The United Nations declared July 30 as International Day of Friendship, with the aim of fostering peace and friendly relations between people and nations. Shared human experiences like friendships can have a positive impact on the world and it starts small with you and your friendship circle. So, what will you be doing to celebrate your friendships? No idea? Well, we have five things you can try!

Themed parties/outings

Nothing says we’re together like a theme. Having fun dressed in a theme like your favourite artist, or something significant that happened for the friend group makes for great memories.  Some of the most popular themes on social media app TikTok are getting dressed up as the elderly to go clubbing, buying and wearing ugly T-shirts for a day or while on vacation, gifting each other silly but cute cellphone cases. For parties, dressing as your type/or ex; a popular theme was Nollywood in the 2000s and "core" themed parties. So, grab your pink outfits and go watch Barbie or your fedoras and go catch Oppenheimer, whatever you and your friends want to do.

Foodie get-togethers

Take turns hosting each other. One of the more popular ways to do this is have a dish that everybody can participate in making, like pasta. After you’ve set your table, made your appetisers and dessert, everybody can learn how to make something new for the main. Another way to host and cook is to pick a cookbook and have each person make something from that cookbook and bring it to the get-together – a cookbook potluck of sorts. The same can be done for drinks, or have a cocktail or mocktail evening where everybody makes themed cocktails.   

For the good of mankind  

How about doing something for the environment together? A beach clean up, educating your community about climate change or making a joint donation to an organisation working towards bettering the environment. How about spending some time helping those in need? Or the elderly? There are so many ways we can make the world a better place, starting in our own communities.

Bonding over skincare

Friends who share skincare secrets stay friends forever, or that’s what I say. Spend the day sharing and getting skincare treatments together. This can be as relaxed as booking a day at the beauty bar or as complex and involved as giving each other at-home spa treatments. Spending time with friends while doing what you love is awesome.

Yes, to new friends!

We know Drake said no new friends but we’re not doing that this year. Approaching somebody with the intention to become friends is scary, especially the older you are. However, don’t let those feelings get you down, approach that person who you saw reading your favourite author, common interests are a great place to start. Also, seeing somebody doing something you don’t know is a great conversation starter too! “Hey, that looks interesting, do you mind explaining to me what is going on?"

It’s all about putting yourself out there.