Have you heard of a tussie-mussie? It is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion because it is a sweet bouquet of flowers with a special message of love. In Victorian times, tussie-mussies, or nosegays, were a romantic way to send a message of love. The tussie-mussie was a small bouquet of both flowers and aromatic herbs nestled in a crocheted lace doily. If you were wealthy, the tussie-mussie was arranged in a small silver vase that could be carried.
Each flower had a special meaning, and floral dictionaries decoded the bouquet’s special message. A husband might give his wife a tussie-mussie containing roses (love), myrtle (fidelity and everlasting love), lavender (devotion), and sweet peas (tender memories).
Kate Middleton’s bridal bouquet hastened back to the traditional tussie-mussie. Her all-white bouquet had Lily of the Valley (sweetness, happiness), hyacinths (unobtrusive loveliness), Sweet William (perfection), and myrtle (fidelity, everlasting love). A sentimental touch came from the addition of myrtle cuttings from the same myrtle bush used to make Queen Victoria’s bridal bouquet. Meghan Markle also carried a tussie-mussie for her wedding.
Nothing says “I love you” like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. If you would like to make a tussie-mussie, there are dictionaries online that give the meaning of each flower. Choose the message you wish to send and purchase those flowers. Write the flowers’ meanings on a card and attach it to the tussie-mussie for an extra sweet Valentine’s Day gift.
Photo 1 Pixabay
Photo 2 S. Duke
A Victorian tussie-mussie had flowers encircled with a lace doily.
