FTD College Rose Collection -- The Perfect Gift to Give Year-Round to Sports Fans (Review and Flash Giveaway)

Congrats, Becky who won the BC arrangement for her husband -- Enjoy!!!!

FTD ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ITS OFFICIALLY-LICENSED FTD COLLEGE ROSE COLLECTION AVAILABLE ONLY AT FTD.COM

The iconic floral provider offers handcrafted fresh roses in official school colors - the perfect year-round gift for devoted college fans, students, alumni and sweethearts

"FTD recently announced that they would be adding new schools to the officially-licensed FTD^®College Rose Collection. The Collection, available only at FTD.com, offers striking, fresh floral arrangements, which feature bi-colored roses in official school colors that represent universities across the country.  Arrangements are available with a colored keepsake glass vase etched with the school’s logo, and many are delivered in a spirited, college-themed gift box featuring the school’s colors and mascot.  College Roses can be ordered online at FTD.com and a portion of the proceeds from each purchase directly benefits the featured university.

The Collection, which launched in October 2011, currently offers roses for 51 schools from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.  FTD plans to launch roses for more schools in September 2012, and expects to continue to expand the Collection before the end of the year.

“The FTD College Rose Collection truly captures the spirit and loyalty of dedicated college sports fans, alumni and students,” said Rob Apatoff, president of FTD.  “FTD has been a leader in the floral industry for more than 100 years, and the College Rose Collection marks another milestone in our long tradition of providing high quality, innovative floral products.” 

The arrangements are great for any celebration year-round including:

•  Alumni Reunions
• Anniversaries and weddings
• Birthdays
• Dorm-warming or good luck gift for new students
• Game day events and tailgates
• Graduations
• Homecoming parties
• Sorority and fraternity events
• Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
• Other milestone events 

Each arrangement is handcrafted and of exceptional quality.  The fresh flowers showcase a high petal count and are individually prepared by skilled horticulturists.  The end result is a gorgeous, vibrant, one-of-a-kind bouquet that matches school colors and will delight and impress recipients."

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My Thoughts:

 Having grown up in Massachusetts, and having two brothers, I was exposed with sports at a very young age.  I remember sitting around the television whenever the local teams were playing, and how rowdy the house would get when championship season rolled around. We would watch baseball or basketball in the warmer months, then follow with hockey and football during the colder months.  I remember a few family vacations were taken down to FL to watch spring training.  And, every Thanksgiving Day we would all attend the local high school's football game as a tradition, while my mom stayed home to cook the family dinner.  It wasn't until my brothers and I entered college that we all became fans of collegiate sports, especially basketball and football.  I remember my brothers factored in sports when they chose their colleges.  Even though none of us attended Boston College or Boston University (until grad schools), we did have a common bond with these teams and friends and family attended.  And, if you lived in MA, then it was common practice to root on these college when they would make it into championships.  

While my brothers and parents remained in MA, I took the trek out to CT, and bought a house with my husband.  When we did, one of the main questions everyone asked was which teams we would be supporting -- MA or NY.  And, when the sports seasons rolled around and we began making friends with some of the locals, they, too, asked who we had an allegiance with.  I guess with you are born and raised in New England, that you are born into the whole sports fever of the Red Sox vs the New York Yankees, and BC/BU vs. UConn.  

I still follow all the MA leagues, both collegiate and pro, and have begun to follow the UConn men's and women's basketball teams.  Don't tell my family, but I think that the UConn teams, who continue to win championship after championship are much stronger than the MA teams. :-)  I have even made a point to bring my family to UConn men's and women's basketball games when they are in town to visit, to expose them to other great collegiate teams. :-)

And, when my husband and I found out that we were expecting our first child in 2010, he hoped for a boy, so that he could play sports with them, watch all the games on television with them, and even take them to the live games.  But, we found out with both our children that they were girls.  He is still holding out hope that they will love sports just as much as we do, and maybe even play on the championship UConn Huskies women's basketball team.  We'll have to wait and see, as our oldest, Savannah, is on the petite side and doesn't like to get dirty, while Arabella will be taller than her, but prefers dolls and dancing around. :-)  But, the one that is certain is that they both loves flowers.  And, when we welcomes both girls, I received flowers, and my husband did.  While I received a baby bootie filled with flowers, my husband received an arrangement from the popular FTD^®College Rose Collection.  For Savannah, he received the Geogia Tech University vase filled with roses to match their school color, and for Arabella, he was sent the UConn Huskies arrangement -- see the collections below:




So, when I began reaching out to people for my upcoming holiday gift guide, I was happy to receive an email from the folks at FTD, and how they wanted me to consider their
FTD^®College Rose Collection as a gift idea.  How could I say?  They graciously sent me two arrangements -- Boston College and UConn Huskies -- as I couldn't decide on just one team :-) A few days later, I received the flowers in the mail, and couldn't believe how beautiful they looked.  Even though my husband had received flowers from this collection when the girls were born, I was too busy tending to the babies that I couldn't really admire and enjoy the roses.  But, now that the girls are mobile, I was able to really appreciate and can see why so many people love the FTD^®College Rose Collection, which has been offered exclusively through FTD since October 2011.  Just look at how gorgeous the roses are --

 
Even though they didn't come fully bloomed, within a day or two the roses were all opened up and looked amazed in their matching collegiate vases (which you can use again and again).  I have been filling the vases we have collected over the years to add new flowers to when the teams in semi-finals and championships, as a way to show our support and root for our favorite collegiate teams. 

Although I loved the flowers that were sent to review (and to give one away to one lucky local reader), I think my oldest daughter, Savannah, loved them more.  She thought the flowers were sent for her, and helped me arrange them in the vases.  And, every day, she would climb up on one of the dining room chairs and check on "her roses."  She looked so cute leaning in to sniff the flowers, and would always turn to me and "Smells pretty, Mommy," or "ahh."  I am not sure how long these roses will last, but after a few days that look like they did when we first got them and they opened up.  Now, to only explain to Savannah when the leaves start to fall off --- or, Daddy can continue to surprise her with followers weekly --- hint, hint, hint! :-)  But, until then, we are all enjoying the blooms from FTD.  And, when the holidays do roll around, I know what I will be getting those sports lovers in my family -- their own order of roses from the FTD^®College Rose Collection.

If you or someone you know is a college sports fan, why not check out FTD's collection of collegiate team vases available?   Here is a list of the current colleges available:

 

• Arizona State University
• Auburn University
• Boise State University
• Boston College
• Brigham Young University
• Clemson University
• Duke University
• Florida State University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia Tech University
• Louisiana State University
• Miami University (Florida)
• Michigan State University
• Northwestern University
• Oklahoma State University
• Oregon State University
• Penn State University
• Purdue University
• Stanford University
• Syracuse  University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• Texas Tech University
• University of Alabama
• University of Arkansas
• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Colorado
• University of Connecticut
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois
• University of Kentucky
• University of Louisville
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of Missouri
• University of Nebraska
• University of North Carolina
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of North Carolina
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Tennessee
• University of Texas
• University of Utah
• University of Virginia
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin
• U.S. Air Force Academy
• U.S. Military Academy
• Wake Forest University
• Washington State University 
• University of Arizona
• University of California (Berkeley) 
• University of Pittsburgh 
• West Virginia University  

Did you find your favorite college?  These rose collections would make for a great gift year round, from Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, and even Christmas -- whatever the occasion, FTD is there to help make the day extra special.  And, with their
FTD^®College Rose Collection, now you can surprise that sports fan in your life with a unique gift that will surely brighten their day!


For more information about the FTD College Rose Collection, please visit FTD.com.

*Don't worry, y'all, I am still a Red Sox fan and will always be -- even if they haven't played well lately.  Sorry, can't switch to the NY Yankees because I am a CT resident.  

---BUY NOW---

 

Floral arrangements of six stems are available for $49.99; arrangements of 12 stems for $89.99; and arrangements of 24 stems for $129.99.  Next day delivery is generally available.  

FTD is currently offering a $15 discount good through the end of the month when you go to www.ftd.com/college to order. Act fast, as you only have a few days left in the month to take advantage of this special offer.

--FLASH GIVEAWAY--

 

 

If you live within 50 miles of Putnam, CT and follow my blog, you could win the BC rose collection that was sent to me for review.  I will make this giveaway quick and easy, so that I can get the flowers delivered to you to enjoy.  Email me and let me know which other collegiate team you would choose if you ordered from the FTD College Rose Collection.  The first person to email me, along with their location will win this lovely arrangement and reusable glass vase.  It is that easy -- so, what are you waiting for?  Email me now at rmccoy1234 at gmail dot com.  Good luck!

 

About FTD^®

FTD Group, Inc., through its operating subsidiaries including FTD.COM Inc., is a leading provider of floral related products and services to consumers and retail florists, as well as to other retail locations offering floral products, in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland.  The business utilizes the highly recognized FTD and Interflora brands, both supported by the Mercury Man logo, which is displayed in approximately 40,000 floral shops worldwide.  The consumer businesses operate primarily through the www.ftd.com Web site in the U.S. and www.ftd.ca in Canada, and the www.interflora.co.uk Web site in the U.K. and are complemented by the florist businesses which provide products and services to FTD's independent members.  FTD Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD).  For more information about United Online, please visit www.unitedonline.com.

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.