Celebrate International Day of Friendship With Your Office Besties on July 30
What do your friends mean to you, and how do you celebrate your friendships? Many countries around the world observe a friendship day. For example, Friendship Day falls on the first Sunday in August in the United States. International Day of Friendship is different. It was based on a proposal by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote a worldwide culture of peace. As proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, the International Day of Friendship is observed on July 30.
As you celebrate the day, don’t forget to acknowledge your work friends. They’re the people with whom you get the tough days, share silly memes on office chat channels, and discuss the latest episode of the current hot television shows. Whether you are back in the office or working remotely, here are some ways to celebrate International Day of Friendship.
Watch a Movie
Celebrate your besties by watching a movie about friendship. Choose a movie with friendship as the main theme. From romantic comedies to buddy road trips to epic adventures, you’re sure to find a movie that appeals to you and your pals. Once you agree on a film, grab a glass of your favorite beverage and a bowl of microwave popcorn. Snuggle under your custom logo blanket and settle back to enjoy the film. Whether you gather around a shared monitor at work or you’re each at home watching individually yet together, you’re sure to enjoy the time spent together.
Take a Walk
Carve out some time from your workday to get outside and walk with your friends. The fresh air will energize you; plus, getting away from the computer or cash register will help relieve eye strain. Make it a pact to talk about anything but work. Instead, focus on one another so you’re up to date with what’s going on in each person’s life. Remember to wear a hat and sunscreen, and don’t forget to bring your water bottle to stay hydrated.
Have a Picnic
Grab your company logo cooler bag and head to the nearest park for a picnic lunch. Decide in advance if you’re each going to bring your own lunch or have a potluck where everyone brings a dish to share. If you’re going the potluck route, be mindful if one of your friends has a food allergy. If you’re feeling nostalgic, bring along tried-and-true play equipment—think ring toss, hula hoops, and flying discs—end engage in some friendly competition.
Play a Game
Game nights have become a popular form of group entertainment. From classic board games to new creations, gather a few of your pals around the table for an evening of fun. Decide if you want to play a cooperative game or compete against one another. If you and your friends prefer to play while social distancing, you’ll be thrilled to know that many games have online versions. If a good time is had by all, consider making this a weekly, every other week, or monthly occurrence.
If you and your friends want to compete as a team against other teams, head over to your favorite watering hole for a trivia night. You can find information on local events online, but it’s always a good idea to call and confirm that the trivia night is taking place. If you’re going to be indoors, consider bringing custom face masks as a precaution.
Volunteer
To contribute to a culture of peace—remember the origins of International Day of Friendship—you and your friends can give back to the community. Make it meaningful by choosing something that resonates with you. For example, do you and your friends enjoy hiking? Spend time clearing trash from a trail, or you can do the same from the beach if you like to spend time near sand and surf. If you are club buddies, volunteer at your local library or sign up to read to children at a school. If you enjoy cooking, offer to prepare food for a shelter or soup kitchen. Remember to wear your company polo shirts or tees, especially if your volunteer activities take place during company time.
International Day of Friendship is a way to honor some work friends, as well as an excuse to spend quality time together doing something that’s not work-related.