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 From neighbors and teachers to coworkers and even therapists, a nationwide poll reveals the unsung heroes in our lives and communities – beyond traditional family and friends – who Americans believe deserve their holiday thanks.
Ranking atop the list of those who deserve end-of-year appreciation, cited by 53 percent of respondents, are neighbors, who throughout the year pick up our mail, keep an eye on our kids and ground our community roots. Coming in close behind – not surprisingly – are teachers at 51 percent.
According to the poll, the overwhelming majority of the American public, 70 percent, also say that they give more gifts than they receive during the winter holidays. According to M.J. Ryan, author of books such as Random Acts of Kindness and Attitudes of Gratitude and her newest book, Adaptability, the exchange of gifts widens our network of friends and builds stronger interpersonal connections, which we inherently desire, particularly in times of stress and uncertainty.
“There are powerful implications of expressing gratitude and appreciation through gifting, no matter how simple and easy,” says Ryan. “The influence of personal exchanges is even more meaningful today, as we rely on more virtual ways of connecting with one another every day.”
When it comes to expressing gratitude, Ryan believes flowers are one of the most meaningful gifts to share with important people in your life when simply saying ‘thank you’ isn’t enough. See America’s complete Top 10 List of Unsung Community Heroes who deserve holiday gratitude, including recommendations for gifting.
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 The winter holiday season is the No. 1 floral-buying time of year. With that in mind, the Society of American Florists (SAF) has teamed with the host of Discovery Channel's Surprise by Design Rebecca Cole to showcase the floral trends that will give homes a festive feeling this holiday season.
“Because we're returning to our roots and hosting intimate celebrations at home, we'll see more traditional colors, and greenery, whose scents will bring us back to our childhood,” said Cole, who also is a contributor to the Today show.
The Traditional Meaning of Greenery
Great holiday arrangements begin with greenery. In ancient cultures, people believed that bringing foliage into the home during the season was lucky and guaranteed the return of vegetation in the spring. Even today, green remains a staple in holiday décor.
Tips for Sprucing Up Your Home
 Incorporate a scented pine or other greens into a centerpiece or table arrangement. Accent the greens with flowers that complement the home's décor.- Ask your florist for a bunch of evergreen, cypress or mistletoe to place throughout your home – over the threshold, in the foyer or on the mantel. Line a mantel or dining table with small evergreen topiaries or “baby” Christmas trees decorated with bows or flowers.
- Florists carry a wide selection of poinsettias in pink, peach, white, plum and speckled or marbled varieties, in addition to the traditional red.
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