Don’t Forget Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 12

Grandparents Day is a national holiday or observance, celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year it takes place on Sunday September 12. Contrary to popular misconception, Grandparents Day was not invented by greeting card companies, florists, restaurants, or any other business interest.

Instead, the origin of Grandparents Day can be traced back to 1956 when a mother from West Virginia named Marian McQuade helped organize a community celebration for people over 80 years of age. In doing so, she realized how many elderly care facility residents had been forgotten by their families.

Fresh and Fabulous Bouquet from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop is a perfect gift for Grandparents Day

She envisioned a holiday that would not only bring attention to the elderly population but would also honor all grandparents by celebrating the connections between generations. Her work paid off and in 1973 West Virginia became the first state to set aside a special day to celebrate grandparents. Three years later – in 1978 – her efforts resulted in Grandparents Day becoming a national holiday celebrated in every state.

Simple Celebration

Unlike many other popular holidays that honor people on a larger scale with parties and large gatherings, most Grandparents Day celebrations are small and intimate and often take place in homes, hospitals, and care facilities with close family members.

In fact, McQuade went to great lengths to keep the holiday less commercial and truer to its roots by refusing all donations and royalties associated with her efforts. She also spurned overtures from Hallmark who predicted that Grandparents Day would become the sixth biggest holiday on the calendar each year for greeting card sales.

Despite that, many families celebrate grandparents by giving gifts. Some families embrace the spirit of the holiday and encourage grandparents to share stories and give gifts to their grandchildren, especially personal gifts that celebrate special family traditions.

In most cases, family get-togethers do not need to be expensive or elaborate. The important thing is choosing activities the grandparent enjoys while fostering intergenerational connection. Sharing a simple meal or spending time to visit is enough to please most grandparents. Engaging with them by playing board games, cards, and puzzles are fun ways to spend time together. Grandparents Day is also a fantastic time to look at old pictures or share some family stories.

It’s the Thought That Counts the Most

Perhaps the biggest reason why Grandparents Day has escaped commercial exploitation is because of holiday burnout. If that is truly the case, grandparents still should not let the occasion go by unnoticed. Most of the younger generation will be happy to participate even if they don’t have to plan. It is important to remember that true reason for holiday is to give grandparents a chance to show their love for – and spend their time with – their grandchildren.

If you are not able to get together in person, Grandparents Day is a terrific chance for you to call them, text them, video chat with them, or perhaps even write them a good old-fashioned hand-written letter or have your children draw some pictures for them to include in a card. Of course, you could also send them a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop. We have options for everyone, and a simple surprise delivery is an easy, convenient, and personal way to make a grandparent’s Grandparents Day special.

As a Yes We Can florist, Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop features same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas for Grandparents Day, as well as birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon wishes, sympathy, weddings, or even just because. Visit our store, located at 7001 W North Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53213, or shop online 24/7.

Celebrate the 4th of July Weekend with Flowers from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop

The 4th of July is a summertime celebration filled with fireworks, parades, picnics, and a lot of patriotic pride. While our original Independence Day took place way back in 1776, the party didn’t really get started until a year later when the first official celebration took place in Philadelphia. That celebration included many of the same festivities we still observe today.

Colorful Tribute Bouquet by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

If you want to celebrate July 4th in style, do it with flowers! Decorating for this holiday is as easy as red, white, and blue – but that certainly does not limit your options! At Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop we specialize in utilizing a variety of flowers in unique ways to really accentuate the spirit of the holiday.

One of our favorite parts of any holiday is the symbolism that goes along with some of the traditions. One example is the symbolic colors of the American flag. Red in the flag is said to symbolizes courage, bravery, and passion. White serves a different purpose at it represents purity and innocence, and blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Just like our nation’s flag, the colors of flowers are important and symbolic.

Roses, carnations, and gerbera daisies are some of the popular flowers traditionally used in Independence Day arrangements. Those flowers pair especially well with complementary white lilies, gladiolus, and mums. Blue delphinium is often used to round out the trio because it looks beautiful next to any shades of red and white. Even if arrangements do not stick to the traditional red, white, and blue designs, they can be accented with an American flag or some glittery firework accents for a festive finishing touch.

With a 3-day long Independence Day weekend coming up, now is the perfect time to honor a veteran, or decorate you yard for a 4th of July picnic. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop has the flowers and inspiration to help you create a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July bouquet that will truly commemorate and celebrate our nation’s most historic day. Same day delivery in Milwaukee, WI, or anywhere nationwide. Shop online 24/7 at alfaflowershop.com or call us at 414-475-7080.

This Mother’s Day, trust the designers at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop to create a one-of-a-kind gift she will never forget

Click to order a Designers’ Choice bouquet from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop in Milwaukee, WI

Mother’s Day is less than a week away, but the good news is you still have time to find the perfect gift for mom and have it hand-delivered to her door in time for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9. Even better news is that you won’t have to travel far to find a gift that is so unique and special that we can guarantee she has never seen anything like it before. All it takes is the click of a button and a little faith the experienced floral design team at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop.

Ordering flowers online with the national retail companies can often be a frustrating experience. First you see a beautiful image of a perfect bouquet of flowers with a “special” price that seems too good to be true. The further along you get in the ordering process, the more fees, and charges you manage to rack up until you finally end up paying nearly as much in mysterious service and convenience fee as you did for the flowers!

Several days later your gift to mom will arrive in a box that will be left on her doorstep with the rest of the packages. Please don’t do that to mom (or yourself) this year when there are better, fresher, and more cost-effective options right here in town.

Why choose designers’ choice?

If you want the most bang for you buck when ordering flowers, a “designers’ choice” bouquet is almost always the best option, no matter where you shop. Without having to replicate an image from the website, our designers are free to create something totally unique with the freshest flowers we have available in the shop.

You also won’t be disappointed by unrealistic expectations! No matter how delicious the dish, the food you receive at a restaurant will never look exactly like the picture on the menu. But that is what you ordered, so expectations have been set and that is what you expect the waiter to bring. If your food arrives looking less-than-camera-ready, you might be disappointed before even taking a bite.

We certainly don’t ever want you to be disappointed with your flowers, and we definitely don’t want to disappoint mom this Mother’s Day with an ordinary gift that looks like all the rest. Make this year one she will never forget with Mother’s Day flowers from your friends at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop. Same-day delivery is available in Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas, or anywhere in the USA for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well wishes, thank you, sympathy, or even just because!

Beyond Red Roses: A Valentine’s Day Guide for Selecting Something Unexpected

Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite holidays of the year because it is all about love and happiness! It is a chance to show loved ones – or those we secretly admire – that we think they are special, and we reward them with gifts to show our appreciation.

On the surface, that sounds fantastic. We all spread love around and everyone gets presents, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot if you do not know what your Valentine’s expectations are and you underdeliver on an occasion that is practically set up on a tee for you to knock it out of the park.

Couples celebrating their first Valentine’s Day together without knowing the other partner’s expectations ahead of time could be headed for hurt feelings, or even disaster if they are not on the same page and the gift misses the mark.

For those who do not know a daisy from a daffodil, we’re here to help you find the perfect gift of flowers for Valentine’s Day that should exceed just about every expectation. Although you should definitely consider some chocolates and perhaps a plush animal just to be on the safe side!

Red Roses

Luxe Roses and Hydrangea Flowers by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

Red roses are the quintessential gift for Valentine’s Day. If your Valentine is expecting flowers, this is likely what they have in mind. You cannot go wrong with a dozen (or two) long-stem roses, but you CAN be more creative than that!

A dozen roses show you care, but they also suggest that you did not put a great deal of thought into the gift and instead just went with the safe choice. For many, this is more than enough, but if you really want to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember, you need to consider additional options in order to watch your Valentine’s face light up after you exceed their expectations.

One of our favorite Valentine’s Day bouquets is Alfa’s Be My Love Bouquet with Red Roses. This jaw-dropping design not only features the signature red roses but enhances them with lovely carnations, chrysanthemums, and Asiatic lilies to make it extra special.

Be My Love Bouquet by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

Another terrific option is Alfa’s Dance with Me Bouquet which perfectly pairs red roses with a variety of lovely red and pink carnations to truly make it stand out from a crowd. For something completely different, why not surprise your valentine with our Luxe Roses and Hydrangea Flowers? This stunning bouquet bucks the trend of traditional Valentine’s Day flowers by putting a new spin on a classic traditional gift.

No matter which gift you give your Valentine, be sure to order as early as possible in order to choose from the best selection. Just like a great bakery or a terrific barbeque restaurant, the early bird gets the worm and the selections become limited the closer we get to the big day. Ordering early will also help you secure your preferred delivery date before they are full.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop has you covered with an incredible selection of Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts. We offer same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon, sympathy, or even just because. Call us today at (414) 475-7080 or shop online 24/7.

Holiday Shopping in 2020

The good news is we have nearly reached the end of 2020 – a year will forever be remembered by the unprecedented impact it had on our world. The reality is that the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in many changes throughout every aspect of our lives, from how we live and work to how we interact and shop.

The small-business owner, in many cases the heart and soul of a city or neighborhood, was hit particularly hard by the restrictions, mandatory closings and sudden rule changes that often left them scrambling to keep their lights on. Shoppers too were forced to adapt to new methods of procuring goods and services while trying to remain as safe as possible.

There are many lessons to be learned from 2020, but perhaps the most important is refocusing on serving each individual customer and offering them the safest and most efficient way of shopping. When corporations like Amazon allow people to shop for nearly anything they can dream of and have it delivered to their door in two days, it sets the bar high for rest of the retail industry.

But why wait that long?

Your friends at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop can deliver your gift by hand – the same day your place your order! Not only that, but you can order online any time you like from the safety and comfort of your own home. Christmas flowers, wreaths, boxwood trees, plants, and centerpieces from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop make outstanding holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

The Ultimate Christmas Basket by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop

For something extra special, our holiday baskets are the perfect choice for even the most difficult person to shop for, because they can be personalized to include anything you want. We have a selection of pre-made baskets available in store that include fresh fruit, gourmet snacks, holiday treats and more, or we can design a themed holiday package especially for you.

At Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop we take every precaution to keep our customers and our employees safe and healthy, so you can rest assured that our professional staff of drivers will safely delivery your gift to the recipient’s door. We even offer touchless delivery options if preferred. Our delivery times and dates are filling up fast, so please order early for the best selection.

If you prefer a more traditional Christmas shopping, you will love to see what we have in store for you at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop! Our holiday flowers and gifts are sure to put you in the holiday spirit this Christmas! Stop by and see with our incredible selection of holiday flowers, gifts, and centerpieces. We offer same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon, sympathy, or even just because. Call us today at (414) 475-7080 or shop online 24/7.

What is mistletoe and why do we kiss under it at Christmas?

Greenery and plants including holly, laurel, boxwood bushes, poinsettias, pine trees and mistletoe, play important roles in many of our holiday celebrations. Kissing under the mistletoe is one Christmastime’s most romantic – and most unusual – traditions. But what is mistletoe and how did it become such a fabled part of Christmas while being mostly ignored the rest of the year?

Unlike most other holiday flowers, mistletoe isn’t exactly known for its beauty. In fact, the infamous yuletide plant is an invasive shrub that grows from the dung of birds and extracts nutrients from trees. While that may not be a glowing introduction to mistletoe, it does begin to explain why this plant has held people’s fascination for so long.

While it is true that mistletoe is semi-parasitic and could eventually kill its host plant, it is generally not considered a serious enough threat, in most cases, to warrant control measures. In fact, there is evidence that the plant could have benefits for birds as well as humans.

Several studies – including one from Billabong Creek in New South Wales, Australia and another from central Mexico have shown a significant drop in the populations of birds and other species in areas where scientists removed mistletoe from the ecosystem while populations increased or stayed the same in areas with mistletoe.

Those findings, along with other studies suggest that mistletoe is a keystone species that not only plays a critical role in its ecosystem but may also provide some promising health benefits to humans. Doctors at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are studying mistletoe’s effects on cancer patients as a way to relieve side effects of chemotherapy, and physicians in Europe are able to prescribe mistletoe to their patients.

How did it become a holiday tradition?

Long before the internet, neighbors and relatives frequently visited each other during the holidays for fellowship. Houses were kept tidy and decorated for the holidays in order to be ready for any guests or visitors, so the decorations needed to be hearty enough to last for several weeks. Although the origins of kissing under the mistletoe are unclear, it was likely chosen in part because it stays green all winter long without being rooted in soil.

The earliest documented cases of kissing under the mistletoe date back to 16^th century England where it was a very popular custom at the time, but it likely started even earlier. One Norse myth claims people began kissing under the plant as a peace offering after the god Balder was killed with a mistletoe arrow. Early European were so enamored with mistletoe plants that they became interwoven into myths, legends, and religious beliefs.

Literature is filled with examples of different uses that range anywhere from preventing fires to scaring away demons and protecting livestock from witchcraft. Throughout the ages, mistletoe was also commonly tied to fertility, which may be where the tradition started. Washington Irving wrote that men commonly gave women a kiss for each berry hanging on the mistletoe above them – plucking one off for each kiss.

Despite mistletoe’s continued popularity in Christmas carols, songs, and tales, the plant is not nearly as common as it used to be even though nearly everyone has heard of it. And, unlike the jolly old elf, there is nothing seasonal about mistletoe – it does not disappear when the season is over, it is simply forgotten about for several months each year until it makes its appearance in doorways across the world next year.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop! Start your holiday shopping today with our incredible selection of holiday flowers, gifts, and centerpieces. We offer same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon, sympathy, or even just because. Call us today at (414) 475-7080 or shop online 24/7.

Cornucopias and Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Ready, or not – the holiday season is upon us and Thanksgiving is only a week away! Thanksgiving is a special holiday for many reasons, but what makes it so unique is the fact that it is the one major holiday where the meal is the main event – so all eyes are on the centerpiece!

Family Gathering Centerpiece by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

Not only that, but It is also the holiday that will set the tone for the remainder of the holiday season. So why not make it beautiful with a cornucopia of your own, or some Thanksgiving flowers from Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop?

According to lore, Thanksgiving began as the celebration of a bountiful harvest. It was – and still is – a time to reflect and give thanks through a meal shared with friends and loved ones.

One of the most iconic symbols of Thanksgiving is the cornucopia. Typically hollow and made out of wicker in the shape of a horn, it is often called the “horn of plenty.” Cornucopias represent an abundance of food and nourishment and serve as a visible reminder of the meaning of the holiday while also giving the table a finished, polished, look.

Classic Cornucopia by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

While cornucopias are most closely associated with Thanksgiving, their origin can be traced all the way back to Greek and Roman mythology. Cornucopias are even depicted on the state flags of Idaho and Wisconsin, as well as the coats of arms for Columbia, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

With food being the center of attention at Thanksgiving, the table itself an important part of the holiday as it often serves as the hub of the day’s activities. Long after the food is enjoyed and the dishes are put away, the cornucopia and other autumn-inspired centerpieces remain to serve as a reminder of the prosperity and good things in life for which we give thanks.

It’s never too soon to start thinking about Christmas

Since Thursday is Thanksgiving, that means Black Friday is here as well to kick off the official start of the holiday shopping season. Wouldn’t it be nice this year if you already had your entire holiday shopping list completed and checked twice before the calendar even turned to December?

Alfa’s Shimmering White Bouquet by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

You’re in luck because Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop is your one-stop-shop for all your holiday needs. Of course, flowers always make an outstanding gift for any occasion, but we also carry an incredible assortment of other holiday presents and hard-to-find gifts for everyone on your list.

Save time and money this year by ordering your holiday flowers and gifts at the same time as you place your Thanksgiving order. Let everyone else fight the traffic and the masked crowds while you enjoy the holiday season from the comfort of your own couch, knowing your shopping is already complete!

The holidays are here at last! Visit Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop for all your Thanksgiving flowers and centerpieces. We offer same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI, and surrounding areas for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon, sympathy, or even just because. Call us today at (414) 475-7080 or shop online 24/7.

Where do our curious Halloween traditions come from?

We love to honor tradition by celebrating holidays, especially ones with seemingly absurd origins which bring about colorful characters like the Easter Bunny, Leprechauns, Cupid, and Father Time.

Spooky Sweet by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

We typically don’t delve too deep into why these particular characters show up, or how they got to be so popular in the first place, because it’s more fun just to go along with it than to question every little detail. But sometimes you just have to wonder why every October we let our kids dress up as pirates and princesses and take to the streets of the neighborhood searching for sugary treasure.

When left to the imagination, there aren’t many holidays that are more fun than Halloween. From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating and haunted houses, Halloween has become a whimsical celebration of things that most people find scary or downright chilling any other time of the year.

Carving jack-o-lanterns is a tradition that began several hundred years ago in Ireland, but back in those days, they were carved from potatoes and turnips. It wasn’t until years later, after the Irish immigrated to the United States, that they discovered that pumpkins made for a much better medium due to their abundance in the new world, thus a new tradition was born.

Legend has it that the jack-o-lanterns were originally intended to frighten away the wandering soul of Stingy Jack, who was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity after tricking the devil and later finding out he wasn’t allowed into heaven or hell.

This also loosely explains why we dress up in costumes – to disguise ourselves from the souls wandering amongst us – including Stingy Jack!

Ghostly Gardens by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI.

Or perhaps it doesn’t.

According to Lisa Morton, author of “Trick or Treat: A history of Halloween,” dressing up as a way to scare off evil spirits is a common misconception about the holiday. Morton contends that people didn’t start dressing up until much later – as in the 1800s.

By that time, Halloween was known for pranks which were becoming more and more elaborate and dangerous. So much so that towns and cities were thinking about canceling Halloween because many felt that the pranks were getting out of hand.

That led to a gradual push from families, communities and civic organizations to change the nature of the holidays from pranks to the “trick or treat” traditions we know today.

Sadly, Morton’s version of buying off kids with treats and costumes is probably a bit closer to reality than the warding off evil spirits angle, but as with most holiday traditions, you never really know for sure!

Don’t forget, the holidays are just around the corner! Visit Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop for all you Thanksgiving flowers and centerpieces. We offer same-day delivery in Milwaukee, WI, and surrounding areas for birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, get well soon, sympathy, or even just because. Call us today at (414) 475-7080 or shop online 24/7.

Spilling the Big Secret About Grandparents Day – Sunday, September 13

Grandparents Day takes place on the first Sunday following Labor Day. This year, Grandparents Day falls on September 13. This particular holiday is not nearly as popular as Mother’s Day or even Father’s Day, but it is still a nice chance to honor our grandparents. Unlike some holidays that can trace their origins back through centuries, Grandparents Day was first observed just over 40 years ago.

Sweet 16 by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

People often assume that Grandparents Day resulted from lobbying by greeting card companies, florists, and similar businesses, but this idea could not be further from the truth. Grandparents Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the connections between generations. Its origin was decidedly noncommercial, and the holiday has largely remained true to its roots since its inception. In fact, Grandparents Day barely even makes the top 10 list of most popular occasions for greeting card sales. It is outranked by Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and St. Patrick’s Day.

What started as letter to President Richard Nixon in 1969 by nine-year-old Russell Capper suggesting that a day be set aside in order to celebrate grandparents, eventually ended up with proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter on August 3, 1978 after Congress passed the legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after labor Day as “National Grandparent’s Day.” The first official celebration took place the following year.

The Importance of Grandparents Day

This year – more than ever – should serve as a reminder that our grandparents are foundations of our family and they will not be around forever. Now is the time to cherish as many moments as we can with them and create lifelong memories. With age comes wisdom and our grandparents have seen things and lived through things we could not even imagine in our modern world. Through all that living it is not surprising that they learned some things along the way and they also serve as some of our most important resources for family history and information. That is why we should take some time to listen while we still have the chance.

Sunny Day Pitcher of Daisies by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, Milwaukee, WI

What is the Big Secret about Grandparents Day?

One thing that sets Grandparents Day apart from most of the other holidays is the expectations that go along with it. There are no big lists or registries and grandparents certainly do not expect grandchildren to spend much money on a gift. In fact, if you ask most grandparents what they really want, their answer will simply be spending time with loved ones. The time you spend with them will be worth far more than money could ever buy. Many grandparents have a lot more ‘free time’ on their hands than we do and often spend more time alone, so even a short visit will likely make them happy. A bit of company will certainly brighten their day and you’ll cherish that time you spent.

It is not always easy for us to visit with our grandparents, especially this year with so many travel restrictions and quarantines that make travel difficult. Since visiting in person might not be practical this year but that doesn’t mean we can’t take some time to connect with them and show them how much we care. Technology has made keeping in touch easier than ever before. Video chatting through Skype or Zoom, or even just calling on the phone and expressing love and gratitude will likely make their day because they always want to hear from you. Sending a card or brightening their home with a beautiful floral arrangement is also a fantastic idea.

Your friends at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop are here to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones on Grandparent’s Day. We have an incredible selection of unique hand-designed floral arrangements along with luscious plants and amazing. We even offer same day delivery to Milwaukee, WI, and surrounding areas or anywhere else in the USA.

Why Did Yankee Doodle Call His Hat Macaroni?

Independence Day is one of the most cherished and time-honored holidays in the United States. This federal holiday is an annual celebration of American independence from the British Empire and is commonly associated with parades, picnics, carnivals, and concerts during the day – topped off with majestic fireworks displays after sunset. Of course, this year’s celebration may not be quite as robust as it has in the past and gatherings will be limited but the sentiment remains the same.

The firework shows are traditionally set to patriotic anthems including Yankee Doodle – a well-known American song that predates the American Revolution. We all know the tune, even if we don’t understand the lyrics. Why did Yankee Doodle go to town? Why did he call his hat “macaroni” after sticking a feather in it? And most importantly, how do such seemingly-nonsensical words play such a prominent role in our nation’s history?

“Yankee Doodle went to town
A-riding on pony.
He stuck a feather in his cap
And called it Macaroni.”

Before we find out why Yankee Doodle called his hat “macaroni,” we should probably back up and find out what the term “Yankee Doodle” means.

His Favorite Ford Pickup Truck by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop

The term “Yankee” itself has several interrelated meanings depending on the context, however, all of them refer to people from the United States. Outside of the U.S., the term is used to refer to any American – including Southerners. Within the United States, however, the term is a derisive one which refers to all Northerners – especially ones from the Union side of the American Civil War. Some people go a step further and only view New Englanders as true “Yankees.”

The first appearance of the term “doodle” can be traced back to the early 17th century and is thought to be derived from the Low Saxon word “dudel,” which means “playing music badly,” or “Dodel, meaning “simpleton” or “fool.”

What Does That Have to do with Macaroni?

Today when we think of macaroni, we typically start salivating for the nostalgically-delicious childhood meal made of noodles and a cheese-like substance eaten from a box, but the macaroni in this instance refers to a fashionable man from the mid-18th century who spoke and dressed in an outlandish and epicene manner.

But why macaroni? Because young upper-class British men returning from trips to Italy developed a taste for the pasta that was hardly known in England at the time and were said to belong to the Macaroni Club because of their insistence on referring to anything fashionable as “very macaroni.”

’65 Ford Mustang Bouquet by Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop

It’s all starting to come together now. When British surgeon Dr. Richard Shuckburgh penned the lyrics, he was mocking Yankees by insinuating that they were low-class simpletons who lacked masculinity – as if simply putting a feather in one’s cap would make him sophisticated and noble.

That sure doesn’t sound patriotic, but the Yankees soon turned the tables by embracing the song as an anthem of defiance. Americans subsequently went a step further by adding additional verses mocking the British and shortly thereafter, the song went from being an insult to a source of national pride.

That was more than 200 years ago, and the song still stands as one of our nation’s most beloved and patriotic tunes. In fact, President John F. Kennedy once bought a pony for his daughter Caroline – and called it Macaroni.

If you’re heading out to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, or plan on hosting a celebration of your own – don’t forget the flowers! Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop is here to help you celebrate with a bang with a beautiful bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers – perfect for the 4th of July. Give us a call or stop in today to see what’s in store for you. If you find exactly what you’d like, we’ll make it for you! Have a safe and happy 4th from your friends at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop.