Pick an odd number of stems for a bouquet (this rule relaxes for a bouquet a florist has professionally arranged and wrapped for you). Before you hand it over, remove the wrapping paper, or at minimum leave only a thin layer of cellophane, presenting it still fully wrapped reads as an unfinished gesture.
Skip red roses unless you mean something romantic by it, and avoid carnations, lilies, and chrysanthemums, all of which read as funeral flowers rather than a warm gift. Yellow roses or a mixed seasonal bouquet are safe, well-received defaults.
- This applies to home visits and business gifts alike — the number/wrapping rule isn’t limited to romantic contexts.
- Presentation matters beyond flowers too — wrap other gifts neatly with simple paper, a handwritten card is a nice, expected touch, and skip anything too personal (toiletries, clothing) or overly extravagant, both read as presumptuous rather than thoughtful.