FLOWER STORIESCelebration Wreaths
Birthday Flowers for Your Parents-in-Law: Between Formality and Taste
When you'll be at the birthday meal, when you're sending flowers on their own, and whose name goes first on the card
When you'll be at the birthday meal, when you're sending flowers on their own, and whose name goes first on the card
When people set out to send birthday flowers to their spouse's parents, they tend to get stuck in the same place. A large arrangement might feel like too much. A small one might look like you didn't put in much effort.
Which flowers to choose is easy to look up. The harder questions come after that: what to do if the birthday falls on the day you're eating together, how to give 용돈 (yongdon, a cash gift to parents) along with the flowers, and whose name to write first on the card.
If you're eating together on the birthday itself, it's more natural to bring the flowers yourself than to have them delivered. A large basket sent to a restaurant takes up room at the table, and it's awkward for your in-laws to carry home afterwards.
For this, a bouquet or a small basket they can hold in one hand is the right choice. You'll be saying your good wishes in person, so a line or two on the card is enough.
If instead the meal is moved to the weekend and you won't see them on the birthday, the flowers that arrive at their home that day do the greeting for you. In that case, go up one size in the basket and put a little more into the card.
For the flowers to arrive on the day, order before 5 p.m. Orders placed after that are delivered from 10 a.m. the next day, so ordering the day before takes the pressure off.
Parents in their 60s are usually happy with bright colors. As people get older, many prefer soft shades such as pink, apricot and pale yellow over strong primary colors.
For size, start by picturing where the flowers will go. Something that fits on the living room table or on top of the shoe cabinet is easy for the recipient to manage.
| Situation | Suitable format | Color | Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handing them over at the meal | Bouquet or small basket | Colors they usually like | A one- or two-line greeting |
| Flowers sent on the day, meal on another day | Medium flower basket | Pink and apricot tones | Birthday wishes and the date you'll visit |
| You live far away and can't visit | Medium or larger flower basket | Bright, warm colors | A slightly longer note asking after them and thanking them |
| Sending from abroad | Flower basket (from USD 39) | Soft colors | Request the message in Korean |
Rather than tucking an envelope of cash or 용돈 into the flowers, it's safer to send it separately by bank transfer or hand it over the next time you see them. On the flower card, a single line such as "We've sent a small gift separately" is enough.
The form of address follows the recipient. A daughter-in-law would normally write 어머님, 아버님 (Mother, Father, the respectful terms for a husband's parents); a son-in-law would write 장모님, 장인어른 (the terms for a wife's mother and father). If you already call your mother-in-law 어머니 (Mom) day to day, using that on the card won't feel out of place.
For the signature, the usual approach is to put your spouse's name first, since they are the parents' own child, and your name second. Having both names side by side makes it clear the two of you prepared the gift together. If you have children, add their names at the end.
Mother, happy birthday. Thank you for always looking after us. We'll come and see you this weekend. With respect, your son ○○ and daughter-in-law △△ (아들 ○○, 며느리 △△ 올림)
올림 (olim, a respectful sign-off) is one step more formal than 드림 (deurim, the everyday "from"), which makes it a good fit for your spouse's parents. If you include a message on a ribbon, Arrive in Bloom writes it out by hand for you.
Enter the recipient's Korean phone number as the contact number. The driver calls on arrival, and once delivery is complete, a photo of the actual flowers, with no staging or retouching, is sent to the person who placed the order.
You can find birthday flower baskets suited to different ages and situations on the Arrive in Bloom flower basket page.
Orders placed by 5 p.m. (17:00) are delivered the same day. Orders placed after that are delivered from 10 a.m. the next day. Deliveries run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The usual approach is to put your spouse's name first, as the parents' own child, followed by yours. For example: 아들 ○○, 며느리 △△ 올림 (with respect, your son ○○ and daughter-in-law △△).
Rather than tucking an envelope into the flowers, it's safer to send the money separately by bank transfer or give it in person. On the card, just add one line saying you've sent it separately.
Yes. International orders are shown and paid in USD (via PayPal, no account required), and flower baskets start from USD 39. The recipient's contact number must be a Korean phone number.
Browse flower baskets for different ages and situations at Arrive in Bloom. Orders placed before 5 p.m. are delivered the same day.
Published October 16, 2026 · by Arrive in Bloom · Flower Editor
