Flowers never fail to enhance any event or celebration, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. The right floral arrangements add beauty and put everyone in the right mood for ringing in the New Year.
Flowers are a part of the most important occasions in our lives. They are present on birthdays, funerals, graduations, weddings, religious services and many other events. Some flowers are better suited for the New Year holiday than others.
Nature makes flowers in a variety of shapes, colors and scents that please our senses. These characteristics also give each flower a distinct meaning, allowing us to communicate without words. We all know that red roses signify romantic love and that sending a bouquet of yellow daisies to a funeral would be rude.
The Language of Flowers
Floriography, or the language of flowers, is the art of flower symbolism and meanings attributed to flowers. The term was coined during the Victorian Era in the 1800s, when learning the meaning of flowers became a trendy pastime. Most Victorian homes had flower dictionaries.
While floriography became popular in the U.S. in the 19th century, it dates back to the 15th century in Persia and Turkey, where women used flowers to express forbidden or socially unacceptable feelings.
Flowers can represent romantic love, friendship, gratitude, grief and many other feelings and experiences. In Victorian times, a flower could be used to answer a yes or no question: “yes” if handed over with the right hand, “no” if the left hand was used. When a flower was given upside down, the message was the opposite of its usual meaning.
The Best Flowers for New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a meaningful and historic occasion worthy of good food, flashy decorations and beautiful flowers. Saying goodbye and hello at the same time can be awkward and bittersweet. The right floral arrangements can ease this process.
To help you choose the right flowers for a New Year’s gift or party, here’s a list of the flowers that better represent the spirit of this occasion.
Roses
Roses are super versatile. They work in almost any situation. Below is a list of the most common colors and their meanings.
1. White
White roses usually represent purity, innocence, youthfulness and new beginnings—perfect for the New Year.
2. Red
Red roses symbolize love, passion, desire and romance. Red roses also represent class and elegance.
3. Pink
A deep or hot pink rose conveys gratitude and appreciation, while a pale pink rose means grace, gentleness, joy and sweetness.
4. Lavender
These whimsical roses can add fantasy to any event. Lavender represents enchantment, wonder, splendor and mystery.
5. Blue
If you want to make a dramatic impression, consider doing it with blue roses. Blue stands for uniqueness, mystery, the impossible and the unattainable.
6. Black
A black rose can send different messages. While it has been associated with death and mourning, black also symbolizes new beginnings, new things, big changes and the turn of an era, so they’re an excellent choice for New Year’s Eve.
7. Yellow
During Victorian times, the yellow rose used to communicate jealousy, but these days it means friendship, joy, affection and good luck—all of which we hope for in the New Year.
8. Orange
Orange conveys a sense of energy, desire, enthusiasm and admiration, making orange roses ideal for adding an extra spark to your New Year’s party.
9. Green
Green is the color of life, abundance, growth, renewal and balance. The green rose signifies wealth, prosperity, rejuvenation of spirit and fertility. What better way to start the year?
10. Multicolored
These roses exhibit more than one color. They send an amusing message that reminds people to lighten up and have fun—ideal for New Year’s.
White Lily
White lilies often appear in weddings, baptisms, graduations and other important events. They symbolize purity, modesty, elegance and innocence.
Carnations
As the birth flower of January, the carnation is well suited for New Year celebrations. Like roses, carnations offer versatility because of their many colors. A red carnation means “I love you,” while a pink carnation represents a mother’s love. White carnations mean pure love; yellow ones mean rejection or disappointment, and striped carnations mean regret that love is not shared.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas can cheer up the biggest grumps. They grow in round puffy bunches of radiant colors. They transmit joy and perseverance. They can be used to express heartfelt feelings, such as gratitude for being understood
Orchids
Orchids are exotic and high-maintenance flowers that will command the attention of guests and impress a host who receives them as a gift. The orchid is a symbol of exquisite beauty, refinement, wisdom, glorious femininity and charm.
Daffodil (Narcissus)
Like the carnation for January, the birth flower of December is a great choice for New Year’s. Daffodils stand for honesty, truth and forgiveness. They remind us to wipe the slate clean and start fresh in the New Year.
These are just a few of the flowers that you can share with your host or guests on New Year’s Eve. The symbols and meanings associated with flowers have changed over time, but humans will always be fascinated by flowers, and flowers will always be a part of the most significant events in our lives.