What flowers to give depends on the occasion; choosing the right flowers makes the gesture even more thoughtful

Giving flowers is a common way to express affection, and there is actually quite a bit of etiquette about which flowers to give for which occasion. When choosing flowers, besides their appearance, you should also consider their symbolic meaning, the recipient's preferences and local customs and habits, so that the gift is both proper and thoughtful.

When visiting elders or patients, you can choose flowers such as carnations, lilies and gladioli, which symbolize health and peace, with warm, soft colors being preferable. When visiting a sick person, try to avoid varieties with a strong fragrance, and keep the bouquet a moderate size so as not to add to the recipient's burden.

Couples often give roses: red roses express passionate love, while pink roses appear gentler and more romantic. For a friend's housewarming, business opening or birthday, you can give a money tree, anthurium or sunflower, symbolizing ever-growing prosperity and a bright future. During festivals, carnations are often given on Mother's Day, while for Chinese New Year you can choose festive flowers such as Phalaenopsis and large-flowered cymbidium, which are celebratory and bring good luck.

There are also taboos to keep in mind when giving flowers. For example, white chrysanthemums and yellow chrysanthemums are mostly associated with memorial occasions in our country, so they should be avoided as much as possible when visiting relatives and friends in daily life. Different places have different customs regarding flower materials and quantities, so when in doubt, you can first learn about the other person's habits to avoid doing the wrong thing with good intentions.

If you really do not know how to choose, you might ask a flower shop to put together an arrangement according to the occasion and your intentions, and then attach a greeting card. A suitable bouquet often conveys true feelings better than an expensive gift.