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 occasion. Nobody expects a present, which is exactly why flowers land so well. A bouquet says good wishes without asking the person to find room for another thing after a month of gifts. It also brings some colour to a home at the moment the Christmas tree is coming down and the days still feel short.
Here are the people we think of first:
- The host of a New Year's Eve party. They have done the planning, the shopping and the cleaning. Flowers that arrive the day before give them one less thing to think about.
- Family you missed over the holidays. A New Year's bouquet is a graceful way to say you were thinking of them, even if December got away from you.
- Someone starting something new. A new job, a new home or a recent retirement all fit the mood of the first week of January.
- Someone who finds this time of year hard. The first new year after a loss can be heavy. A simple arrangement and a few kind words let them know they are not forgotten.
Colours and flowers that feel like New Year's
You do not need anything labelled for the occasion. Think in terms of colour.
- White. White looks crisp and clean, and it suits a fresh start. Our white flowers collection gathers white roses, lilies and more in one place, and white also sits well with silver or gold party decorations.
- Gold and glitter. From our holiday designs, the Holiday Gold Bouquet has gold glass ball accents, and the Season's Sparkle Bouquet pairs jade green roses with gold tipped pine cones. Both still feel festive once Christmas is over.
- One deep colour. A generous bunch of a single colour looks smart in a room full of guests. Our roses are the simplest way to do this, and red is a natural choice for a couple ringing in the year together.
- Whatever they love. If you know the person's favourite colour, it matters more than any rule. Our best sellers are a good place to start if you are not sure.
When to send them
For a party on December 31, aim for delivery a day or two before. The host can find a good spot, and the flowers have time to open. Arrangements that arrive on the day itself can land in the middle of cooking and setting up.
For a New Year's greeting, there is no need to hit an exact date. Flowers that arrive in the first days of January often get more attention, because the rush is over and the house is quiet again.
The days around the holidays can be busy, so to check delivery near New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, call our studio at 905-677-9999 before you order. For delivery areas and days, see our delivery information and map.
Keeping them fresh through the party
A New Year's Eve party is hard on flowers: a warm room, lots of people, a long night. A few small steps help.
- Top up the water that morning. A warm house makes flowers drink quickly, and nobody will think about the vase once guests arrive.
- Choose the spot with care. Keep the vase away from the stove, the fireplace, heating vents and the snack table. A hall table or a sideboard is usually cooler and safer than the middle of the action.
- Keep it out of the way of elbows. A tall vase on a crowded table is easy to knock over. Move it somewhere stable, or choose something lower.
- Keep candles apart from flowers. Never leave them burning unattended, and keep flames well clear of greens and ribbon.
- Trim lily pollen. Snipping the orange anthers keeps pollen off clothes and tablecloths. If there is a cat in the house, skip lilies altogether, as they are toxic to cats.
The morning after, give the flowers some attention. Empty the vase, rinse it, refill it with fresh water and trim the stems. Moving the bouquet to a cooler room overnight can also add days to its life. Our guide on winter flower care explains how to handle the cold and the dry heat of our homes, and how to keep a bouquet fresh longer covers each step.
Something that lasts past January
If you want your wish to last, send a plant. A plant from our potted plants and succulents collection or an orchid keeps going for months with very little work, which suits a resolution to keep things simple. Our gift baskets are another good choice for a family or an office. They are made to order and need at least one day's notice.
What to write on the card
Every order includes a free handwritten card. Keep it short and warm:
- "Wishing you health and happiness in the new year."
- "Thank you for a wonderful party. Here's to a great year ahead."
- "We missed you over the holidays. Sending love for the new year."
- "A new year and a new start. So happy for you."
- "Thinking of you as the year turns. We are here whenever you need us."
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 a celebration later in the winter, see our guide to Lunar New Year flowers.