Greetings!
Many of us are trying to find just the right gifts for special people in our lives. For this month's newsletter we thought we would give you some creative ideas for The Gift of Friendship that can help change your friend's journey.
Holidays are typically difficult times for friends going through a life-changing event because many things are new. An illness may have joined the family this year. A loved one may have passed away. These things do not mean the holidays will be bad; they will just be different.
We wish you a peaceful holiday season.
Fran and Aimee
Co-founders, WhatFriendsDo.com |
Gifts of Friendship
Here are some ways to share the gift of friendship this holiday season.
Letter Box
Your friend will treasure letters written from friends. Borrow this idea that was recently shared on Oprah: Ask all friends to write a letter with a theme (Why your friendship is a treasure for me, What I admire most about you, etc.) Collect all the letters and place them in a special box. What a lovely gift.
Inside and Out
Offer to organize a group of "elves" to help your friend decorate for the holidays. Outside lights can be strung, boxes of indoor decorations can be carried to a central place so your friend can supervise a fun decorating party. Don't forget to take along some cookies to share!
Breakfast
Offer to provide a holiday breakfast for your friend's family. This can be a 'pitch in' with different people providing fresh fruit, pastries, waffles and bacon.
Shopping
Helping your friend with holiday shopping will be a great help. Offer transportation to/from the mall. Offer to take a list and do the shopping, it might be gift shopping or grocery shopping. Offer to take your friend's children shopping so they can select gifts for their parents.
Christmas Caroling
8 voices or 80 voices will make a great chorus. Coordinate a date and time with your friend's family and then inform everyone of when, where to meet and what to sing. Stop at the homes of a few of your friend's neighbors along the way to get voices warmed up!
Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrates family and faith. It is a time for fun and enjoyment. If your friend celebrates Hanukkah, remember that Hanukkah is very personal; it is not a time for commercial festivities. Read more!
Fun and Games
In the hustle bustle of December, your friend will appreciate a diversion. Stop by to play Bananagrams, Sequence or Checkers.
Snowflakes
If you live in a part of the country where snow falls, keep your friend in mind when the winter wonderland appears. Not only can you shovel sidewalks and the driveway, but you can build a snowman to greet your friend as he/she comes and goes.
Dinner Out
While you are enjoying dinner out with co-workers or friends, ask everyone at the table to contribute $5-10 and use the money to purchase a gift card for the restaurant you're in. Everyone at the table can sign the gift card and you can mail it to your mutual co-worker or friend.
Bow Wow, Meow Meow
Holidays: They're not just for people anymore
Pets will enjoy special treats and new toys; your friend will appreciate the special attention for the family pet.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
This is a WhatFriendsDo.com favorite! Beginning December 25 leave a special surprise for your friend that corresponds to the song we all know. Click here to find out how to head off any post holiday blues for your friend.
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Special Days |
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The WhatFriendsDo.com concept of "celebrating" special days all year long allows friends to stay in touch from near and far, during happy times and difficult times. |
WhatFriendsDo.com offers ideas of small things
you can do that will mean a lot. |
