If you’ve looked at a calendar recently, you may have noticed a certain holiday is right around the corner. You know, the pink and red one with a cupid mascot - Valentine’s Day.

Of all the holidays we celebrate at Helen Olivia, I think it’s safe to say that women have a mixed bag of feelings surrounding Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re attached or single… or it’s just plain complicated, the day is filled with expectation. Some of us have our expectations met with the perfect gift or a sweet card (hooray!), and so many of us feel like our husbands or partners just can’t seem to get it figured out.

I’ll use myself as an example, which is safe to do because I’m fairly certain my husband isn’t a regular reader of Stylebook. My husband, who many of you may know, is a wonderful guy but is 100% challenged on Valentine’s Day. Some years, if I drop enough hints, he gets it. When left to his own devices, he comes home with an orange tulip bouquet (not my color, not my flower). Bless him - it just isn’t his forte.

To prove this point, we turned to Instagram and did a series of Valentine’s Day surveys of our female followers. When asked if women prefer long-stemmed red roses or a mixed pastel bouquet - 93% said no to roses. Conversely, almost every man who calls us on Valentine’s Day is ordering red roses. When we asked women if their man was killing it for Valentine’s Day…. well, let’s just say the survey speaks for itself. 

Until recently, I chalked up Galentine’s Day to being an invented holiday. Last year I was so surprised - and touched - when one of my best friends dropped off all my favorites… a bouquet of blush sweet peas, rose, a candle. My new perspective: it’s the perfect occasion to spoil our best gals and make sure everyone has a special valentine’s week. So, who’s with me? Let’s all spread a little Galentine’s love this week!

If you need help in the floral department, we’ve got dozens of gorgeous arrangements and curated gift boxes for same-day delivery all over the Washington, D.C. area.