The Language of Flowers

I’ve been exploring the meaning of flowers this month – a gift often made in the name of romance – and it is a bit of a revelation what this ‘secret language’ tells us.

Victorians were keen on details in so many ways and it was during this time the meaning of flowers exploded, particularly as new, exotic plants from all over the world became status symbols of the day.  Shakespeare, too, gave flowers meanings and even named several of his characters after flowers.

Romantically, we probably all think of the red rose as a symbol of love.  The rose petals chosen for An Occasional Dream are shades of white and blue: taking the blue them from David Bowie's song with the same name - 'Tween the sheets of summer/bathed in blue'.  The white rose is held to mean ‘Eternal love, wistfulness and purity’; the blue rose has eluded breeders so far, yet there is a meaning: ‘Love at first sight’ or 'unattainable love that cannot be forgotten'.

With only one month to go before Christmas, here in Scotland, the roses have almost all gone, but soon we’ll see the Christmas Rose in flower.  This is held to mean: ’Relieve my anxiety’ and, thankfully, with An Occasional Dream can do just that!  A perfect gift for a couple to share available at www.AnOccasionalDream.com.

Kisses and Love Letters

When David Bowie wrote An Occasional Dream, he wrote it for his first great love.  Music and literature are full of declarations of love: these days, we’re more likely to fire off a text or email, but the hand-written love letter is something to be cherished and kept… 

It seems that the oldest love letter known is over 4000 years old – carved in stone – it is sent to a bridegroom from his bride-to-be:

 

Goodly is your beauty, honeysweet.

You have captivated me,

Let me stand tremblingly before you.

Carving in stone certainly meant that this loving tribute survived the ravages of time.

The email and message revolution need not be a barrier though – print off messages of love, roll them up into a scroll and tie with a ribbon to keep your memories safe from any computer crash.  Tuck them inside your An Occasional Dream box and surprise your ‘other half’ with a walk down memory lane!

What DOES remain is the way you feel when you receive a love letter… I saw a short piece of film this week that will be part of a major documentary.  Both the film-maker and I were so moved, watching a gorgeous, game old dear in her 90’s recalling a kiss at a bus stop from 7 decades ago.  Giggling at her own story, she then spontaneously  began singing ‘Strangers in the Night’…

An Occasional Dream was sent to me as a love letter over 30 years ago – and, yes, I still smile at the memory.

Anyone else out there got a memory to share?

September 2011

A NEW IDEA!

One of the things you do a lot of when you start to work with a new idea is talk to lots and lots of people.  Once you get over the paranoia of someone stealing your ‘baby’, you open up to everyone you meet, explaining your new concept.  For An Occasional Dream, my ‘in a nutshell statement’ has been to describe it as ‘Romance in a box’.

Now – that has led to all sorts of misapprehensions and maybe that bit of uncertainty is useful as it starts people talking.  What are the differences between romantic and purely sexual activity?  Who would buy this treat – men or women?  Is it for gay or straight couples?  All of this has sharpened my curiosity, so to start off, I’ve been finding out about the romantic gifts exchanged between couples.

MOST POPULAR GIFTS

The most popular romantic gifts are, as you probably expect, flowers and chocolates.  One person told me that he sends his wife a floral card every year on their anniversary and the florist sends a fresh, seasonal arrangement every month throughout the year.  Jewellery is also popular, along with books and photographs.  I think the loveliest story I’ve heard is about a couple who, between them, own a small, handcrafted heart: they give and receive this over and over again, surprising each other by hiding it for the other to find.  A bit like a romantic ‘hunt the thimble’ game!  A few mention a holiday as a romantic gift.  Now that’s where the sharing bit comes in – not just a trophy or ‘thing’ but an experience to share.  Or maybe it’s the old story of giving what you would like to receive yourself?

Some gifts are really chosen with the recipient in mind – how about a flamethrower or a chainsaw?!  Both were described by the recipients as ‘romantic gifts’ – the flamethrower was given to a friend by her husband and the chainsaw is greatly appreciated by the chap who received it from his wife.

Some people, especially men, are reluctant to present a gift unless it is an anniversary or birthday – they are worried that any gift will be viewed with suspicion from their partner.  I think that’s a real pity – or is it really an excuse men hide behind to compensate for a lack of spontaneity?

ROMANCE IN A BOX

What I’ve created in An Occasional Dream is a package that is not limited unless you choose so – there’s room to add all sorts of treats to the box – ok, so maybe not room for a flamethrower (!) but you could add a watch, a piece of lingerie or some favourite chocolates to make the gift more personal, or even a hand-written love letter – the inspiration that led to this new idea.

More on that next time….