Whether you and your mates have enjoyed International Friendship’s Day for years or have just started this tradition, today’s blog is a must-read. We will unveil the intriguing history of the event, how people around the world cherish it, and other healthy activities for International Friendship’s Day. Later in this article, we will also guide you through some creative gift ideas to make this day all the more memorable. Friendship - Beyond the bonds of individuals Maybe you have once come across Aristotle’s quote: “A friend is one soul binding in two bodies” and, like us, feel deeply relatable to it. A true friendship goes above the materials since it forms an intangible, emotional connection between individuals despite their gender, religion, geological distance, and social status. Friends can come from all means and sources. They may be your childhood neighbor, someone close you meet at school, university, or work, or you know from mutual friends. Surprisingly, scientists have pointed out that building long-lasting friendships has positive impacts on well-being [1]. Moreover, friendship can grow beyond just a relationship between two individuals, into the bonds of nations to promote peace and avoid conflicts. Especially now that our world is struggling with many issues and crises of separation such as poverty, war, and human rights violations, international friendship must be strengthened. Travel through time - The Origins of International Friendship’s Day Most of us may have known that the UN officially suggested International Friendship’s Day on 30 July 2011, yet only a few people have heard the full story. Dating back to the 1930s, the concept of a day to commemorate friendship was introduced by a man named Joyce Hall. He thought that friendship was just as important as other special occasions and deserved its recognition. Though this idea had not come to life at that moment, it planted a seed of hope that two decades later blossomed into popularity in Paraguay. Dr. Ramón Artemio Bracho, a Paraguayan professor, and his partners first introduced Friendship Week across the country in 1958, aiming to promote cultural peace. Only a year later, the event repeated and grew so insanely in popularity that people took its end day (30 July) as Friendship Day. As time passes, America and other nations slowly adapt to this tradition, celebrating Friendship Day on different dates. Spain and Bolivia enjoy this special event on 30 July, whereas India takes the first Sunday of August as International Friendship’s Day. How is International Friendship’s Day celebrated worldwide? Depending on the traditions and customs of each region, people enjoy International Friendship’s Days differently, as follows: United States, Paraguay, and Argentina: On this occasion, people usually treat their friends to scrumptious dinners at home or in the restaurant to express their gratitude. Old or new friends alike, also give and receive hand-written letters or texts to remind them of their great friendship. In Paraguay specifically, they have a gift-giving game called "Invisible Friend" in which people write their names on small papers, mix them in a hat, and then randomly pick one. Each person with their name chosen will receive a secret gift from their friend on 30 July. The European Union: The Europeans also love showing affection to their friends by sending handmade cards, texts, and messages. They also prefer inviting their friends for a heartwarming get-together: cooking, eating, and chit-chatting. South Asia: In Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, International Friendship’s Day is dedicated to international friends around them. High schools and universities usually host an outdoor fair with many booths to display traditional clothes and foods from various countries. National and international students are encouraged to join to promote their cultural uniqueness. Introverts or extroverts: Top-notch, healthy activities for International Friendship’s Day Whether you and your buddies love hanging out in the sun or enjoy chilling at home, we have you covered with various activities. Are you ready to make more core memories with your besties? The nature admirer If you are in a friend group with a huge passion for nature, there is no better thing to do than an outdoor trip to enjoy the beautiful scenery. For those lucky enough to live near hills and mountains, ask your friends to go on a hike or camping in the open air. These activities give you guys a short break from the hustle and bustle while also being a fantastic exercise for your body. Just remember to choose the difficulty level that best suits your health conditions. As for those urban citizens, a small picnic at the park with homemade dishes like fruit salads, sandwiches, and organic juice is all it takes for a perfect International Friendship Day. The sports enthusiast Knowing what your friends' hobbies are and being able to share with them means more than any expensive gifts. Thus, we suggest spending quality time with your friends playing sports. Moreover, after sweating on the basketball course or football fields, you can treat both to a delicious meal of hefty greens and protein. Or, invite them to their favorite sports playoffs (basketball, football, hockey, etc.) at the stadium or simply have a sports night together in the comfort of your home. The DIY fan Have friends into crafty stuff like knitting, sewing, or crocheting? What about accompanying them to attend creative workshops or courses? During this precious friendship time, both can learn and develop new skills while having handmade gifts to bring back home. Plus, DIY activities are not only fun but also destress and boost consciousness and focus [2]. Give them a try now! Best International Friendship’s Day Gift Ideas for 2024 Forget about those expensive yet unthoughtful gifts! Your best friends deserve tailor-made and unique presents, showing how much you care about them. We have listed below some ideal inspirations for your preferences: Nutrition supplements: If your friend is a health pursuiter, vitamin supplements are a great choice. You can consider getting a Men's Multi or Women’s Multi for your friends since it helps nurture the body from the inside out with tons of essential vitamins (A, C, D3, E, B12, etc.) and minerals. DIY or vintage accessories: We do not suggest getting clothes unless you are sure about the specific item that your friend has always wanted. Instead, get them some small jewelry pieces or accessories they can wear with them everywhere they go. Besides, no need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on luxurious designer brands. Go to your local thrift store to find some hidden gems that are unquestionably unique. Technology gadgets: If your friends are big fans of high-tech stuff and you want to spoil them with what they love, buy them a new headset, speaker, or smartwatch that helps monitor their health status. In conclusion, As we have clearly gone through the highlights of International Friendship’s Day, from its meanings, origins, and international practices, its crucial role is unignorable. No matter what you do on this day, as little as sending heartfelt messages to remind them how much they mean to you or prepare a surprise gift for them, ensure to show them your gratitude and sincerity. - - - - [1] Pezirkianidis, C., Galanaki, E., Raftopoulou, G., Moraitou, D., & Stalikas, A. (2023, January 24). Adult friendship and wellbeing: A systematic review with practical implications. Frontiers in psychology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9902704/ [2] Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010, February). The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of current literature. American journal of public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
