Giving flowers

Which bouquet to give a friend: colours, occasions and what to write on the card

For a friend, give a bouquet that suits her rather than one that tries to impress: her favourite flower if you know it, otherwise yellow, pink or orange, the colours of friendship. Avoid red roses, which speak of love. Size M is almost always enough, and a personal line on the card matters more than the number of stems.

By Hanaé7 min read…

Bouquet of fuchsia and bright pink roses, eucalyptus and fine grasses, in kraft paper tied with a pink ribbon

Key takeaways

  • Her favourite flower or colour beats every rule; failing that, yellow, pink or orange say friendship.
  • Avoid red roses, which are for romance, and potted chrysanthemums, which the French associate with All Saints’ Day.
  • Size M is enough: at Hanaé, of 6 card messages addressed to a friend, 5 bouquets were size M, 1 S, none L (measured on 27 October 2026).
  • A bouquet for no reason, “just because”, often means more than an expected birthday bouquet.

Which bouquet to give a friend

The best bouquet for a friend is one that suits her. If you know her favourite flower or colour, start there: it shows you know her, and that is what she will remember. Otherwise, choose a colourful, generous bouquet: ranunculus, garden roses, gerberas, alstroemerias, eucalyptus. For a friend with a pared-back style, white and green; for a sunny friend, yellow and orange; for a romantic one, powdery tones. Avoid two things: red roses, which speak of love and can cause a misunderstanding, and potted chrysanthemums, which the French associate with All Saints’ Day and graves.

Which colour of flowers for a friend

Yellow is the traditional colour of friendship: it says joy and closeness. Pink says tenderness, from pale pink for a friend of many years to fuchsia for a friend who likes to be noticed. Orange says energy and suits good news. White on its own can feel solemn; mixed with green or another colour, it turns fresh and elegant. Our guide to flower colour meanings covers each shade.

Flower colour meanings

What size of bouquet for a friend

Size M almost always works: generous enough to please, simple enough that she will not feel she owes you one. It is also what our customers choose. Of the 117 card messages on our orders as of 27 October 2026, 6 explicitly name a friend; 5 of those bouquets were size M, 1 S, none L. The sample is small, but it captures the spirit of a bouquet between friends. Keep the large size for a milestone birthday or a big life moment.

How much does a bouquet cost in Paris

For which occasions to give a friend flowers

Birthdays are the most common occasion, but not the only one. A new job, a move, a degree or a project finally launched deserve a cheerful bouquet in yellow or orange. After a break-up, a bereavement or a hard stretch, soft tones and a short card say “I am here” without overdoing it. And a bouquet for no reason, sent on a Tuesday “just because”, often means more than an expected one. For birthdays, our dedicated guide gives ideas by age and personality.

Which flowers to give for a birthday

A friend in hospital or on the maternity ward · what to know

For a friend in hospital, first check that the ward accepts flowers: many refuse them, especially intensive care and haematology. If so, choose a bouquet without strong scent or pollen, or have it delivered to her home for when she gets back. For a friend who has just given birth, the same caution applies on the maternity ward; a small bouquet delivered at home, once the first rush is over, is often better received. Our guide to sending flowers to a hospital has the details.

Sending flowers to a hospital in Paris

What to write on the card for a friend

Between friends, the tone can be personal: a shared memory, a nickname, a joke only the two of you get. A few examples: “Twenty years of friendship and still here. Happy birthday. Lea”, “To your new job: I am so proud of you. Ines”, “Thinking of you. Call me whenever you like. Camille”, “Nothing special, just because I miss you. Sarah”. At Hanaé, the card is included, up to 400 characters, copied out by hand.

What to write on a flower card

Having a bouquet delivered to a friend today in Paris

A bouquet lands better on the day than the day after: on her birthday, on the evening of her good news. Ordered before 8pm, it is delivered the same day in Paris. Express delivers in under 1 hour, for €18, available from 10am to 8pm. The courier photographs the handover: you know your flowers have arrived, even if she has not messaged you yet.

Flower delivery in 1 hour in Paris

Frequently asked questions

Which bouquet should I give a friend?

One that suits her: her favourite flower or colour if you know it, otherwise a colourful bouquet of ranunculus, garden roses or gerberas in yellow, pink or orange. Avoid red roses, which are for romance.

Which colour of flowers for a friend?

Yellow, the traditional colour of friendship. Pink says tenderness and orange joy; white on its own can feel solemn.

Can I give roses to a friend?

Yes, in yellow, pink or peach. Red roses, on the other hand, say passionate love and can cause a misunderstanding.

What size of bouquet should I give a friend?

Size M, in most cases. Keep the large size for a milestone birthday or a big moment, and the small one for a “just because” bouquet.

What about a male friend?

The same rules apply: start from his tastes, avoid red roses, and prefer bold tones and a structured bouquet. Our guide to giving flowers to a man has ideas.

By Hanaé7 min read

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For a friend, a bouquet that suits her.

Delivery in Paris

Hanaé delivers bouquets in Paris in under 2 hours, or in 1 hour by express, 7 days a week.

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