Friends show that they care for each other in many different ways. On a regular basis, good friends show they care by sharing smiles, laughs, and moments together. However, on special occasions, friendship can be best expressed through the giving of gifts.

Friendship gifts have changed throughout the years, of course. Way back in caveman days, maybe two friends shared bison meat or a handful of berries with each other. In the days of the wild west, friends may have given each other leather moccasins or homemade apple pies. Today, however, given the millions of possible gifts available at a reasonable price, friends have a lot more gift-giving options.

Some of the best presents you can give to a friend will be physical goods, while others will be services. In fact, some of the most exciting gifts available involve going out and doing something together (think horseback riding, rock wall climbing, or visiting the spa). It is important to consider both types of gifts among the possibilities you consider.

If you are looking for friendship gift ideas, here are 5 ways to strengthen your friendship through gifts:

1. To a friend, give the gift of fun:

A good friend, if nothing else, should represent fun in your mind. Humor and good times are not all that friendship is about, but when it comes to giving gifts these things should be at the top of the list. The best way to keep the fun going in your lives is to give something that brings a smile your friend\’s face.

2. Avoid gifts that could be taken the wrong way:

Just as you would never give a person a bar of soap as a gift, you also should avoid other gifts that could be misinterpreted. For example, do not give your friend a gift that you think they need, like a book on how to find a job or a seminar on to find a spouse. Ouch! Stick with fun stuff (see tip #1).

3. Mind your budget:

If you over-spend on your gift, the inner smile you are feeling when you give that gift may be a bit dimmer. Make sure you stay within a reasonable budget so that there are no regrets on your part. Give generously, of course, but watch your budget.

4. Find a gift that the two of you can use together:

Bonus tip: give a gift you can enjoy together, such as a gift card for a restaurant or an outdoor adventure.

5. Be sensitive to their likes and dislikes:

Remember, this gift is for your buddy, not you. Be sure to home in on ideas that are going to blow his or her hair back. The goal should be to make him her happy as a clam.

Hint: think about how they like to spend their free time. What do they do to keep themselves occupied when they are not working? That is where you should start looking in terms of finding just the right gift.

Gifts for those special friends in our lives need to be fun, thoughtful, and aligned with the recipient\’s own tastes. Don\’t try to teach a lesson or mend their ways. Just keep it light and entertaining and have some fun with it.

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Category: Advice
Keywords: friendship gift ideas, how to buy the right gift for a friend, choosing a gift for a friend