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Guide to Writing Hong Kong Grand opening Flower Stand Message Cards

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In Hong Kong, grand opening flower stands (開張花牌) are a traditional way to celebrate a new business, store, restaurant, or office. The large card attached to the flower stand conveys congratulations, best wishes, and the sender’s identity. Writing an appropriate grand opening card requires understanding cultural norms, formal phrasing, layout, and symbolism.

1. Understanding the Purpose of the Large Card

A grand opening flower stand card serves several functions:

  1. Congratulate the Business
    Express good wishes for success, prosperity, and growth.
  2. Show Respect and Support
    Sending flowers and a formal card demonstrates goodwill and a positive relationship.
  3. Identify the Sender
    The card communicates who sent the flowers—an individual, family, company, or organization.
  4. Cultural Significance
    Colors, wording, and layout reflect auspicious meanings. Improper choices can appear inauspicious or disrespectful.

Key takeaway: The card should be positive, formal, and visually appealing.

2. Choosing the Right Card

Grand opening flower cards differ from funeral cards in color, tone, and decoration:

A. Card Size

  • Large cards (A3 or bigger) are standard to match the size of the flower stand.
  • Ensure the card is proportional to the arrangement for visual balance.

B. Color

  • Red background → symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
  • Gold or yellow lettering → represents wealth and success.
  • Avoid black or white backgrounds, as these are associated with mourning.

C. Material

  • Use sturdy cardstock.
  • Ink should be vibrant and waterproof if displayed outdoors.

3. Structure of the Card

A typical grand opening card has two main sections: the congratulatory message and the sender’s information.

A. Congratulatory Message (Top / Center)

This is the main message, expressing well wishes for prosperity and success.

Common Phrases in Cantonese (Traditional Chinese):

  • 生意興隆 – May your business flourish
  • 財源廣進 – May wealth flow in
  • 蒸蒸日上 – Continuous growth
  • 開張大吉 – Wishing a successful opening
  • 日進斗金 – Daily profits grow abundantly

Examples of Full Messages:

  • 「開張大吉，生意興隆」 – Wishing a successful opening and business prosperity
  • 「生意興隆，財源廣進」 – May your business thrive and wealth be abundant
  • 「蒸蒸日上，日進斗金」 – Wishing continuous growth and daily profits

Tips for the Congratulatory Message:

  • Keep it short and auspicious, usually 4–8 characters per phrase.
  • Center the message and make it prominent.
  • Avoid phrases with double meanings or negative connotations.

B. Sender Information (Bottom Section)

This section identifies the sender of the flower stand.

  1. Individual:
    • Example: 「張三敬賀」 – Respectfully congratulated by Zhang San
  2. Family:
    • Example: 「張氏家族敬賀」 – Respectfully congratulated by the Zhang family
  3. Company / Organization:
    • Example: 「某某公司敬賀」 – Respectfully congratulated by [Company Name]

Notes:

  • Sender information is usually smaller than the congratulatory message for visual balance.
  • Always use formal titles and avoid nicknames.
  • When representing a company or group, list the entity rather than individual names.

4. Writing Etiquette and Cultural Norms

When creating a grand opening card:

  1. Use Formal, Positive Language:
    Avoid casual slang or humor; focus on prosperity and growth.
  2. Avoid Inauspicious Colors:
    • Black, white, and grey are associated with mourning.
    • Red and gold symbolize luck and wealth.
  3. Vertical vs Horizontal Writing:
    • Vertical writing is traditional and more formal.
    • Horizontal writing is acceptable for printed cards.
  4. Calligraphy:
    • Use bold, clear brush pen or marker.
    • Make sure the characters are legible from a distance.
  5. Proofread Carefully:
    • Errors can imply carelessness or lack of respect.

5. Optional Enhancements

  • Poetic or Classical Lines: Some businesses like to add auspicious four-character idioms (成語) to enhance formality, e.g.:
    • 「業績輝煌」 – Brilliant business performance
    • 「宏圖大展」 – May your plans succeed
  • Decorations: Subtle golden borders or symbols of wealth are acceptable.
  • Positioning: The congratulatory message is central and large, with the sender at the bottom in smaller text.

6. Step-by-Step Writing Process

  1. Choose Auspicious Words: Decide on formal, positive congratulatory phrases.
  2. Draft on Scrap Paper: Ensure spacing, alignment, and aesthetics are correct.
  3. Write Congratulatory Message First: Centered at the top/middle of the card.
  4. Add Sender Information: Place at the bottom, smaller than the message.
  5. Check for Errors: Confirm characters and layout.
  6. Attach Card Neatly: Ensure it is visible on the flower stand and facing the correct direction.

7. Layout Examples

Individual Sender

上方／中央（祝賀語）：
開張大吉
生意興隆

下方（送花人）：
張三敬賀

家庭送花

生意興隆
財源廣進
張氏家族敬賀

公司／組織送花

開張大吉
某某公司敬賀

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using black or white backgrounds (associated with funerals).
  • Using casual or humorous language.
  • Placing sender information above the congratulatory message.
  • Misspelling Chinese characters.
  • Overly long or cluttered messages.

9. Quick Tips and Best Practices

  1. Keep it formal, positive, and auspicious.
  2. Use bright, celebratory colors: red, gold, yellow.
  3. Balance visual layout: congratulatory message large and centered, sender smaller at bottom.
  4. Use bold pen or marker for legibility.
  5. Proofread multiple times to ensure accuracy.
  6. Reference professional flower shops if unsure—local florists are highly experienced with proper phrasing.

10. Common Congratulatory Phrases for Reference

  • 開張大吉，生意興隆
  • 生意興隆，財源廣進
  • 蒸蒸日上，日進斗金
  • 宏圖大展，業績輝煌
  • 財源滾滾，福祿雙全

These can be combined with sender information for a polished final card.

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