a Sympathy Card
Sympathy card message ideas for flowers: short messages, notes for close friends, co-workers and groups, the funeral service and the family home, plus what to avoid. Read more...
How to Keep a Bouquet Fresh Longer
Florist tips to keep cut flowers fresh for longer: setting up the vase, cutting stems, daily care, where to put your bouquet and care for roses, lilies, tulips and plants. Read more...
What Flowers to Send to a Funeral Home in the GTA
A guide to sympathy flowers for a funeral home: which piece to choose, who usually sends what, colours, timing and what to write on the card. Read more...