Valentine's Day Flowers: A Gentleman's Guide

You know that moment when you walk into a grocery store and all at once, like a freight train hitting your chest, it dawns on you Candy, cards, overly-red stuffed animals, and yes, FLOWERS everywhere? This moment is like a child walking into their first haunted house; it can be scary.

Valentine's Day has the potential to be a memorable holiday for both genders regardless of the relationship status. The key, however, from a male's perspective, is providing just the right experience and ambiance, which usually centers on one key element: flowers.

Find your soulmate on AfroRomance

Join Free

Pick the Best Flowers

Valentine's Day is made for the original gentlemen, no matter who you are. As a gentleman, the task becomes deciding which flowers to buy. Everything else will hopefully fall into place, but without the right flowers, your night could get headed off on the wrong foot rather quickly. When it comes to picking the right flowers, most guys naturally grab the seemingly sure-fire bet of red roses.

Bad Move!

Due to mass popularity, red roses are sold at gas stations, liquor stores (convenient for us guys), and grocery stores. Flower delivery by FTD and similar companies offer a different option to the dirty dozen. You can still get roses, but more unique colors. Vogue.com recommends buying pink or lavender colored roses for a romantic evening and blue or magenta colors for a more seductive affair.

Wait ... Flowers Have a Meaning

Different flowers have hidden meanings behind them. Consider details. Giving a daisy can symbolize "innocence" or "loyal love." While other flower such as a gardenia can symbolize a "secret love," or the hydrangea, which can show "heartlessness." So, as you can see, depending on your date's knowledge of flowers and their meaning, you may end up in a bad spot. You do not want to be stuck thinking you are giving a sweet flower gift, when really, you are insinuating that your love should be kept a "secret," or worse, she's full of "heartlessness."

On Valentine's Day, Do Not Believe Your Date

Over the history of men courting women, there have been countless travesties started with the woman saying, "No. Please don't get me anything," and ending with the guy actually listening to her. Guys, do yourself a favor. If the special woman in your life says she doesn't want anything for Valentine's Day or even worse, she tells you not to do anything special whatever you do, please don't listen to her. If you do, it will almost certainly end on a sour note. When it comes to Valentine's Day, females pretty much always want at least a little chivalry, and who can blame them?

This Valentine's Day, whether the special woman in your life gets a flower delivery from a company online you deliver them yourself as you whisk her away for a most memorable evening, try to implement some of the advice above. Perhaps most importantly, remembering the symbolism behind different types of flowers may just send her the correct message opposed to years prior, plus you might actually impress her with all the flower knowledge you have picked up.

• 5 First Date Tips
• 11 Signs He's Serious About You
• How Media impacts Interracial Dating Trends
• Your Couple's Guide to Sexual Health
• The 3 Key Ingredients for Memorable Holidays for Couples