Choose the right colour
The colour should match the relationship: red for love, white for purity or mourning, yellow for friendship, pink for tenderness. If in doubt, go for pastels, which work for everyone: a soft pink, peach and cream bouquet pleases a colleague as much as a mother-in-law or a friend. Keep red for your partner, and all-white for births, weddings and condolences. If you know the person’s favourite colour or the decor of their living room, that is a better guide than any symbol.
The colour guideChoose the right size
Size S for a light thank-you, M for a birthday or a dinner, L for a big occasion: Mother’s Day, a declaration, a ceremony. The dimensions and price of each size are shown on the bouquet page. Think about the place, too: a large bouquet looks superb in a living room but is cumbersome on a shared desk or in a small room. French tradition has it that a small bouquet should contain an odd number of flowers, a custom that matters little today with bouquets composed and sold by size.
How much a bouquet costs in ParisAdd a handwritten card
Three sincere lines are enough: say why you are giving these flowers, to whom, and sign with a recognisable first name. Avoid emojis and ready-made phrases. A few examples: “Happy birthday, my dear. Thirty and still the funniest of the lot. Love, Léa.”; “Thank you for your help this week, I couldn’t have done it without you. Paul.”; “To celebrate your new job, with all our pride.” At Hanaé, the card is included: you type the message when you order, up to 400 characters, and it is copied out by hand.
Deliver at the right moment
At midday (2pm–4pm), the person enjoys the bouquet all day. In the evening, the surprise is strong for a birthday or a declaration: Hanaé delivers from 10am to 11pm. Avoid early morning, when the person is leaving for work, and check they will be at home. Order before 8pm for same-day delivery in under 2 hours, or choose a 30-minute slot, the same day or a later date. In a hurry? Express delivery in 1 hour costs €18.
Delivery hours and order cut-offCheck that it arrived
At Hanaé, the courier photographs the hand-over. You receive the photo by email and can find it on the tracking page: no need to call the person to find out whether the bouquet arrived, which would spoil the surprise. The photo also shows you exactly the bouquet that was handed over, with its card. If you are sending from abroad or from another time zone, it is the simplest way to know that everything went well.
At an office, a hotel or a hospital
For an office, give the company name, the floor and the person’s full name in the address details, and deliver in the early afternoon rather than at lunchtime. For a hotel, the bouquet is left at reception: give the exact name on the booking so it reaches the right room. For a hospital or maternity ward, call the ward first: many refuse flowers for hygiene reasons, especially in intensive care. If so, have the flowers delivered to the person’s home, for their return.
Sending flowers to an officeIn person or delivered?
Giving flowers in person is the most personal option when you see the person that day, at a dinner or on a date. For a dinner at friends’ in Paris, though, it is often better to have the bouquet delivered beforehand or the next day: the host does not have to hunt for a vase while receiving guests. Delivery is the answer when you are far away, for a surprise at work, or simply to avoid carrying a bouquet on the metro. At Hanaé, delivery costs €5.90, free from €100, at the same price in all 20 Paris arrondissements.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say when giving flowers?
A few sincere words are enough: why you are giving these flowers and what the person means to you. On the card, three lines and a recognisable first name are perfect.
Should you give an odd number of flowers in France?
It is a French tradition for small bouquets, not a rule. With a bouquet composed and sold by size, nobody counts the stems.
Can I send flowers to a hospital in Paris?
Not always: many wards refuse flowers for hygiene reasons. Call the ward before ordering, or have them delivered to the person’s home.
What time should flowers be delivered?
At midday (2pm–4pm) so the person can enjoy them all day, or in the evening for a surprise. Hanaé delivers from 10am to 11pm.
How do I know my bouquet was delivered?
At Hanaé, the courier photographs the hand-over; the photo is sent to you by email and stays visible on the tracking page.
By Hanaé5 min read
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