Flowers are always a thoughtful and appropriate gift for almost any occasion, and sending just the right flowers is easy, especially with KCFlorist.com. Our florists are experts at designing and delivering beautiful fresh flower bouquets, plants and gift baskets that are just right for a birthday, new baby, get well gift, sympathy expression, or any occasion. Ordering flowers online is fast, easy, and safe, with same day and next day delivery available throughout the USA and Canada. But, as experienced flower senders know, a little preparation and care can help make sending flowers even easier. So, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when sending flowers to anyone.

Be sure you have the recipient's complete name and delivery address, including any business name, suite, floor, or apartment number. Providing the recipient's phone number is also extremely helpful to ensure timely delivery and may be required in some cases.

At busy floral holiday periods, such as Christmas, Valentine's, and Mother's Day weeks, order one or more days in advance, if possible. And, remember, with floral gifts, it's often a good idea to request delivery the day before a particular occasion, so the recipient can enjoy your gift throughout the special day and to provide a "cushion" for redelivery when necessary (e.g., if the recipient is not there when you gift first arrives).

Choose a quality florist with years of experience that guarantees satisfaction and is happy to help you by phone or online. Top-rated, family-owned florists, like KCFlorist, stand behind their work and take pride in giving you the personal attention and service you deserve.

Ever notice how flowers affect people's moods? Research shows that fresh cut flowers boost happiness, improve emotional well-being, combat the morning blahs, and even improve workplace productivity. No wonder eighty-eight percent of people polled agree that a gift of flowers changes their mood for the better, and ninety-two percent of women can remember the last time they received flowers.

But, according to author and color expert Leatrice Eiseman, the right combination of flower colors can trigger even more of a reaction. "Our response to color is intensely emotional, and an artful floral arrangement has the ability to convey a feeling or create a mood without using words," says Eiseman.

For example, to convey a sense of caring or a loving embrace, choose pastel shades of soft yellows, warm pinks, peaches, creamy whites, and subtle greens. This nurturing palette makes us feel safe, secure, and cared for. So, it's great for a new mom, ailing friend, or grieving loved one. Garden-style arrangements, casual groupings of blooms, and botanical accents lend themselves to this soft and natural look. Appropriate flowers include tulips, roses, freesia, viburnum, waxflower, snapdragons, stock, and other soft garden blossoms.

Looking for something a little more romantic? Send a combination of lavenders, purples, pale pinks, and deep pinks. This romantic palette expresses love and adoration. It also evokes feelings of intimacy, nostalgia, and comfort. So, it's ideal for mothers, sisters, significant others, and brides to be. Lush compact designs compliment the mood. For that extra touch include a few more unusual flowers such as lilac, lisianthus, sweetpea, roses, peony, stock, hydrangea, miniature calla lilies, or heather.

Want to turn up the heat? Send a more sensuous color scheme of deep reds, purples, hot pinks, and oranges to convey a more sophisticated, passionate, or seductive mood. It's perfect for an anniversary, special evening, or elegant dinner party. Roses, alstroemeria, hypericum, anemone, hydrangea, Asiatic lilies, spray roses, ranunculus, and tulips are just a few of the blooms that can make this look complete.

For a more calming statement that evokes peace and relaxation, combine cooler hues of light greens, soft grays, whites, and misty blues. This tranquil palette turns almost any bouquet into a vase of natural serenity. Popular blooms include hydrangea, delphinium, thistle, eucalyptus, lisianthus, larkspur, roses, or similar varieties. The tranquil palette is a great look for guys and office gifts, too.

To keep things fun, festive, or light-hearted, select a more whimsical palette of bold, contrasting colors. This playful, free-spirited approach conveys feelings of happiness and is great for a birthday, graduation, promotion, or any celebration. Ideal flowers include Gerbera daisies, novelty poms, tulips, spray roses, alstroemeria, iris, delphinium, and lilies. The brighter the better and more fun.

Of course, there are dozens of other flowers and colors to communicate almost any thought or sentiment, and including the recipient's favorite flower or color is always a thoughtful way to show how much you care. Consult your local florist for the best options and seasonal values, and don't be afraid to experiment. Or, order online with KCFlorist for delivery nationwide. Because a gift of flowers for any occasion is always a great way to warm someone's heart.