You’ve probably been taught that it’s a good idea to bring a small gift as a token of gratitude when you’re invited to an event hosted by someone else. A summer picnic is no exception. Here are some of the flowers you can bring to spruce up the mood.

Blue Orchids

A common summer decorating tip is to use cool colors to help a home feel cooler. Small splashes of blue, purple, and similar colors serve as a reminder of winter and snow. Blue orchids are a unique flower that can provide the wintery splash your picnic’s host needs to help them relax after a long day. Blue orchids also symbolize meditation and spirituality, and can help make a home a nice place to unwind when coming home from the excitement of summer.

Sunflowers

Some people prefer to embrace the summer heat and go with sunflowers instead. Sunflowers  match the season perfectly because they mimic the sunshine that’s found outside. They perfectly complement the bright, cheery decor used in many southern homes. Sunflowers also don’t carry the heavy symbolic meaning of other flowers, so they’re a nice neutral gift to anyone without having to worry about sending the wrong message. Sunflowers look great on their own, become even more stunning when grouped together, and can also be the perfect highlight for a mixed bouquet.

Roses

Roses remain one of the most popular flowers to give as a gift, but they also carry a heavy symbolic meaning, so plan carefully if you want to go this route. Red and pink roses symbolize love and possible courtship, so unless you’re courting the host of your picnic or they’re a dear family member, save these roses for another occasion. Yellow roses, on the other hand, are widely accepted as symbols of cheer and friendship — the exact mood a picnic brings. Yellow is also a perfect color to match the overall mood of summer.

Mixed Arrangements

Sometimes you just want to brighten the mood a little without sending any specific message. The best way to do this is to choose an arrangement that doesn’t highlight any particular flower or uses less common ones. Tropical Breeze and Summer Daze are perfect examples of bright, cheery arrangements that match the warm, fun feelings of summer.