Do’s and Don’ts of Sending Grand Opening Flowers in Hong Kong
Sending flowers for a grand opening is a common practice in Hong Kong, symbolizing well wishes for prosperity and success. However, following proper etiquette is crucial to ensure your floral gift is appropriate and well-received. Here’s a guide on the do’s and don’ts of sending grand opening flowers in Hong Kong.
✅ Do’s (Best Practices for Sending Grand Opening Flowers)
1. Choose Auspicious Flowers
Orchids (蘭花) – Represents elegance, prosperity, and longevity.
Sunflowers (向日葵) – Symbolizes success, vitality, and a bright future.
Peonies (牡丹) – Associated with wealth and honor.
Lilies (百合花) – Signifies harmony, happiness, and smooth business growth.
Red Roses (紅玫瑰) – Represents good fortune and celebration.
2. Pick Lucky Colors
Red & Gold – Represents prosperity and happiness, perfect for business success.
Yellow & Orange – Symbolizes wealth and good luck.
Purple – Represents dignity and prestige, great for high-end businesses.
3. Consider the Size of the Arrangement
Large standing flower arrangements are ideal for grand openings to make a strong impression.
Ensure the bouquet is eye-catching and placed near the entrance to attract positive energy.
4. Include a Congratulatory Message
A red or gold card with a positive message is essential. Common phrases include:
"生意興隆，財源廣進" (Wishing your business prosperity and abundant wealth!)
"大展鴻圖，蒸蒸日上" (May your business flourish and grow continuously!)
"開業大吉" (Wishing you a successful grand opening!)
5. Send Flowers Early
Arrange for delivery on the morning of the grand opening to ensure they are displayed at the entrance for maximum impact.
❌ Don’ts (Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Grand Opening Flowers)
1. Avoid Inappropriate Flowers
White Chrysanthemums (白菊花) – Associated with funerals and mourning.
Lilac & White Flowers (白色或淺紫色花卉) – Often linked to memorial services.
Drooping or Withering Flowers – Symbolizes bad luck and failure in business.
2. Avoid Unlucky Colors
White & Blue – In Chinese culture, these colors are often associated with sadness and mourning.
Black – A symbol of misfortune and should never be used for a celebratory event.
3. Do Not Use Unlucky Numbers
4 Flowers or Arrangements – The number "4" sounds like "death" (死, sǐ) in Cantonese.
7 Flowers – Can symbolize mourning in certain contexts.
4. Avoid Small or Modest Arrangements
A grand opening is a big occasion, and small bouquets may appear insincere.
Opt for a large, prominent floral stand to show strong support for the new business.
5. Do Not Deliver Too Late
Sending flowers after the grand opening ceremony loses the impact of the gesture.
Aim for morning delivery or at the latest, before noon.
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can ensure that your grand opening floral gift sends the right message of success and good fortune.
