How to Choose Flowers for Someone you don’t know well (Office Gifting Edition)

Someone in accounting, you've spoken to her twice, one was about the printer, the other an awkward P&L meeting.

They’re leaving, having a baby, or hitting ten years of quietly keeping this place running. And somehow HR have nominated you to handle the flowers.

Now you just have to represent the entire office's thoughts for a person you barely know.

So, here's how to pull it off.

First: You don't need to know her favourite flower to avoid getting it wrong. The easiest way to mess this up is reaching for anything that’s associated with romantic gesture.. Yeah that'll be really awkward.

A bright, cheerful mixed bouquet does the opposite. It says we appreciate you in every language, for every occasion, which is exactly what you need.

When in doubt, go with the classic Sunflowers and tulips, just simple cheerful and shouts "we see you and we're glad you're here."

A quick word on what to avoid, because a couple of these trip people up more than they'd think:

• Deep red roses. Gives the wrong signals as its considered the colour for romance.
• Lilies. Beautiful and fragrant, yes. However, poses danger to cat owners and you have no idea if there's a cat at home.
• Anything wildly unique. This is not the moment to introduce her to protea.

Beyond the flowers themselves, think about why you're sending them. You might not know her coffee order, but you do know whether this is a goodbye, a get-well, a thank-you, or a condolence.

Let the occasion set the tone, neutral colours for sympathy and choose bold and bright for celebration and you'll never lose.

For life's challenging moments, choose from our Sympathy and Get Well flowers.

Reply-all and be the office hero (wink).