Milestone Birthday Bouquet: 50, 60, 70 and Beyond

For a milestone birthday, whether it is a 50th, 60th, 70th or 80th, people usually choose a larger, more formal bouquet than for an ordinary birthday. Pick the flowers to suit the person and the venue, and keep to two or three colours that go together. Because the person celebrating receives a lot of flowers that day, convenience matters too: a bouquet that can go straight into a vase, or a flower box that needs no vase at all, is always welcome.

What makes a milestone bouquet different

In Lithuania a round or half-round birthday such as 50, 60, 70, 75 or 80 is called a jubiliejus, and it is celebrated more seriously than an ordinary one. There are more guests, sometimes speeches and a line of people waiting to give their wishes. The bouquet has to look festive even from across the room, so it is normally larger, sturdier and more clearly shaped.

Larger does not mean more filler. Fewer good, fresh flowers, well tied with greenery, last longer and look more substantial.

Choosing by the person

For a woman

For a woman, the usual choice is a round, full bouquet with roses, spray roses, lisianthus, alstroemeria, chrysanthemums or carnations. If you know her favourite flower or colour, start from that. If you do not, cream, peach, soft pink, or white with green suit almost everyone.

For a 50th or 60th, the bouquet can be bolder and more modern, with brighter colours. For an older woman, the classics usually work best: roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and calmer shades.

For a man

A milestone birthday is one of the occasions when Lithuanian men receive flowers quite naturally. A bouquet for a man usually has a cleaner, more upright shape and deep colours: dark red, burgundy, white, yellow, orange and rich greens. Sturdy flowers work well, for example long-stemmed roses, chrysanthemums, gerberas, calla lilies or anthuriums. More greenery, fewer ribbons.

For someone older

For a person turning 75, 80 or 90, the bouquet should not be too heavy or too tall. They will hold it while guests give their wishes, and later it needs a place at home. Choose flowers that last well and avoid strongly scented lilies, especially in a small room.

Choosing by the venue

A restaurant or café

At a restaurant, flowers often wait several hours without water, and afterwards all the bouquets have to go home. What works best:

• a compact, sturdy bouquet that will not get crushed on the way home;
• a flower box: the flowers sit in damp floral foam, so they stay fresh all evening and can stand on the table;
• a bouquet tied with a water pack. When ordering, ask whether yours can be prepared this way.

At home

At a home party, the hosts almost always run out of vases. A spiral-tied bouquet stands up by itself, and a round bouquet of medium height fits an ordinary vase or even a jug. A very tall bouquet needs a tall, heavy vase the family may not have.

At work

If the whole team is congratulating a colleague, one larger good bouquet looks better than several small ones. Choose calmer colours and an easy size to carry, since your colleague may take it home on public transport. Let everyone sign the card.

Colours and flowers

Two or three colours look considered rather than busy. A few directions:

• Warm autumn: yellow and orange chrysanthemums with dahlias, copper and honey tones. The natural choice in September and October.
• Formal classic: red or burgundy roses with white and greenery.
• Light and calm: white, cream and pale green.
• Soft: peach, pink and cream.

If you want the bouquet to last, build it around chrysanthemums, carnations, alstroemeria and roses. Well cared for chrysanthemums often last two weeks or more. Dahlias are beautiful but keep only a few days in a vase, so use them as an accent among longer-lasting flowers.

Lilies look impressive, but their pollen stains clothes and tablecloths, and their strong scent bothers some people at the table.

The odd number custom

In Lithuania, living people are given an odd number of flowers, while even numbers are associated with mourning. Nobody counts the stems in a large mixed bouquet, so the exact number does not matter. If the bouquet is made of identical single-stem roses, choose an odd number such as 11, 15, 21 or 25. The florist knows this and will take care of it.

When there are many bouquets

The person celebrating may receive ten bouquets or more in one evening. What helps:

• Hosts are most grateful for a bouquet that goes into a vase as it is.
• A flower box or a potted plant does not take up a vase.
• If the person likes houseplants, add a potted orchid: it keeps flowering long after the party.

The card

With many bouquets, a card is practical as well as kind: the next day the person will want to know which bouquet came from whom. Always write your name, or everyone's names if the whole family is giving it. A greeting, one personal wish or memory and your signature are enough. For an older person, write clearly and in larger letters, and attach the card so it does not get wet.

Order ahead for a set time

The party starts at a set time, so order the bouquet a day or two in advance and mention:

• who it is for and which birthday it is;
• where the party will be: at a restaurant, at home or at work;
• favourite colours and flowers, if you know them;
• how much you want to spend;
• when you will pick it up.

Collect it as close to the party as you can, and in autumn and winter do not leave it in a cold car.

What it costs

Bouquets start from 15 €, but a milestone birthday bouquet is usually larger, so it costs more. Roses are also sold by the stem, from 2,50 € each: 11 roses start from 27,50 €. Flower boxes start from 35 €, potted plants from 8 €. The final price depends on the season and the flowers, so name your budget at the start.

A milestone birthday bouquet in Kaunas

Gitanos gėlės is inside the Šilas store at A. Baranausko g. 26 in Kaunas and is open daily 8:00–23:00. You can pre-order a milestone birthday bouquet by SMS at +370 656 38880 or on gitanosgeles.lt and pick it up on your way to the celebration.