Friendship Day: Commemorating friends and the bond of friendship
The merriment of Friendship Day originated in the US in the year 1919 based on the idea recommended by the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce C. Hall, to commemorate a day for friends and bond of friendship. Typically, the day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of August every year. However, this year the world will be celebrating the Friendship Day 2011 in July as the United Nations has designated 30 July as International Friendship Day. People of all ages celebrate Friendship Day with vigour by sending or exchanging gifts and greetings cards to make their friends feel special or express gratitude for being good companions.
The Friendship Day gala in the year 1920 underwent massive criticism considering it to be a commercial publicity stunt by the greeting cards industry to promote greetings cards. As a result, in 1940 the availability and demand for Friendship Day greetings cards decreased significantly. However, the noble idea of commemorating the bond of friendship was liked and embraced by people from other nations as well and it soon became a festival in many countries.
In a few decades, the celebration of Friendship Day has gained substantial place in everyone's calendar. On this occasion, people across the globe raise a toast to their friends and bond of friendship, and celebrate this occasion with enthusiasm in various ways. To wish each other and celebrate this occasion in a memorable way, people usually send unique and fancy gifts, chocolates, greeting cards etc. that are designed and made especially for Friendship Day. Fancy and colourful friendship bands are hugely popular as Friendship gifts in Nepal, India and in many regions of South America. Besides gifts, inspirational and funny Friendship Day quotes or Friendship Day scraps are also popular mediums through which people convey their feelings and show affection towards their pals on this special day.
With social networking websites becoming the trend to stay connected with friends and family members, Friendship Day is also celebrated online, which has changed the approach and manner to celebrate this day in special ways among Gen X.
If you are missing your school or college friends, then Friendship Day 2011 is an ideal occasion to get connected and cherish the moments that you have spent or enjoyed together. To make the International Friendship Day 2011 special for your pals and you, surprise them with phone calls, lovely SMSes or send beautiful friendship scraps.
Ever felt that you are unable to spend enough time with your pals? Friendship Day is a wonderf...
