Giveaway: 1-800-Flowers.com

I wrote recently about the fact that 1-800-Flowers.com has a new campaign out there to Deliver Birthday Smiles.

To support this campaign, the have three new bouquets, the Bucket of Birthday Wishes, Cupcake in Bloom, and Birthday Flower Cake (my personal favorite).

Lucky me, 1-800-Flowers.com sent me (or rather, Mister Man) the birthday cake bouquet for his birthday this week. It arrived in a bakery box, which was such a neat touch, and he was absolutely thrilled to open it and see what he had received. The flowers were adorable - although it would have been nice if they offered either a gender neutral option or one with "boy" colors. Fortunately, Mister Man isn't picky yet at this stage in his life.

While the one we received wasn't quite as professionally put together as the one in the stock photo (and quality varies by the local florist who designs it), it was nice. Mister Man was thrilled.

The flowers weren't quite as sturdy as I would have liked - but that's also what happens when you have white flowers. I remember now why I don't buy white flowers too often anymore; they simply brown and bruise too easily. Had I not been comparing the two photographs directly, I wouldn't have an issue with the way the bouquet was put together at all.

I do wish that there were a way to add to or change the water in the bouquet. If there is, I have yet to figure it out - and old stale water means flowers that don't last as long. It's been four days, and the bouquet is definitely showing its age right now, but it has served its purpose, and it really is such a neat concept. I love having flowers that are beyond the traditional bouquet and are more "fun" looking. The unique and surprising arrangements are definitely the ones that delight the most - at least in my household.

Check out their Facebook or Twitter pages for information on what's happening by you. After all, it seems like everyone I know has a birthday in October; don't you know someone who needs a bouquet like this?

You can win a $40 gift card to 1-800-Flowers.com, which is enough to purchase one of these bouquets. The Bucket of Birthday Wishes is $39.99-$49.99, the Birthday Flower Cake is $39.99, and the Cupcake in Bloom is $24.99. Or you can use that gift card to choose something for another occasion, whatever you like.

So what do you have to do?

First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Friday October 29 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: For what occasions do you send flowers?

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter and tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly! publicly via Google Friend Connect.

Good luck!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a birthday cake flower arrangement for review purposes. I did not receive any compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.