Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, which means love is in the air, along with the scent of rose petals. Every year, an estimated 224 million roses are grown for this day alone. The rose has been a symbol of love and virtue for thousands of years, dating all the way back to ancient Greece, where the red flower was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. With roses being such a time-tested token of affection, it’s no wonder they make up more than 50 percent of the flowers given away on Valentine’s Day.
What is a little more confusing is why anyone would act surprised when they get a bouquet of roses. Giving your sweetheart roses may be a nice gesture, but it’s not exactly a clever or creative one. Do you really want your significant other to open her door on Valentine’s Day to discover a bouquet that looks identical to the ones all her friends and coworkers are getting? Or do you want to give her flowers that are just as special and unique as she is?
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For instance, maybe you’re in the early stages of a relationship. You may not be ready for the bold declaration of love that comes with roses. You want a flower that’s just as pretty and fragrant but not quite so heavy on commitment. The French tulip is ideal for this situation. Its pastel pink and yellow petals bring to mind the first days of spring, which is perhaps why it has come to symbolize new beginnings and fresh starts. A dozen of these may not scream, “I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you,” but they will let your new lover know you’re excited to see what the future holds for the two of you. French tulips are also perfect for people in older relationships that could use a little sprinkle of young love. They let your longtime companion know that just because you’ve been together for a long time doesn’t mean you don’t have some new adventures in store.
New adventures, however, can be costly. We may all dream of Valentine’s Day getaways with our romantic partners, but we may not all have the money to whisk them to some sunny beach on the other side of the world. Luckily, some flowers can bring a little touch of the tropics to a snowy morning in mid-February. Orchids, which hail from tropical climates like Hawaii and Australia, bloom in dozens of dazzling colors and deliver the sights and scents of an island getaway right to your own home.
Or, if you and your loved one are simply pining for warmer summer months, why not pick up a vase full of sunflowers? Sunflowers represent the sun itself, and they can make any Valentine’s Day feel brighter — even when it’s still getting dark at 5 p.m.
Love is celebrated in many different forms on Valentine’s Day (and romance isn’t the only thing on people’s minds), so naturally there are flowers that represent many different forms of love. Maybe there’s a mother in your life who you think deserves a little bit of attention on the big day. The pink, pillowy petals of the carnation are said to match the color and texture of newborn flesh. Giving them to your mom would let her know how much you appreciate all the love and care she gave you over the years. If there’s a new mother in your life, carnations can let her know how much you look forward to raising a child together.
On the other hand, if you’re only in the planning stages of parenthood, you could always pick up a bouquet of lilies for your special someone. Lilies represent passion and fertility. A dozen of them will let your boyfriend or girlfriend know exactly how you hope this Valentine’s Day will end.
Of course, some loves are just better left unspoken. Gardenias are simple, elegant flowers that represent a secret love. If you’re in a relationship with someone but you’re currently keeping it on the down-low, why not send him or her a couple of these beautiful blossoms? (No note attached, of course.) The stark white petals look like blank pages, ready for a secret romance story to be written on.
Career-minded couples need a little bit of romance as well. If you and your loved one feel more married to your jobs than to each other, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to slow down, take stock and remind each other how you really feel. A purple iris signifies royalty, and certain stems can cost as much as $100 a pop. But when you’re working 60 hours a week, it can feel nice to be treated like a king or queen every once in awhile. Or if your significant other is so busy he or she doesn’t even have time to water the plants already in the house, they might appreciate a succulent. These spiny, cactus-like plants are pretty and can live for months with just a little bit of water.
Of course, sometimes people might just be expecting roses. If that’s the case, you really should go for tradition, but there’s no reason you can’t put a slightly personal spin on the old classic. There are tons of different types of roses that each have a unique charm. Our favorite is the Black Baccara Hybrid Tea Rose. The darker red of this rose variation will stand out from all the rose bouquets delivered that day. The richer, deeper colors scream with sultry passion, and they’ll let your sweetheart know just how deep your love is.
Whether you settle for roses or something more unusual, the most important thing is that you remember Valentine’s Day in the first place. Feb. 14 actually has a pretty high breakup rate. A few flowers could help remind you and your significant other why you fell in love in the first place and keep you there for a long time to come.
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With US currency holding strong against the Canadian dollar, heading north for a getaway can mean big savings right now. Grab a flight into Montreal’s pleasantly small airport and get ready for a world-class weekend. With the ever-present French influence on the city’s culture, language and architecture, Montreal has a lot of the same charm as its European counterparts. Take a romantic stroll through the old part of the city or visit the world-class botanical garden and bio dome for a blast of warm air and a really gorgeous dose of nature. Treat your love to a romantic French language-speaking getaway without the cost of a transatlantic flight!
Want to go a little wild? With airline tickets often subsidized to bring visitors into Las Vegas, the time is always right to catch a flight to this super fun destination. 
With Mardi Gras already over by Valentine’s Day, the giant crowds and mayhem will have cleared out of The Big Easy and the city will have returned to its normal rhythm and jazz. New Orleans is perfect this time of year for a quick weekend getaway whether you’re looking for a foodie or a historical destination. Book a quiet B&B away from Bourbon Street and you’ll be amazed at the laid back and charming side of New Orleans. With year-round outdoor cafes, stone streets, horse drawn carriages and food so good you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven, New Orleans is filled with splendid surprises that will surely delight. Incredibly affordable and fun, head to New Orleans and you’ll be strolling around with a daiquiri in hand in no time.
Looking for somewhere to curl up in front of a fireplace with your favorite person? Tuck yourselves into a rustic getaway in snowy Vermont. With numerous daily flights to beautiful Burlington, you can easily get to one of Vermont’s wonderful attractions via a quick and very scenic drive. You can also check out gorgeous spots like Stowe and Woodstock if you’re in the mood for bustling little communities that know how to do small town relaxation right. Vermont’s mountains may be no match to the size of the peaks out west, but you’ll find that you can have just as much fun at a fraction of the cost. With lots of affordable lodging near the ski resorts in Vermont, you won’t have to go far to have a great time.
This quiet little town on the Baja California Peninsula is perfect for a special and affordable seaside getaway. Away from the early Spring Breakers and ruckus of Cabo, Todos Santos has become an artists’ enclave. Take a stroll around this quaint and historic little town. Plan a day trip and head up into the nearby mountains to check out the local pottery works or wait on the beach for the fishermen to bring in fresh fish for your dinner. Whether you are sitting in one of the many cafes listening to live music or head down to the nearby beaches to watch the release of baby sea turtles after the sun sets, you won’t forget Todos Santos long after you’ve left.
Sometimes all you really need to reignite the romance in your relationship is a night out in your own town. Surprise your sweetheart with a staycation and get a fun, fresh perspective as a tourist in a new part of your city. With no airfare or long distance drive to pay for, you can splurge on booking an upscale room through 
