Information on Giving Flowers in Russia

Some things you should know before you send flowers to your friends and business partners in Russia.
The article is provided by www.roses.ru, an online florist providing flower delivery service to Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR.
Needless to say that in many countries, the art of giving flowers plays the key role in the development of business and private relations. Russia, as well as the majority of the former Soviet Union countries, like, for instance the Ukraine and Belarus make no difference. Notwithstanding the fact that the art of making presents and giving flowers is similar to European, and, in some reflections, to North American, there are quite a lot of peculiarities, which should be noted to avoid slips and ambiguities and consequent misunderstanding.
Birthday
A bouquet is a must on such a day, for some women, it goes without saying, that she should receive some flowers. Normally, the flowers are given in addition to the main present, not on its own. It may be a single flower or a big bunch, or if you are going to a birthday party - a vase arrangement or a basket, so that a woman should not fuss about flowers and just put the arrangement on a table. Until recently, it was not customary to give flowers to a man, but now the traditions are changing and such a present won't be inappropriate.
However, you'd better follow the professional florist's recommendations as the content, shape and color-scheme of a man's bunch is different from a woman's.
Such important occasions as corporate holidays and anniversaries are to be remembered. In such occasions a big table arrangement that can decorated a bosses workplace will be most appropriate. A wrapped bouquet is not the best choice in this case, as it will be most probably taken home and not left in the office. You can still add a separate bunch for the boss or some manager to the gift.
Christmas and New Year
Christmas was not celebrated on the territory of the former Soviet Union from the beginning of the twentieth century, because of the religious nature of this holiday. So, to some extent it was replaced by the New Year holiday, retaining the same meaning, rites and traditions. Nowadays, both the holidays are almost equally popular, though the New Year is still considered the main holiday of the year. Wreaths and centerpieces with candles, ribbons and trimmings make most appropriate gift. Poinsettia is becoming more and more popular, this tradition has been brought to Russia from the West. We suggest making bouquets in traditional Christmas color-scheme. The Russian Christmas color-scheme consists if reds blues and greens, while that of the New Year - of whites and gold, though, in our view, almost all the colors are suitable for a winter holiday arrangement. The heart of each home decoration was and remains a decorated Christmas tree, without which a holiday is just impossible.
St. Valentine's Day
This holiday is quite new to Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Still, Its popularity grows with every year and is now celebrated almost by anyone. The flower selection of this holiday is strictly traditional. All the traditions as well as the very idea of the holiday were brought from the West. Red roses is a must on that day. Heart-shaped accessories will give a valentine's look to almost any bouquet. If you want to impress you beloved ones, you can give a heart-shaped centerpiece of fresh flowers. .
Women's Day - March, 8th
This holiday is as important to Russian florists as St. Valentine's Day to their European colleagues. The prices increase twofold and the general turnover of the floral industry in several days preceding the holiday roughly equals that of the rest of the year. That day is one of the hardest for Russian men's purses, as EVERY woman should get flowers. The choice is tremendous - both traditional red roses and cheaper spring flowers , such as tulips and hyacinths are appropriate, as well as solidago, which is symbolizes the Women's Day So. Just use the imagination, and your gift will be appreciated.
Wedding
Tender creams became traditional for a bride's bouquet, and a strict contrasting bunch will suit a bridegroom. If you are going to a ceremony, don't try to buy the heaviest and most expensive bouquet, a small cute posy, will create less fuss. If you are heading to a wedding party, a centerpiece is the best choice.
Funeral and Sympathy flowers
Flowers have become the universal gesture of showing grief for those who have gone and sympathy for those loved ones left behind. Wreaths are a very traditional floral arrangement for funerals. Comprised of tightly compressed flowers in a circular shape they signify birth, life, death and rebirth. Sprays are most commonly placed on an easel and come in a wide range of sizes and shapes ranging from basic ovals to more asymmetrical designs. Casket Spray is a floral arrangement in a low profile shape suitable for placement on top of the casket. This is a more personal tribute and is most often purchased by the immediate family members. Often friends and loved ones find it difficult to deliver a floral tribute before visitation or the have difficulty with the grieving process and so they find it more appropriate and comforting to send their sympathy tribute to the home of the immediate family of the deceased. These are often comprised of more brightly colored flowers differing from those more commonly chosen for the funeral home. As for the flower selection, roses, lilies and carnations are the most appropriate for funerals and sympathy.
There exist quite a lot of occasions to give flowers, such as name days, professional holidays, for instance Teacher's Day, New Baby, Get Well Soon, and so on. Still, flowers are most commonly given just because, without any special occasion.
About Russian floral industry
Both imported and locally grown flowers may be found in Russia The latter are always cheaper, but there quality leaves much to be desired. That is why most florits use flowers from Holland, South American flowers (i.e. from Ecuador and Columbia) are becoming popular. Large wholesalers normally offer a rich stock of cut flowers, approximately the same as in Europe and North America. Smaller regional companies have to limit their stock to the most popular flowers and do not risk ordering exotic and rare flowers.
Retail
Retail flower market in most parts Russia is much different from the European. Firstly, it is conditioned by the fact that it has formed quite recently, and the vast majority of retail florists have no more than 10-15 years of experience. We would divide this market into two big parts: full-service flower shops with professional designers and a big number of people selling flowers on the street, in subway, open markets and stalls. Unfortunately, specialized up-to-date stores in small towns do not defy the competition of "wild" street market, and that negatively influences the flower market itself. Without any special training and elementary storage conditions, the street sellers offer bad-quality flower production, though keeping prices low. Nevertheless, the flower service market is constantly developing. In Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg you could find quite a lot of professional stores and studios even 5-10 years ago. Nowadays, the entire situation has improved and in every regional center or big city one can find a couple of high class shops. So our forecast of the Russian flower market development is highly optimistic.
Some basic rules
The odd number of stems should be given in any occasion, except for funerals and sympathy and vice versa. This rule does not apply to mixed bouquets and arrangements.
Yellow flowers should be used with care since in some regions of Russia and Ukraine there is still an old prejudice saying that it is a sigh of bad luck and signifies the end of the affair. Still some women love yellow flowers, but we would advise using if with great care.