Roses are red, violets are blue, but which is for you?

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and there is no better way to brighten up the winter blues than with some fresh flowers. Though some are soon to recall the saying "flowers say I'm sorry and chocolate says I love you," there is no need to shy away from flowers this holiday. They are easy to find in local grocery stores and they are even easier to order. Many florists deliver and you can buy a good quality bouquet online or over the phone. Flowers are also generally budget-friendly, with a typical arrangement costing around $15 to $20. Do keep in mind, however, that the larger the bouquet or the rarer the flower, the more you'll have to pay.

Flowers are also perfect for any occasion, not just Valentine's Days. You can give them for birthdays, as get-well presents and they are not specifically reserved for significant others, either, so you can also give them to your friends. If you find yourself without a Valentine this holiday, think about handing a flower or two to your friends.

The giving of flowers goes has a long history, and there are some established traditions and taboos when it comes to handing someone a bouquet, so be mindful when picking the type and color of your flowers; you cannot give everyone a bouquet of red roses without conveying unintended messages.

Roses are the traditional and the most popular flower. Personally, I don't care for them But buyers have to be really choosy about the kind of rose; the bigger the bloom, the faster they wilt. The nicest roses typically die the fastest.

Red roses are usually reserved for that particular someone. A red rose visually says, "I love you," so those who are not trying to say that, steer clear. Yellow roses are a great alternative. Their bright color denotes friendship. Pink roses mean admiration. Lavender roses usually mean enchantment or love at first sight, while orange signifies desire. If you cannot decide on a color, do not be afraid to mix and match various types or colors of roses - they can look very beautiful together.

If you want to go a more modern route, choose a different flower. Some popular types are peonies, daises, orchids, sunflowers and tulips. Tulips are not the obvious choice for the Valentine's Day flower, however, the meaning of the tulip is true love. Tulips originate in Persia, but are very popular in Europe. Tulips come in variety of colors and patterns, so there are plenty of choices when it comes to the type of tulip you want. The color meanings are similar to the rose, wherein the red means true love, yellow is happiness, and variegated tulips denotes beautiful eyes.

If you want to go a more high-end route, try orchids. Orchids are usually associated with refinement and innocence. They come in a wide variety of colors and have historically symbolized wealth, love and beauty. For the ancient Greeks, they symbolized virility, and still have important meanings in various cultures.

Daises are a super-fun flower. They are young, delicate and come in your very own Crayola-color palette. You can pretty much find any color daisy you want. Gerbera daisies typically have the bigger bloom and look stunning in a small or large bouquet. The meanings of the daisy include innocence and purity. They also denote happiness, so if you go with daisies, try using bright, youthful, and overall jovial colors. What are flowers without color?

Sunflowers are probably going to be hard to find in this season, but if you can find them, they are worth it. Sunflowers represent steadiness and loyalty. They also exude warmth and comfort. They also come in a range of sizes, so you do not have to worry about handing over a colossal bouquet of 6-foot flowers.

Last, but not least, consider giving peonies. Peonies are my personal favorite because the bloom has a full, lush look due to their petals. They embody romance and come in all sorts of colors, even green. Peonies are full enough that you do no have to give a large grouping - even one or two will suffice. Peonies are a very old flower, dating back to Apollo, and typically signify prosperity and happiness

Remember these are flowers, so picking them out should be just as fun as giving them - though perhaps not as fun as receiving them! Also, please do everyone a favor and do not give carnations; that passed with high school fundraisers.