Tips on Gifting Guys Flowers This Valentine's Day

Consider getting flowers for your man this Valentine's Day. Here are four things to think about before bouquet browsing, according to BloomThis co-founders Penny Choo and Giden Lim

Penny Choo loves flowers, but she doesn't believe for one minute that only women should be on the receiving end of them. In fact, having co-founded floral gift business BloomThis with her husband Giden Lim, she observed an uptick of orders for male recipients, whether it is an eye-catching floral centrepiece, a gift box or a cheerful potted plant on BloomThis' For Him section.

Above Penny Choo (Photo: BloomThis)

Above Giden Lim (Photo: BloomThis)

"In the past, flowers were considered feminine and it wasn't the practice to give them to men. But that doesn’t mean men don’t enjoy receiving them," Choo notes.

Lim adds: "It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. What matters is the one doing the giving and what you mean to her."

So this Valentine's Day, turn the tables and choose the perfect floral gift for the man in your life with the help of these simple tips by Lim and Choo.

1. Add an edible element

Above BloomThis' Harris Johnnie Walker Flower Gift Set (Photo: BloomThis)

"As the saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach," Choo says with a grin. "Our For Him collection is curated to include a variety of premium food items with flowers. We offer ice cream, chocolate, cakes, popcorn and more, all bundled together with our fresh flowers and plants. It's practical and pleasing: you get to eat and enjoy beautiful blooms at the same time."

2. Choose long-lasting, low-maintenance blooms

Above 'Charismatic' floral arrangement by BloomThis features sunflowers, heliconias and orchids (Photo: BloomThis)

"For a guy, we would select flowers that are sturdier, require less maintenance and that have a longer shelf life," Choo says.

Lilies are highly recommended, as are heliconias, sunflowers, anthuriums and roses. Low maintenance plants like ferns and potted Fittonia also make great gifts for guys who enjoy a bit of greenery around the house.

3. Colours and cultural significance

Above To some, chrysanthemums are associated with sorrow or sadness.

"Personally, I don’t think there are that many taboos in flower gifting," Choo says. "But we should still be mindful of personal and cultural traditions. In Malaysia, people may avoid chrysanthemums because they associate them with grief or sorrow. But in some European countries, chrysanthemums fetch a premium price and are used for weddings and other big celebrations.

"More importantly, when choosing flowers as gifts, you need to know his colour preference. Does he like red? Yellow? Start from there and opt for more long-lasting blooms."

4. Remember the 'why', not only the 'what'

Above Harvey Yellow Tail Flower Gift Set by BloomThis

"For me, flowers are more than just a product," Lim says. "They're beautiful, distinctive and even smell great. The moment you receive them as a gift, you will always remember the one who gave them to you. Whether you're a boy or a girl, gifting flowers is about celebrating that moment and understanding why you send those flowers in the first place."

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Topics

BloomThis flowers floral gifts gifts for men gift guide valentine's day 2022

Tatler Asia

Valentine's Day 2022: Tips on Gifting Flowers to Men

1. Add an edible element

2. Choose long-lasting, low-maintenance blooms

3. Colours and cultural significance

4. Remember the 'why', not only the 'what'