Hopefully it’s evident that we at EPC deeply value celebrating those you love. Whether with great fanfare and a crowd or simply through a shared pot of coffee, we believe that celebrating a milestone, an accomplishment, or another year of marriage matters. Our society today is busy, perhaps most often too busy to stop -- no, truly, stop -- and tell a loved one what she means to you or how important he is to this world. In light of this, we thought we'd share with you a few simple ways to celebrate a friend.
1. First, we polled YOU on Instagram recently and heard so many beautiful ways you honor your friends. Here are a few of them:
- Make their favorite dinner/dessert - "Whatever you want, I'll make it!"
- Snail mail - "An unexpected slice of joy!"
- Drop off a coffee, donuts, and flowers the day-of
- Keep a running list on my phone of small gift ideas
- Take out for coffee or lunch
- Little gifts and nice cards
- Ask about a favorite memory from previous year and goal for the upcoming
- Send coffee money!
- Take out to brunch one day while kids are in school
- Treat to a mani/pedi
- Dinner out!
One repeated favorite we noticed was sending snail mail (whether you live in the same town or not). There really is something about it. Knowing that someone intentionally chose to spend her time pulling out stationery and putting pen to paper when a text could have been sent in seconds...This expression of love and celebration is so meaningful. Let's help each other keep it alive!
2. Second, our Celebration Calendar will keep track of these precious dates for you! Yes, you can store names and dates in your phone, but there is something so helpful - and far more lovely - about seeing a whole month's worth of birthdays and anniversaries, etc. on one pretty page. Posted in a prominent place in your home, it really does help you stay on top of prepping for and executing these celebrations in the ways you hope to.
3. Gift something small. It can be easy to mistakenly believe a gift needs to be substantial to be worth giving. Absolutely not! Next time you're at Trader Joe's, checking out at a small business, or browsing a thrift store, keep your eyes open for something little and sweet: a vintage handkerchief for a dollar, a unique tin of yummy mints, a pretty pen, a mini bottle of hand cream. The possibilities are endless and can make a friend feel so special. We love pointing people to our EPC Mama Pin and Mama Sticker as options for those mom-friends, too. A gift doesn't have to be ground-breaking to say "you are important to me!"
4. In the same vein, you can celebrate a friend without breaking the bank! Some of the most precious gifts are the ones that come straight from your home. Here are some ideas for low-cost gifts:
- A sheet of cookies, loaf of bread, etc.
- A bunch of garden flowers in a Goodwill vase
- A simple note tied with twine
- A photo of a friend's favorite place in a vintage(y) Goodwill frame
- A meaningful quote or verse handwritten on card stock and framed
There is no doubt we all could use some more encouragement in our days, more reminders that we matter to someone. We hope this post lends some inspiration to celebrate a friend well this week and beyond, whether on her birthday or just her mundane, routine weekday. It makes a difference!
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