Give the Gift of Scent for Valentines and Weddings

Posted by Sharon Falsetto Dec 31, 2008

The gift of scent is always appreciated! But instead of giving the traditonal bottle of perfume (which is usually a synthetic scent in today's world) give the gift of true scent, that of flowers and plants of the natural world. Traditional scented gifts given throughout history include the pomander, scented gloves and scented herb pillows; these are inexpensive gifts which can be homemade and given for Valentines, Mother's Day, Weddings and Birthdays. It was traditional in Europe to make homemade scents in still rooms.

If you'd prefer to give actual flowers for Valentines Day, consider exotic species such as Orchids and Lilies, in addition to the traditional Rose; the Victorians exchanged a small posy of flowers, known as a tussie mussie to express their love. Each individual flower had a meaning so it was very important to know what a flower meant before presenting it to a sweetheart! Flower meanings varied in different literatures so it was also important for both the giver and the receiver to refer to the same text!

If you are getting married in 2009 you may wish to consider fragrant flowers such as Rose, Hyacinth and Lily-of-the-Valley in your wedding bouquet; if it is a Spring wedding, consider some alternatives of Tulip, Peony and Gerber Daisy. Although these flowers are not as fragrant as some others, they are simple, yet still manage to make a statement.

For other ideas on weddings for 2009, check out wedding bouquet styles and if you'd like to know what Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston or even Queen Victoria had in their bridal bouquets, you may want to read celebrity wedding flowers! And where did the tradition of wedding flowers begin? You may be suprised to learn that herbs were actually more common as bridal bouquets than flowers originally; this may be due in part to the fact that herbs disguised body odors when bathing was not so frequent!

Fashions may change, but flowers always seem to be in fashion - and the gift of scent, combined with flowers, is sure to melt your lover's heart....