Flowers & Gifts Glossary

Flowers & Gifts Terms & Definitions

24 terms defined — an authoritative reference for understanding the most important concepts in Flowers & Gifts.

A

All-In Price

The all-in price is the true total you pay after the bouquet price plus delivery, service, and any holiday surcharges, not the advertised sticker price. Comparing all-in prices across services is the only fair way to judge value. Fees change by date, so check the full total before you buy.

C

Casket Spray

A casket spray is the floral arrangement that rests on top of the casket, traditionally chosen by the immediate family. It comes in full-couch (covering the whole lid) or half-couch sizes. Because it is central to the service, order early and confirm timing with the funeral home.

D

Delivery Window

A delivery window is the range of hours during which a courier or florist expects to drop off an order, such as by end of business day. Most services cannot guarantee a specific hour unless you pay for a timed or priority slot. Business and hospital addresses may need daytime delivery.

Deluxe & Premium Upgrade Tiers

Upgrade tiers are the standard, deluxe, and premium versions most services offer for the same arrangement. Higher tiers add more stems and fuller design for a higher price, while the base tier can look sparser than the photo. Decide which tier matches your budget and the impression you want.

F

Farm-Fresh Shipped Flowers

Farm-fresh shipped flowers are cut at the grower and mailed directly to the recipient in a box, skipping the traditional florist. They often arrive in bud for a longer vase life, but they need trimming and arranging at home and cannot match same-day hand delivery.

Faux (Permanent) Arrangement

A faux or permanent botanical arrangement uses lifelike artificial flowers that never wilt. They suit places fresh flowers are not allowed, like some hospital units, and serve as a lasting sympathy gift or decor keepsake. Quality varies, so look closely at the materials before buying.

Florist-Delivered vs Boxed Flowers

Florist-delivered flowers arrive hand-arranged in a vase from a local shop, often the same day. Boxed (shipped) flowers travel in a cardboard box by courier, usually in bud so they open over several days, and you arrange them yourself. Each suits different timelines and budgets.

Freshness Guarantee

A freshness guarantee is a florist's promise that flowers will stay fresh for a stated number of days, with a refund or replacement if they wilt early. Terms vary widely and often require photos or a quick complaint window, so read what the guarantee actually covers before you rely on it.

G

Gourmet Gift Basket

A gourmet gift basket is a curated assortment of foods, such as cheeses, crackers, chocolates, and snacks, arranged for gifting and shipped to the recipient. It is a longer-lasting alternative to flowers for thank-yous, sympathy, and corporate gifts, and suits recipients who would enjoy a treat.

H

Hand-Arranged Bouquet

A hand-arranged bouquet is designed and assembled by a florist in a vase, rather than shipped flat in a box for you to arrange. It typically costs more but arrives ready to display and can be delivered the same day by a local shop. Photos are a guide; the exact blooms may vary.

Hospital Delivery Rules

Hospital delivery rules are the limits many facilities place on flowers: ICU and some units ban them, latex balloons are often prohibited, and strong scents are discouraged. You will need the patient's full name and room or unit. Confirm the hospital allows flowers before sending.

K

Keepsake / Engraved Box

A keepsake box is a reusable, often engravable container, such as a wooden or mahogany chest of chocolates, that outlasts the gift inside. Personalization like engraving turns a standard present into a memorable one for milestones, but it can extend production and delivery time, so order early.

L

Layette

A layette is a bundle of essentials for a newborn, such as onesies, blankets, bibs, and socks, often packaged as a new-baby gift basket. It is a practical alternative or add-on to flowers for congratulating new parents, and many baskets add plush toys or keepsakes the family keeps.

O

Order Gatherer

An order gatherer is a website that takes your flower order and payment, then passes it to a local florist to actually make and deliver the arrangement. The gatherer is a middleman, not the shop, which is why fees and substitutions can surprise you. Confirm who fills the order at checkout.

P

Peak Floral Holiday Pricing

Peak floral holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day drive surge pricing, higher fees, and tighter delivery windows because demand spikes. The same bouquet can cost noticeably more and sell out. Ordering early helps you lock in choice; confirm the all-in total at checkout on these dates.

R

Recipient Not Home

Recipient not home describes what happens when no one answers at delivery. Florists may leave flowers with a neighbor or at the door, reattempt later, or call for instructions, depending on their policy and the weather. For apartments and offices, add access notes so the driver can finish delivery.

S

Same-Day Cutoff

The same-day cutoff is the local deadline by which you must place an order for it to be delivered that day, often early-to-mid afternoon in the recipient's time zone. Miss it and delivery rolls to the next day. Cutoffs tighten on busy holidays, so confirm the exact time at checkout.

Service & Handling Fee

A service or handling fee is an extra charge some flower sites add on top of the item price and delivery fee, often revealed late in checkout. It is a common reason the final total is higher than the sticker price. Fees vary by service and date, so always confirm the all-in total at checkout.

Standing Spray

A standing spray is a large, one-sided funeral arrangement displayed on an easel at a wake or service. Designed to be viewed from the front, it is usually ordered by close family or groups. Funeral homes have delivery timing rules, so coordinate with them before you order.

Stem Count

Stem count is the number of individual flower stems in an arrangement, a key driver of how full and expensive it looks. A dozen roses means twelve stems; deluxe upgrades simply add more. When comparing prices between services, check stem count so you are comparing like for like.

Substitution Policy

A substitution policy spells out when a florist can swap flowers, colors, or containers for items of equal or greater value if something is unavailable. It is why your arrangement may not match the photo exactly. Reputable services keep the style and value close; check the policy before ordering.

Sympathy vs Congratulatory Arrangements

Sympathy arrangements use restrained, respectful designs and colors for funerals, memorials, and condolences, while congratulatory arrangements are bright and celebratory for births, promotions, and milestones. Matching the tone to the occasion matters as much as the flowers themselves.

W

Wine & Champagne Gift Basket

A wine or champagne gift basket pairs a bottle with gourmet snacks for celebrations like promotions and anniversaries. Alcohol shipping is restricted in some states and requires an adult signature (21+) at delivery, so confirm the service ships to the recipient's address before ordering.

Wire Service (Floral Relay)

A wire service, or floral relay network, connects national brands like FTD and Teleflora with thousands of local florists who fill orders placed through them. You order from the brand; a nearby member shop arranges and delivers. Quality depends heavily on which local florist fills your order.