Trend · October 3 and November 19
Blue flowers for Boyfriend Day
The answer to yellow flowers: on October 3 it’s the guys’ turn. Blue flowers, Hot Wheels bouquets and, in November, a second round for Men’s Day.
- When
- October 3and November 19, Men’s Day
- What to give
- Blue flowersor a Hot Wheels bouquet
- Where
- Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Spain
- Origin
- #NationalBoyfriendDayborn on social media in 2014
Why October 3 is Boyfriend Day
Boyfriend Day was born in 2014 as #NationalBoyfriendDay, a US hashtag. When it reached Latin America it settled on October 3 and became the answer to the yellow flowers of September: if she gets a yellow bouquet, he gets a blue one.
It isn’t official in any country, but in Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia it is already one of the biggest trends of October, and it is starting to appear on social media in Spain.
Why blue flowers?
Blue is associated with loyalty, trust and calm. On top of that, blue flowers are scarce in nature, which makes them special: giving them says “you’re hard to find”.
Heads up: almost all the blue roses on sale are dyed. If you prefer natural flowers, see the list below.
The Hot Wheels bouquet
The other star of October 3 is the Hot Wheels bouquet: toy cars wrapped in paper and ribbons as if they were flowers, sometimes mixed with blue flowers. It is cheap, lasts forever and has become almost as typical as the blue bouquet.
November 19: International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day has been celebrated since 1999. On social media it caught on with the idea that “men deserve flowers too”: blue roses, sunflowers or Hot Wheels bouquets to break the habit of only giving flowers to women.
If you missed October 3, you get a second chance in November.
Which blue flowers to give
- Hydrangeas: truly blue and very showy; also sold in pots.
- Delphinium (larkspur) and iris: naturally blue, for a tall bouquet.
- Blue roses: dyed, but they’re the ones that show up most in the videos.
- Sunflowers: the alternative if you can’t find anything blue, especially for November 19.
Why blue flowers are so hard to find
It is estimated that fewer than 10% of flowering plants produce truly blue flowers: blue pigment is chemically difficult for a plant to make, and many “blue” flowers are actually violet. That’s why the blue roses in the videos are dyed, either by standing the stem in ink so it absorbs it or by painting the petals. It isn’t a trick, but it’s worth knowing: the ink can stain your hands and the vase water.
The natural blue flowers easiest to find in early October are hydrangea (the one that gives the most volume), delphinium, iris, agapanthus and blue thistle. Order several days ahead: in the week of October 3 florists in Mexico, Peru or Colombia sell out of blue. And if you can’t find anything, a white bouquet with a single blue touch, like a ribbon or a Hot Wheels car, does the job just as well. There are more ideas for guys in the Father’s Day guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Boyfriend Day?
On October 3. It was born in 2014 as #NationalBoyfriendDay and in Latin America it is celebrated by giving blue flowers.
Why are blue flowers given on October 3?
Because Boyfriend Day became the answer to the yellow flowers of September 21. Blue is associated with loyalty and trust, and blue flowers are uncommon, which makes them special.
What is a Hot Wheels bouquet?
A bouquet made with Hot Wheels toy cars wrapped in paper and ribbons, sometimes with blue flowers. It is one of the typical Boyfriend Day gifts.
When are blue flowers given?
On October 3, Boyfriend Day, and on November 19, International Men’s Day.
What do blue flowers mean?
Loyalty, trust and calm. Since they are rare in nature, they also convey that the other person is one of a kind.
