The short answer: yes, giving flowers to a man is perfectly fine, and often a very good gift. In Lithuania men receive flowers on milestone birthdays, name days, graduations, promotions and retirements, and as a thank you. The real question is usually not whether you can, but which flowers to pick. Here is what a florist looks at when putting together a bouquet for a man, and what is better left out.
Occasions when men receive flowers
- Birthdays and jubilees. For round anniversaries such as 50, 60 or 70, a bouquet is expected, especially at work or at a party where many people come to congratulate.
- Name days. Many people in Lithuania still celebrate their name day, and a small bouquet suits a colleague or a family member.
- Graduation. At school leaving ceremonies and university graduations, flowers are given to young men just as much as to young women.
- Promotion, a new role, a business opening. A potted plant that stays in the office is often the better choice here.
- Thanks. For a doctor, a teacher, a coach, or a colleague who helped during a difficult time.
- Father's Day. In Lithuania it falls on the first Sunday of June.
- Performances. Actors, musicians and conductors receive flowers after a concert in exactly the same way as women do.
If the person has said directly that he does not like flowers, choose a plant or a different gift altogether. In every other case, a neat bouquet reads as respect and attention, not sentimentality.
Colours that suit a man
Bouquets for men usually lean towards deeper, calmer colours:
- Dark red and burgundy. Deep roses or burgundy blooms look serious and substantial.
- White and green. White flowers with plenty of greenery are almost always a safe choice, whether for a manager or an older relative.
- Deep blue and violet. These work well alongside white and green.
- Yellow and orange. Good for a cheerful occasion, such as a young person's birthday or a graduation.
Soft pink and pastel bouquets are not forbidden, but they tend to look as if they were meant for a woman. When in doubt, keep to one or two colours rather than many.
Shape: clear and structured
A bouquet for a man usually looks best with a clear structure:
- Tall and vertical, with visible stems and lines rather than a round dome of blooms.
- A single type of flower, for example only roses, only callas or only chrysanthemums. This looks restrained and tidy.
- Plenty of greenery. Eucalyptus, ferns and large leaves add volume and a calm feel.
- Minimal decoration. No glitter, pearls, feathers or piles of ribbon. Plain paper or kraft wrapping is enough.
Flowers that work well for men
Anthuriums
Glossy, almost lacquered blooms on strong stems. Their graphic shape suits a modern bouquet, and cut anthuriums usually last a long time in a vase. Anthurium is also grown as a houseplant, so it can be given in a pot.
Calla lilies
Clean, elegant lines. White callas look formal, dark ones in burgundy or purple look serious. Even a few stems with some greenery make a finished gift.
Roses
Dark red or white roses on long stems, without extra decoration. Red roses carry a romantic meaning for many people, so for a colleague or a boss white or cream roses are the more common choice.
Chrysanthemums
Spray chrysanthemums last well in a vase and come in green, white and burgundy. They work both in a single-type bouquet and as the base of a mixed one. In Lithuania, chrysanthemums in pots are closely linked to All Souls' Day and cemeteries, so avoid them as a potted gift. Cut chrysanthemums in a bouquet do not usually carry that association.
Sunflowers
A cheerful option for a young man or an informal occasion. Their large heads look good even in a bunch of three or five.
A potted plant as an alternative
Many men prefer something that lasts over a cut bouquet. A plant is especially suitable for work, an office or a new home.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas). Very undemanding, tolerates low light and infrequent watering.
- Snake plant (Sansevieria). Hardy, tidy in shape, good for an office.
- Cacti and succulents. Small, neat, need almost no care.
- Orchid. A white orchid suits a man too, particularly as a thank you or for an office.
- Potted anthurium. Flowers for a long time and looks modern.
Before choosing, think about whether the person will want to look after a plant and has time to. If not, go for the least demanding one.
What to avoid
- Too much decoration. Glitter, artificial butterflies and pink ribbons do not suit a bouquet for a man.
- Strongly scented flowers such as lilies, if the bouquet is going into a small closed office. Lily pollen also stains clothes.
- An even number of stems in a small bouquet. In Lithuania even numbers are associated with funerals, so living people receive odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7. In a large bouquet this matters less.
- An oversized bouquet, if he will be taking public transport after the party or going straight home from work.
A practical point: think about the vase
Men often do not have a suitable vase, especially at work. If you know there will not be one, consider a flower box: the flowers are set into wet floral foam, so no vase is needed, only a little water now and then. The other option is a potted plant, which is ready to stand on a windowsill or desk straight away.
You do not need a long speech when you hand them over. A few words of good wishes and a handwritten card often say more than a big bouquet.
Ordering a bouquet for a man in Kaunas
The Gitanos gėlės flower stand is inside the Šilas supermarket at A. Baranausko g. 26, Kaunas, open every day 8:00–23:00. Bouquets start from 15 €, potted plants from 8 € and flower boxes from 35 €. You can pre-order a bouquet by SMS at +370 656 38880 or on gitanosgeles.lt and collect it at a time that suits you. Mention the occasion and who it is for, and it will be easier to choose the right colours and shape.
