Ten Ideas for Celebrating Your Friends on Friendship Day

Also known as The International Day of Friendship, the day has the backing of the United Nations, and aims to promote international understanding, kindness and solidarity.

As festivities take place around the world, there’s plenty you can do closer to home to ensure your friends feel loved and cherished on this special day. Here are ten tips to get you started . . .

1. Create a photo collage

Whether your photos are on your phone or stored in a box, dig out some old classics and put together a collage of favourite snaps featuring you and your friend enjoying fun times together.

2. Plan an outing

July 30th falls on a Wednesday this year, so many of us will be working during the day. But with the long summer evenings you could arrange a drink in a pub garden or a teatime picnic after work at your local park. Maybe you even have a nearby lake or river where you could go wild swimming?

4. Arrange a catch-up on the phone

If your friend isn’t local, make contact with an old-fashioned phone call. Texts and WhatsApp messages have their place, but nothing beats a proper chat with a pal. Research shows that real-life conversations can improve wellbeing and build trusting relationships. After a meaningful phone conversation, the positive effects can be felt long after the call has ended.

3. Spoil them with a pampering evening

Dust off your nail varnish collection and offer to give your friend a manicure or pedicure. Maybe you both love experimenting with hair and make-up? Use your imagination and don’t forget to take some pics of the results!

5. Send a card

Like phone calls, cards and letters are a far more personal way of keeping in touch than a text message or voice note. You don’t have to write loads – a simple message of love and support is sure to make your friend’s day!

7. Throw a Tea Party

Whether your friend is mad for brownies, cookies, cupcakes or scones, why not bake an indulgent treat and throw a tea party? For an extra thoughtful touch, order an edible photo cake topper showing a picture of the two of you together.

6. Give a fluffy gift

Who better to help you celebrate World Friendship Day than Tatty Teddy? This adorable Best Friend bear is guaranteed to make your bestie smile. You could also gift this Special Friend bear, complete with red satin bow and gold thread embroidery. So cute!

8. Craft a unique gift

Taking the time to make a personal gift is a true gesture of friendship. It could be something simple like a friendship bracelet, or a more complicated project like embroidery or creating a needle felt Tatty Teddy or a beautiful Me to You crystal art scene? Whatever craft project you decide to tackle, your friend is sure to be touched to know you’ve created something unique especially for them.

9. Make a playlist

Sharing music is a great way to deepen a bond of friendship and rekindle memories of the tracks you’ve enjoyed over the years. Whether you were dancing at seventies discos, nineties raves or Glastonbury in the 2020s (or all three!), a personalised playlist can be just as fun to compile as it is to listen back to. Bring on the bangers!

10. Surprise someone with a random act of kindness

World Friendship Day isn’t just about celebrating existing friendships – it’s a chance to create new connections, too. Perhaps you could volunteer at a local community group, or call in on a neighbour who might welcome some support. It’s the perfect way to spread some joy, not just on July 30th, but at any time of the year!