Those Decadent Thanksgiving Tables…by ProGiftNet.com

November is well underway, and for us at ProGiftNet.com, the holiday spirit is definitely in the air! Even on an unusual year such as this, we are all getting ready for that Thursday that will kick off the season, and one thing is for sure...Thanksgiving is all about family and friends, but it is also about the table that we will sit around and the experiences we will share with our loved ones!  

By now we are all familiar with the comfort food that is shared on this day, those freshly harvested ingredients, and the fall flavors in all of their splendor! But only second to that, is how we dress that table to convey the feeling of the season. Centerpieces, arrangements, table toppers and tablecloths bring all of the magic together on this evening, and we are here to tell you all about your options! Plus, a little history behind then...

The Origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was originally held as a way to celebrate a fruitful autumn harvest in preparation for the winter, and to thank the ancient gods for that. It didn't start in North America, where it is customary to celebrate in the present day. The original versions of these celebrations have their birth in many classic cultures, such as the Romans, Greeks and even Egyptians.  Those celebrations would consist of several days of feasts and gifts, and the adoration of their gods and goddesses, like the Roman goddess Demeter: Goddess of grain and harvest.

The American version, however, the one we are familiar with, started in 1621, and it is steeped in a lot of folklore and legend. Edward Winslow, an American Pilgrim leader who served as governor of Plymouth Colony, describes in a letter a prosperous harvest year of corn, barley, and peas.  He goes on to describe men sent to gather fowl, so they might "rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors". And then "at which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us...with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted..."

So with these little history nuggets we just shared, two things are for sure: This is the season to come together, and to feast!

A Table to Gather Around

The primal concept of the Thanksgiving tables is, and always has been, abundance. It is customary to find a version of a Cornucopia as a centerpiece! The cornucopia, also called the horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with fruits, flowers, or nuts. 

Modern versions of this can be fashioned easily! Choosing a lovely fruit basket for example, or displaying fall produce such as apples, corn, walnuts and pumpkins in bowls or panniers, or adorning glass translucent vases with foliage and grains!

Fruit baskets are a staple on ProGiftNet.com, and so are flowers! A popular option to bring beauty, color and a homey feeling to our tables as well!  Arranged with fruits, or on their own, fall flowers such as chrysanthemums and sunflowers really convey the spirit of the holiday, and the yellow, burnt oranges and reds tie the entire concept together. In the spirit of the season you can also incorporate wheat and oats stems to your flower arrangements, or even twigs and berries!

Another element that can be incorporated easily and with stunning results is candles! Careful with scented candles however! Remember you are going to be tasting yummy dishes all evening, and a strong scent can definitely put an undesired spin on your meal. But the warmth of a small flame is more than desirable.

Winter foliage, like pine branches, although more of a “Christmas” feeling, can decorate beautifully! So can pinecones. So, if you happen to have a forest close-by (or a flower market for that matter), this can be the year in which you give them a try!

Dressing the table. We’ve covered the options for centerpieces by now… how about the rest of the elements? Silverware and china… wineglasses and napkins, what about those?

Well, the holidays are that time of the year when we bring out the special serving dishes or plates, the “fancy china”, and all of those things destined to be showcased on special days. Some tips to keep it classy and in tune with the spirit of the occasion:

• It's all about fall! The color palette you should keep in mind, is the one of a forest in autumn! Yellows, oranges, auburns and warm browns. Hints of red here and there are also lovely!
• Rustic is fantastic. Burlap tablecloths or placemats can be a great choice, especially over a wooden table. Wicker elements can be incorporated. Some other ideas are to use vintage handkerchiefs tied with string as napkins, and mixing and matching vintage plates.
• Mason jars! A new classic for beverages and desserts.

Alongside the turkey, the stuffing, the pies and yams, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, these ideas are going to make your table look picture perfect and fantastic!

This November, don't forget to visit ProGiftNet.com, to complete your table, and to find gifts for your loved ones, near of far! Whether you would like to send a flower arrangement to let them know you're thinking of them, or a gift basket with delicious goodies to help them celebrate the season, ProGiftNet.com is here to help with all of your flower and gifting needs. Place your order online today!

 

 

 

ProGiftNet.com Presents: Your Ultimate Guide to Flower Colors

Have you ever wondered if there is a meaning behind different colors? Have you ever thought about the message you can send, depending on what color of flowers you choose? Well, here at ProGiftNet.com we're going to help you decipher some of these meanings! For those of you who didn't know, red is for passion, white is for innocence, yellow is cheerful and happy… and round and round we go along the color wheel! It is customary to give flowers almost in every special occasion, and in all of them, there is a color scheme associated. Let's dive into these colorful traditions!

RED

If any of us where to define the quintessential color for love, we wouldn't chose any color but red. Red is the color of passion, the color of lust and everlasting romance. And when it comes to flowers, none other than the red rose takes the center stage. The decadent long stem red rose bouquet is the go to for valentine's day, anniversaries and romantic gifts!

ORANGE

Orange symbolizes energy, enthusiasm and confidence. It's the color of the sun and fire. Orange flowers are a fantastic choice when a relationship is starting to heat up! It's also the color that we think of first when fall starts, so we tend to see orange flowers in fall weddings and celebrations, as centerpieces during thanksgiving, and gracing gardens as the leaves on the trees start to lose their summer green. Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of oranges, so do alstroemerias and lilies and we can find beautiful bouquets of them everywhere! Look for them at ProGiftNet.com!

YELLOW

Yellow represents joy. It is vibrant and lighthearted. Yellow flowers are a symbol of friendship, new beginnings and happiness, which is why they are the perfect choice for graduations, birthdays and overall happy occasions for anyone! Daisies, daffodils and tulips are found in this color at every flower shop!

WHITE

White is purity. Chastity and innocence. Almost every flower, from roses to orchids, from lilies to lisianthus, grows in beautiful white.  They are the color of the eternal and spiritual love, which is why they are present in every major event in life. White flowers are chosen by brides for their bouquets, they are given to celebrate births, and to pay respects when a loved one departs.

PURPLE, LAVENDER AND VIOLETS

Purple is historically the color of royalty. Quite rare to come by, purple flowers are often given as a sign of accomplishment and admiration, which make them the ideal gift for someone who has reached a goal, or that is facing a major life change. A lovely choice to gift someone who has just been promoted! Popular purple flowers are the fragrant lilacs, daisies and soothing lavender.

PINK

Feminine and joyful, pink is appropriate for every occasion. Pink flowers show appreciation and gratitude. Pink is most certainly romantic and flirty, so it is very popular during Valentine's season, but not just that! The great variety of hues ensures a proper choice for everything:  Brides and bridesmaids go for it in their softer shades, while sons and daughters everywhere choose it for mother's day.

BLUE

The color of dreams and fantasies. It is definitely the hardest color to come by when it comes to flowers, that's for sure! But not impossible… Hydrangeas, forget-me-nots and delphiniums grace bouquets and arrangements that are most certainly meant for a special and unique person.  We're pretty sure there isn't a designated celebration for this one, but it would make any occasion unique!

GREEN

Green is for hope and nature. When it comes to green presents, we leave flowers aside for a minute and we dive right into another popular option: plants! Whether they are indoor plants, outdoor plants, cactus or succulents, it is customary to give them when a loved one embarks on a new venture. Extremely popular when moving into a new place, or taking on a new business, plants are known to be gifted for good luck!

Colors show emotion, they help us transmit what wee are feeling, and what we want to convey...Whether we go with what is customary or with whatever feels right in the moment of choosing, the only thing that is certain is that the feeling will get across. And when all else fails, just send what you love! You can never go wrong with that. ProGiftNet.com will help you with flowers to all of your friends and loved ones. Whether it's down the street, or halfway around the world, send flowers with ProGiftNet.com today!

Flowers in the Fall with ProGiftNet.com

While the last warm days start making room for crisper ones in the northern hemisphere, and we bid summer "adieu",  gardens begin to show yellow, orange and red tones for our delight. And all of us over here on ProGiftNet.com are getting ready for the season of giving and gifting! Starting with this guide on seasonal flowers: What is blooming? What to plant? And most definitely, what to send our loved ones that will transmit the spirit of this wonderful season!

In Full Bloom

This season is bringing us a wide range of flowers that make a statement in bouquets and centerpieces, and adorning arrangements for every occasion. We kick off this list with beautiful Chrysanthemums. The quintessential fall flower. Coming in all shapes and sizes, “mums” are for sure the ones to watch. Pick them in oranges and reds to capture the essence of autumn. Set them in pots and flower vases, and if you are planning them in the soil, cut off buds as they wilt to keep them blooming!

Alongside Chrysanthemums, Dahlias keep on appearing both in gardens and flower shops. They begin blooming mid-summer but continue to appear throughout October and November. 

Sunflowers thrive on chilly days. If you happen to have them at hand, a great time to harvest their seeds is when they start to turn brown. You might have to fight off a bird or two though! We absolutely suggest you keep them in mind for your celebrations, especially for Thanksgiving centerpieces for a real showstopper!

Verbenas are tiny and full of color; they will last until that first frost. Ideal for flowerbeds and the borders on your garden!

Pansies on the other hand can withstand winter, as they will bloom until a hard frost. If looking for a colorful flower plant to gift this season, this happy faces are a great choice.

And finally, Roses. An absolute year-round staple, appropriate for every single occasion. Autumn keeps on giving beautiful roses, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to turn from classic red and chose to send yellow, tea and orange tones. However, keep in mind, red is always an option at ProGiftNet.com

What to Plant This Season

This is a great time to plan ahead and visualize our ideal spring garden for next year, as mid- autumn is the time to plant bulbous flowers: Tulips, Hyacinths, Lilies, Crocus (look ‘em up!) and Marimonies to name a few, need their preparation to bloom while spending a little time in the cold, and this is the time to put them bulbs in the soil. 

Keeping with the spirit of planning ahead and taking advantage of the cooler weather for gardening, this is the ideal time to think of trees and shrubs, so while the soil is still warm from past summer days, plant them and keep them well watered until the ground freezes so they get a good start before they become dormant during winter.

Fall is also the best time to lay down or seed new turf grass, and always remember to keep it well watered!

Whether it is in the garden, on our holiday tables, or on the doorstep of a loved one on a special occasion, flowers and plants will make this season brighter and warmer even though days grow cooler. Keep all of this information in mind when choosing your next gift, and here at ProGiftNet.com, we´ll make sure they get to their destination worldwide.  Send flowers and gifts today with ProGiftNet.com!