A Brief History of Canada Day

“Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!”

Canada Day is upon us! The weather is warm, and the people of the Great North are feeling patriotic, so why not make the occasion that much more special?

Maybe with some patriotic Canadian Flower arrangements for Canada Day?

Canada Day may not be a traditional gift-giving holiday, but it is a patriotic one that deserves plenty of decor to show your love for the motherland! Besides, you’re no doubt likely to turn up or host a Canada Day barbecue, where party favours will make the night harder to forget.

Forest of Flowers, a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business has everything you need to make this Canada Day extra special.

Let’s not delay, on with the blog!

A Brief History of Canada Day

Canada Day traces its origins to July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act (now the Constitution Act, 1867) established the country. A year later, Governor General Lord Monck issued a proclamation encouraging Canadians to celebrate the date.

By 1879, July 1 became a statutory holiday known as the "anniversary of Confederation," later renamed "Dominion Day." Finally, on October 27, 1982, the holiday officially adopted its current name, Canada Day, marking a modern celebration of the nation's history and identity.

Now, every July 1, we celebrate with barbecues, parties, festivals, and fireworks!

Flower Arrangements & Bouquets as Canada Day Decor

Whether you’re hosting an indoor or outdoor event, there are plenty of awesome floral arrangements and seasonal bouquets you can choose from. They make excellent centrepieces for dining or serving tables, showstoppers for entranceways, and various other decor options.

What’s more? There are plenty of floral options that come in classic Canadian colours: white and red!

• Red Roses & White Lilies: A classic and elegant pairing that symbolizes love and purity.
• Red Gerbera Daisies & White Carnations: A cheerful combination ideal for festive celebrations.
• Red Tulips & White Hyacinths: A fragrant and vibrant mix perfect for spring-summer displays.
• Red Alstroemeria & White Roses: A delicate, textured arrangement that feels both lush and balanced.
• Red Dahlias & White Hydrangeas: A bold and voluminous pairing for striking centerpieces.
• Red Chrysanthemums & White Calla Lilies: A unique and sophisticated combination of dramatic flair.
• Red Peonies & White Snapdragons: A romantic, layered arrangement with height and depth.
• Red Zinnias & White Baby’s Breath: A rustic, charming pairing that’s perfect for casual settings.

Want some ideas of what Forest of Flowers offers? Check out our Your's Truly Red and White Roses and our Simply Beautiful arrangement for some potential options for Canada Day.

Cute Canadian Trinkets You Can Add to Bouquets

Want to spice up a Canadian bouquet with fun trinkets and accessories? If your local flower shop doesn’t have all these items, you don’t need to worry, you can find most of these within your community and add them yourself! Here are some potential options to spice up that Canada Day Bouquet:

1. Mini Canadian Flag: A classic paper flag on a paper stick, a mini-Canadian flag is a great accessory to stick right into a Canada Day bouquet. They’re versatile and can be bought often in bulk, meaning you can speckle your whole party with them if you wish.
2. Maple Leaves: Whether you opt for real or fake, maple leaves are not only iconic (they’re literally on the flag), but they also make a very versatile decoration, too. You can glue them onto ribbons, attach them to wires and insert them into bouquets, or even scatter them on your table decor.
3. White Feathers: These can be found at nearly any craft store, and the white feather gives a patriotic nod to the Canada Day celebration. Why? They’re a representation of Canada’s harsh winters. The white feather can be slid easily into bouquets or even arrangements, making a beautiful addition to your Canada Day decor.
4. Wooden Maple Syrup Bottles: These mock-ups of the classic Canadian vessel for maple syrup make cute little additions to bouquets! Just string them around the base or prop them on some wire. Canada is well-known for being the leading provider of syrup across the globe, so you can’t get much more Canadian than that.
5. Plushie Beavers and Moose: Come on, a stuffed toy goes great with any bouquet! Whether it’s for decor or gift, a stuffy little critter goes a long way in making a statement. These two Canadian icons have a rich history and make an excellent addition.

Can’t come up with a bouquet design that meets your fancy on your own? Trust Forest of Flower’s expert florists. Opt for the Florist’s Inspiration and let our team know what you’re hoping to achieve. They’ll be happy to use our seasonal florals to make top tier Canada Day decor!

Canada Day Floral Gifts & Party Favours: 2025 Edition

OK, we’ve talked a lot about florals and the various options you can choose from. But what about gifts and party favours? There’s nothing quite as fun as offering small tokens of appreciation to your fellow Canadian patriots. They don’t need to be big or extravagant; rather, they just need to be seasonal, thoughtful, and on-theme!

Canadian-Themed Gift Baskets: Toys, treats, treatments, and more! Craft a basket filled with Canadian staples such as stuffed beavers, maple delights, or even Canadian skincare products like the Ordinary! It was originally developed in Canada and is now enjoyed worldwide.

Maple Treats: Candy, fudge, baked goods, and artisanal maple syrups: Canadian-made sweet treats are an exceptional go-to when it comes to offering a memorable gift on Canada Day.

Potted Plants or Dish Gardens: Hey, if you have guests who will enjoy your Canada Day floral decor, then you have some guests who have a green thumb. Or, at the very least, enjoy a nice potted plant or dish garden. Consider giving them a long-lasting plant to say, “Thank you for celebrating this special day with me!”

Roses, Wine, and Cheese: For something extra special, choose roses, wine, and cheese to create a small care package for that special Canadian pal. There are numerous wine options, including Inniskillin and Peller Estates, as well as a variety of cheeses, such as those from Fromagerie L'Ancêtre and Saputo. Oh, and did you know that Ontario is Canada's leading province in floriculture production? According to a study conducted in 2022, Ontario accounted for 50.5% of the nation's total floriculture sales.

Patriotic Home Accents: Canadian pillows, shelf decor, throw blankets, and more! Give your Canadian patriots the gift of Canada Day Decor! Around this time of year, these items are often on sale and make wonderful gifts to give to those you love, who also enjoy the Canadian holiday.

Forest of Flowers: Canadian-Owned & Proud

Forest of Flowers is a Canadian-owned and operated business that sees flowers as more than just flowers. We understand that they are tokens of joy, appreciation, celebration, and sometimes, even sorrow. Whether you're celebrating a patriotic holiday or your first anniversary, you can trust Forest Flowers can deliver.

We will work with you to ensure your floral delivery or pickup is right on time: just make sure to order at least one day ahead or three for major holidays, and our team will make it happen. Your flowers are always delivered exactly as we promised: no need to worry if they'll be late or too early.

Forest of Flowers: Making Canada Day Extra Special

With several locations spanning across the province, you can trust that Forest of Flowers has what you need. We can provide your patriotic Canadian Flower arrangements for Canada Day, easy-peasy.

Hopefully, you found this blog informative and have a good idea of how you plan to decorate for and celebrate your Canada Day!

Happy times, patriot! We hope you have a wonderful Canada Day with friends and loved ones.

“Je suis fier d'être Canadien/Je suis fière d'être Canadienne!”

Contact us today and let us take your Canada Day to the next level!