Events

Get Ready for a Fun-Filled Summer with Mancuso’s Florist

Posted on by
Reply

Memorial Day is here at last, and that means the unofficial start of summer! As the school year winds down and the temperature rises, summertime is the perfect time for flowers and your friends at Mancuso’s Florist are here to help make your summer one of the brightest and most beautiful yet!

For children in school, summer begins the moment the final bell rings on the last day of class. In fact, rock star Alice Cooper, who penned the infamous – and controversial – 1972 hit “School’s Out” likened the feeling of the last three minutes of the last day of school to the rush of waking up to a house filled with presents on Christmas morning.

No matter how old we are, we can all look back and reminisce about the exciting prospect of an entire summer filled with fun activities and few responsibilities – oh, to be young again!

Even if summertime looks a little different than it did when we were children, it doesn’t have to be any less exciting. In fact, we still manage to pack quite a few events into the warm days and long evenings of June, July, and August.

No matter how you decide to spend your summer, don’t forget the flowers! The summer season is full of opportunities for sending flowers – you surely know someone with a birthday or anniversary in June, July or August, right? If not, consider one of these special occasions:

Memorial Day

For many, summer starts off on a somber tone as we take this special day to remember the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom. Many choose to mark the occasion by visiting a cemetery or grave site of a loved one to pay their respects, and flowers are always an appropriate way to memorialize. There are no rules when it comes to which flowers to use as a memorial – some choose traditional flowers in red or white as a nod to the American flag but choosing specific flowers or colors that had special meaning to the deceased adds a nice personal touch. If you’re unsure what is appropriate – or have no idea which flowers to choose, we’re just a phone call away and our designers are experts in helping you find a fitting tribute.

End of the school year

Many schools traditionally take the last few days of the year as an opportunity to thank teachers, aides, assistants, coaches, administrators and parents for the important roles they played throughout the school year. Although this is certainly not an obligation – nor is it expected – gift cards and flowers are always appreciated by those who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to help educate America’s youth. Even if you don’t have kids in school, but know someone who works there, a big, bold, beautiful bouquet of flowers is an excellent way of congratulating them on a job well done.

Weddings

Summer season is wedding season, and weddings are all about flowers! While you won’t have to bring any flowers to the ceremony itself (we’ve got that covered), you’ll have plenty of opportunities for giving the gift of flowers for receptions and showers. Don’t forget the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom – they love flowers too! Of course, we also have a fine selection of gifts in-store that are perfect for this particular occasion.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 17 this year, and believe it or not, Mancuso’s Florist is your one-stop shop for all your Father’s Day gifts. Be sure to check out our selection of gift items to find something truly unique for dad. It’s okay if he isn’t exactly a “flower kind of guy,” because we have other options. If you’re in a bind and just don’t know what to get, let us know and we can help you find something special for him.

Independence Day

The Fourth of July is a mid-summer treat for all Americans! Like Memorial Day, this holiday takes on a patriotic tone, but instead of a day of reembrace, Independence Day is a day of celebration! With so many municipalities hosting parades, cookouts, and fireworks shows, there are sure to be some fun activities in your area. Perhaps you were invited to a picnic or cookout on the 4th, and what better way to show your appreciation to the host than a beautiful patriotic bouquet to help liven up the party? As the holiday nears, we will feature a special selection of red, white and blue flowers that will be the hit of any Independence Day celebration.

Labor Day

Labor Day may seem far away, but you know how fast summers seem to go! This 3-day weekend signifies the end of summer for many, but it’s still one last chance to get outside and go for a swim, ride a bike, watch a sunset, or just simply spend some time outside enjoying the marvels of nature. For many, this holiday is a salute to the working men and women of this country and a well-deserved day of rest. It’s also one last chance to enjoy some time with friends and family before the kids head back to school. No matter how you choose to celebrate Labor Day – do it with flowers!

From our family here at Mancuso’s Florist to yours, we hope you have a safe and happy summer! Please give us a call or stop by and visit anytime you’re in the area – we’re here to help keep your celebrations bold and beautiful, all summer long.

Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8

Posted on by
Reply

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a worldwide celebration of social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women that takes place annually on March 8. This year’s theme is #PressforProgress which spotlights gender parity.

IWD is not a new holiday – in fact, it was first observed in the early 1900’s. It has, however, grown in popularity over the past few years and is now celebrated and supported around the world by the United Nations, along with governments, industry leaders, educational institutions, community groups, professional associations, women’s networks, charities, non-profit organizations, and more.

IWD is a terrific opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women as well as a chance to take action to help raise visibility and awareness in order to help drive positive change for women and accelerate gender parity around the world.

We can all do our part in helping drive better outcomes for women by becoming responsive and responsible leaders in creating a more gender-inclusive world. The World Economic Forum predicts the gender gap won’t close entirely for another 217 years, so International Women’s Day provides an opportunity for ground-breaking action that can drive greater change for women and speed up the clock on gender parity.

World-renowned feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem once said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

How to get involved

  • Together we can all play a role in promoting women’s issues and rights, especially for women in developing countries. One of the easiest ways to get involved is by sharing the #PressforProgress hashtag on social media posts and encouraging your friends and followers to join in the festivities.
  • Purple is the official color for IWD, so simply wearing a purple shirt or ribbon is a great way to show your support.
  • There are numerous festivals and gatherings planned for IWD and you can check the International Women’s Day event page to see a full list of activities in your area.
  • Consider donating time or resources to women-focused charities or groups
  • Volunteer to set up your own IWD campaign. Materials and instructions can be found here.
  • Most importantly, just speak out and make your support known!

Even if you don’t want to get involved in organized IWD events, the day itself is still a great opportunity to celebrate a special woman in your life by acknowledging their hard work and sharing their stories. A small gift, like a beautiful bouquet, is always an appropriate way to show your gratitude and the smile is causes can make a big difference!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on by
Reply

Since 1985, the month of October has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a goal of promoting mammography as the most effective weapon in the battle against breast cancer.

Each year during October, a variety of events including walks, runs, and fundraisers are organized throughout the United States to promote awareness to this cause which has affected so many lives.

The iconic pink ribbon is a symbol for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many prominent landmarks around the world are illuminated with pink lighting throughout the month of October in observance.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Each year over a quarter of a million women are diagnosed and more than 40,500 will die from the disease. It is estimated that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

There is good news, however, as death rates from breast cancer have been declining since 1989 and breast cancer incidence rates began decreasing in the year 2000 thanks in part to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), along with better screening, early detection, increased awareness and continually improving treatment options.

In fact, for many of the 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., the month of October and the awareness campaign offers a reason to celebrate and reflect.

How to help

There are many ways for you to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The obvious ones include volunteering your time or making a donation to local or national charitable organizations that focus on awareness, research, prevention, and treatment of the disease.

Keep in mind that not all of the “pink” charities are alike and some are less than transparent about where your donations end up. Watchdog groups like Charity Watch and Charity Navigator are typically good sources of more in-depth analysis of organizations as they review and evaluate financial statements, tax reports, program expenses and fundraising costs.

The American Institute of Philanthropy’s Charity Watch recognizes 12 organizations as top-rated cancer charities and assigns letter grades to each one. Here are their top three in descending order:

Of the three breast cancer charities recommended by Charity Watch, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation also received Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars while the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners received three stars.

Other national four-star charities recommended by Charity Navigator include:

Susan G. Komen

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is one of the largest and most well-known charities devoted to the cause, but according to the watchdog groups, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.  Charity Navigator gives the organization a 3-star rating (out of four), while Charity Watch gave them a C+ grade.

Charities to avoid

In recent years, the Federal Trade Commission has dissolved Breast Cancer Society and the Cancer Fund of America after alleging they were scam charities bilking money from donors. Those two organizations are now defunct, but there are still some groups that are low-rated for various reasons.

Charity Navigator urges people to do their own research before donating to charitable organizations but also cites three groups in particular as ones to avoid due to the fact that they spend more on fundraising than devoting funds to the issues. The watchdog group gave the following organizations zero or one star and cautions you to look carefully before supporting them:

Back to School – A Perfect Time for Flowers!

Posted on by
Reply

Back to school. Decorative kids round emblem poster. Flat. Vector illustrationIt’s that time of year once again – summer vacations are winding down and school is back in session (or will be very soon). Whether you’re excited about this time or year or are already missing the hustle and bustle of summer activities, it’s an excellent opportunity to start anew. It’s a special time of year with a clean slate or new memories to be made and new friendships to formed, so why not take the time to celebrate the occasion – and what better way to celebrate than with flowers?

No matter what you role you play in the start of a new school year, there are plenty of opportunities to spread some cheer with some fresh flowers or plants. Here are a few ideas:

Apples are so cliché

Why does nearly every illustration of a classroom depict a big, juicy apple on top of the teacher’s desk? It may be a nice gesture in theory, but in reality, it pales in comparison to a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Even better would be a lovely green plant that would last the entire year.

Ray of Sunshine by Mancuso's Florist

Ray of Sunshine by Mancuso’s Florist

It takes a village

Most people immediately think of teachers when they think of school, but it takes a finely tuned machine comprised of dozens (or even hundreds) of people to make a school run smoothly. From bus drivers to librarians and administrators to custodians – and everyone in between; there are many behind-the-scenes areas where people spend their time. Why not make these spaces special with some pretty petals?

Empty nest? Fill it with flowers

With kids back at school, the house is probably a lot quieter this time of year – which makes this an excellent reason to treat mom and dad to some beautiful flowers. They’ll appreciate the gesture and it’s a nice way of saying thanks for all their time spent on summer activities. Conversely, if you have older students leaving home for school, what better way to warm up their dorm or apartment with beautiful flowers and plants?

Whatever the reason, flowers are the perfect way to make someone’s day a little brighter. Mancuso’s Florist can help you find the perfect gift for any occasion, whether it’s school-related, a birthday or anniversary, or just something out of the blue. Give us a call today – we’ll take care of the rest.

Invited to a “Super Party”? Don’t wait until the last second!

Posted on by
Reply

football for blogsThere’s a big game coming up in a couple of weeks, in case you haven’t heard.

Last year’s Super Bowl XLIX was the most-watched show in U.S. television history, hauling in a ridiculous 114.4 million viewers and shattering the previous record of 112.2 million.

The Super Bowl has indeed become much more of a tradition than just a football game. It’s become an annual celebration that non-football fans look forward to just as much as the diehard fans do, if only for the food and viral-worthy commercials.

If you’re not hosting a party for this year’s Super Bowl, chances are you’ve been invited to one.

Now, while some people choose to go all out with elaborate recipes and sophisticated side dishes, not everyone has the ability – or the time – to create their own culinary masterpiece.

Bountiful Gourmet by Mancuso's Florist

Bountiful Gourmet by Mancuso’s Florist

One trap you want to avoid as a “Super Party” guest is waiting until the last minute!

Good food and drink are essential for any great Super Bowl party, yes, but stopping by the store at the last minute to purchase your party gift? Not so much!

This simple act of procrastination will leave you sifting through leftovers and hand-me-down dishes with no clear end in sight. Not the best way to make a “super” impression, right?

While cheering for the wrong team may earn you ribbings from fellow partygoers, the “showing-up-to-the-party-empty-handed” foul will most certainly draw the biggest penalty flag.

There is one option, however, that is much easier and a lot less stressful. One that will cut the time and hassle out of your busy Sunday and make you the MVP of your Super Bowl 50 party:

Giant Candy Cake by Mancuso's Florits

Giant Candy Cake by Mancuso’s Florist

That option is having a gift basket from Mancuso’s Florist DELIVERED directly to the party!

Not only will your gift basket serve as a token of appreciation, but it’s a great way to say ‘thank you’ to the party host and makes a delicious statement that will be enjoyed and admired by everyone at the party.

Why bother with dirty dishes in the kitchen or the hair-pulling frustration of finding a last-minute gift at the grocery store? A simple phone call to Mancuso’s Florist at (586) 359-6200 is the only game plan you need!

So sit back, enjoy the game, and let your friends at Mancuso’s take care of the rest.

Let’s play some football!