Simple Things You Can Do To Keep Friendships Strong!

Of lately, I've noticed alot of my friends, and myself included, are having problems with some of their friends not acting very friend-like. You know, friendships need their own kind of maintenance just like a relationship does! If you don't treat them right, they are just going to feel like you don't care for them as a friend and move on with their life. Here are a few simple tricks you can use to make a friend feel special without seeming like you are trying to be under their arm all the time.

1) When you call your friends house/cell phone and don't get an answer, don't hang up! Leave a voice message!

This is a great way to show that you really do care about your friend and it doesn't take any longer then a few moments out of your day. Just say in your voicemail that you were calling just to see how they were or because you wanted to chat with them about something. DON'T make it sound too serious and DON'T make it sound like you did it because you're bored. There is NOTHING worse then hearing someone say they called you up just because they're bored. That's makes them feel like they are a last resort on your list! You don't have to do it EVERY time you call their phone, but once or twice a month is okay.

2) If both you and your friend have a MySpace or other social site profile, leave them a message with something you think will make them laugh!

There is nothing better that screams, "You're my friend!" then logging into your profile and seeing that a friend of yours sent you a message with something they thought you would find funny. Seeing that you took the time out to send them something to make them smile will keep you on the top of their list.

3) Try hanging out a little more with them on a one-on-one bases

This one might seem like something you should do when you're in a relationship with somebody but it's also needed in friendships as well. When the only time your friend sees you is when you're out with a group of friends, they could feel more like an accessory for a good time then your actual friend. Having fun with your friend on a one-on-one bases will give them time to loosen up a bit more and not have to worry about social status. I mean, come on! EVERYONE feels more comfortable to make a joke or fart when it's just one other person around!

4) Ask them a deep question every once in a while

Again, this might seem like something you would do in a relationship but it works in friendships as well. Friends can feel like you are using them for shallow reasons if all you do is hang out and crack jokes. Everyone wants to have a friend that they can talk to about personal matters and get a serious answer from them. Asking them a deep question like "How do you feel about relationships?" or "What do you think about the economy situation going on?" shows them that they can be open about their thoughts and that you do care about them. Even if their answer isn't that long, trust me, they do appreciate the thought that went behind asking it.

5) Just drop by sometimes, unannounced

I'm not saying to do it 2 or 3 times a week but every once in a while, just stopping by their house without warning can show that you really want to hang with them. Most people like the spontaneous-ness of it and it makes hanging out that much more interesting while you figure out what to do. It also shows them that they were on your mind and that you really do think of them as fun. But, as I mention earlier, don't make it seem like you did it just because you had nothing better to do. That kind of spoils the special-ness of it.

6) If you can't afford a birthday gift, at least get them a birthday card/Getting them a belated birthday card/gift is acceptable and still appreciated!

Ok, this tip can apply to ANY major occasion in your friend's life. You can go out and buy a card from Dollar General/Family Dollar/Dollar Tree for 50 cents! I know ANYBODY can scrap up 50 cents if you try hard enough. Getting them a card shows them that even though you didn't have enough money to get them something really great, you wanted to give something to show that you appreciate, and care about, them. Make the card really special by writing a personal message on the inside. It doesn't even have to be a paragraph, just a few sentences can make a 50 cent card seem like gold to your friend.

Forgot? That's ok. On the day that you realize you missed the event, run out and get a card right away! Write a long message saying how much you're grateful for them being a friend and it should at least have the value of silver to your friend! Including the card with a gift will up the value to gold! *lol* But the next time around, make sure you do something extra special for them, or else it will look bad on you!

These tips are just basic guidelines! Everyone's friendships are different and should NEVER be treated the same as someone else's. Take these tips and edit them so they fit into your life and the lifestyle of your friendships and friends!