January Birth Flower Gift Guide
Updated: Jul. 08, 2022
One of the world's most popular fresh-cut flowers, the carnation, is also the January birth flower. Here are birthday gift ideas inspired by January's birth flowers for anyone on your list!
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As the calendar flips to January, the first signs of spring begin to show. One of those signs is the January birth flower, snowdrops. These delicate flowers are an early blooming spring flower, and sometimes they’ll poke out even when snow is on the ground. The second January birth flower is carnations, which are one of the most popular fresh cut flowers.
Snowdrops and carnations signal that spring is on its way, and they make beautiful gifts for January birthdays.
If you’re not celebrating a birthday in January, we have you covered with birth flower gift guides for the rest of the year: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.
What Are the January Birth Flowers?
January’s birth flowers are the snowdrop and carnation. Snowdrops (Galanthus) bloom in late winter or early spring. They’re known by their shrinking white bell-shaped flowers and bright green leaves. These delicate white flowers are low-maintenance and add beauty to natural gardens, under deciduous trees and shrubs when they’re scattered throughout. Snowdrops are one of the best deer-resistant bulbs for spring blooms.
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) are one of the most popular fresh-cut flowers in the world. In fact, they’re the second most popular cut flower after roses, which are the June birth flower. Carnation flowers have delicate, ruffled edges and come in natural colors of pink, white, red, yellow and scarlet. They’re easy to grow, easy to care for and look beautiful in fresh-cut arrangements and gardens. If you’ve never tried growing them in your garden before, now’s the time! They produce lots of flowers with little maintenance required.
What Are the Meanings of January’s Birth Flowers?
Both of the January birth flowers symbolize love and remembrance, but they also carry their own unique meanings. Carnations are known as “flowers of the gods” in Greek. As with other birth flowers, different-colored carnations feature different meanings:
- White carnations symbolize innocence and purity
- Pink carnations symbolize gratitude and affection
- Light red carnations symbolize admiration
- Dark red carnations symbolize love and affection
Snowdrops, which usually bloom in the late winter, signify hope and beauty. Because of their bright white color, snowdrops also symbolize innocence and purity.
Now that you know more about January’s birth flowers and they’re meanings, take a look at these carnation- and snowdrop-inspired birthday gifts. From fresh flowers to scented candles and grow-your-own flower kits, these gifts are guaranteed to bring joy to everyone on your January birthday list.
January Birth Flower Gift Guide
Carnation Flower Cake
Why send a bouquet of flowers when you can send a fresh flower cake? This decorative birthday cake is made of fresh carnations and other beautiful blooms, making it the perfect table centerpiece for your loved one to enjoy all month long. Don’t be fooled, this flower cake is only for decoration, not for eating.
Art Print
The January birthstone (garnet) and the January birth flower come to life in this eye-catching digital art print. It’s the perfect idea for any last-minute shoppers. Simply download the digital file and print at home or your local print shop. Add a frame for a quick and beautiful birthday gift that goes a long way.
Carnation Birth Flower Throw Pillow
Celebrate a January birthday with this birth flower throw pillow. One side features a colorful watercolor image of a carnation, along with its name and meanings. And the other side features a beautiful pattern of carnations. Loved ones will enjoy this decoration all year long.
Mrs. Meyers Snowdrop Scented Candle
These Mrs. Meyers Snowdrop candles will transport anyone to a winter wonderland. The candle features notes of orange, mandarin, white grapefruit and iced petunia, along with notes of poinsettia, white jasmine tea and a hint of wood. Grab the snowdrop scent in other Mrs. Meyers products for a one-of-a-kind gift.
January Birth Flower Jewelry Dish
A hand-drawn carnation flower is imprinted on this colorful ceramic dish that can be used for jewelry, small trinkets or alone as a decoration. On the bottom of each unique dish is the name of the month and the flower stamped into the clay, along with the flower’s meaning.
Carnation Flower Necklace
This engraved carnation flower necklace is thoughtfully packaged on a custom card featuring the month, name of the flower and attributes associated with the January birth flower. Choose from a gold or silver finish, depending on the preference of your loved one. This is a great gift to mail that special someone.
Flower Grow Kit
This birth month flower grow kit includes everything your loved one needs to grow their own carnations at home: seeds, a glass bottle to grow them in, soil-less growing material, instructions and information about what the January birth flower symbolizes. This gift will (literally) bloom right before their eyes.
Carnation Tea Towels
If the January birthday on your list also happens to love spending time in the kitchen, then they’ll enjoy these carnation tea towels. This gift features a watercolor illustration of carnations and its meaning. Plus, it adds an extra dose of color and beauty to kitchens in the winter months.
Carnation Mug
A personalized coffee cup makes a heartfelt gift—especially when it’s as adorable as this carnation mug. This January birth flower mug comes in two colorways and sizes. Customize it with your loved one’s name or a special phrase for an added layer of thoughtfulness.
Birth Flower Robe
Enjoy some R&R in this stylish and comfortable birth flower robe. Adorned with artwork of carnations on a colorfully bright background, this light robe is made of sustainably sourced, biodegradable material. The robe comes in a printed fabric drawstring gift bag—which means you don’t need to dig for gift wrap.
