Occasions
First Day of School Flowers
In North Rhine-Westphalia the first day of school usually falls in late August or early September — exactly when sunflowers, dahlias and gerbera are at their peak at the Veiling Rhein-Maas auction. A first-day bouquet may be bright and easygoing: it sits beside the Schultüte, not centre stage, and should do one thing above all — make the child light up.
For the first day of school we recommend a small, cheerful summer bouquet rather than large formal floristry. Sunflowers, brightly coloured gerbera and a few dahlias feel instantly summery and light, matching the mood of the day. Keep it handheld — the child should be able to look at it, hold it and maybe even carry it.
On colour: bold and bright beats soft and pastel. Yellow, orange, pink and sunflower tones harmonise with the typically colourful Schultüte and the photos in front of the school. For something calmer, add marguerites and asters — they give the bouquet a playful meadow character that suits a child better than a tightly bound rose form.
What we tend to avoid for the first day of school: large, heavy or 'grown-up' bouquets with many roses or lilies — beside a Schultüte they quickly look out of place and are awkward for small hands. Heavily scented stems are also unnecessary in the bustle of the day. Better small, robust and colourful.
Thinking practically: a first-day bouquet has to survive a long day — photos, party, visiting relatives. So we bind from stems that come out of fresh Veiling water in the morning and still stand after hours without a vase. Asters, sunflowers and chrysanthemums are grateful here: robust, long-lasting and at their freshest in exactly this season.
Frequently asked
- How big should a first-day-of-school bouquet be?
- Rather small and handheld. The bouquet sits beside the Schultüte and shouldn't overwhelm the child — five to seven cheerful stems a child can hold itself work better than a large arrangement.
- Which colours suit the first day of school?
- Bright and bold: yellow, orange, pink and sunflower tones match the cheerful mood and the usually colourful Schultüte. Pastels or classic red tend to read too grown-up for a child.
- When should I order and have it delivered for the first day of school?
- Since these events are mostly in the morning, one or two days' lead time is ideal — we source fresh at the auction and deliver in time for the celebration across Düsseldorf.
- Flowers or the Schultüte — or both?
- The Schultüte remains the heart of the day. A small bouquet is the lovely addition beside it — cheerful, photogenic and a nice gesture to the parents too. Together they make the complete picture.
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