During the holiday season, most of us spend our time with our immediate families. However, we can’t and shouldn’t forget about our friends and all that they do for us! As much as our families may do for us, our friends are also a part of our daily emotional support systems. Here are 5 ways that you can show your gratitude to your friends during the holidays:
Send them a simple message of encouragement or appreciation.
On a bad day, even something as simple as a text message can cheer someone up. In a society filled with technology, we might as well make the best use of it! Sending a message of encouragement or appreciation is sure to make your friend’s day much brighter. Plus, it is always good to check in on your friends and make sure they are doing okay, both physically and mentally.
Buy them dinner.
Buying your friend some food or a gift card from their favorite restaurant is a great way to show your gratitude. Even though it may not seem very personal, knowing what your friend would like means a lot more than you may think.
Recommend a song that reminds you of them.
This is my favorite way to show my friends that I am thinking of them. Have you ever been listening to your music and a specific song comes on that reminds you of someone you know? I certainly have, and when I send these songs to my friends, they definitely appreciate the thought. This is also just a great way to share your favorite music with your friends!
Set aside time for the two of you.
Quality time is a love language for a reason. You can ask your friends to join you on a picnic or hike. One of my favorite ways to “hang out” with my long-distance friends is by using shared streaming apps like Rave. There are a variety of these apps, but I personally use Rave. In the app, one person can log in to a streaming service, and the other person can join a “room” with you. There are chat and voice features you can use to feel like your friend is there with you! Another good option, as always, is to FaceTime or Skype.
Send them an old-fashioned card in the mail.
This may seem cheesy, but it is probably one of the most tried-and-true ways to show your gratitude to your friends. You can easily buy a card or make one of your own with a simple message to a friend. You could either mail the card or give it to them directly; either way, it is almost sure to put a smile on their face.
This holiday season, it is imperative to show your gratitude for your friends and family. Make sure to check on your friends and family members, especially those who may live alone. Even something as simple as a phone call could make a difference.
