From the last week of November through Christmas, the Bay Area sends more flowers than at almost any other time of year. Thanksgiving hosts want a centerpiece, families send holiday wishes across town, offices thank their clients, and many people remember a loved one during the holidays. It is also the busiest stretch on the calendar for florists, which is why a little planning makes such a difference. Here is what we have learned from decades of holiday deliveries across the Bay Area.
1. Order early, especially Thanksgiving week and mid-December
Same-day delivery is available on orders placed by 1 PM Pacific time, and our deliveries go out twice daily, Monday through Saturday, across our service area from Novato to San Jose. During holiday weeks, though, delivery routes fill quickly. Ordering a few days ahead lets you choose your delivery date with confidence and gives our designers time to build exactly the look you want. If you are unsure whether a date is still available, call us at (510) 369-0502.
2. Plan the Thanksgiving centerpiece around the table
A centerpiece should spark conversation, not block it. Keep the arrangement low enough that guests can see each other across the table, and let it be long rather than tall if the table is long. Warm harvest colors such as orange, deep red, gold and burgundy feel right for the season and look beautiful by candlelight. If you are sending flowers to someone else's Thanksgiving, aim for delivery the day before the holiday so the host is not answering the door while cooking. Browse our Thanksgiving 2026 collection for designs sized for the table.
3. Consider a holiday plant that lasts past New Year's
Poinsettias are the classic, but they are not the only choice. The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County suggest alternatives such as amaryllis, cyclamen, Christmas cactus and camellias, and point to toyon, the native "California holly," whose red winter berries brighten Bay Area hillsides each December (Mountain View Voice, "Ask a Master Gardener"). A living plant keeps giving long after the holidays, which makes it a thoughtful gift for a neighbor, a teacher or an office. See our plants and gifts.
4. Think about pets before you send
Many households have cats and dogs, and some popular flowers are not safe for them. Lilies, for example, are dangerous for cats. If you know the recipient has pets, mention it when you order or call us, and we will help you choose a safer option. The ASPCA keeps a helpful list of toxic and non-toxic plants.
5. Give us the details that make delivery smooth
Holiday deliveries often go to busy homes, offices that close early, hospitals and senior communities. A complete address, a recipient phone number, and any suite, unit or gate code help our drivers deliver on the first try. For hospitals and care facilities, include the patient's full name and room if you know it, and review our hospital and care facility guide for facility rules.
6. Expect seasonal flowers, and the same value
Holiday demand affects flower supply all over the country. When a specific bloom or color is limited, our designers use the freshest seasonal flowers available while keeping the value, palette and style of the arrangement you chose. You can read exactly how that works in our Substitution Policy.
7. Remember those who are grieving
The holidays can be hard for families who have recently lost someone. A plant or arrangement sent to the home, with a simple note, lets them know they are not forgotten. Our sympathy for the home designs are made for exactly that.
Where Bay Area holiday flowers begin
Much of the region's flower trade still flows through the San Francisco Flower Market, which opened a new wholesale home at 901 16th Street in Potrero Hill in 2025 and continues more than a century of Bay Area floral tradition (CalFlowers). From markets like it to our design table to the recipient's door, holiday flowers travel a short distance here, which is part of what keeps them fresh.
Whether you are setting a Thanksgiving table or sending holiday wishes across the Bay, we are glad to help. Order online any time, or call us at (510) 369-0502, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific.