Need a fresh gift idea? Many people traditionally think of roses as a romantic gift. However, roses are so much more than that. Few truly appreciate the uniqueness of roses and how the right spin on the gift of roses will make it the best gift yet.
Don't feel left in the dark. From the flower meaning of roses to crafty card messages, here's how to turn your bouquet of roses into the ultimate gift of love, friendship or thanks.
It's Good To Look Back – A Partial History of the Rose
Adding a creative spin to your gift is easy when you know the history of the rose. The enclosure card is a great place to let your sweetheart or friend know why you chose the gift of roses. Do you see her as a goddess? An elegant, aristocratic type? Find your inspiration below.
Roses have played a large part of many societies throughout the world. In both Greek and Roman mythology, roses were associated with their goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus respectively). The rose has also been attributed to the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Christian religion's Virgin Mary.
During the time of the Roman Empire, Romans placed a rose on the doorstep where secret matters were being discussed. The term “sub rosa,” meaning “under the rose,” came from this practice. The phrase means “to keep a secret” or “keep it secret.”
In English society, the rose is the national flower of England and the provincial flower of two provinces. It is also the national flower of the United States and the state flower of four U.S. states.
Valentines Day in the U.S. is not the only time when roses are given as a gift of love. Dark red roses are also given as romantic or affectionate gifts on St. George's Day in Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain.
Why do you see so many roses with French names? Because much of the fascination with roses began when Empress Josephine of France encouraged the breeding of roses at her gardens in Malmaison. Subsequently, many famous French artists have grown famous for their depictions of roses. Examples include Pierre-Joseph Redoute, Henri Fantin-Latour, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cezanne. In fact, the “Fantin-Latour” rose is named for the famed still life painter.
Make Your Gift Unique – Rose Color Meanings
Like many other flowers, roses have different meanings based on color, type of rose, rose or rosebud, and other associations. We've sorted through them all and have come up with a list that will help make your Valentine's Day gift unique. Want to show how much you adore someone this Valentine's Day? Send roses with a unique flower meaning based on color. (Don't forget to sneak the meaning into the card message.)
 Pale Pink Roses - Modesty |  Red Roses - Passionate Love |  Pink Roses - Friendship |
 Lavender Roses - Enchantment |  Orange Roses - Fascination |  Red & White Variegated - Unity |
 Coral Roses - Desire |  White Roses - Purity, Innocence |