Turn Blue Monday Into a Blooming Opportunity
Blue Monday is often labelled the “most depressing day of the year”. Yet flowers and plants truly can be the perfect cure!
Their beauty, colour, fragrance, not to mention their connection to nature, make them the perfect feel-good prompt. They seldom fail to make people smile and can genuinely brighten a gloomy day.
Keep reading to see what it’s all about — and how you can share the antidote.
What’s included:
How flowers and plants can lift moods — and create opportunity for florists in January.
What Is Blue Monday – and Why It Matters for Florists
Monday 19th January is Blue Monday this year, a day with a reputation for being the most emotionally difficult of the year.
After the holidays, many people experience a dip – financially, emotionally, and physically. The cold weather, shorter daylight hours, and weakened resolve to stick to New Years resolutions can all contribute. Is it any wonder that so many people experience low mood and depleted motivation?!
Why Flowers and Plants Are the Perfect Blue Monday Cure
Flowers the instant mood-lifter
We all know how fresh flowers trigger a positive response: colour, scent and shear brilliance create a sensory lift.
That immediate boost can almost be compared to seeing a burst of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy week — but with the added advantage of longevity, and without relying on our notoriously unreliable British weather!
Why this message resonates particularly in January
Energy levels can feel lower in January, especially after the rush of December.
People are looking for something that feels nurturing. While many enjoy the clearer space at home once the Christmas decorations are packed away, it can also feel almost empty.
Flowers and plants are perfect for promoting calm, hope and energy at a time when people need it most. Couple that with the feeling that they really have the space available for vases of flowers, or new plants – it’s a winning combination.
Let Blues Be the Cure!
There are so many colour combinations that include blue. Here are just three colour schemes for a little inspiration.
The OG colour combo has to be a simple range of blues and green shades. This is a fresh and natural coupling that provides a calm, earthy feel.
Soft pinks, a touch of cream, vibrant acid and rich dark green, coupled with blue-grey tones, provide the perfect balance. Its fresh energy feels uplifting yet calming.
The most energetic and arguably uplifting of the colour schemes is this blue and yellow constrating combination. It’s perfect for spring replicating what we’ll soon see in nature.
Bring on the Green
Plants that Boost the Mood
We know that plants improve health and happiness — but did you know this is linked to “biophilia”?
Biophilia is a term that describes how humans are naturally wired to seek connection with nature and plants. Plants can increase “feel-good” hormones, such as endorphins. On so many levels we are deeply rooted to plants.
At this time of year, we not only have our usual great selection of plants, but also a whole host of bulb plants and planters to boot.
Simple Blue Monday Ideas You Can Use
Quick, low-effort marketing ideas
- Feature a “Blue Monday mood-booster” display in your shop entrance, on your website, or on your socials.
- A calm blue and green window display can catch attention on a dull January street, or even social media story!
- Label and name bouquets and plant pots to include ‘mood enhancing words’ e.g. calm, uplift, refresh.
- Share some images on social media with captions about turning Blue Monday into Blooming Monday, or similar.
- Give customers a friendly, direct nudge with signs and captions such as: “Need a lift? Try our cheerful spring selection!”
Framing Blue Monday as a reason to treat yourself
Whilst it’s great if you get an influx of gift orders to bring joy to others, let’s face it, that’s unlikely to happen. However, if you give people the permission to treat themselves, it might just be the influence they need.
Everyone responds best to positive, achievable ideas. Messaging like “Bring a little joy home today” feels a warm and inviting message.
Make It Work for Your Business (Without Overthinking It) & Beyond Blue Monday!
Keeping it commercial but genuine
Talk about what flowers do — bring colour, evoke feeling, make people smile. That’s honest and relatable to customers.
Small actions that can create extra sales in a quiet week
- Bundle promotions (e.g. small bouquet + bulb planter).
- Offer a limited-time promotional price on certain blue-themed designs.
- Small, frequent touches — like themed displays or a few social posts — add up over weeks. They keep your shop relevant and engaging without being too overwhelming.
Not just for Blue Monday
While we’re sharing this around Blue Monday, it’s entirely relevant for the whole of January and beyond. So much of the messaging is seriously ‘on point’ until we really feel the boost of spring (and that’s a little way off yet)!
Final thoughts…
Blue Monday doesn’t need to be gloom-filled to be useful. It’s a moment every year that’s often picked up with national coverage from TV and radio leading to customers thinking about how to feel better — and flowers and plants are an easy, beautiful answer.
What combo will you promote; will it be calm blues, fresh greens, or something more vibrant? What ever you decide it will provide those cheerful touches.
You, as florists, know only too well how our products bring comfort, energy and connection. So let’s lift moods — and sales — in mid-January. At a time when people need it most, it would be rude not to, right?
With thanks to Colour Palettes and Flower Council of Holland for the images.
