For a Child in Milan

Flowers for a child have to fit in small hands

A child's bouquet differs from an adult's in physics rather than in composition. The child holds it, carries it down a street, shows it to people, puts it down and picks it up again. Anything heavy, long or unstable becomes a problem within five minutes.

So the governing criterion is not beauty. It is weight and stem length.

What makes a bouquet workable

The parameters are simple and easy to check before ordering.

• Short stems. Long flowers drag along the pavement and snap.
• Low weight. A preschool child can manage something about as heavy as a hardback book.
• A tight build. A bouquet that falls apart in the hands disappoints faster than it pleases.
• Firm wrapping. A rigid frame or a small basket holds shape far better than paper.
• Robust flowers. Chrysanthemum, alstroemeria, gerbera and dianthus survive being handled by a child.

Delicate peonies, ranunculus and poppies lose their looks within an hour in small hands. That is a predictable outcome rather than bad luck.

Safety

Several popular flowers are unsafe for small children if any part reaches the mouth, and that is worth weighing for preschool ages.

Lilies, lily of the valley, hyacinth, foxglove and oleander all have toxic parts. Daffodil and hyacinth sap irritates skin on contact.

For a young child, safer choices include chrysanthemum, gerbera, thornless roses, alstroemeria with the sap caveat noted, and dried material without small shedding pieces.

Rose thorns are removed entirely rather than trimmed short.

Build a child's bouquet so it can be handed over without an adult standing by.

Occasions and format

Children receive flowers for birthdays, performances, the end of a school year, the first day of term, and for something they achieved.

Boys receive flowers on the same occasions as girls, and only the form changes: a short dense bunch with sturdy flowers and very little ribbon.

An excellent option for a child is an arrangement in a small basket or box. Nothing falls apart, it is easy to carry, and nobody has to find a vase.

If flowers are going to a children's party in Milan, agree the hour. Handing them over before the programme starts works better than the middle of it.

JFLOO keeps flowers for a child alongside the other recipients. Judge on weight, stem length and the safety of the composition, and keep the size modest.