Early 2020 will forever be remembered for terrible pandemic that has touched nearly every part of the globe. It has forced businesses to close and most people to isolate themselves for the greater good. Because of that, days often run together and the lines on the calendar separating the dates tend to blur and run together. If you haven’t checked lately, you probably wouldn’t even realize that May is here already – and we couldn’t be happier, because April showers always bring May flowers – especially this year!

May is the perfect time to celebrate with flowers – all month long! In fact, the very first day of the month is May Day – a celebration of spring that is traditionally celebrated by giving “May baskets” made up of flowers or sweets – or a combination of the two – that is usually left anonymously on the doorsteps of neighbors.

To many, this may seem like a strange way to celebrate a holiday, especially considering that the givers of May baskets would usually ring the doorbell and run away – leaving the recipient to open the door and find nothing but a basket of flowers!

In some communities, leaving a May basket at someone’s door was an excellent opportunity to express romantic interest because tradition called for the recipient to give chase and attempt to steal a kiss from the person who hung the basket. In other parts of the country, however, it was considered a disgrace if the flower giver was caught by the recipient.

May Day isn’t nearly as popular in this country as it was a century ago, and today the concept seems quaint and dated to many people in this era of text messages and Snapchat, but this throwback to simpler times is still an official holiday in 66 countries around the world. But with the current state of the world and social distancing protocols in place – this trend just might make a comeback!

While no longer as common in the United States, May Day celebrations still take place in some regions of the country. In Hawaii, May Day is known as Lei Day, which is a day to celebrate the culture of the island and Native Hawaiians.

 

Mother’s Day

Of course, the most obvious occasion for giving flowers during the month of May is Mother’s Day. This year we celebrate mom on Sunday, May 10.

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest days of the year when it comes to flowers, greeting cards, phone calls and (most years) restaurant reservations – and with good reason. It’s often hard to find appropriate ways to express gratitude to someone so important and dear to us as our mothers, but nearly everyone loves flowers!

For florists, Mother’s Day is one of our busiest times of the year, and also one of our favorites. Unlike many of the other holidays were certain colors or types of flowers tend to dominate, (like red roses on Valentine’s Day) Mother’s Day typically offers more freedom to design something special and truly unique – that mom is sure to love!

Here at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop, we’ve been planning for this special day since the end of Valentine’s Day, and we’re ready to help you find something perfect for your mom. This year’s celebration is going to look a bit different than in years past because the worldwide pandemic has limited the types of flowers available from our distributors, so we’re encouraging everyone to consider a “designer’s choice” open order. Not only will this allow you to receive the freshest flowers available, but it will also help to eliminate any disappointment when the finished product doesn’t quite match up with the picture online due to substitutions. The great news is that our designers LOVE to freedom to design something totally custom for you so that you can truly give your mom a one-of-a-kind gift this Mother’s Day. We promise you won’t be disappointed!

 

But that’s not all…

Between Mother’s Day, May Day, and flowers popping up everywhere we turn, May is truly the month of flowers, but there are many more ways to celebrate with flowers this month.

Memorial Day is just around the corner – this year it falls on Monday, May 25. Traditionally observed as a day to honor those who have died in military service, this holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer. If you are attending a picnic or observance on Memorial Day, flowers are always an appropriate way to show gratitude and appreciation.

May is also the time for graduations for many students across the country, as well an excellent chance for a gift to say “thanks” to all those teachers and educators who worked so hard throughout the year. Obviously those graduation parties will be scaled back or even virtual this time around, but flowers are still an excellent congratulatory gift that will be extra appreciated.

Whatever your reason, say it with flowers this May with the help of your friends at Alfa Flower & Wedding Shop. No matter the occasion, we’re still here to help you find the perfect gift. Rest assured, our entire team – from designers to delivery drivers – are exceeding CDC guidelines for sanitation and safety to give you peace of mind knowing that you safely reach out and deliver a beautiful message to those you love and miss. Give us a call or come in and see us for all your floral needs – and we hope your May is beautiful and bright!