How did the cotillion use flowers and souvenirs during its dance segments?

During the 19th century, the cotillion evolved into an elaborate series of short dance segments performed within ballroom dance events. These segments were designed to mimic social behavior, and the exchange of gifts became a central feature of the performance.

Specifically, during these dance segments, couples would present one another with flowers or various souvenirs as part of the choreographed interaction. By the late 19th century, this practice of combining dancing with the distribution of presents had become so characteristic of the event that the term "cotillion" eventually came to designate the entire ballroom dance occasion itself.12