Teachers' Day in Russia Is on October 5: A Florist's Guide
Teachers' Day in Russia is on October 5. The date is fixed, it does not move with the weekday, and it is a normal working day, so schools, colleges and universities are open and the greetings happen during lessons and breaks.
Every autumn the first questions we hear from customers in our Saint Petersburg flower shops are the same: which day exactly, what if it is a Saturday, how big the bouquet should be and whether it is fine to send flowers from another country. We have been preparing Teachers' Day bouquets since 2011, so this guide collects the answers we give most often, from the history of the date to the time of day when a delivery to a school works best.
The date, and what happens when it falls on a weekend
Russia has celebrated Teachers' Day on October 5 since 1994, the same day as World Teachers' Day. Before that, in Soviet times, the holiday was the first Sunday of October, which is why some grandparents still name a different date. If a relative abroad tells you it is "the first Sunday", they are remembering the old rule.
When October 5 is a Saturday or Sunday, most schools move the celebration to the nearest weekday, usually the Friday before. Some schools with Saturday lessons celebrate on the day itself. The safest approach is to ask the parents' chat or the family which day the class plans its concert and greetings, and to schedule the bouquet for the morning of that day.
Do not confuse October 5 with September 1, the Day of Knowledge. September 1 opens the school year and is the day when first-graders bring flowers to their very first teacher. October 5 is the professional holiday of teachers themselves, and the gifts are usually more personal: a bouquet chosen for one person rather than a ceremonial armful for the school line-up.
Who gives flowers and how big the bouquet should be
Primary school children usually bring a few stems or a small bouquet that a seven-year-old can carry without crushing it. Parents of the class often collect for one larger bouquet and a joint gift from the parents' committee. In secondary school pupils still bring flowers to the class teacher, and senior pupils often run the day: they teach lessons to younger classes and organise the school concert.
For a single teacher, a compact bouquet of seven to fifteen stems is the size customers choose most often. A teacher leaves school on October 5 carrying many bouquets on public transport, so a huge arrangement is less practical than a neat one. Boxes and baskets with floral foam are a good solution: they stand on the desk without a vase and survive the journey home.
Former pupils are a large group of our customers on this date. People who left school ten or twenty years ago, many now living abroad, send flowers to the teacher who influenced them, often to the teacher's home. For a retired teacher this is a very moving gift, and a few lines on the card explaining who you are and what you remember make it complete.
Bouquets we can deliver
Flowers that suit October 5 and last well
Autumn sets the palette: chrysanthemums, gerberas, alstroemeria, asters, roses in apricot, burgundy and cream, with seasonal greenery or dried accents. Bush chrysanthemums are the practical favourite because they last two to three weeks in water. Alstroemeria and carnations are similarly long-lived, while gerberas give bright colour but need shallow water and a fresh cut every couple of days.
For a classroom, avoid strongly scented lilies and anything with heavy pollen that stains clothes and papers. Very delicate flowers like sweet peas or ranunculus are lovely but suffer in a warm, crowded room. If you are unsure, choose a mix based on chrysanthemums and roses, which looks festive and copes with a long school day.
Remember the Russian rule about numbers: a small bouquet should have an odd number of stems, as even numbers are for funerals. Above about fifteen stems no one counts. You can see our current autumn bouquets in the Bouquets catalogue.
Cards, small gifts and school rules
Many Russian schools discourage expensive presents, and teachers are often uncomfortable accepting them. Flowers, sweets, tea, a good book or something useful for the classroom are always acceptable. If the class is giving a joint gift, a personal bouquet from your family is still welcome, as it says thank you on behalf of your child specifically.
The card is where you can make the gift memorable. A card with your text is free, and we print exactly what you write. Two or three specific sentences work better than a generic wish: mention a subject your child has come to love, a school trip, or a moment when the teacher helped. A message in English is fine if you do not write Russian, and the child can explain it to the teacher.
Ordering from abroad: timing and delivery details
We deliver flowers across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. You pay online on the site by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa, which is the question most customers abroad ask first. Details are on the Delivery and payment page.
For a school delivery, order for the morning of October 5, ideally the 09-12 window, or choose an exact time (+/-30 minutes) that matches a break between lessons. For a teacher's home, the 15-18 or 18-21 window is usually better. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, but on Teachers' Day we recommend pre-ordering; you can book 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg delivery is around the clock, which helps if you want the flowers waiting at the door early in the morning.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so always give the teacher's mobile number rather than the school's landline. Schools have security at the entrance, and the teacher may need to come down. If the teacher is not available, we agree a second delivery the same day or handing the flowers to someone else, only with your consent. Delivery is anonymous by default, so sign the card if you want the teacher to know who sent it.
If you have questions about the school address, timing or the bouquet itself, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05. For more ideas on choosing, see our article Teacher's Day in Russia: flowers your child's teacher will love.
Frequently asked questions
Is October 5 a public holiday in Russia?
No. Teachers' Day is a professional holiday, and schools work as usual. Pupils greet teachers during the school day.
Why do some people say Teachers' Day is the first Sunday of October?
That was the Soviet rule. Since 1994 Russia has marked the day on October 5, together with World Teachers' Day.
When should flowers arrive at a school?
In the morning, before or between lessons, ideally in the 09-12 window. If October 5 falls on a weekend, check which weekday the school is celebrating.
Can I pay with a card issued outside Russia?
Yes. Foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. You can also pay by Russian bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay.
How many flowers should be in a bouquet for a teacher?
For one teacher, seven to fifteen stems is a comfortable size. In small bouquets keep an odd number of stems, as even numbers are associated with funerals.
Ready to send a bouquet?
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