Tag: flowers

The romance doesn’t drain out of a marriage overnight. It’s a slow trickle over time.

Counselors will tell you that the leaks in a marriage or love relationship are a hazard of daily life. Careers, children, bills and a variety of daily responsibilities add to the problem, one drip at a time.

Don’t fret… because there is still hope. Men who haven’t given as much attention to the relationship as they should can reignite the romance through simple and inexpensive actions.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be an occasion to celebrate love and romance. Instead, it often turns into an anxiety-producing, expectation-riddled competition that can lead to disappointment and frustration, especially in one’s marriage.

Here are a few questions from people suffering from what I call "Valentine’s Envy" and how you should answer them to keep the focus on love instead of hype this year.

1. Every Valentine's Day my best friend’s husband does something over-the-top. For instance

When you get married, it’s natural and expected that you and your spouse will focus more on each other than you do on your respective families. However, there are some occasions when it’s important to devote the first fruits of your time and energy to maintaining and strengthening your relationship with the people who raised you. Mother’s Day is definitely one of those times.

What are your plans? Are you going to send some flowers or a card, chat with your mom on the phone and congratulate yourself on doing your duty as a child?

It’s a rare woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving an arrangement of fresh-cut flowers for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or "just because" a family member, friend or thoughtful spouse is thinking of her. But here’s an idea: though flowers are traditionally a gift that a man would give his wife, flowers can be a great gift for men too. There are many occasions when flowers or simply a live plant in general can be a thoughtful, welcome surprise for a man.

The advantages for sending a floral arrangement to your husband are the same that all women appreciate: they’re beautiful, they instantly cheer up a room, they let the recipient know someone is thinking of them and they bring a smile to someone’s face.

Spring brings Vitamin D energy and green growth into our lives. There is an easy, natural self-confidence about hidden potential percolating beneath the earth’s surface. When buds and bulbs emerge, there is no consciousness of the past, only fresh beginnings with a clean slate. One of the most popular stress management strategies advises us to get into a natural rhythm. Now we can see it in action!

Most of us have distinct preferences when it comes to colors, animals, parks, aromas and flowers. States even have a special state flower for representation. Harvard research on the, "Ecology of Flowers" claims that fresh flowers—not the silk version—energize people at work and bring happiness to those at home.

Could your home use a splash of color? Then think about perking up your space with some fresh flowers. I’m a sucker when it comes to buying fresh cut flowers because every time I go to the grocery store, I’m lured away from my shopping list and drawn directly to the flower station. But I never feel guilty about buying flowers simply because flowers can really change your mood and the look of your home!

Think Beyond the Vase
You don’t have to have fancy containers for a stunning flower arrangement. Instead, think about something unexpected, unusual and fun that can hold water and flowers.