Are you looking to give flowers to your mother-in-law? Are you wondering which ones she might like? Are there any flowers you should avoid giving?
I will help you.
As a florist, my job also involves advising my clients to help them find the perfect gift for the recipient.
Today, I invite you to discover everything you need to know about giving a floral gift to your mother-in-law, no matter the occasion or her personal tastes.
Without a doubt, your mother-in-law will appreciate a mixed bouquet of roses or a stunning arrangement of exotic flowers. If not, a lovely seasonal flower bouquet will be perfect to show her you’re thinking of her. Avoid romantic red roses and chrysanthemums, as they are associated with mourning. If she enjoys gardening, a flowering plant might also be a great choice. Looking for a surprising and original gift? Consider eternal roses and floral walls!
Want more details? Keep reading to learn more:
- All the occasions when you can give flowers to your mother-in-law,
- If you can or should give her flowers for Mother’s Day,
- Many flower ideas that she might appreciate,
- Varieties that are best to avoid giving her,
- A selection of floral gifts to delight someone who can sometimes be like a second mom!
When to Give Flowers to Your Mother-in-Law?
There are many occasions when you can give flowers to your partner’s mother. These can include:
- the first time you are invited to her place,
- her birthday,
- your in-laws’ wedding anniversary,
- a gift to celebrate an achievement or a new chapter in life (like moving, starting a new job, retirement…),
- a way to support her during a tough time (illness, grieving, …),
- a thoughtful gesture for the holiday season…
Whatever the occasion, and even if you give them just because, flowers are sure to bring a smile to your mother-in-law’s face. They are a thoughtful gift that will bring comfort and joy to her daily life for days to come!
Should you give her flowers for Mother’s Day?
Are you wondering if it’s appropriate to give a floral arrangement to your mother-in-law for Mother’s Day? There’s no definitive answer to this question, as it really depends on the context.
If you have known her for years and share a strong bond, you can certainly give her flowers that show just how much she means to you, like a second mom.
Are you seeing your in-laws for Mother’s Day? If so, and this isn’t your first time meeting them, you might want to bring a bouquet. This is especially true if your mom is also present that day and you’re planning to give her flowers.
👉 If you’re a bit hesitant to give your gift directly to your mother-in-law for this celebration, and you have children, you can present it together with them. This will surely delight their grandma and create wonderful family memories!
Which Flowers to Choose?
Not sure what type of flowers to give? To help you choose, I’ve put together a small selection of flowers that your mother-in-law might love.
Seasonal Flowers 🌷
Colorful, fresh, and delicate, seasonal flowers are often the perfect choice when looking to give a little gift to brighten someone’s day. They are indeed more affordable than roses or lilies, making it possible to create a lovely bouquet without breaking the bank.
❄️ In winter and early spring, you can give her a bouquet of colorful tulips, or opt for some anemones and ranunculus if you’re looking for something a bit more stylish.
🌼 Starting in April, we enter the peak season for flowers. You’ll have plenty of options to choose from until summer, including:
- lilacs,
- poet’s carnations,
- garden roses with a delicate fragrance,
- lilies of the valley, to bring good luck around May first,
- stocks,
- peonies, for Mother’s Day,
- the first hydrangeas…
🍂 When autumn arrives, you can give a beautiful bouquet of dahlias in vibrant colors, or create a rustic arrangement with grasses and delicate flowers.
Colorful Roses 🌹
Available year-round at your florist, roses are flowers that always please. They are especially suitable for celebrating a significant event, such as a birthday. For your mother-in-law, I recommend creating a colorful arrangement:
- in pink and white tones, if she has classic tastes and appreciates refined things,
- Made up of warm colors, if she is energetic and enjoys this type of shade,
- In any color, to bring a genuine ray of sunshine into her home!
👉 For fewer than 12 roses, to create a visually balanced bouquet, choose an odd number of flowers!
Exotic Flowers 🌺
These brightly colored flowers are perfect for surprising your mother-in-law with a unique gift. Additionally, they typically last longer in a vase compared to traditional flowers. Among them, the easiest to find at a florist are:
- the Bird of Paradise,
- the Anthurium,
- the Orchid.
👉 If you want to gift a stunning exotic bouquet, I recommend ordering the flowers from your florist at least a week in advance, so they can create a custom arrangement for you.
Which Flowers Should You Avoid Gifting to Your Mother-in-Law?
Receiving flowers is always a delightful experience. However, some flowers carry specific meanings that could potentially offend your mother-in-law. I’ll share more about this in the following paragraphs.
The red rose, a symbol of romantic love and passion
Offered as the standout flower in a bouquet, the red rose is typically reserved for those who want to express their love. However, it could also be your mother-in-law’s favorite flower. To avoid any misunderstandings with her, I suggest that if you decide to give her this flower, you pair it with other flowers, so your gift shifts from romantic to a thoughtful gesture.
The Chrysanthemum: Flower of Mourning and Remembrance
This flower is commonly used in the West to honor a deceased loved one. It is sold in pots around All Saints’ Day and as cut flowers throughout the year. To avoid any awkward situations with your mother-in-law, I recommend not gifting her this flower, as she might interpret it as an unfortunate gesture.
Red Rose / Chrysanthemum / Mimosa
👉 Finally, I recommend checking to see if your mother-in-law is allergic to certain pollens or sensitive to particular scents. Some flowers, such as mimosa or lilies, have a strong fragrance and can be highly allergenic, which could undermine your thoughtful gesture.
5 Flower-Themed Gift Ideas for Your Mother-in-Law
To help you find a gift that will truly delight your mother-in-law, I’ve put together a small selection of presents, ranging from the most classic to the most unique.
A Bouquet of Flowers
This may seem obvious, but a bouquet of flowers is the perfect choice if you don’t know your mother-in-law very well and don’t want to risk giving her a gift that she might not like. It’s a thoughtful gift that works in any situation and shows her that you are thinking of her.
A Creative Composition
Unlike a bouquet, a floral arrangement is a more complex creation. It combines plant elements that are inserted into a water-soaked foam (which preserves them as well as a vase would) along with decorative elements. It is usually custom-made by your florist, but there are sometimes ready-made arrangements available for purchase in stores.
👉 A unique gift idea is to have a floral arrangement created in a container that you would like to give to your mother-in-law. Once the flowers have wilted, she can keep the container (vase, pot, or dish) and reuse it.
A Flowering Plant
Does your mother-in-law love nature and gardening? If so, a beautiful flowering plant would be perfect for her. If she has a garden, she can replant it and enjoy it for years to come. If she lives in an apartment, you could gift her an Orchid or an Anthurium, which she can care for and watch bloom again.
An Eternal Rose
These preserved roses are perfect if you want to give a floral gift that lasts. They are real flowers that are maintained using a natural preservative: glycerin. When displayed under a cloche, they can become a stunning decorative element.
👉 Could this gift please your mother-in-law? Discover our eternal roses and their creative presentations directly on our online store. If you order now, they will be delivered for free, and you will benefit from customer service available 7 days a week for any inquiries.
A Decorative Flower Wall
Are you used to giving flowers to your mother-in-law but want to switch things up a bit while still pleasing her? Why not gift her a floral wall panel? This type of floral decor is perfect for creating a unique headboard or adding a pop of color to a living room.
You can also give her an experience and create family memories by setting up a photo backdrop with a flower wall in her home and organizing a photo session with her children and grandchildren!
👉 Check out our floral walls in our online store, along with tips on how to choose them based on what you want to create!
I hope this article has helped you find a beautiful gift that your mother-in-law will love, showing her that you care. If you’re interested in this type of guide, feel free to check out our article titled “What flower should you give for Grandparents' Day?,” which answers this question in detail!