Celebrate International Friendship Day on July 30: Meaningful Ways to Honor Your Besties
It’s International Friendship Day, so let’s get real: where would we be without our ride-or-dies? The ones who text back in all caps when you’re spiraling, and know your coffee order better than anyone, no matter how complicated it might be. Today, July 30, is International Friendship Day, and it’s the perfect excuse, not that we need one, to celebrate the people who make life better, funnier, and way more bearable.
This isn’t about grand gestures or forced sentimentality; it’s about doing something genuine! Something that says, “Thanks for always answering my FaceTime even when I’m crying in a parking lot” or “Thanks for listening to me about the same topic for the 15th time this week”. Whether you’ve been friends since recess or bonded over bad dates or your new favorite shows, today is for them, and for you, too.
Ready to celebrate your inner circle? Your Person? Here are some meaningful, low-pressure, high-impact ways to show your people they matter.
Honoring Your Besties on International Friendship Day!
Send That “Just Because” Message
This one is personally my favorite! You know that text you’ve been meaning to send? The one that says something like, “I love you and I’m so glad we’re friends,” but keeps getting lost between work emails and group chats? Today’s the day. It doesn’t have to be deep or dramatic; it can be a simple, thoughtful message, maybe with a throwback pic or an inside joke, and it is more powerful than you think. Here’s an idea! Screenshot an old convo that still makes you laugh and send it with a “never deleting this” note. I mean, talk about an instant mood boost!
Plan a No-Pressure Catch-Up (IRL or Not)
Sometimes life gets in the way, and suddenly it’s been months since your last proper hang. I feel this deeply. International Friendship Day is a great excuse to pencil each other back in, no elaborate dinner reservations required! Think casual, comfy, and easy to pull off: picnic in the park, iced coffees and a walk, or even just syncing up your Netflix so you can watch the same bad movie and roast it in real time!
Make a Mini Friendship Playlist
Yes, playlists are still a thing, and they’re peak friendship energy, and a fun way to celebrate International Friendship Day! Whether it’s “songs that remind me of you,” “our chaotic energy in audio form,” or “summer nostalgia from 2009,” putting together a mix of tracks that capture your friendship vibe is a fun and creative way to say “you mean the world to me, and also, remember this banger?” Bonus points: Give it a ridiculous title. “Emotional Support Bops” or “Songs to Scream-Cry Text To.”
Gift Something Thoughtful (and Small)
No need to break the bank because this isn’t a birthday, it’s a “just because.” A handwritten card, a funny candle, a book you know they’ll love, or even their favorite snack from the corner store can say “I thought of you” louder than anything with a gift receipt, including on International Friendship Day!
Post the Photo, Tell the Story
If you’re someone who loves a good social post, today’s the moment. But instead of a generic “Happy International Friendship Day!!” caption, write something real. Share that story about how they helped you through a messy breakup or were the only ones who showed up on moving day with coffee and a playlist. It’s not about the likes when it comes to these things; it’s about the love. And maybe making them cry a little, but in a good way!
Final Thoughts: Celebrate the Ones Who Get You
At the end of the day, friendship isn’t about big gestures; it’s about being there. The check-ins and the “just thinking of you” texts can make all the difference in the world! The people who stay when it’s messy, when it’s hard, when you’re not your most charming self; I’m not sure we can ever thank those people enough!
So whether you celebrate today with cake, cocktails, or cozy chaos on the couch, do it in a way that feels like you. Celebrate the people who feel like home, because if they’re the ones who make your life better just by existing in it, and they deserve to know, and not just on the days like International Friendship Day, but every single day!
