Friends are so important, both old and new. They celebrate with us when we’re happy and comfort us when we’re down. As we get older, some of them inevitably move away, sometimes to the other side of the planet! But just because they’re not around, it doesn’t mean that we forget about them or their birthdays. In fact, it may be when they’re furthest from home that they most need a reminder that you’re still there.
Schedule a Skype call
When a friend moves abroad, we promise to stay in touch and Skype once a week (at least darling). It seems like it will be the easiest thing in the world to keep up-to-date with their lives, after all it only takes a few seconds to send a text, right? When they’ve actually left though, it can suddenly feel a lot more difficult. Firstly, there’s the time difference to contend with. They’ll be free in the evenings when you’re just getting back from work and desperately in need of food and a shower. Or you’ll be up and fresh and they’ll be busy getting ready for a big night out (we’re not jealous at all).
This is normal, it happens to the best of us. But when it comes to your friend’s birthday, this is the time to make an effort! If they’re far from home, they may not be with their family and could still be making new friends. So, this is when they will need to see a familiar face most. Make sure you book in time in advance if you can. Or at least figure out the time difference and make your best effort (even if means waking up early or delaying bedtime) to have a quick catch-up and let them know you care.
Send them a cute gift
Get your friend’s address as soon as they get to their destination, or even before they leave if you can. This means when it comes to their birthday, you will have it to hand. It may be a little tricky to figure out postal time and cost but I have found a way around this – Etsy! Not only do they have super unique and cute gifts, but you can also filter through the origin country of the suppliers (eBay and other sites also have country specific sites too). So, if your friend is living in Australia, you can find the perfect gift for them from an outlet that’s already over there. It’s also good because they usually give an estimated delivery date so you can plan your purchase. I did this to surprise a friend and she was over the moon with the thoughtful gift.
Write a card
This is another great way to make a friend feel special on their birthday. It’s an opportunity to tell them how important they are to you and also any life updates you haven’t been able to share with them recently. Hand-written cards are the best as they’re more personal, so make the time to pick one out and pen your message. There are some lovely services for sending handwritten birthday cards online which are perfect if you’re running short on time.
It’s a little more difficult when you’re in different places to show your friends that you care about them. That’s why birthdays are an important time to remind them that even though you haven’t seen each other in a while, you’re still there and always will be.
