The short answer: for the home, choose a centrepiece or a decorated poinsettia; for a gift, a bouquet in its own vase or a festive basket is the easiest to receive. Red and white are the classic Christmas colours, but greens, golds and soft pinks are lovely too. This guide walks through the best Christmas flowers, who they suit and how to plan your holiday orders.
Classic Christmas flowers and what they bring
- Red roses. The most popular holiday flower. Rich red roses anchor many of our Christmas bouquets, from the Christmas Peace Bouquet in a clear glass bubble bowl to the Holiday Gold Bouquet with gold glass ball accents.
- Carnations and mini carnations. Hardy, full and long lasting, they hold their colour well through a busy season of visits. Peppermint red and white mini carnations give the Goodwill & Cheer Bouquet its candy cane look.
- Poinsettias. The traditional blooming plant of the holidays. A potted poinsettia keeps looking festive for weeks with the right care.
- White flowers. White roses, lilies and chrysanthemums read as snowy and calm. They suit a host who decorates in silver or gold, or anyone who prefers a quieter look.
- Evergreens, holly and pine cones. Fresh greens, variegated holly, cedar and pine cones bring the scent and texture of a winter forest indoors, even in an arrangement with very few blooms.
Centrepieces for the holiday table
If you are hosting, a centrepiece is the single piece that does the most work. It sits low enough for guests to talk across the table and sets the tone for the whole room. Several of ours are built around candles:
- The Lights of the Season Centrepiece circles three red taper candles with red carnations, variegated holly and red glass balls.
- The Holiday Classics Centrepiece pairs red carnations and seasonal greenery with two red taper candles and a red and green ribbon.
- The Glowing Elegance Centrepiece sets a single white taper in a glass hurricane, surrounded by white roses, spray roses and baby's breath.
A practical tip: never leave candles burning unattended, and keep the flames well clear of dry greens and ribbon. If the centrepiece is a gift, tell the host the candles are there so they can decide when to light them.
Bouquets that make easy gifts
A bouquet that arrives in its own vase is the most convenient holiday gift, because the person receiving it does not have to find a container during a busy week. A few favourites from our Christmas and winter holiday collection:
- For a traditional look: the Christmas Peace Bouquet, with red roses, carnations, hypericum berries and a plaid ribbon.
- For something different: the Season's Sparkle Bouquet, with jade green roses, green button poms and gold tipped pine cones.
- For soft colour: the Winter Fantasy Bouquet, with pink Oriental lilies, evergreens, ivy and pine cones, festive without leaning on red and green.
- For a clean, wintry feel: the Holiday Festival Bouquet of white tulips in a clear glass vase.
If you already know the person loves red, our red flowers collection gathers our red designs in one place.
Baskets and poinsettias
Floral baskets have a cosy, rustic feel that suits the season. The Holiday Sleigh Floral Basket combines red carnations, white poms, winter greenery and glass balls, and the Candy Cane Lane Basket adds three candy canes to red roses and white chrysanthemums. For a lasting gift, the Decorated Red Poinsettia Basket dresses a poinsettia in a white-washed basket with pine cones, a touch of glitter and Christmas greens, with three decoration levels to choose from.
If you send a poinsettia, our guide on how to care for a poinsettia explains light, warmth and watering so it stays colourful well past the holidays. You could even forward the link with your card message.
For food and treat baskets, browse our gift baskets. Gift baskets are made to order and need at least one day's notice, so plan those a little earlier than a flower order.
Who to send Christmas flowers to
- Your holiday host. Flowers sent the day before a dinner are kinder than a bouquet handed over at the door, when the host is busy with coats and cooking.
- Family you will not see this year. A bouquet with a handwritten card is a warm way to be part of their day from across the GTA.
- Teachers, neighbours and caregivers. A small bouquet or a poinsettia says thank you without adding clutter.
- Clients and the team at work. A centrepiece for the office reception desk is seen by everyone, and it lasts through the last weeks of the year.
- Someone having a hard season. The holidays can be difficult after a loss or during an illness. A quiet white arrangement with a simple message can mean a great deal.
Celebrating Hanukkah
For Hanukkah, the Miracle's Light Hanukkah Bouquet pairs blue iris with white roses and white Asiatic lilies, accented with silver pine cones and blue and silver ribbon in a clear glass ginger jar vase. It is a bright, meaningful gift for the eight days and nights of the holiday.
What to write on a holiday card
Every order includes a free handwritten card, so a few words go a long way. Some ideas:
- "Wishing you a warm and happy holiday season. Thinking of you all."
- "Thank you for a wonderful year. Merry Christmas from all of us."
- "Sorry we cannot be there this year. Sending love to the whole family."
- "Thank you for hosting. We cannot wait to celebrate with you."
Sign with your name, or your family's or team's name, so the person knows who sent it. For more wording, see our guide on what to write on a Christmas card with flowers.
Planning holiday deliveries
December is a busy month for everyone, so a little planning helps. Order flowers for a dinner or party for the day before, so the host can place them before guests arrive. Choose a gift basket at least a day ahead. If you want a delivery at a specific time, call our studio at 905-677-9999 before you order.
Every arrangement is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio. We offer same-day delivery of fresh flowers across the GTA, and delivery is free on orders over $50. For delivery areas and days, see our delivery information and map.
Ready to choose? Browse the full Christmas and winter holiday collection.