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Category: Flowers

Host Gift Guide

Posted on by Amber

The season of family and friend gatherings has arrived with Thanksgiving just around the corner.

If you’re not hosting this year and want to show your appreciation to the host of the party but don’t know where to start or what is appropriate, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s Friendsgiving at your besties or Thanksgiving at your aunt’s house, we have something to help you say thanks to the host for their hard work.

Host/Hostess gift guide:

Flowers 

A classic. It’s hard to go wrong with flowers, but how do you pick the perfect arrangement for the host? Consider going seasonal and giving them our Fall Bouquet filled with roses, sunflowers and carnations. Alternatively, you can give them a splash of color with our Garden Bouquet that features a vibrant hydrangea, daisy poms and mini carnations.

There’s a bouquet for every taste on our website, or you can stop at one of our stores and we’ll help you find just the right one for your host.

Chocolates 

We know after the big holiday meal no one wants to think about eating again for a year. However, the chocolates can be stored away for your host to enjoy at a later date. It will be a perfect snack for them later when the last thing they want to think about is going into the kitchen to prepare more food.

A serving board

If your host volunteered to host the gathering, chances are they are a party planner and typically have many people visit their home throughout the year. A serving board is perfect for them to have something cute and functional to display cheese and crackers. This board features a beautiful floral design and the sentiment “the sweet comfort of home”. It will show your appreciation to them for opening their home up to you.

A plant

Plants are the perfect addition to any home and your host will be able to appreciate your gift long after the holiday season. This is also a great gift for the host who has everything, because there is no such thing as too many plants. Consider gifting this Bromeliad Planter in a seasonal orange container or the timeless Friendship Garden.

A gift basket

Everyone loves a good gift basket. Our “Movie Night” basket is perfect for the movie buff while our snack basket will offer them plenty of treats to enjoy well after the special occasion.

Tea

Hosting is fun, but stressful. Give your host some tea to calm their nerves and offer them a little caffeine boost. The Jubilee collection from Tea Forte has a little bit of everything with 10 different blends. There’s something for every taste.

A decoration

If they are a decorator or a collector of trinkets, this Willow Tree figure, “With Gratitude” is a wonderful way to say thanks. The bright yellow flowers the figure is holding invoke joy and the message on the accompanying card will show your gratitude towards them. They will always remember the special occasion whenever they glance at the gift.

Jewelry

Is your host a fashionista? Then treat them to a new piece of jewelry. Consider this calming blue “dream” necklace with original artwork or the Isle of Skye abstract “joy” bracelet to express how being invited to their gathering and being in their company makes you feel.

When picking out a gift for your host, just keep in mind that it truly is the thought that counts. No matter what you chose, your host will be grateful for the acknowledgement of their hard work to put together the event.

Best Flowers for the Thanksgiving table

Posted on by Amber

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year you have a lot on your plate from meal planning and cooking, to coordinating schedules and setting up the pullout couch. We know you’re working hard to make it a memorable holiday.

To help ease some of the stress and make one decision easier, we’ve created a list of floral table centerpiece options. Many of these will be the star of the show, and likely the only decoration you need on the table.

There’s something for every style including smaller arrangements for intimate family gatherings and those who like simplicity and grand tablescapes that are great for larger tables and those looking to make a statement.

Floral Table centerpieces for intimate gatherings

Harvest Beauty – This small arrangement is bursting with color. It’s housed in a festive glass pumpkin container and features red roses, football mums and orange carnations. The pops of purple caspia add to the colorful, joyous effect. It’s just the right size for any small gathering.

Grateful – If you’re looking for a rustic, but bright fall look this arrangement will perfectly match the aesthetic. Orange carnations, an array of yellow flowers and dried oak leaves fill the yellow ceramic pot, creating a beautiful autumn centerpiece.

Autumn Light – This arrangement features a candle to help bring warmth and light to the table. It is contained in a dish and features red carnations, an array of poms, orange mini carnations and purple statice. It’s the perfect arrangement for those looking for a traditional centerpiece with a pop of color.

Fall Blooms – This arrangement is housed in a unique, square orange frosted vase and features bronze daisy poms, orange mini carnations, dried oak leaves and more. It’s perfect for those wanting a modern Thanksgiving look.

Thanksgiving Harvest – This is a great option for those who embrace pumpkin season. The arrangement is held by an orange ceramic pumpkin and contains peach carnations, orange mini carnations, bronze daisy poms and more.

Floral Table centerpieces for grand gatherings

Autumn Meadow Deluxe – This classic bouquet featuring red roses, sunflowers and orange carnations sits in a clear vase, providing an earthy and open touch. The colors are vibrant and will catch the eye of everyone in attendance.

Autumn Warmth – This centerpiece has two orange candles and is adorned in peach roses, football mums, poms and more. It’s a great option for those looking for something traditional to fill the table.

Horn of Plenty – This showstopper is a cornucopia basket holding an arrangement with burgundy roses, sunflowers, burgundy carnations, lots of poms, dried oak leaves and more. This centerpiece will be the talk of dinner and tied in beautifully with the spread of food.

Plentiful – A white wooden turkey is the star of this centerpiece. The decorative statue is surrounded by peach roses, football mums, mini green hydrangeas, yellow carnations and more. It is a wonderful addition to your turkey day feast.

Family Gathering Centerpiece – This four-candle centerpiece has peach roses, sunflowers, burgundy carnations and more. The fall plaid ribbon embedded ties together the seasonal look.

Whatever type of gathering you are planning for Thanksgiving flowers are the perfect decoration to celebrate the special holiday.

Why are Marigolds Important to Day of the Dead Celebrations?

Posted on by Amber

Marigolds, or Cempasuchil, are a central part of Day of the Dead celebrations. 

The Mexican holiday is observed Nov. 1 – Nov. 2 and it is believed by its celebrants that during the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, souls are released from Heaven to rejoin their loved ones. To celebrate this special time, people leave offerings to their deceased family members at gravesites and on ofrendas, such as the dead’s favorite food.

History.com states that ofrendas typically feature images of loved ones who have passed and are decorated with candles, marigolds and red cock’s comb.

According to npr, marigolds are used in the celebration to help guide ancestors back home. The spirits use the scent of the marigolds to find their way from their burial place to their families ofrendas.

Although Day of the Dead is primarily celebrated in Mexico, it is also observed throughout South America and in the United States by those with Mexican heritage. 

Select Royers locations including Reading, Lebanon, Chambersburg, Camp Hill and Carlisle are offering a limited selection of marigolds this year to assist in Day of the Dead celebrations.

Behind the scenes of our new everyday selections brochure

Posted on by Amber

The everyday selection brochure, which highlights many new products, is finally here!

The 41-page booklet features photographs of our current selection of flower bouquets, arrangements, plants, gifts and more. It’s designed to help flower lovers find the perfect arrangement for every occasion and mood.

There’s many different collections featured including the nautical-inspired “Nantucket” and “Cape May” collections, the thoughtful “Memories” rose collection, the loving and cheery “Tranquility” collection and more.

The Nantucket Deluxe featuring hydrangea, two roses, delphinium, Bells of Ireland, football mums, carnations, daisy poms, viking poms, and solidago graces the cover, evoking memories of beach days from this past Summer.

Our direct ship options, which ship anywhere in the Continental United States and include the arrangement, vase and flower food, are highlighted within the book as well as our direct ship succulent container.

Some of our snack and tea offerings are featured, including the Chocolate & Mug Gift Set and the limited edition “Jubilee” tea collection from Tea Forte featuring 20 tea infusers comprised of 10 different blends. Some of the flavors include Strawberry Hibiscus (Oolong tea), Cherry Blossom (Green tea) and Mango Citron (Herbal tea). 

Our funeral offerings and sympathy gifts are also included. There is a double urn arrangement showcased along with a red rose open heart standing wreath for funeral and celebration of life services. The double urn arrangement is in all whites including hydrangea, roses, stock, alstroemeria, carnations, and daisy poms.

There are also flowers specifically curated to be given as gifts to grieving families.

Gift arrangements for all of life’s occasions are also highlighted. The “Baby Girl” bouquet made of mini green hydrangea, charmelia alstroemeria, a football mum, carnations, daisy poms, baby’s breath is shown. The arrangement comes with a pink stuffed unicorn to help welcome the new baby girl. A “Baby Boy” version featuring a blue and white stuffed cow and a blue and white arrangement is also available.

The “Beary Happy Birthday Vase” arrangement is shown, which includes a “Happy Birthday” stick-in and a tan bear with a party hat. A general celebration arrangement is also pictured, which includes a party horn and noise maker, and is perfect for all of the happy moments.

Plant mom and dads can peruse our new plant offerings, including our vibrant Triple Orchard Planter and tropical-style Bromeliad Planter.

We hope the new look book helps you find exactly what you are looking for. These books can be picked up at your local Royer’s Flowers & Gifts and are complementary.

Self-care made simple: flowers

Posted on by Neal

Exercise, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep. These are among the most common means of practicing self-care, even if many of us struggle to achieve them daily.

Did you know that an even easier way to boost your physical and mental health is by including flowers in your everyday life? Academic researchers have linked flowers to happiness.

“Flowers aren’t just for making emotional statements at holidays or milestone moments,” said Royer’s Flowers CEO Tom Royer. “Having them around on a regular basis improves our mental and emotional health.”

Researchers have noted that flowers can be a source of pleasure. Flowers are known to trigger the release of “happy” brain chemicals dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin.

While flowers won’t replace working out or eating well, they are beneficial to self-care.

Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey conducted a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional response to receiving flowers. Their report, “An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers,” found that flowers improve mood, help people make deep connections, and have an immediate positive effect on happiness.

On the heels of the Rutgers study, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital looked at the “Home Ecology of Flowers.”

The research found that people living with flowers reported increased feelings of compassion and kindness toward others. By placing flowers in high visibility areas of their home, participants reported feeling less anxiety and worry.

Happiness at home carried over to the workplace, where the individuals were happier and felt more enthusiasm and energy.

Reawaken a sense of purpose and possibility with these spring flowers

Posted on by Neal
Hyacinths of red, blue and yellow in a wicker basket are an example of popular spring flowers.

It seemed like New Year’s Eve fireworks had barely faded from view when suddenly it was the waning days of winter.

Maybe you lacked the time or the willpower to sustain the resolve with which you vowed to exercise more, eat better and generally become a better version of yourself.

Never fear. For a renewed sense of purpose, look no further than nature and Easter, those perennial symbols of rebirth and reawakening.

Spring means more sunlight, which allows plants to produce more food. The more food it has, the more that a plant grows. And as temperatures rise, plants grow more quickly.

Indoor inspiration

Of course, you can bring the sense of endless possibilities that spring flowers inspire by bringing them indoors. Here are four favorites that you will find in our stores:

Daffodils – These are one of the first plants to emerge each spring. They represent rebirth, new beginnings and hope. At Easter, we carry the bulb plant. Our customers love the bright yellow flower. Daffodils are a favorite of churches for decorating at Easter.

Hyacinth – The most fragrant of spring flowers, this is another one we carry in bulb form at Easter, in colors of white, pink or blue. They are available as a single bulb or pots of multiple bulbs. Bulb plants are a fun addition to a child’s Easter basket, allowing them to watch a plant’s life cycle.

Easter lily – The pure white flower symbolizes purity, rebirth and new beginnings and most often is associated with Christ’s resurrection. For those reasons, there’s a long tradition of giving Easter lilies as gifts and decorating churches with them. Although we don’t carry the Easter Lily plant year-round (and it typically isn’t used as a fresh-cut flower), we offer the white stargazer lily, which is similar in shape and sweet fragrance.

Tulips – This plant/flower symbolizes perfect and deep love. We carry the potted bulb during Easter, but we also offer fresh-cut tulips generally from January through April. Tulips are one of the few flowers that continue to grow after being cut and can stretch up to six inches or more.

If your New Year’s resolutions didn’t take hold, no worries. Spring and Easter can get you back on track, offering a sense of renewal.

Spring flowers offer convincing proof of that.

Red roses remain No. 1, but flower and gift options abound for Valentine’s Day

Posted on by Neal

Roses are red, my love, the old Bobby Vinton song begins.

But while red still rules for Valentine’s Day, roses come in a rainbow of colors. Rosier still is that when celebrating the holiday of love, flower, plant and gift options abound and at price points to satisfy any budget.

ROSES

Red roses signify love and admiration, so it’s no wonder that they are the quarterback in what is the floral industry’s version of football’s big game. Pink, white, mixed and yellow roses comprise the other most popular colors for Valentine’s Day, according to the Society of American Florists’ website aboutflowers.com.

Also note that roses can be purchased in varying quantities, sizes and presentations, offering customers a great deal of choice.

OTHER FLOWERS

Besides roses, popular Valentine’s Day flowers include tulips, carnations, alstroemeria, lilies. Royer’s offers a mixed bouquet comprising roses, mini hydrangea, daisy poms, carnations, mini carnations and caspia wrapped in a sleeve. Or consider garden mixes in shades of lavender, pink and white.

PLANTS

From reducing stress and anxiety to improving air quality and productivity, household plants are an easy, affordable way to bring natural beauty inside. Many plants are easy to care for, too, and can be placed in multiple spots around a home or office.

Succulents are drought resistant and fleshy for storing water, combining a striking appearance with minimal care. Dish gardens feature several different plants in a single container.  

CHOCOLATE

The ancient Aztecs believed chocolate was an aphrodisiac. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates debuted in 1861. Given that history, it’s easy to understand why chocolate is associated with love and romance and remains a popular Valentine’s Day option.

PLUSH AND BALLOONS

Soft and cuddly, classic and timeless, a symbol of love and affection, these are among the attributes that make a teddy bear or other stuffed animal a great Valentine’s Day gift for children and children at heart.

Another way to make hearts and spirits soar is with a colorful, fun and entertaining balloon. Some will even sing for you!

If you can’t pick just one option, Royer’s offers a combo featuring a plush white bear, heart-shaped mylar balloon and chocolate-covered pretzels.

FIGURINES

Another enduring expression of love, figurines are small carved or molded figures, collectible and a popular way to personalize a gift, often as an add-on to flowers.

Whatever your Valentine’s day needs, your florist will be happy to help. It’s always best to act early to ensure the most abundant selection.

Send love or welcome an early spring with fresh-cut tulips

Posted on by Neal

They inspired a speculative financial bubble in the 1600s and a hit song in the United States three centuries later.

Still today, tulips remain one of the most popular flowers in the world and a sure sign of spring when they rise from the ground in all of their beautiful bounty.

If you need a reprieve from the winter doldrums, one sure-fire way is to bring fresh-cut, colorful tulips into your home or workplace. What’s more, for their association with love, tulips are a popular choice as a Valentine’s Day gift.

Tulip mania

Royer’s Flowers & Gifts sources tulips from growers in the Netherlands, the world’s largest commercial producer of tulips. The capital city, Amsterdam, celebrates National Tulip Day on the third Saturday of January. The 2024 theme: Let’s Dance.

Part of the lily family, tulips arrived in the Netherlands in the 16th century from their native central Asia, where they grew wild in the mountain valleys where China and Tibet meet Afghanistan and Russia. The name “tulip” is said to come from a Turkish word for “turban,” suggesting a physical resemblance between the flower and the cloth headwear.

The arrival of tulips corresponded with Netherlands’ independence from Spain and what history.com called “a period of unmatched wealth” fueled by international trade. That wealth coincided with a fascination with so-called broken tulips, or bulbs that produced striped and speckled flowers.

If you experienced the fervor for Beanie Babies in the 1990s, you got a taste for the speculative fever, or tulip mania, that overtook the Netherlands, peaking in the winter of 1636-37.

Tulips with a “striated effect,” or that went from a single color to a feathery or flamelike pattern, became inexplicably valuable: The price of the most-prized bulbs matched the going rate for a nice house. It was only discovered in the 19th century that this unique feature resulted from a virus.

“But in the 17th century, this was still not understood,” according to the BBC, “and so, strangely enough diseased tulips, emblazoned with distinctive patterns, became more prized than healthy ones in the Dutch Republic.”

Tulip trickery

Tulip mania came and went, but tulips took root in the Netherlands. It’s what DutchGrown.com, a wholesale flower bulb exporter, credits to the country’s “beautiful sandy soil, and a century old tradition of being able to control water and make it do whatever we want.”

Specifically, it requires a bit of “tulip trickery,” making “bulbs believe they have been through a hot, dry summer and an arctic winter” and replicating their native habitat.

Tulips technically are perennials, but they struggle to act that way in the warmer United States.

“Plant a bulb in fall and even a novice gardener can expect to see a beautiful flower come spring,” according to AmericanMeadows.com. “But getting a tulip to perform well in the second or third year is another story.”

Because tulips are one of the easiest flowers to grow in a garden, most American consumers replant bulbs every year.

Several other tidbits about tulips:

  • Even as a cut stem, tulips will continue to grow in water, lasting seven days after they have bloomed.
  • They do best in full sun and, like sunflowers, are heliotropic, bending toward light throughout the day.
  • They come in a variety of colors rich in symbolism: pink, happiness and confidence; purple, royalty; yellow, cheerful thoughts; white, forgiveness.
  • Red is the symbol of everlasting love, which strikes at the heart of the 1929 chart-topping song, “Tiptoe through the Tulips,” which appeared in a movie called “Gold Diggers of Broadway.” (Cult artist Tiny Tim would turn it into a hit again in the 1960s.)

“And when I kiss you in the garden in the moonlight,” the song says, “Will you pardon me and tiptoe through the tulips with me?”

For holiday decorating, DIY and do what you like

Posted on by Neal

At the top of this year’s Christmas list, let’s take some of the hectic out of holiday decorating.

’Tis the season to be jolly, but it also can be a time of great stress. While Hallmark movies and Pinterest boards can be great sources of inspiration, don’t underestimate your own style and creativity when it comes to design and budget.

You can do it yourself and do it your way.

That’s the message from Royer’s designers Kim Orris and Steven Shughart, colleagues at our Carlisle store, who shared their secrets for less restive, more festive holiday home decorating.

Span the holidays

Santa rides in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You might put your Christmas tree up before taking the first bite of Thanksgiving turkey. The two holidays flow into one another like gravy across a scoop of mashed potatoes.

In that spirit, you can use a pine wreath as a Thanksgiving centerpiece before hanging it on your front door during Christmas. Wreaths also can be hung inside on a door or wall.

Borrow from nature

To enhance a centerpiece, consider taking a walk. It’s not only good for mind and body, but you can find branches, leaves, pine cones, acorns to bring the outside inside.

“You can go on a walk and clip a branch and put it in a vase,” Steven said. “You see that in almost any magazine anymore.”

“And along with our gift items, it looks gorgeous,” Kim said.

Embrace what’s free

What’s more, what you find outside costs nothing.

“Sometimes the free stuff is what really makes a house feel lived in, like it’s collected,” Steven said.

You also can save money by using items you already have, such as filling a vase or bowl with Christmas balls.

Improvise

“You don’t have to have the oval centerpiece with the two candles,” Steven said.

“Or you can have that and add to it with the branches or the balls or the greenery just spread around,” Kim said. Or run a small set of battery-powered lights down the table.

If you’re having a holiday party, consider buying a handful of flowers and spreading the heads on the table.

“It doesn’t have to be designed,” Kim said.

Ultimately, there is no single way to deck the halls. You should find comfort and joy in doing what pleases your eye.

“If you like it, it works,” Steven said.

Lebanon County resident wins this year’s Royer’s name-the-arrangement contest

Posted on by Neal

Lisa Birkholz of South Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, always is eager for autumn.

“Fall’s my favorite time of year,” she said.

And with even more reason this year. Her submission in Royer’s Flowers & Gifts’ annual name-the-arrangement contest – “Fall Hues” – was selected as the winner among more than 500 online entries.

Kathy Kissling’s entry “Fall’s Delight” (one of six she contributed overall) was the runner up. Birkholz and Kissling, also of South Lebanon Township, each will receive the all-around arrangement (retail value $34.99) as their prize.

The arrangement features an autumnal color palette: lavender glass vase, orange rose and orange carnations, purple statice, red alstroemeria, sunflower. It measures 14 inches high and 11 inches wide.

The arrangement will debut this fall and will be available in all stores and as part of Royer’s direct-ship program serving the Lower 48 states.