While some may not appreciate the art of giving flowers, buying flowers for friends has always been love language for many.

There are many factors to consider when customizing a bouquet for your friends:

“The recipient’s identity, the occasion, and preferences are factors we consider,” said Yue Lin, a florist who has been running her flower shop “La Lune” for four years. “Aesthetic appreciation is diverse and inclusive, and one needs to feel the sensory aspects and emotions, recognizing that they are multifaceted.”

First, you should clarify the occasion with your florist.

“Different occasions call for different flower combinations,” Lin said. “Customers come to us for various occasions: from birthdays, dates, anniversaries, and musical plays.”

Then, you must decide the color, the first thing people notice upon seeing the bouquet. One popular approach is layering the person’s favorite color with a secondary theme to balance the tone. Events can also inform the color; for instance, a red and white bouquet for Christmas.

“While colors can provide the immediate impression,” Lin said. “The bouquet’s message is not solely determined by color. Factors such as brightness, flower texture, and shape are all considered.”

Finally, pick the flower type based on the specific message you intend to convey. For instance, the orange blossom represents chastity and innocence while the red chrysanthemum symbolizes love. If you are not careful, you may accidentally deliver the wrong message; such as giving a chrysanthemum bouquet, a flower that indicates mourning in Chinese tradition, for a friend’s birthday.

Webb’s unique environment has fostered a trend of flower bouquet-giving among friends.

“I always get flowers for my friends for their chapel talks, fall plays, or musicals,” said Amy Wang (‘24). “Webb is a stressful environment, and especially for many international students. You might feel your loved ones are thousands of miles away from you. I want my friends to feel supported.”

Even more rewarding than giving flowers though is receiving them.

“I was nervous about the Fall play, especially during busy junior year,” said Chelsea Wei (‘25). “I was overjoyed when my friend brought me flowers after the show. I feel like I was taken care of when I’m far away from home and busy with Webb’s schedule.”

This gesture represents more the act of giving, but a way to spread love.

“Whenever I receive flowers from my friend, I just feel like my love is reciprocated,” Amy said.