Germans love flowers. When invited to your home, flowers are an appropriate gift. There are customs regarding the color and quantity of flowers to bring. Impress your host by following the rules.
An invitation to a German home is an honor. Wine or flowers are the best gifts. Let’s go with flowers. There are many florists in Germany. They are called Blumenhändlers.
Be aware of the store hours. Until 2004, the German government strictly managed retail hours until they were handed over to the states. Florists will generally be open until 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The exception is Thursday night, when retailers offer later hours, and Sunday, when most companies are closed.
Buy your flowers early. The Germans open and close quickly. In my experience, a last minute shopper, arriving close to closing time, will not feel welcome.
Be sensitive to colors:
- Red is the color of romance. Your hostess may blush, but not the host;
- Carnations mean mourning;
- Lilies and chrysanthemums are for funerals.
Your best option is yellow roses. Ask the florist to wrap it as a gift, or “Würden Sie das bitte als Geschenk verpacken? If they are not gift wrapped, remove the wrapping before presenting them to the hostess.”
The most important thing is that a dozen roses do not work in Germany or in many European countries. Always give an odd number of flowers. The exception is 13, an unfortunate number in Germany as in other countries.
I asked my German colleagues where the rule for an odd number of flowers came from. One perspective is that an odd number of flowers is easier to arrange. Others believe that it is a norm or rule. Germans tend to adopt most of the rules, whether or not they make sense for other countries.
Everything is ready now: an odd number of yellow roses, except 13, specially wrapped by the florist. Smiling hosts and no broken rules. Wunderbar!
