Date Night with the Family from Ftd flowers coupon 50 off Blog

Date Night with the Family Feature

Love is… family! So why not celebrate those special bonds on this upcoming Romantic Valentines Day and Romantic Valentines Day Ideas 2015 ? Here are a few ideas to get the whole family together to celebrate a family date night all about love and happiness.



Host a Craft Night

Go old school and host a craft night where family can create homemade Valentine’s cards for each other. Stock up on construction paper, glitter, markers, scissors and glue. Ask family members to bring old Valentine cards they’ve received. These can be recycled by cutting out images from the old cards to make new homemade cards (as long as they don’t hold too much sentimental value and the family members don’t mind recycling them). You could also use antique skeleton keys and locks to decorate the cards to illustrate the “key to my heart” idea.

To take it a step further, ask family members to write personal notes on each card they make thanking the person it’s intended for or telling them why they’re important or how much they’re appreciated. Show a little love beyond the ubiquitous “be mine” or “xoxo” phrases commonly seen around Valentine’s day. It’s okay to get mushy with family sometimes! We all like knowing we’re loved and appreciated!


You could have the crafting night prior to Valentine’s or on the night of V-Day. To bring home the festive feel, have a floral centerpiece on hand. Since this is to celebrate family, you’ll probably want to avoid the ooey-gooey romantic feel of roses. Instead, opt for some pink and red tulips (the ones shown are FTD Season of Love Bouquet). They’re incredibly cheerful and offer a family-friendly vibe. Get Ftd flowers coupon 50 off 2015, Ftd flowers coupon 25 off february 2015 and Save up to 25% OFF on Sympathy & Funeral Flowers now!


Family Game Night

If you host the craft night prior to Valentine’s, invite the family back over on Valentine’s afternoon/evening to exchange the cards and bond with a fun game night! Alternatively, you could have the card-making session during the afternoon of Valentine’s Day and then pull out the games later! Make sure you include games that are appropriate for all ages — Catchphrase, Monopoly, Jenga and playing cards are classics that everyone likes. Mix up teams so in-laws, parents and grandparents can play together rather than against each other. It’s all about togetherness! If you know there will be little ones joining the party, don’t leave them out! Ask the parents to bring a few of the kids’ favorite board games and play a round or two with them so they feel included!

Themed Potluck Dinner

Another fun idea to celebrate Valentine’s with the family is a themed potluck dinner. You can easily combine this with game night or the craft session. To bring home the festive feel, make sure guests know that it’s a Valentine’s-themed dinner. Ask them bring foods themed accordingly — red, white or heart-shaped foods. Here are a few examples: caprese salad with heart-shaped mozzarella slices, heart cookies, heart-shaped pepperoni on a homemade pizza, heart-shaped pancakes, a veggie platter with only red vegetables (radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers) and ranch dressing.

And I love the idea of ordering special chocolates for dessert like the chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate-dipped raspberries and blueberries shown in the photos. Fondue and s’mores could also be fun! Last but not least, don’t forget to take photos of all the fun you’re creating! You could even create a homemade photo booth. Just decorate a plain wall with heart garlands and buy (or make!) a few fun props (lip-shaped sunglasses, cupid’s arrows, feather boas, etc.). Designate a family member to be the photographer and let the fun start!


However you end up celebrating Valentine’s this year, don’t forget to include your family in some special way. It’s easy to get wrapped up in romance but nurturing the love of your family is important! That includes your pets, too. Give them a special treat so they know how much they are loved, as well!

Happy Valentine’s!

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Behind the Scenes at the Rose Parade

Upon arrival in sunny (but chilly) California, our first order of business was heading to the decorating site to get a behind the scenes look at the float-building process. What better way to ring in the New Year with a celebration of flower-covered floats that’s more than a century old?

The pre-parade period was packed with float-making magic – and you wouldn’t believe how much time, effort and attention to detail goes into each and every component of the Rose Parade.

Accordingly, FTD puts in more than 1,120 hours of labor to decorate their vehicles in the Rose Parade. This year there were six historical vehicles – one for the Mayor, Tournament of Roses President, Grand Marshal and more. Each is decorated with nearly 20 different types of flowers and stems and — get this — more than 300 pounds worth of foliage!

Jessica and I had a chance to help with a few finishing touches to the President’s vehicle, but we left the bulk of the “heavy lifting” to the experts. Instead, we handed out hundreds of festive flowers to those in attendance. Aren’t these Oregon-colored roses gorgeous? They’re part of FTD’s College Rose Collection and Don't miss out this FTD Flowers Coupon 50% OFF Select Flowers & Gifts for saving more!

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One of my favorites was the Grand Marshal’s VIP vehicle – it contained a variety of nearly 1,200 flowers. We watched as a talented team of FTD florists closely decorated the vehicle, with the last step being to add hydrangea-covered Olympic rings to honor the late Louis Zamperini.

For more photos and footage from the Tournament of Roses Parade, be sure to visit FTD’s Instagram account.

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From the Experts: The Right Flowers for the Right Occasion

For every thing, there is a season and for every occasion, there is a flower. But don’t let tradition dictate your floral choices. A dozen red roses might be the ultimate expression of romantic love, but if they’re your grandma’s absolute favorite, spoil her on her birthday with a red rose bouquet or mini bush to plant in her yard, and you’ll always be her favorite. While tradition does come into play for the more somber occasions, the thought that goes into your gift is even more meaningful.

A Heartfelt Thank You

At the 2011 Venice Film Festival, pop star Madonna was presented a vibrant hydrangea by a fan and subsequently uttered the famous gaff heard around the gossip world: “I absolutely loathe hydrangeas.” Most of us aren’t as persnickety as madam Madge, especially when presented with a gift from an admirer, but it doesn’t hurt to know your recipient. Don't forget buy Flowers for Under $35 at FTD.com. Saving with Ftd flowers coupon 50 off January 2015 now!

For a sincere thank you, match the arrangement to the personality or style of the recipient. Express your thanks to a dinner party hostess in a palette that matches her decor or your appreciation to a local business with a bouquet that captures the spirit of their company. 

A Wedding Anniversary

Ahem, gentlemen, if you’re reading this, you’re off to a great start. Remembering is step one or else you can move right along to our I’m Sorry arrangements. Step two is presenting her with a bouquet worthy of everything she does as your partner in life. Arranged in a keepsake red glass, heart-shaped vase, the pink and red rose spray of the My Heart to Yours bouquet says it all. But if you have to send the bouquet to her place of work, opt for something a little less gushy so she can save the blushing for when she gets home. Find discount Anniversary Flowers at FTD.com! Go through FTD Flowers coupon 50% OFF Anniversary Flowers

A Message of Sympathy

First, let’s be clear on the difference between sympathy and funeral flowers. Sympathy flowers are a personal expression to someone regarding the loss of a loved one and are usually sent to be used as a centerpiece during family gatherings. Funeral sprays and wreaths are a tribute to someone who has passed away for display at a funeral service. They are generally too large for home delivery and can be an upsetting reminder to a grieving family. By all means, consider an arrangement for the funeral service but for a personal expression of sympathy for the home, opt for a bouquet of lilies or a basket arrangement that brings warmth and comfort to the grieving family. The Rest in Peace Fruit & Flower Basket makes a thoughtful centerpiece.  Save with Hot New Deals!!! Take up to 25% OFF Flowers and Gifts at FTD.com! Offer ends Feb 14. 2014! Check out at here

New Baby Arrival

You might not think flowers for the arrival of a new baby but it’s such a memorable occasion in the parents’ life, it’s worth commemorating. While the traditional girl and boy colored arrangements are the obvious choice, think about Mom. A bright, colorful spray in a keepsake vase or colorful container will welcome mom home to a refreshing surprise.

No matter what the occasion, flowers have a way of bringing a smile to the recipient’s face. Match your pick to the personality of your recipient and you’ll create a lasting memory. And P.S., who doesn’t like hydrangeas? We think they’re perfect for any occasion! Redeem this Ftd flowers coupon 50 off and save up to 50% OFF on select Flowers & gifts at FTD! Shop now! 

Celebrating NYE with FTD at the Rose Bowl – Bows & Sequins

Hi there. My name is Jessica, nice to “meet” you! I write the fashion-focused lifestyle blog, Bows & Sequins. Before moving to New York City a few years ago, I spent twenty-something years in the Midwest. Illinois, to be exact. I grew up right outside of Springfield, attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, and spent a little over a year in Chicago after graduation. But with a career in the business-side of fashion, it was only a matter of time until I made the move to New York. While I absolutely love living life in NYC, there are quite a few things from the Midwest that I haven’t let go of.

I guess you could say that I grew up bleeding orange and blue. In fact, I didn’t even apply to another school for college. My dad went to both undergrad and vet school at the University of Illinois. My parents have had season tickets to basketball and football games well before I was even born. At home, our TV and game rooms are decorated solely with Illini memorabilia. I grew up visiting Champaign almost weekly during the football and basketball seasons. So when it came time for college applications, it was Illinois or bust! Honestly, I didn’t apply anywhere else. I actually remember visiting Purdue’s campus in 6th grade and coming home and telling my mom that I thought it seemed like a cool campus. Her response was something along the lines of, “You want to be a Boilermaker?! Good luck getting your father to pay for that!”

 Growing up in a family full of sports fanatics, being a football fan only came naturally. If my dad and two brothers wouldn’t have been enough to make me a fan, I was a cheerleader in Jr. High and High School. Therefore, I spent every Friday night in the fall on the sidelines cheering on our hometown team. In college, I came to love the whole lifestyle around football… tailgating, rivalries, friends and families coming together, etc. I absolutely love the fall and football plays a huge part of that!

 

 In the 2007-2008 season, Illinois actually made it to the Rose Bowl! While my parents made the trip out to Pasadena, I stayed behind in Illinois. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but at the time I didn’t realize that my team wouldn’t be going back for a long, long time.

 

 My parents raved about the Rose Parade, the intricacy of the floats, and overall how wonderful of an experience it was to attend such a historical event.

 

 With all of that being said, working with FTD to attend the Rose Bowl festivities in Pasadena this week is a bit of a “pinch-me moment.” I am so excited to go to behind the scenes with FTD and experience the Rose Bowl from the inside out. From the float viewing reception, to getting an insider look into the VIP vehicle decorating (can’t wait to see all of the beautiful blooms up close!), to the pep rallies, to the Parade, to tailgating, to the game… it’s going to be a fun-filled week! Plus, escaping the Northeast weather for the week and spending New Years in sunny Pasadena, California sounds pretty fabulous. And I get to do it all with my best friend, Hallie!

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We’re flying out today and will be in California through the end of the week. We’ll be instagraming and tweeting up a storm so be sure to follow along! J #NYEwithFTD

Express Gratitude as a Family This Holiday Season

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Grateful people aren’t just happier people; they’re the ones who make the world a better place.

Have you ever thought that maybe what makes the holiday season so special is that families and friends and neighbors and strangers all come together and act on those feelings of gratitude?

If you have a desire to serve or simply want to teach your children the significance and purpose of the season, here are a few ways to go a bit further this year:

Count Your Blessings

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Set a goal. Do you think you can reach 25? 50? 100? Make it a game by setting guidelines for the lists. For example, limit answers to only five a day and make a rule that they can’t duplicate anything their siblings have already written. Make sure to post each grateful list on the refrigerator door or bathroom mirror. Watch as the creative ideas filter in!

For younger kids, write the alphabet on a worksheet and, next to each letter, have them list or draw one thing they are thankful for. For example, your daughter is grateful for angels and your son for apples; or your son is grateful for Baxter (the family dog) and your daughter’s favorite color is blue—talk about their lists and have them tell you why they are grateful.

Put Them on Display

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Choose items from your lists and put each on a shape cut out of colored paper. Design a wreath made out of multi-colored paper leaves or make shapes of ornaments to tape on a “Thankful Tree.”

Write Thank You Notes Together

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Handwritten thank you notes will never go out of style. Teach your child the importance of writing out their appreciation. Each week before the new year, help your kids write a thank you note to someone they love. Once they tackle that list, encourage them to think on a bigger scale and write notes to the mailman, a soldier, their teacher or local firefighters.

Especially if your kids are young, you may need to help them get started with an outline to follow like this:

Dear ___,

Thank you for ___

I think you are ___ because ___

I hope you know ___

Have a ____ day!

Love, ____

Perform Random Acts of Kindness

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A great way to show you’re grateful is to share what you have to give! Plan a night to brainstorm ideas for random acts of kindness as a family. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• On a Saturday, spend the morning packing five to 10 brown bag lunches. Walk or drive around town until you give them all away.
• Withdraw $100 in one to five dollar bills and help your children hand them out to strangers or leave them under the windshield wipers of parked cars.
• Make treats and doorbell ditch them at a neighbor’s house. Bonus if you can all hide and watch from the bushes!
• Go out to eat as a family and explain what it means to tip a waitress. When paying the bill, include your children in deciding how much to tip.

Live It All Year Long

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The best way to teach your children about gratitude is to live it like a lifestyle instead of as a tradition you celebrate once a year. Make a habit of expressing thanks on a daily basis, especially to them. Leave reminders around the house if you need to! When they return the gesture, acknowledge their effort. After a little bit of time (and practice!), expect the level of appreciation for health and good fortune to grow like you never thought possible.

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‘Tis the Season: New Holiday Traditions to Start This Year

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

‘Tis the Season: New Holiday Traditions to Start This Year

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Piles of presents and gingerbread cookies may make your family smile during the holidays, but it’s actually treasured traditions that warm the heart year after year. It’s never a season too late to start brand new holiday traditions and create memories your family can fondly look back on for years.

Childhood Traditions

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The most special holiday seasons are the ones during childhood when you believed in Santa and Christmas magic was real. Part of the Christmas spirit as parents is to reflect on your Christmas traditions when you were children and re-create the same magic for your own kids. It’s truly the little moments that matter most during the this special time of year. Warm your home with these Christmas traditions that your little ones will remember forever.

• Christmas Lights Tour: Pick a night to bundle up and discover the beautiful Christmas lights of nearby neighborhoods and parks. Play favorite Christmas tunes in the car as your family tours streets lit-up with glowing homes, trees and outdoor decorations. Pack marshmallow-topped hot cocoas to-go and other sweet treats like Frosted Snowman Chocolate Dipped Double Stuff Oreo Pops or Christmas Cake Pops to enjoy as you drive past one enchanting display after another. Don't forget check out Hot New Deals at Ftd.com: Up to 25% OFF Flowers and Gifts at Coupon4share.com for New Year 2015
• DIY Decorating: No Christmas decoration or tree ornament is as meaningful and original as the ones handcrafted together as a family. Make a homemade garland out of strung popcorn or snowflakes crafted out of felt. HGTV.com offers 20 homemade holiday ornaments and decorations ideas made out of things like oranges or cookie cutters.
• Caroling at Grandma’s: Kids can’t help but sing along to jolly Christmas carols. Warm Grandma’s heart and take the kids caroling at her house — “Over The River and Through the Woods” is a great tune to lead the way. And you can really make Grandma smile. Bring over homemade cookies.
• Table Setting: If you’re hosting Christmas dinner this year, involve the kids with decorating the table setting. Ask them to choose their favorite holiday centerpiece and what accents they’d like to include, such as acorns, holly or ornament favors. The kids will love to be part of the decorating process and feel valued by sharing their input.
• Sending Holiday Spirit: Share the virtue of thoughtful giving and send a beautiful holiday bouquet to a long-distance loved one who may be alone at Christmas. Your kids can also choose a new toy or book to donate to a charity like Toys for Tots.
• Snowman: Be ready for the first big snowfall with snow clothes and a snowman decorating kit. Building a snowman creates cherished memories, especially on a white Christmas. After the snow day, warm up with cups of hot cocoa and flannel PJs.

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New Traditions

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Throughout the years, Christmases can inevitably change. The kids go off to college, move away from home and everyone’s living in different cities. Make Christmas the one time of year the whole family is together. Rather than invite everyone to fly home, make the week of Christmas the time of year for an annual family vacation. Plan a trip for the family to cozy up in a cabin at a lodge in snowy Lake Tahoe or escape the cold weather at a beach in the Caribbean.

If a vacation away from home feels too unconventional, host a family reunion weekend or holiday bash to reunite all of the extended family members. Of course, traveling can be expensive, but faraway loved ones can still spend time together on Christmas Eve or Day through virtual platforms like Google Hangouts or Skype Group Video Chat.

Neighborly Traditions

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Get into the spirit of the season with a friendly neighborhood Christmas lights display contest. (A contest is also fun motivation to finally string those lights and hang up the wreaths outside before December 25th.) Invite neighbors to participate, provide prizes and designate three judges to determine first-, second- and third-place winners. Then, end the Christmas competition with a neighborhood potluck where everyone can indulge on sweet treats like Jolly Holiday Chocolate Covered Strawberriesand cheers with gourmet wine.

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Ring in 2015 with a Color-Themed New Year’s Eve Party at Ftd.com

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Anyone who is anyone is doing something big on New Year’s Eve, right? Take matters into your own hands this year and host a party for family and friends. Whether you’re uncoupled or a family of 10, you can throw an enviable party with these fun ideas:

Pink & Gold Girls-Only New Year’s Eve Party

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If you and the girls are all flying solo this New Year’s, it’s an occasion to not only celebrate the new year, but your singlehood. Make it a glammed-out glittering pink and gold celebration to ring in the new year full of sparkle and shine. Indulge in gold glitter-topped strawberry-frosted cupcakes and cheers to raspberry-infused pink champagne. Paint your party in pink and gold and shower your evening in shimmer.

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Decorations: Drape your walls in strands of gold glitter garland or hang “Happy New Year” from corner to corner in your party space. Streaming clusters of shimmering stars from a ceiling corner to the floor also dazzles.

Desserts: Decadent cupcakes topped with blush-colored frosting and heart-shaped toppers will make a sweet statement. But it’s New Year’s Eve, so why not splurge with rose and gold-dusted champagne macarons and bronzed cake pops too?

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Champagne: It’s a boozy affair, and bottles of bubbly are a must. Accessorize the drinks with tinsel pom poms or sparkling sequin ball stirrers. For even more pizzazz, sweeten the rims of the flutes with twinkling flecks of soft gold rim sugar. After cupcakes and champagne, the party’s officially begun. Call a cab and show off your party dress and paint the town gold.

Black & White New Year’s Eve Dinner  Party

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Rather than just throw a basic dinner party, color it black and white. Invite guests to wear black or white and then throw a stylish black-and-white bash. (Plus, this soiree will be the perfect excuse to play hostess in a sequined LBD with a tulle tutu.) Here’s how to celebrate the new year in sleek style.

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Table Setting: Your table setting will be the aesthetic focal point of your dinner party — don’t be afraid to go over-the-top with table decor and accents. Start with a chevron black-and-white table runner and a Simplicity Luxury Calla Lily Bouquetcenterpiece for a touch of fresh elegance. Add silver embellishments like mercury tealights and mini party disco balls.

Sweets: Black and white cookies and Oreos are practically requested guests of honor at your party. But the traditional sweet cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie won’t suffice for your elaborate affair. Treat guests with a sweet tooth to Chocolate-Dipped Oreo Cookies and other colorfully themed desserts like chocolate cupcakes with whipped buttercream frosting.

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Fare: To really get into the spirit of your color scheme, cook up a menu of black-and-white cuisine like white chicken chili and black bean salad. Other ideas for delicious black-and-white food include white pizza, white lasagna and pan-blackened steak.

Rainbow Confetti New Year’s Eve Kids Party

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If you’ve got a little brood at home, throw a confetti-themed New Year’s party fun for the whole family (seriously). An at-home family party may not sound as exciting as the wild days pre-parenthood, but it can still be a special and memorable time with these fun ideas.

Confetti: Kids love confetti. And New Year’s Eve is the one time of year kids are allowed to make a huge mess with tiny pieces of paper. Celebrate this tradition with confetti wall decor, a confetti sprinkle cake, confetti-filled balloons, ice cream with sprinkles, Chocolate Dipped Rainbow Oreo Cookies and DIY confetti party hats.

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Awards: While waiting for the ball to drop, keep the kids busy with a 2014 awards ceremony. Together as a family, come up with highlights of the past year and reflect on happy memories. Categories can include “Best Movie,” “Best Song,” “Funniest Moment” or “Favorite Trip.”

Resolutions: Help your kids make New Year’s resolutions individually and for the family. Maybe your son would like to try soccer or your daughter wants to take dance. Perhaps this is the year to go on a family holiday to a national park and camp out under the stars. Resolutions can even be as simple as eating together as a family three times a week or playing outdoors at least once during the weekend.

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