Everybody loves getting mail, not bills mind you, but real mail. Like letters from a loved one or cards for birthdays, holidays and any special occasion. Even a letter or a card just to say 'I am thinking of you'. Better still than getting mail is having something actually hand delivered especially for you, such as gourmet gift baskets or floral arrangements.

Gourmet gift baskets and floral products will suit any kind of occasion, whether it is for an anniversary, a birthday, a wedding, to congratulation someone or even not so happy moments like a funeral. But the question is when did the tradition flower giving actually start?

No one can know for sure, but if you ask an archaeologist I'm sure they may tell you that the act of giving flowers dates back to prehistoric times. All over the world archaeologists have been finding flower remnants in gravesites for a very long time. Although flower giving may have started in the Stone Age, I'm pretty sure that flower delivery services didn't start until much much later.

More 'modern' flower giving dates back to the beginning of the first human recorded history found in Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chinese writings, and Greek and Roman poetry. Between the 5th century and through to the 16th century giving flowers as a token to show expressions of love became popular, and went well into the 17th century where an art form know as Floriography was developed.

Floriography, or the language of flowers, was used in the 17th century as a means of communication in which certain flowers had specific meanings. Combining these flowers into a floral arrangement one could send a secret message to the recipient. Although the language of flowers has been mainly forgotten some of the meanings behind certain flowers are still true today.

Some of the most popular flowers delivered today have the following meanings:

1. A forget-me-not can mean faithful love
2. Gladiolus represents strength of character
3. Hibiscus can mean delicate beauty
4. Holly is for foresight
5. Iris is for faith and wisdom
6. Ivy means friendship
7. White lily represents majesty and purity
8. Magnolia stands for dignity
9. Marigold shows sacred affection
10. Mistletoe is for affection and love
11. Orchids are magnificence and love
12. A dark pink rose can mean thank you
13. Light pink roses are for admiration
14. A pale rose is for friendship
15. A pink rose represents love and grace
16. Red roses are for love and desire
17. Those red and yellow roses can be given for congratulations
18. A sunflower is a way to show homage and devotion
19. Tiger lily can mean wealth or pride
20. Tulips are a symbol of the perfect lover
21. A water lily represents eloquence

The language of flowers may be lost, but their meaning and effect on the person receiving the flower delivery remains the same. Whether you are expressing your love, showing sympathy or just letting someone know you care, receiving a flower delivery is the best way to send that message without even saying a word.