“Flowers Speak Where Human Language Fails.”- Anonymous
Human life is incomplete without celebrations. Personal or communal; celebrations bring together people of different religions, races, ethnicities, and cultures, like nothing else. And celebrations are incomplete without flowers. After all, nothing says happiness, exaltation, and good humor better than flowers. Gifting flowers in Poland is a tradition that is popular all over the world and the proud nation of Poland is no exception. Poland’s colorful customs and traditions necessitate the gifting of nature’s bounty in the shape of flowers.
Gifting flowers can be a tricky business if you do not know the traditions, culture, and symbolism associated with various blossoms. This guide is here to explain these intricacies to you so that you can confidently and correctly gift appropriate flowers to your Polish friends, relatives or business contacts.
- The national flower of Poland is the Corn Poppy or Papaver Rhoeas.
- Poland’s flag features the exact red color of these flowers and it is a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Polish people.
Popular Flowers And Their Meanings
- Red is an important color to the Poles and as such, the Red Rose is a prized flower to express intense emotions of love and passion.
- White Lilies are also equally prized as flowers of purity and peace.
- Gerberas are thought of as playful, colorful expressions of joy.
- Daisies symbolize repentance, forgiveness, and gratitude.
- Alstroemerias are flowers of warmth, friendship, and community.
- Tulips are exotic and used in gifting on special occasions and as gifts to important people.
- Orchids symbolize raw passion and sensuality.
Popular Flower Gifting Days In Poland
Poland is a historically important and beautiful country with a tumultuous past. Under the occupation of the Nazis in World War II and the subsequent absorption into the Communist Bloc in the Cold War, public celebrations were seen as acts of dissidence. Today, however, a lot has changed and the Polish people are now known to be very festive. Public spectacles are rather common and religious and secular occasions are celebrated with fervor, enthusiasm and great pride. Flowers are integral to these celebrations and hold a special, symbolic meaning to each one. The next section deals with festivals and flowers and the right ones as per the occasion.
Valentine’s Day
There’s an old adage, “human hearts were made to love, and they find no rest until they find love.” The pursuit of love and the celebration of the emotion is what sets humanity apart. February 14th, Valentine’s Day is the one day where people all over the world, including Poland, come out in strength to proclaim their love to one their significant others. Love is an emotion best expressed with flowers and when looking to express your undying amor to your Polish sweetheart, you can’t go wrong with Red Roses (the more the better). White Lilies and Carnations in muted tones complete the surprise and make for a perfect sentimental offering.
- Reserve your bouquet well in advance, as the demand tends to rise dramatically around Valentines.
- Add a thoughtful gift to your floral tribute to make it truly memorable. Think Cards, Chocolates, Gourmet Hampers, Teddy Bears, Cakes and/or Perfumes.
Easter
The celebration of Easter is integral to the predominantly Christian country of Poland. Easter signifies the end of the solemnity of the Lenten period and as such brings families and friends together in joy. Good food, mead, and togetherness are the essence of the celebration and flowers are important items of gifting and decor. Here are a few pointers when showing up to a Polish Easter luncheon. Roses and Tulips are the flowers of choice for the feast. Roses symbolize eternity and love, and Tulips are both aesthetically appealing and stand for goodwill.
- Fresh and unblemished flowers are the basic standard of presenting bouquets. These tend to hold their shape and fragrance longer.
- A thoughtful Easter gift, especially with kids are Easter Eggs, and Candies, or simply a Chocolate Cake and/or Chocolate/ Gourmet Hamper.
Women’s Day
Polish society is based on gender equality and a larger, more expansive role for women. International Women’s Day celebrated on the 8th of March, therefore celebrates the contributions of Polish women in the home, at work and all other aspects of society. Think of it as Teacher’s Day, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day all rolled into one. Since flowers are an important part of this day as well, one simple tip is to consider WHO (which woman in your life you are presenting it to). Your relationship with the individual governs the choice of flowers for the bouquet. So while a Red Rose heavy bouquet is fine for a spouse or girlfriend, play it safe with a multicolored arrangement with Lilies, and Carnations for a coworker, female boss or subordinate. Female relatives and mothers mandate White, Yellow or Pink Roses that convey feelings of family, familial love, and care. The key is being appropriate.
- On this day always contemplate your relationship to the woman you’re gifting the bouquet in order to get it just right.
- Add a Gourmet Gift Basket featuring Candies, Chocolates or Savories to make the gift more substantial and complete.
Mother’s Day
About mother’s the Polish have a saying, “The greatest love is first a mother’s, then a dog’s, then a sweetheart’s.” This is an indication of how important a role the mother plays in the life of a Polish family. The Poles are very attached to their ‘mama’ and celebrate Mother’s Day, in May almost like a festival. Surprises, gift boxes, dinners, and flowers are all great elements of this day and nothing makes a mum glow with joy as an appropriate floral tribute. When presenting a Polish matriarch with flowers, say it with Pink Roses and Lilies, to bring a blush to her cheeks.
- When choosing flowers for Mother’s Day, unblemished, Pink and White Roses make a thoughtful gift.
- Add a Gourmet Hamper / Fruit Basket / Cake to make the gift even more special.
Christmas
Christmas is one of the most important religious festivals in heavily Christian Poland. People brave the cold to attend services and wish each other. Polish homes are decorated and families and friends come together, exchanging gifts and sweets, wishing each other and partaking in delicious food. Togetherness and love are the twin themes of the festival and as such nothing says this better than flowers. When thinking of gifting flowers to a Polish family or friend, Red Roses and White Lilies are your best bet, as they are the colors of the season.
- Much like in the rest of Continental Europe Christmas in Poland is cold and not an ideal time for flowers, so reserve your bouquets, centerpieces, and Christmas tree in advance to assure availability and a reasonable price.
How To Get Flowers Right For Different Occasions?
Poland is a beautiful, colorful land and its people are friendly, proud and hospitable. They celebrate personal milestones, family occasions and secular festivals with equal enthusiasm. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and family get-togethers are all important times and are always incomplete without flowers. If you find yourself invited to a Polish celebration, it is customary to present flowers to your host. Polish customs on gifting floral tributes and arrangements can be tricky to the uninitiated, this section of the guide deals with occasions and how to get your floral arrangement just right.
Birthdays
For the Polish people, birthdays are occasions to celebrate the people they love and admire. Flowers are gifted with abandon, and the unwritten rules of decorum dictate that relationships and proximity govern the decision of which blossoms make it into the birthday bouquet. So here’s the lowdown on how to pick flowers and gifts appropriately.
The flowers to go with: Based on your proximity and relationship to the celebrant, the flowers ought to be picked. Red and Pink flowers like Roses and certain varieties of Lilies are most appropriate for spouses and girlfriends. Daisies and Gerberas, even Tulips and Alstroemerias are perfect for friends and family. For office colleagues, Gerberas with Lilies or seasonal flowers make great gifts.
Combinations: Shopping vouchers or gift cards to activities and retail destinations are great gifts. Alternatively jewelry, books, stationery, concert tickets and gourmet hampers are also thoughtful surprises.
Birthday Greetings: A card is a must. Keep your greetings short, crisp, original and heartfelt. Something to the tune of: “On this most special day, I wish you joy beyond measure, success beyond telling and love beyond your wildest dreams. Many Happy Returns of the Day.”
- A hand-tied floral arrangement is an artisanal take on the traditional bouquet.
- Always research the meaning of various flowers before including them in your arrangement, so as to avoid misunderstandings or embarrassment.
Wedding
Poland is predominantly Christian and weddings are celebrations that revolve around a church and reception Flowers, therefore, are important at both these occasions. As gifts or decor, flowers must be chosen with a lot of love, care and attention to detail. Here are a few tips on helping you get your flower selection for this occasion, just right.
Choosing congratulatory flowers: Weddings are symbols of love and togetherness and your gifting flower must be reflective of these emotions. Red Roses for Love, White Lilies or Chrysanthemums for togetherness are appropriate. Think Gerberas in all their colors for joy and celebration and you have the perfect wedding floral arrangement.
Combinations: Bridal registries are quite common in Europe and Poland is no exception. Always inquire about where the couple has registered and pick one out for them, based on your relationship and budget.
Wedding Greetings: Weddings are enduring symbols of togetherness, love, and fidelity and your greeting card should resonate these emotions. “May your union bring you great joy, love, and peace. May the road you take be full of happy surprises and may your lives together be a wonderful story punctuated with laughter and togetherness, Congratulations and best of luck in your life together.”
- Flowers symbolizing love like Roses and Lilies are indispensable to a wedding bouquet.
- S-shaped arrangements or a high vertical arrangement is the way to go.
Funeral
Funerals are moments of personal tragedy and loss. Bereavement and sadness punctuate the occasion and one must always strive to be a source of sympathy and courage to the grieving families. It is custom to offer floral tributes in the form of sprays and wreaths at a funeral, as the perfect way to show solidarity and consolation.
Choosing flowers to offer condolence: Funerals are normally bereft of color and white is the appropriate color to show sympathy and solidarity. An all-white arrangement with White Roses, Lilies, White Daisies or Chrysanthemums makes for a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the deceased.
Condolence Message: A message of condolence should be written in a tone that reflects your grief and support for the bereaved family. Something to the effect of: “May your memories of him/her never dim. May the Lord grant his / her soul eternal rest. We pray for you in your time of need and offer our condolences for your loss.”
- Wreaths and sprays are the preferred styles of the bouquet as they can be placed directly on the coffin or grave.
- While white flowers are the standard at a funeral. A loving tribute to the deceased would definitely be a bouquet or wreath of their favorite flowers.
Which Countries Does Poland Import Flowers From?
Poland is one of the world’s most important flower importers. The nation’s soaring demand for flowers cannot be completely met by the domestic supply chain. So markets in Warsaw and other Polish cities can oftentimes be peppered with a flower from all over the world. Proximity to Germany and France means that these countries form the bulk of the primary imports. But other EU countries including The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Portugal are also important exporters to Poland. In addition Roses, Sunflowers and Orchids from India, South America and even far off Australia and Japan find their way into the country.
Top Tips To Consider When Buying Flowers To Gift
Local flowers are best: Local flowers are used to the climate, have a certain significance to the populace and hold their shape and freshness longer.
Researching the meaning of flowers: In one culture the Lily may be considered a mourning flower, whereas, in another, the romantic aspect of the same flower may hold more importance. Depending on the culture, it is important to research the meanings of the flowers before considering gifting them, in order to avoid inadvertent disrespect or embarrassment.
Checking the overall state of the flowers: If and when possible always check the overall state of the flowers before incorporating them into your bouquet. Even the slightest of blemishes can aesthetically damage the appearance of the arrangement. Flowers with blemishes often spoil early and can be perceived as sloppy, or disrespectful.
Check the credentials of the florist/flower delivery service: Every online florist/flower delivery service is generally rated by previous users. Take the time to view the testimonials section, or visit online review sites like Yelp that will feature user reviews. Make an informed decision, in order to get the best possible quality.
How To Care For Flowers Received As Gifts?
- Choose a clear vase in order to properly display flowers.
- Add a good amount of water to the vase.
- Cut the stems regularly to keep them fresher, longer.
- Keep flowers in a cool, dry area, away from heat emitting appliances.
- Change the water in the vase daily or whenever possible.
- Follow the care instruction that comes with the bouquet.
- Add a little sugar or lemon juice to the water in the vase, to reduce the acidity of the water and provide the cut flowers with some nutrition.
Conclusion
Poland is a colorful, vibrant place that celebrates all of life’s occasions with grace, enthusiasm, and pride. Gifting flowers is an important social custom that is an established practice and should always be adhered to. Thanks for the helpful hints and tips from this guide, you too, can gift flowers like a pro and never feel left out!.