A Florist’s Holiday Gift Guide

Discover floral gifts, tips for what to write in your holiday cards, and the must-have gifts on our shelves.

When it comes to holiday gifting for friends, family, colleagues, or even someone who swears they “don’t want anything,” finding the right gift for each person can feel tricky. So we put together our go-to gift picks to make your holiday gift shopping easier. Skip the stress, stroll into one of our San Diego flower and gift shops, or shop our gift offerings online and grab something cute, unique, and absolutely giftable.

A woman grabbing a gift in Native Poppy’s flower shop

Floral Gifts For the Host

Picking the right gift really comes down to the person you’re gifting. We love when customers request color palettes that match their recipient’s personality in our floral designs, and it really shows “I see you” without a single word. For holiday hosts, we always suggest something that elevates the table, and you can do so with one of our small centerpieces or holiday bouquets with seasonal flowers like amaryllis, cedar, and ilex berries. Our Poppy Holidays arrangement is a crowd favorite, brimming with peach and red blooms, with pops of wintery whites and evergreen textures that are incredibly festive. It’s perfect for dinner parties, entry tables, kitchen counters, basically anywhere it can show off during the holidays. Another great arrangement is our Snowball Blooms arrangement, perfect for Hanukkah celebrations.

A woman arranging a holiday arrangement at a table

Floral Gifts For Parents, Elders, or Loved Ones

When you want to express big love, think lush and expressive. A grand arrangement with roses, ranunculus, and fresh greenery feels like a warm hug, perfect for showing appreciation to the matriarch who makes the holidays magical, or the partner who has made this season magical for your family. Our flower subscriptions are a great gift for parents, grandparents, and other chosen-family elders. They’re the gift that keeps on giving long after the decorations come down, reminding them of your love well into the new year. Our Holiday Gift Box is basically one of the greatest hits in our shop, which includes one of our hand-poured exclusive candles with matches, self-care goodies, and dried florals.

A woman holding a holiday flower wrap hand a woman arranging a holiday gift box with dried flowers, a vase, candles, and more

Floral Gifts For Coworkers

Coworkers will appreciate something small and thoughtful that says “Thanks for keeping me sane this year!” A bud vase of fresh flowers is a small but mighty pick-me-up for any desk. Dried flower bundles are perfect too! They last for a long time and bring color to any workspace with zero maintenance.

We also love pairing florals with small shop treasures like our Native Poppy exclusive candles, artisanal treats, or adorable stickers to add to their office space – perfect holiday gifts for a little extra cheer.

Non non-alcoholic wine, candles, books, and more in a flower shop

More great gifts for coworkers and colleagues:

Flower inspired gifts in a flower shop

When to Choose Dried vs. Fresh Flowers

Both dried and fresh flowers provide their own holiday magic! Fresh flowers bring the fragrance and color, perfect for hosts, holiday party tables, and anyone who loves switching up blooms in their favorite vase.

A flower bar with red roses, ilex berries, peach roses, and dried flowers in peach paper in a steel basket

Dried flowers are long-lasting stems and are the gift that keeps on giving. They last for months, making them perfect for recipients who might not have a lot of time to care for fresh flowers but want something beautiful in their homes. Dried arrangements also travel well, so they’re a great option for long-distance friends. Our dried bouquets feature a mix of wispy textures and hues, each hand-tied for a one-of-a-kind look.

Consider the recipient’s lifestyle! Busy hosts or those with pets may love the low-maintenance charm of dried flowers, while someone who absolutely loves fresh scents and changing displays will adore a fresh arrangement.

Writing a Meaningful Holiday Card

Never underestimate the power of a good card! Whether it’s a simple, “thinking of you this holiday season,” sharing a little life update, or a place to tuck a very exciting gift card, handwritten notes always mean a lot. And yes, some of us still hang holiday cards on our door in December (the nostalgia is real), so your words might be displayed all month long and stored as a keepsake well into the near year.

Hands holding a polar bear holiday card and a meow christmas cat holiday card

Celebrate Milestones

Celebrate your milestones, accomplishments, or highlights from 2025. These can be personal, professional, or fun travel moments individually or as a family.

  • “2025 brought so many big wins! Here’s to celebrating all of them this season.”
  • “This year I took on challenges, made new memories, and celebrated all the wins and I’m grateful for your friendship and helping me get through it! Wishing you the best holiday season.

Short and Heartfelt Notes

Simple notes of appreciation or love that are easy to read and are sincere!

  • “Grateful for you this year and always. Wishing you cozy holidays, a bit of laughter, and all the small joys that make your life sweet.”
  • “As the year winds down, I hope you take a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come and look forward to all the beautiful moments ahead in 2026!

Fun and Quirky 

Add humor or an inside-joke if you know someone who has been having a tough year.

  • “Here’s to a holiday season full of cookies, wine, and maybe a little chaos (the good kind!). Cheers to you and all the magic you bring!”
  • “This year you survived those curveballs of 2025 like a boss and still managed to smile through it all! Wishing you the best year yet in 2026.”

Some fun and festive go-to greeting cards:

Holiday gifting doesn’t have to be hard. With flowers, treats, handmade goodies, and a shop full of things we personally adore, you’re basically guaranteed to find something unique. Stop in and say hi, and let us help you pick the perfect gift for every Wild Flower in your life. Or as always, shop from our online menu!

Back to blog