Feb 05 2009
10 Ways to Appreciate a Friend
So often we take our friends for granted. Now is the opportunity to really do something nice for each one of your friends, on International Friendship Month, to let them know how much you appreciate them. Take time to consider how a particular friend would know you thought just of them when choosing a special gift, or getter yet making one for them. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Take them to lunch at their favorite restaurant. Better yet, take them someplace new that offers their favorite food. Tell them it is a no-calorie-counting day and take them to have a hot fudge Sunday or just an ice cream cone. We are watching our weight and nutrition all the time and sometimes you just need to throw it all out the window for the sake of friendship.
2. Create a basket full of their favorite things or at least items you believe they would enjoy. Give it a theme such as:
*Bath Basket: shower jell, bubble bath or all-natural beauty products.
*Office Basket: fun shaped paperclips, coffee/tea cup, coffee cup warmer, snacks, teas and/or flavored coffee, coffee drive-thru gift certificate, a slew of colored markers, fun colored and shaped post-its.
* Garden Basket: hand garden tools, seeds, garden gloves, put it all in a clay pot instead of a basket.
3. Books: A reader will always appreciate books to read. If their a mystery or romance fan, purchase three books and tie them with a thick satin ribbon, bow on top with a little note of appreciation.
4. Kitchen treats: What do they love, brownies, chocolate chip cookies - there’s nothing like homemade baked goods. Buy a decorative dish and cover the goodies with cellophane and a nice bow. How about a cookie bouquet - fun to make and fun to give.
5. Scrapbook-photo album: If you don’t have a bunch of photos with the two of your or a group of your friends, start snapping them. Purchase a journal or photo album and you’ll be ready for next year with a year full of friendship stories and photos.
6. Tote Bag: If you have even just basic sewing skills you can create a tote bag with some wild patterned fabric. Fill it like you would a gift basket with things she’ll love. Later she can still use it as a tote or for a reusable grocery bag.
7. Scented Candles: There are so many choices and almost everyone enjoys them, but seldom purchase them for ourselves. Get a really nice candle holder while you are at it.
8. Make a special handmade card. It’s not difficult with a rubber stamp and a fun saying found on the internet, a little cardstock and decorative paper.
9. A Photo Puzzle: You can find blank cut out puzzles in scrap booking and paper shops or on the internet. Glue a photo of the two of you onto it and following the directions cut the photo to match the puzzle pieces. Put it all in a colorful envelope and a nice saying on the outside.
10. A Class Gift Certificate: Has she talked about something she’d like to learn or a class she’s wanted to take. Even if she hasn’t, you may have notice an interest that could grow with a class. If you can’t find it locally you certainly can find an online class.
Further Resources
