Shopping With a Purpose

Posted on: 23 January 2019

If one of your special friends or family members is graduating high school, college, or grad school, treat her to the gift of fresh flowers. The blooms will show her how proud you are of her accomplishments and make a thoughtful gift. 

When choosing the perfect floral arrangement, you can use either her school colors, favorite flowers or color, or even a specific theme as inspiration. If you want to give her a present that will last longer than a week or two, realistic-looking silk flowers are also an option. 

Depending on your gift-giving budget, treat the graduate to anything from a small bouquet in a vase to a basket filled with goodies along with the flowers. You can work with the florist to a create a one-of-a-kind present.

When choosing the vessel in which to display the floral arrangement, you'll have several options. You can go with a traditional crystal vase for a classic look, a custom-designed or hand-painted vase, or a wicker basket, all of which she can reuse later. 

Here are flower-inspired graduation gift ideas to consider.

1. School Colors

Show school pride by designing a bouquet featuring its colors. For instance, have the florist put together an arrangement of red and white roses, yellow daisies and purple hyacinths, or orange and yellow tulips. If you can, stick with flowers that are in season for the freshest appearance and best price.

If you need a specific color, you can have white flowers dyed to match. You can also use faux flowers, which come in every color of the rainbow. 

Finish the gift with "happy graduation" balloons, a book with inspirational quotes about the future, or even a piece of jewelry, such as earrings or a necklace pendant, displaying gemstones in coordinating colors.

2. Themed Gift 

As another idea, create a floral gift based on a specific theme, such as the recipient's intended career or after-graduation plans. As an example, if your friend or loved one will be going to Paris after she gets her diploma, place a bouquet of fresh flowers in an Eiffel Tower-shaped vase. 

For a graduate who's moving to a tropical location to continue her career path, fill a clear glass vase with small seashells, and arrange a bouquet of vibrant birds-of-paradise, orange lilies, purple and white orchids, and red ginger. Include plenty of island-inspired greenery in the arrangement as well. 

You can round out the gifts with other personalized themed items, such t-shirts or coffee mugs. For more information, reach out to florists like Marine Florists.