Flowers are the perfect gift for a number of occasions, including Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. One can also send flowers to friends, family, or coworkers to celebrate festivals like Christmas and Hanukkah. But there are several factors to consider before sending flowers via a third party to another person. A small error before the flowers are shipped can be costly. So here are seven mistakes to avoid when sending flowers.

Feeding in the wrong address
A bouquet can end up at the wrong address even with the slightest error in a zip code, house, or floor number. If the delivery service cannot find the address, the gift may never be dispatched. Check the delivery address twice before you make the payment. If you find an error after paying, you should contact customer care immediately to rectify the mistake.

Buying inferior quality flowers
Flowers are a beautiful way to express one’s deepest sentiments, like joy, love, affection, gratitude, apologies, or romance. While you ought to buy a flower basket to fit your budget, don’t pick the cheapest one to save on a couple of bucks. Instead, spend on blooms that are pretty and fresh to ensure the person you give them gets the right message.

Skipping the personal touch
Sending flowers is the easy part. What many people forget or skip is adding a personal touch. You can do this by attaching a card to the basket. Furthermore, adding small gifts tailored to the recipient’s liking may show them how much you care.

Poor packaging
Spending more on flowers and skimping on packaging may also hamper the quality of the gift. Avoid paper bouquets as they are delicate and can fall apart quickly. Look for a florist who can arrange the flowers by hand. Also check if they can personally deliver the gift to the receiver. Doing so will ensure everything goes as planned.

Getting the symbolism and meaning wrong
Most cultures have linked plants and flowers to specific occasions. For example, many cultures associate red tulips with deep love; white tulips with forgiveness; and violet tulips with faithfulness. So when you send a basket of flowers, don’t forget to check what the floral bunch symbolizes to the recipient. Failing to get the occasion right can create a poor impression.

Making a last-minute purchase
People look for floral collections at the last minute in a supermarket or on the Internet. Yes, finding a place to purchase last-minute flowers can be easy. However, in a rush to have the gift delivered on time, one might miss out on personalizing the message, selecting the right bunch, or the delivery address. Ensure that you have at least two weeks in hand to pick the type of flowers to reduce such errors.

Forgetting to check if the flowers are likable
Some people dislike certain types of flowers. They may think some blossoms are pretentious. Others might be allergic to certain variants. Before you send flowers, check if the person is comfortable with the gesture. An ideal way to learn about their choice of flowers is by speaking to a mutual friend or family member.

Instacart’s flower delivery service is one of the most reliable options for getting your chosen flowers delivered within an hour. You can choose from a wide array of fresh floral arrangements, artificial planters, herbs, and more on the Instacart website.