Flowers are usually used to spruce up a room and help set a certain mood. There are different ways flowers are presented, however, and one of the more creative ones is through garlands. Flower garlands are a group of flowers strung together. Sometimes the ends are tied together to create a circular, necklace-type garland. Other times, garlands are kept as is and used as decorations in rooms, not on people.
While flower garlands are used as headpieces or decorations for parties, such as those that are strung in front of tables at weddings, when you say "flower garlands" the image often evoked is that of flowers worn around the neck. Often, flowers used for such arrangements are flowers vibrant in color that give off a festive vibe. Even when the flowers aren't colorful, they still give off this vibe that connotes serenity and fun, rather than hectic schedules and deadlines. That's why occasions such as weddings employ flower garlands.
It is also common to employ flower garlands to help the atmosphere of a party, especially one that has a tropical theme. The tradional welcome in Hawaii or tropical countries such as the Philippines or Thailand involves women putting flower garlands around the necks of visitors, which is where the association comes from. While this practice is not as common anymore, offical welcomes are usually done in this way. Such practices have become so identified with the tropics that, for instance, in an episode of the Amazing Race, the welcome of racers to the pit stop in the Philippines involved the giving of flower garlands. It's become so ingrained in the consciousness of people that even in movies that show vacationers, flower garlands are used to denote that these people are living the "island life."
No matter what the flowers chosen are, whether bursting with color or simply creamy white, flower garlands have become a staple of island living. While traditional urbanites and perhaps even some from the rural areas shy away from wearing flower garlands, one cannot deny the associations that people have made between a relaxing atmosphere and flower garlands. The next time you throw a Hawaiian-themed party, don't forget the leis!
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