The United Nations believes friendships are so important that in 2011 the UN General Assembly proclaimed that a day be set aside each year to emphasize the importance of friendships. The UN made this proclamation with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. This year the day of celebrating the International Day of Friendship will be on Sunday, July 30th. Find out more about the United Nations efforts to bring communities together at www.un.org/en/events/friendshipday. [1]
Here are a few ideas to celebrate Friendship Day:
1. Send a special friend a note or card of appreciation
2. Join a book group and make new friends
3. Make Friendship bread starter and share with friends
4. Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while
5. Give your friend a token of friendship
6. Tell your friend about a new magazine or book that you’ve read
7. Work on a project together with a friend or friends
8. Donate to your friend’s favorite charity in their honor
9. Do an activity that is new or infrequent to you both
10. Finally, join your local Friends of the Library with a friend. We appreciate our Friends!
Many famous people also thought friendships were important. Here are some quotes to share with a friend:
”The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.” — Abraham Lincoln
“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” — Leo Buscaglia
“The real test of friendship is can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple?” — Eugene Kennedy