What flowers can be given to a man: floral etiquette and bouquet design

We often find ourselves in a difficult situation when we need to give flowers to a man. Only floristry can give us advice on all cases that arise in such a difficult matter - it is a complex science that takes into account many nuances.

For a long time, it was generally accepted that flowers could only be given to women. Today the situation has changed somewhat, although some stereotypes still remain. In European floristry there is no difference between a man's and a woman's bouquet. A flower gift is addressed primarily to the individual, to the person to whom they want to express their feelings.

What flowers are customary to give men on their birthday?

It is impossible to divide all the flowers existing in the world into “male” and “female”. However, some plants have stronger, more confident and independent energy. Therefore, they are called “male” and are given mainly to representatives of the stronger half of humanity. These colors include:

• classic burgundy, red and black roses;
• fleshy callas of various shades;
• elegant cymbidiums (representatives of the orchid genus);
• dark carnations and colorful gladioli (gladioli are even named after gladiators);
• anthuriums (in common parlance “male happiness”).

Each flower carries a hidden meaning. For example, red roses are given to men as a symbol of love and fidelity. Orchids express nobility and devotion. It is customary to give carnations to bosses and colleagues, as they symbolize masculinity and wisdom.

It is better to give your spouse tulips, crocuses and daffodils. These plants express gratitude for the past years and attention. If a man strives to be a leader in all areas, then the best option for him would be chrysanthemums in dark shades, which give strength and self-confidence.

Peonies should be given to your father or grandfather. They symbolize family hearth, warmth and comfort. Fragrant peonies will harmoniously fit into the interior of not only a family man, but also an avid bachelor. Therefore, this flower is considered universal and suitable for any occasion.

What flowers suit a man

Flowers that symbolize reliability, confidence, and the desire for success are suitable for a man. Even in their form and appearance, they should emphasize masculinity and dignity. Small buds and fractional inflorescences are not suitable for a man's bouquet. The time has passed when the only flower that could be given to a man was the carnation. Now the list of male flowers is quite large.

1. Orchids are suitable for classic anniversaries with a large number of guests, as the personification of luxury, wealth, sophistication, to emphasize the charisma of the hero of the day
2. Callas are an excellent bouquet for a boss; they are perceived as recognition of merit and a sign of respect
3. Dahlias of dark purple colors - an expression of gratitude to a teacher or doctor
4. Dark burgundy and white roses are good for congratulating creative individuals as a recognition of their talent, suitable for all anniversaries with round dates
5. Gladioli of any color are suitable for professional holidays for work colleagues
6. Tulips, daffodils, and carnations are given to veterans and young people on holidays celebrated throughout the country
7. Gerberas are considered a sign of fidelity; they are given for birthdays; a bouquet is collected from gerberas of two colors.
8. Chrysanthemums are suitable for corporate events to express goodwill and prospects for cooperation
9. Irises are a masculine flower, they are given to a man whom they sympathize with and respect, such a bouquet is good for celebrating the end of a project

When choosing a bouquet, focus on 4 criteria:

• the purpose of presenting the bouquet, otherwise what emotions do you want to express,
• the occasion and suitability of your bouquet for this occasion,
• age,
• character and life preferences.

Symbolism of flowers

Flower	Symbolism
Dark burgundy roses	Love, passion
Hyacinth	Curiosity, unpredictability
Iris	Courage, courage
Anthurium	Symbol of good luck, happiness - flamingo flower
Amaryllis	Inaccessibility, elixir of love
Lotus	Health, wisdom
Strelizia	Masculinity, courage, bird of victory
Gerbera	Optimism, fun
Basil	Dislike, disgust
Aster	Grief, memory of the dead
Orchid	Luxury, elegance
Ginger	Symbol of male power
Gladiolus	Arrows yang
Lily	Hope, devotion
Calla lilies	Amulet of peace

Reasons for presenting bouquets to men

• Birthday
• Anniversary with a round date
• Presentation of diploma, grant
• Corporate party
• Defender of the Fatherland Day
• Ninth of May
• Presentation of scientific work, defense of dissertation
• Victory in a sporting event (Olympiad, championship)
• Retirement
• Presentation of original work in the field of science, literature, painting
• Premiere of a film or play
• Creative concert of a singer, poet, musician

Flowers in a pot

Recently, it has become fashionable to give flowers in pots, although some argue that this is a bad decision. It is believed that a pot of damp earth attracts death, that the one who gives a flower transfers his hardships and problems to the new owner, and if the flower withers, then expect illness or separation.

A flower in a pot is given only by prior arrangement and a coin is given for it. It’s better not to give such a gift to men; the only possible options are: a mini bonsai tree, an exotic anthurium flower – male happiness and a lemon tree.

Bonsai grows only among wise people, anthurium gives masculine strength, a lemon tree has a great effect on the microclimate of the room, and lemons are a wonderful treat for tea.

Flowers accompany us throughout our lives, used to express emotions, improve mood, create a romantic atmosphere, and celebrate important events. They can make us happy and sad, help us confess our love and express gratitude. Flowers are a wonderful addition to a gift and everyone needs to know the basic laws of flower etiquette, especially if you are giving a bouquet of flowers to a man.

Is it worth giving flowers at all?

Some men react negatively to bouquets as gifts. Such a gift can offend them and even make them angry. If you are absolutely sure that the birthday person accepts bouquets normally, then feel free to give them. And if in doubt, then it is better to choose a plant in a pot. Potted plants bring joy no less than flowers in bouquets. They are fun to look after, and the process calms the nervous system. It will even be useful for a man to receive a home flower as a gift, because it can become a real “friend” and an object of care. Potted plants suitable for men include:

• orchids and anthuriums;
• laurel and myrtle trees;
• all citrus fruits without exception;
• coniferous plants;
• adeniums and bonsai.

The listed flowers serve as the most striking decoration of window sills and do not require particularly complex care. For many years they will delight the eye and remind you of the holiday. You need to choose the right plant in a pot. Look not only at the crown, but also at the contents of the flowerpot. The soil must be clean, free of mold and traces of insect activity. The smell can say a lot about the condition of the root system. If the soil smells rotten, it means the roots are in poor condition and the flower will soon die. The crown of a potted plant should be fresh, bright, and rich. Spots, sticky coating, dried areas and yellowing on the leaves indicate various diseases.

How a men's bouquet should be decorated and what colors to use

The number of flowers in the bouquet is important:

• 1 - symbolizes attention to the person;
• 2 - only people in love can give each other gifts;
• 3 - respect for the male recipient;
• 5 - symbolizes recognition of merit;
• 7 - it is recommended to give to loved ones, since this number is a symbol of ardent passion and love;
• 9 - such bouquets are presented to the object of admiration;
• 10 or more - have a symbolic meaning only for the recipient, for example, 50 flowers for men on an anniversary or 25, meaning the number of years of service.

The choice of color should also be based on the occasion for which the gift will be:

• for official celebrations it is recommended to choose calm shades;
• bouquets for 70 years should be more restrained than compositions for young guys;
• For informal occasions, any color scheme is suitable, it all depends on the preferences of the recipient;
• if you have a special, reverent attitude towards a man, you should choose delicate shades;
• bright colors can indicate warm feelings for the recipient.

Important recommendations on the form and content of a men's bouquet

A typically male bouquet should have an elongated, strict shape. The spherical shape of the bouquet and composition are undesirable. It is recommended to use predominantly one type of flower. This also applies to their color: it is better if the entire bouquet is monochromatic. It is better to choose large buds so that they are better visible.

Bows, ribbons and other similar accessories are inappropriate in this case. It is allowed to use discreet decorative elements in dark tones.

A leather belt or tie that acts as a ribbon or twine will look original.

Under no circumstances should you add artificial plants and elements to the composition, especially if this gift is intended for a person over 50 years old. Dried flowers are also inappropriate.

It is better for men to give flowers in baskets; in rare cases, you can place them in special packaging. This has undoubted advantages: with such a composition the recipient of the gift will have less trouble and it will be able to delight with its beauty longer. It is recommended to choose plain, discreet paper for packaging.

If a man has a hobby or hobby, then the bouquet can have a themed design. This also applies to those cases when there is no knowledge about what flowers are given to men for their birthdays and other holidays. Compositions in the form of a ship, a car or a sports weight will be original. To create them, it is allowed to use several types of plants.

Unusual bouquets for men

Men value originality in women, so they will like an unusual bouquet much more than a classic one. In addition to flowers, you can add to a men's bouquet:

• dried fruits and sweets on long thin skewers;
• tea and coffee bags;
• beautifully folded socks;
• hygiene items (shaving foam, machine, cosmetics).

A good option is a composition of salted fish and beer snacks. This is truly a real man's bouquet! Or a sheaf tied with a tie. It looks original and doesn’t take up much space. Sheaf bouquets are small compositions of flowers on short stems, tied with straw, dry grass, paper or thick ribbons. Their flat, wide base makes them stable. Under the plants there is a special floral sponge that retains moisture. Therefore, the sheaves do not need to be placed in a vase. Instead of flowers, you can give a loved one a bouquet of banknotes. Such a gift will definitely come in handy and help out in difficult times. The birthday boy will be able to buy himself exactly what he needs, and you won’t have to rack your brains over the gift.

Flower etiquette rules

• The bouquet must correspond to the event or occasion for delivery. A bouquet for a 60th anniversary and a bouquet for a professional holiday are different from each other
• A woman does not give a bouquet to a man who is much younger than her
• It is advisable to first ask what the man’s attitude is towards such a gift, whether it will be unpleasant for him
• If possible, clarify tastes and preferences, as well as allergies
• Flowers are presented with the left hand, the right hand is free, either for a handshake or for an etiquette kiss
• A man's bouquet should not exude a sweet aroma, the smell should be barely audible
• The bouquet should not have frivolous decorations
• A men's bouquet does not involve the use of delicate pink-pastel colors and so-called “female flowers” ​​(jasmine, violet, lily of the valley, pink peony)
• Simple flowers are not suitable for giving: daisies, cornflowers, field plants, this is a “home” option
• Men are not given flowers in pots for special anniversaries, even to amateurs for whom growing flowers is a hobby. Find another reason for this
• Men are not given small bouquets or spherical bouquets.
• Bright, rich colors are suitable for a men's bouquet. According to psychologists, they cause joy, a surge of energy, and pleasure in men
• The packaging is removed before delivery if it is not a decorative element.
• The bouquet should not contain sharp, scratching or staining elements
• A faded, “stale” look of a bouquet with falling petals is not allowed
• If the hero of the day receives congratulations together with his wife, flowers are presented to her, the exception is a male composition with an additional element, for example, alcohol, expensive coffee, an elegant accessory
• A bouquet for a man should be an addition to the main gift
• The bouquet is presented after congratulations and wishes to the hero of the occasion.

Never choose a bouquet for a man just because you like him.

A men's bouquet is complicated even for many florists due to the large number of nuances, so when choosing it, it is better to turn to professionals.

How to give a bouquet to a man for his birthday?

A man needs to be presented with flowers in a special way. If a woman can proudly accept such a gift, then a man will most likely be embarrassed. The bouquet should be given with the left hand (from the heart) after a handshake and as if casually, without focusing attention on it. At the same time, you can say “congratulations” and wish you long life. When choosing a bouquet for a man, rely on the following rules:

• give preference to flowers with a linear shape (callas, gladioli, delphinium, irises);
• choose rich, dark shades of buds (purple, burgundy, blue);
• instead of dark shades, you can choose snow-white (this color is suitable for both women and men);
• the shape of the bouquet should be correct rectangular (men are very pedantic);
• the design of the flower arrangement should be laconic and restrained (without colorful wrappers or colorful ribbons).

It is better for a woman to present flowers to a man. Such a gesture between two men may be misunderstood by others.

Men's bouquet design

Bouquet shape

The shape of the bouquet for men should be pyramidal, a triangular version is allowed, strict clear lines directed upwards are maintained in the bouquet, and some aggressiveness should be visible. Do not use plants with stems hanging down; it is also advisable to limit spreading and fluffy branches.

A bouquet for a man should have some kind of phallic symbolism, long stems, large leaves and elongated buds. All this should resemble an arrow pointing upward. The flowers are large, with pronounced inflorescences of the same size.

Greenery is used that supports the floral structure and itself has a geometric shape, for example, leaves of fern, asparagus, monstera, bamboo.

Bouquet design and packaging

A men's bouquet does not involve decoration with lace elements, sparkles, decorative bows, or beads. An exception may be a ribbon made of natural material, jute, but in no case satin. Flowers can be tied with braid, and experts do not advise untying it even when placing the bouquet in a vase, so as not to destroy the microclimate of the bouquet.

The use of baskets for flower arrangements involves the anniversary of the anniversary or the official award procedure.

Bouquet color

The classics of a men's bouquet are the use of one type of flower in a single color scheme, although today florists make a men's bouquet from different color shades, even contrasting ones.

The color of the bouquet is adjusted according to the age and temperament of the birthday person, as well as his position in society. People of the older generation choose restrained, soft colors; young people prefer a scattering of bright colors. Calm colors are suitable for phlegmatic people, and combinations of contrasting shades are suitable for choleric people. Green leaves must be present for framing. For established, respectable men, flowers with dark colors are selected.

The colors should be rich: red, purple, orange, white, burgundy, blue. There should be no sharp color transitions or excessive variegation. The best option is mono-bouquets, in which flowers are selected according to one type and a single color scheme. In 2021, ultraviolet is recognized as a fashionable color.

What kind of men can you give flowers for their birthday?

You can give a bouquet to a loved one: dad, grandfather, uncle, brother. You can also congratulate your boss, colleague, teacher, mentor with flowers. You should not give flowers to friends and guys with whom you are in a romantic relationship. Creative people with a soft, flexible character normally relate to flowers. If a man is principled and lives according to generally accepted principles, you should not give him flowers. Any bouquet presented with good intentions will bring only positive emotions. Give men flowers without hesitation! Give emotions and good mood.

How to give flowers correctly

Floral etiquette came into existence several hundred years ago. In some aspects he remained the same. There are two rules when it is appropriate to give flowers.

They are easy to remember:

1. "Bouquet and Personality" . To give flowers to loved ones - father, husband, brother - the occasion is not important. They will always perceive flowers as an expression of love, respect, sincerity, and warmth. Strict compliance of the bouquet design with floral etiquette is not necessary.
2. "Bouquet and occasion." For other men - colleagues, managers, teachers - the bouquet will become an integral part of the congratulations. Compositions are presented only on special occasions (promotion at work, anniversary, professional holiday). Add cards with wishes.

Houseplants

In addition to flower arrangements, you can give a houseplant that will delight a person’s eye every day and evoke warm feelings. When choosing a flower in a pot, you should take into account that there is no additional hassle with it. The plant should be unpretentious. These include: money tree, anthurium, laurel, bansai or lemon.

An original gift from succulents for a man

Not prevent ! Find out what you can give instead of flowers!

In honor of the birthday

What flowers to give a man directly depends on the nature of the relationship between people. There are several possible options. For your beloved, you can choose a bouquet of red roses. However, in this case you need to be careful, because you need to be absolutely sure that the man will appreciate the flower gift and will not consider it an inappropriate surprise.

For a work colleague or boss, you should choose a ready-made floral arrangement of white roses, for example in a basket. Good alcohol or a leather diary will be great additions to the bouquet.

It will also come in handy ! Find out when and what kind of indoor flowers to give.

Addition to the bouquet

A bouquet of flowers is, of course, beautiful and elegant, but many people believe that it is not enough just to give a man flowers. As a rule, flowers are one of the components, and in addition to them, it is customary to give something else, more material. This addition can be anything, but most often it is:

• alcohol;
• tea set;
• coffee packaging;
• candies or chocolate;
• souvenir based on the theme of the celebration.