During the holiday season, most of us spend lots of 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 five ways that you can show your gratitude to your friends:
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 on your friends and make sure that 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 certain 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!
Ask them to hang out (while practicing safe social distancing) or watch a movie together
During the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can definitely be difficult to see your friends in person. It isn’t always impossible, though. You can ask your friends to a socially distanced picnic or hike. There is a surprisingly wide variety of activities that you can make COVID friendly! One of my favorite ways to “hang out” with my friends is by using shared streaming apps like Rave. There are a variety of these apps out there, 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 is a chat and voice feature you can use to feel like your friend is there with you! Another good option, as always, is to FaceTime or Skype.
Send them and old-fashioned card in the mail
This may seem cheesy, but it is probably one of the most tried and true methods of showing 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 directly to them; either way, it is almost sure to put a smile on their face.
This holiday season more than ever before, it is extremely important to show your gratitude for your friends and family. Make sure to check on your friends and family members, especially those that may live alone. Even something as simple as a phone call could make a difference.
Want to know more about showing gratitude? Check out Gratitude Means More than Just Thankful.
