Saturday, February 21, 2009

Organic Bouquet

I recently had the opportunity to send flowers to someone I care about.  Now, I don't usually send flowers.  I don't get really excited about receiving them (I know! I am like one of those silly women who doesn't like chocolate!) so I usually choose something else to send.  But this was part of a group effort and the group chose flowers, so I agreed, on one condition.  I asked that if we were going to send flowers, we send an Organic Bouquet.  

I first read about Organic Bouquet in the February issue of "O" magazine which made the excellent point that traditional growing methods for flowers usually include leeching lots of pesticides and herbicides into the soil and water, not to mention covering your beautiful gift in them before sending them to someone to enjoy in their home.  

Organic Bouquet offers only flowers that are grown, well, organically (and sustainably).  Which means that you can feel good about the gift you are giving in more ways than one.  I love that they also offer charitable arrangements which give five percent back to a charity with their purchase.   For our purchase, my group chose the Women for Women bouquet which arrived on the specified delivery date in a recycled glass vase ($13 more) and wowed the recipient with it's beauty.

You can also choose from a selection of California grown flowers which will presumably cut doubt on the carbon footprint of the flowers in their travel.  

If flowers aren't your thing, choose from a selection of treats like fair-trade organic chocolate or these organic Peace cookies.  Or choose wreath or a plant that will keep growing and giving back.

The point is, when you choose your gifts (or your special treats to yourself), do it mindfully.  Think not only about how beautiful the item is, but how it contributed to the beauty of our planet.


Have you had any experience with "greener" flowers or gifts?  Are there companies you would recommend over others?  Have you ever had the pleasure of being the recipient of such a gift?


11 comments:

Unknown said...

Hiya from SITS!

I love those flowers! I am not sure if there're any organic florists over here in Singapore, but I'd be sure to check it out!

Hccm said...

Day 2 of the Where’s Wenda? Contest is here. Today, I am visiting all of the SITStas that commented on Hot Chocolate Caramel Mocha. That means you! Thanks so much for stopping by and for being a great SISta! -Wenda

Meg said...

Now those flowers are something I could probably get behind, but I'm traditionally with you on this one - why purchase a bunch of cut flowers that will only die in a few days? I like the idea of live plants/wreaths though, and if I HAD to send cut flowers I'd much prefer that they were organic.

Aunt Spicy said...

Gosh, what gorgeous photos!

Pattyskypants said...

Yah! If you MUST HAVE cut flowers that you didn't grow yourself, then by all means it MUST BE these. I don't like chocolates (or any sweets except fruit) either. Thanks for finding this option for us!! xxoo Patty

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Great post...I like your blog a lot and am trying VERY hard to reduce my carbon footprint and be more mindful of caring for our environment.

babies said...

you are quite right about sending cut flowers, not a very good idea. my favourite flowers were those i picked in the woods as a child and the tulips from my mother's garden...those were pretty organic, i think... but there's always a chance of picking endangered plants or poisonous ones. is picking wild flowers bad in any other way?

i love the wreath and the vine ideas!

so, is it true you don't like chocolate? some organic brands are really good, much better than the "regulars".

Megan said...

That chocolate looks SOOOO good!

Willo said...

San-Thanks for coming by!

Aunt Spicy-I know? Don't they just scream spring? Those are right from the organic bouquet site.

Patty Skypants-Great name! I don't know how you stay away from sweets. I live for them!

Belle-thanks for stopping by!

Eva and Megan-I really do love chocolate (just not fresh cut flowers) but I am vegan so it is only dark chocolate for me. But that does look AWESOME!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Day 3 of the Where’s Wenda? Contest is here. Today I am visiting all of the SITStas that commented on Three Bay B Chicks. That means you! Thanks so much for stopping by and for being a great SISta!

-Wenda

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing about this great company! The peace cookies are gorgeous!