Occasions
Burns Night in Scotland: date and flowers for supper
Scotland · Regional
Burns Night is celebrated on 25 January in honour of Robert Burns. For supper at someone’s home you could bring red roses with a card recalling his poem A Red, Red Rose. It is an idea for bringing flowers and poetry together. For a table arrangement choose a low design that leaves room to serve and talk.
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25 January and the date of your supper
The date marks Robert Burns’ birthday. A Burns supper brings food, readings and toasts together around his work. Some suppers take place on 25 January and others on a nearby weekend.
The calendar keeps the occasion on 25 January within Scotland. Order flowers for the gathering you will attend. Burns Night and St Andrew’s Day are different celebrations, as is St Dwynwen’s Day in Wales even though it also falls on 25 January.
Red roses as a nod to A Red, Red Rose
A red rose or small bouquet could accompany a card with the poem’s title and your own words. The reference connects the gift to Burns without making roses a required flower for the celebration.
To thank your host you could write “Thank you for opening your home for an evening of poetry and supper.” For another texture choose red carnations with their ruffled petals. You can keep the red without repeating the roses.
A gift for the home or flowers for the table
A bouquet for your host can sit on a side table during supper. A table arrangement is part of the meal’s setting. For a shared table we suggest several low pieces that leave gaps for serving dishes and let you see the person opposite.
You could order “A low arrangement of red roses for our Burns supper on Saturday. We are sharing serving dishes and want the flowers to take up little space.” Add the usable table dimensions and your budget. If you want to contribute an arrangement to an organised restaurant supper agree its size and position with the organisers. For a personal gift you can arrange a separate delivery with the recipient.
Which flowers to choose
Compare flowers to choose the format, colours and care that suit the occasion.
Red rose
Main flower in our selectionWe suggest red roses as a nod to Robert Burns’ A Red, Red Rose. A small bouquet with a card works as a gift for someone hosting supper at home.
Carnation
Red carnations offer another texture with their ruffled petals. Choose them for a low arrangement that leaves room for shared serving dishes.
Guides to help with your decision
St Andrew’s Day in Scotland: date and flower ideas
St Andrew’s Day is 30 November in Scotland. Blue and white bouquet ideas for a meal together and the difference between thistles and sea holly.
What to write in a card with flowers
Ideas for writing a flower card in your own words. Examples for birthdays, thanks, anniversaries and sensitive moments.
Which flowers to bring to a dinner host
Which flowers to bring to dinner at someone’s home and how to give them. Bouquets with a vase, centrepiece advice and card examples.
Winter bouquets in the UK: flowers for January and February
Compare Scilly narcissi, greenhouse tulips and dried flowers for a winter gift in the UK. Choose a bouquet by growing origin and format.
Frequently asked questions
Does Burns Night change date each year?
The commemoration is always on 25 January. The particular supper may take place on a nearby day. The calendar keeps that reference date rather than each restaurant, association or group of friends’ schedule.
Sources and what they support
- Scotland.org · Burns Night
Annual 25 January, Burns’ birthday, supper and readings. Does not establish a required flower or rose-giving tradition.
- VisitScotland · Burns Night in Scotland
Suppers on or near 25 January, recitals and home or venue gatherings. No edition-specific times or assumed flower acceptance at every venue.
- Scotland.org · A Red, Red Rose
Text of the work and red rose reference. Inspires an editorial idea; does not identify a florist’s variety, growing origin or gift custom. No verse reproduced.
How we put these guides together
We review dates, care and recommendations to help you plan each gift.
Spotted something we should review? Contact Agenda Floral.