What to Give with Flowers: Chocolates, Balloons, Toys and Fruit

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A bouquet is a gift in itself, but sometimes you want to add something more: to make the surprise fuller, to include the person's favourite chocolates or so a small child gets something of their own too. The key is not to turn the gift into a random set of items. Here is what pairs best with flowers and for which occasion. Ideas for other people and occasions are in our guide what to give: gift ideas. All our advice for men is in one place — a man’s guide to choosing and giving flowers.

Flowers and chocolates: the undisputed classic

A box of chocolates is the most universal add-on. It suits a mother, colleague, teacher or doctor, and it is easy to share with the family. Choose what the person really likes: classic Raffaello, Ferrero Rocher, Milka or Ukrainian sweets. For those with a sweet tooth, there are also bouquets made entirely of sweets.

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See our chocolates and sweet bouquets. Tip: if a bouquet costs slightly less than the minimum order for delivery in Kyiv (1000 UAH), a box of chocolates closes the gap and makes the gift fuller.

Flowers and balloons: instant celebration

Helium balloons turn the delivery of a bouquet into an event. They suit birthdays, welcoming a new baby, a declaration of love or a reunion after a long time apart. A heart balloon or a "Happy Birthday" balloon speaks for itself, and an arrangement of 7–15 heart balloons becomes a gift of its own.

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• Foil balloons usually stay afloat longer than latex ones.
• Latex balloons are often banned in hospitals, so check in advance.
• In freezing weather, helium balloons may temporarily sag and recover once warm.

All options are in balloons. Ideas for welcoming a newborn are in flowers for a maternity hospital discharge.A box of helium balloons is one of the most popular ways to reveal the baby’s sex at a gender reveal party.Want more than a few balloons? Build a photo backdrop with our DIY balloon arch guide.

Flowers and a soft toy: for children and romance

A teddy bear next to a bouquet is a gift that stays long after the flowers have faded. For a child it is often the main part of the surprise, and for a partner it is a sweet romantic gesture. Choose a toy that matches the bouquet in size: a huge bear next to 7 roses will overshadow the flowers.

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Browse our soft toys.

Flowers and fruit: a gift of care

A fruit basket next to a bouquet is a gesture of care. It suits parents, older people, someone recovering and partners you want to share something tasty with. Ready sets are among our fruit baskets, and how to make a fruit bouquet yourself is in fruit bouquets.

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Other add-ons for a bouquet

• A card — the simplest and most important add-on: a few personal lines make any bouquet warmer.
• A cake or pastries — for birthdays and family celebrations.
• Sparkling wine or wine — for an anniversary, housewarming or colleagues (adults only).
• Perfume or jewellery — when flowers accompany the main gift for your beloved.
• Tea, coffee, honey — a cosy set for parents, grandma or a teacher.

Pairings by occasion

How not to overdo it: 5 rules

• One add-on, not three. Flowers plus chocolates work better than flowers plus chocolates plus a balloon plus a toy.
• Match the occasion. A balloon suits a birthday, not a thank-you to a doctor.
• Match the person. Chocolates for someone watching their diet are a questionable idea; fruit or a plant is better.
• Proportions. The add-on should not be bigger than the bouquet.
• Presentation. A basket or box brings several gifts together in one arrangement. See bouquet, box or basket.

And the cheapest add-on that always works is a card with personal words. Ready messages are in what to write on a flower card.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.If someone already has everything, flowers plus an experience work best — see gifts for someone who has everything.Famous lines and short card messages are collected in flower quotes.

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