“Flowers are fleeting reminders of the beauty of human life.” – Elia Tomasson
Mexico is one of those cultures, the mere reference to which, brings colorful, vibrant and lasting images of food, fun, and fiesta to mind. Mexico shares its borders with the United States and Mesoamerica, and its culture is a melting pot of influences from both these civilizations. Flowers and festoons are both an integral part of the celebrations and wild parties are a hallmark of many of these events. The Mexican vibe is friendly and laidback and the people are warm and hospitable.
If you’re looking to make the right impression on a Mexican family member, friend or business contact, you’ve come to the right place. This guide enables you to choose the best floral gifts in Mexico for anyone and any occasion with elan and aplomb.
- The Dahlia Pinnata or Mexican Dahlia is the proud floral symbol of the Mexican nation.
- One can say that the many-hued Dahlia is the perfect representation of the vibrancy and Joie de vie of the Mexican people.
Popular Flowers And Their Meanings
- Mexicans are passionate about expressing love and fidelity, and the Red Rose is a symbol of both these powerful emotions.
- Carnations are a beautiful, enduring symbol of love, friendship, and trust.
- Daisies are thoughtful gifts that stand for family, affection, and respect.
- Lilies are thought to signify purity and are also considered flowers of mourning.
- Tulips signify imagination, perfection and passion.
- Orchids are prized as symbols of virility, seduction and raw sensuality.
- Alstroemeria symbolizes friendship.
- Irises are flowers of gratitude and humility.
Popular Flower Gifting Days In Mexico
Mexico is the gateway to the Americas and as such is the perfect confluence of Southern and Northern American cultures. Combining the passion and verve South America with the consumerism and individuality of the States, Mexico’s hybrid culture is one to behold. Communal celebrations are huge in this devoutly Catholic country and festivals like Christmas, All Hallows Eve (Dios de la Muerta) and Easter are times of great rejoicing. Flowers also play a huge part in these celebrations and therefore are an important aspect to consider when thinking of gifts for your Mexican counterparts. In this part, we take a look at different festivals and the right flowers to choose for the same.
Valentine’s Day
Mexicans are a people who are passionate and expressive. Expressing fealty, fidelity, romance and passion are all important components of the celebration of Valentine’s Day here. How better would one do this, than with flowers? Flowers symbolizing passion like Red Roses are always in great demand during Valentine’s. Carnations and Lilies, especially Calla Lilies that are a symbol of purity and passion are also equally prized. Combine your floral arrangement with a Chocolate Hamper or Cake, and you will have your Mexican Mamacita fawning over you in no time flat!
- Floral tributes are highly sought after during the season around Valentine’s day. The closer you get to the date the more expensive the bouquets often get, so save a few dineros, and order in advance.
- Wine, chocolates, intimate wear and other sensual tokens of appreciation can really elevate your Valentine’s Day gift to the next level.
Easter
Mexicans are a reverent, devout people and no other festival inspires as much fervor as Easter. Celebrated with great devotion, the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, from the dead, is a family specific holiday that marks the culmination of the Christian period of solemnity called Lent. The day of Easter itself sees the preparation of great delicacies and coming together of the family in the spirit of the festival. Flowers, therefore, are an important part of these celebrations. When gifting flowers for Easter, you cannot go wrong with White Roses and Lilies, as they are a symbol of peace, positivity, and rebirth. Look at Carnations in different hues to add a pop of color to the proceedings.
- Choose tropical flowers for your Easter floral arrangement as these are in season and keep their freshness, shape and smell longer.
- Add Easter Eggs, Chocolate Hampers, Chocolate Cakes and other sweets to round off a beautiful/thoughtful gift.
Mother’s Day
Mexican culture is steeped in love and respect for family, at the very heart of which is the mother. Mother’s Day, therefore, is literally an institution in the country. Mexicans cherish and treat their mothers on this day, and flowers play a key role in these intensely personal celebrations. When Mexico, you couldn’t possibly go wrong gifting Pink Roses to a matronly figure. Want to add a little more verve, rather than a single flower arrangement? Look at Lilies to give the arrangement a really thoughtful twist.
- Honor the first and most important woman in your life with a gift that’s as unique as her. Team your floral arrangement with a perfume, book, pearls, or simply an assortment of Chocolates, Chocolate Hampers or Chocolate and watch her overcome with emotion.
Dia de Los Muertos
A typically Mexican twist on Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of those bizarre and surreal experiences to be had only in this vibrant country. Celebrating the deceased loved ones with a typical Latin twist, parties, parades and a joyful remembrance of beloved family members is what this day is all about. While Marigolds are the flower of choice for decorating homes and grave/mausoleums, you can gift tributes of White Lilies, Pink and Red Roses, Candy and Chocolate Hampers (day of the dead celebrations are high on candy skulls) and other thoughtful treats.
- Look for fresh seasonal flowers to really give your loved ones a sense of warmth and serenity during this lovely festival.
Christmas
As with any Latin American culture, Christmas is one of the most popular and well-celebrated festivals in Mexico. The coming together of family, friends and loved ones makes this a wonderful, exciting and much looked forward to a holiday. Flowers always play an important part in Christmas celebrations the world over and Mexico is no exception. Red Roses, White Lilies, Christmas Trees, Red Poinsettia Plants are all important elements to the celebration both as gifts and items of decor.
- Add a chocolate/gourmet hamper and plan your purchase in advance so you get the choicest flowers for the feast.
How To Get Flowers Right For Different Occasions?
Mexico is definitely one of those places that are high on life. While this is evident on the grand scale of communal festivities and celebrations, personal events, milestones, family gatherings and weddings are all further indicators of the carefree, celebratory attitude of the proud folk. Obviously, flowers too are a huge part of these celebrations and getting your floral tribute, arrangement or gift is of great importance. But, not to worry we have your back and give you the perfect account of what to choose, and what occasion to choose it for when you’re in Mexico.
Birthdays
Birthdays are hugely important to Mexicans. When invited to a birthday party, a floral arrangement is the most thoughtful and sweet gift. But choosing the right flowers is paramount, after all you don’t want to give out the wrong impression, do you?
The flowers to go with: Make sure you get the flowers based on your relationship with person celebrating the birthday. This means while a dozen Red Roses are perfect for your paramour, it is a no-no for an office colleague. White Roses or Pink Roses are great for a mum, but in case of friends, you may want to go with a melange arrangement, with Lilies, Daisies, and Gerberas.
Combinations: Again your relationships rule your gifting choices. Think intimate wear, dark chocolate, Teddy Bear and wine for your lady love. A chocolate hamper, maybe a book for your mother or friend, or a gift voucher with a thoughtful card for a colleague or acquaintance.
Birthday Greetings: Birthday cards are aplenty and most of them are the same old rhyme repetition scam. Personalise yours with a handwritten message. Something to the effect of: “A heartfelt wish, from mine to yours, let this birthday be one for the ages. I wish you oodles of luck and trove of happiness. 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
In Mexico, weddings are the culmination of courtship and a public expression of love among friends and family. Of course, flowers are a huge part of the proceedings, and here is the long and short of how and what to present the bridal couple.
Choosing congratulatory flowers: Red and White are the colors of love and purity, two emotions that weddings are all about. Think Red Roses and White Lilies and you couldn’t possibly go wrong.
Combinations: Wedding registries are the way to go. Ask about where the couple has registered and according to your equation with the couple and your budget, pick up an appropriate and desired gift to accompany your floral arrangement.
Wedding Greetings: Simple and classy is the way to go. Something to the effect of: “Here’s wishing you the best of love, happiness, and memories to last you a lifetime. We are really honored to be part of this your most special of days. Congratulations and best wishes .”
- 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 in Mexico are solemn and reverent occasions where people come together to pay their final respects to the deceased and offer condolence and support to the bereaved family. It is customary to offer flowers in a show of condolence. The following are quick tips to get the arrangements just right.
Choosing flowers to offer condolence: White flowers are the perfect type to be used in wreaths and sprays. Think Lilies, White Chrysanthemums, Daisies and White Roses and you won’t go wrong.
Condolence Message: A message of compassion and support is best expressed in a simply worded letter/card: “Your loss while great and profound, is a reminder of the joyful and happy memories, he/she left you with. We stand with you in your time of grieving and offer our love and prayers for the deceased’s soul and hope you find solace and strength to deal with this 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 Mexico Import Flowers From?
A resurgent economy, a great tradition of celebration and a growing young population have all come together to make Mexico into one of the world’s greatest consumers of gifting flowers. This, of course, means that along with its own vibrant flowers, imported gifting flowers have also made a mark in the Mexican flower market. So Calla lilies, Roses, Gerberas and Daisies from the United States and parts of Europe including the UK, Germany and other EU countries are ever present. In fact, Mexico City’s flower market even sees shipments from far off Africa, Australia, and Asia.
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
Mexico is one of the most friendly and hospitable cultures in the world. The folk is humble and yet full of enthusiasm for life. This is very evident from their hearty celebrations of all life’s greatest moments. So now that you’ve had a closer look at the different occasions and celebrations and the right kind of flowers for each, is there anything holding you back from gifting them “LIKE A BOSS”?