Small gestures that can help maintain friendships

Friends typically don’t require the constant attention needed by romantic partners and children. That’s why small gestures that show someone we are thinking about them can go a long way toward nurturing friends who may not always get as much one-onone time as you’d both prefer. Here are some suggestions of small gestures for sustaining friendships.

Text a photo 

How often do you see something that makes you think of a friend? It takes less than a minute to snap a photo and text it to them.

Bring home treats from travels

When I was traveling in Spain for work last summer, I thought of a friend who would appreciate the many gorgeous cathedrals there. I purchased a rosary and brought it home to her, a small act that I believe was the beginning of a deeper connection we now share.

Share a news article 

You’re reading the news anyway. If something strikes your fancy, share it with a friend via text or email.

Stop by their desk

Don’t let work get in the way of your office friendships. It takes two minutes to drop by a desk and let someone know they are on your mind.

Feed your friends

There is something about a gift of food that makes us feel loved and cared for. A fellow volleyball mom often brought me a cup of soup or chilli to evening team practices, knowing I had come straight from work and hadn’t had time for dinner. To this day she remains one of my favourite friends even though our children have grown up.

Share a song

Choose a song you want to share with a friend. A large body of research shows that music helps foster deeper social connections.

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