Impress Them With Your Secret Santa Gift

Secret Santa - a group gift swap where presents are given anonymously - has been around for a very long time. It can be traced to Scandinavia, in fact, where it first existed as the "Julklapp" or "Christmas Knock," which was carried off by a very Santa Claus-like figure. Back then, if you heard a knock on your door, you'd open it to find a gift and no one there. The giver would have run off, preserving his anonymity. Sometimes, he'd leave a few lines of verse behind as a clue with his gift. Today, variations on the Secret Santa theme cross the globe, each with their own take. Here in the U.S., we typically draw names to find out who we'll be buying for. Then, we select our gift, wrap it up and leave it for them to find. After that, it's a guessing game. At Beneva, we want to help you pick out the perfect thing for your recipient this year. Read More about Impress Them With Your Secret Santa Gift »

Giving Back to the Community with Flowers

Giving Tuesday is November 28, and we here at Beneva are here to help you participate. The best way to do that? Through flowers, we say. We don't limit our giving to just one day; in fact, we're devoted to being charitable year round. Flowers, as we all know, make a wonderful gift. They're usually an unexpected gesture, a sweet reminder that we're thought about and cared for, as well as a fresh and beautiful item to admire. Combine the giving of flowers with giving to your favorite charity, and it's impossible not to feel good. Read More about Giving Back to the Community with Flowers »

Epic Living Walls and Plant Frames

Vertical garden systems - those living green walls you see in interior design magazines or gracing the exterior of your favorite cutting-edge restaurant - aren't just for looks. This unique architectural feature provides more practical benefits than you may think, positively impacting everyone from dementia patients to elementary school students and even influencing the future of agriculture (Horticulture Week notes that the UK is already considering how walls might contribute to their food supply). Here in Sarasota, Selby Gardens plans to incorporate living walls in their ten-year, $67 million transformation, an addition that follows a city-wide trend of restaurants, businesses, hotels, homes and more greening up their vertical spaces. Read More about Epic Living Walls and Plant Frames »

Give the Office the Gift of Holiday Flowers

What's the trick to winning Christmas this year in your office? A gorgeous box of holiday blooms, of course. Whether you drew your boss in secret Santa or want to surprise the intrepid team working your front desk, you can't go wrong with gifting your colleagues a luxurious seasonal arrangement. Besides, our workplaces are likely already decorated with garland, poinsettias and wreaths, so we at Beneva say go the flower route (though we've got the poinsettias and plants, too!). Read More about Give the Office the Gift of Holiday Flowers »

Gracious Centerpieces for Thanksgiving

We at Beneva love Thanksgiving for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the flowers. As we gather around our tables to feast and give thanks, we're welcomed by the scent of delicious food, the richly-textured table linens, the warm glow from candles. There's chatter among family and friends, and the clink of china and silverware as we fill our plates with helping after helping of the season's best comfort food. And in the middle of all that, there's the floral centerpiece, which, when done well, really captures the atmosphere. Read More about Gracious Centerpieces for Thanksgiving »

Gift Baskets for Incredible Hosts

We here at Beneva never turn down an opportunity to promote flowers as the best gift you could give, or receive, for that matter. But sometimes it's fun to mix it up a bit. One of those times is during Thanksgiving. Like many Americans, you may not be spending Thanksgiving in your own home, but instead going to someone else's. And while you may be contributing an item to the holiday menu, your host or hostess is likely working overtime to provide you and the other guests with a glorious spread and a gorgeous table, along with snacks, drinks, dessert and decor. It's for this very reason that it's customary to offer them a host or hostess gift. Read More about Gift Baskets for Incredible Hosts »

Red Rules for Veterans Day

Every year, November 11 brings us Veterans Day, a time reserved to honor both our active and retired military and to reflect on their brave efforts to keep our country safe. It's also an occasion to personally thank them for their service, and we here at Beneva & Plantscapes know a little something about that. If you're going to send a floral gift, think in theme and try to bring in colors from the flag, especially its boldest hue. We say that for Veterans Day, red rules. Read More about Red Rules for Veterans Day »

Mums, Fall’s Biggest Floral

Mum's the word this Fall, as the season's biggest floral makes its highly anticipated debut. Since 3,500 years ago in China, mums have been celebrated for their particular beauty (as well as their healing properties!) and lauded as the "golden flower." Today, we find them cheering up gardens and doorsteps in planters, pots or set right into a waiting garden bed, a signal that Fall is here. At Beneva & Plantscapes, we're just as devoted to November's sunny bloom. Read More about Mums, Fall’s Biggest Floral »

Living Plants Infuse Natural Element into Sarasota New Construction

Sarasota is a town enjoying its popularity. Always known for its beautiful beaches and charming downtown, we have now been discovered for arts, culture, dining, and much more. The sleepy little beach town has grown up, and the latest wave of new construction downtown is evidence of its appeal. In the last three years alone, nearly 1,300 hotel rooms have been added within a few city blocks of Main Street. Touting trendy names such as Aloft Hotel, Sarasota Quay and Sarasota Modern, this new wave of accommodations is state of the art, and a perfect fit for the natural paradise which surrounds our town. Read More about Living Plants Infuse Natural Element into Sarasota New Construction »

Fall Weddings Edge out Summer Nuptials

Summer weddings have always been a bit iconic. In fact, #SummerWedding has been a trending hashtag for years. Perhaps there was a romantic reason, like the long, lingering evenings which allowed for extended receptions. Or maybe it was a more practical reason, as guests are more likely to be free to travel in the summer months. However, since 2015, summer weddings are no longer the number one choice of brides nationwide.  While it is true that 33% of brides choosing June, July, or August for their nuptials, nearly 40% now choose the autumn months. Here in Sarasota, our seasons may be a little different than in other places, but brides are increasingly choosing the fall as the right time to say "I do".  And Beneva Flowers is right there to provide the beautiful autumn florals guaranteed to set the mood for your autumn wedding. Read More about Fall Weddings Edge out Summer Nuptials »