Friendship Archives - Blue Mountain Blog

Women Inspiring Women

March 5, 2018 by bluemountainecards

“We rise by lifting others.”

We have all been empowered by the countless women who worked hard to secure the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. There are many ways to continue their work, from learning about the issues and communicating with your representatives, to volunteering and supporting causes that benefit women, to actively participating in local and national initiatives.

Another important way to honor the women who have paved the way for us is to encourage and support the women around us. Are there women in your workplace or community group who could use an advocate? Maybe they are struggling to find their voice, or simply to be heard. Could you be a mentor to someone who is just starting out? Consider your personal strengths. Perhaps you are good at finance, or writing, or public speaking and you know someone who could benefit from your expertise. Maybe you need help in a particular area but have been hesitant to ask. Ask. You might be pleasantly surprised at how willing someone will be to share their knowledge with you.

You don’t need to look far for stories that will inspire you to inspire others. In your own circle of family and friends, there are women who have faced hardships and made sacrifices for their loved ones. For some, just surviving the day-to-day demands of life can be a struggle. Are there ways you can be there for them? A dear friend of mine has been in treatment for breast cancer for the past year. She has endured many challenges and setbacks and yet remains hopeful and positive. I am inspired by her patience and courage and find myself less likely to complain about insignificant things.

Think about inspiring others by sharing your own story. What obstacles have you overcome that have made you stronger? It’s been said that strong women stand up for themselves. Stronger women stand up for others.

Luncheon Tips & Ideas

August 13, 2017 by bluemountainecards

07132016_BMA_How_To_Host_Luncheon Ahhh…friends. Good friends. Great friends. Best friends. They’ve been with you through thick and thin. The good and the bad. And the ups and downs. And through it all, they’ve always showed you their unconditional love and support, either with a shoulder to cry on or with shouts of joy and happiness. You consider your friends to be really precious—and such an important part of your life. So why not get everyone together to celebrate exactly that which is so very special to all of you: your dear friendship. One great way to do this is to host a luncheon. But not just any luncheon. A friendship luncheon! This is your chance to get together and talk, laugh, cry, reminisce, linger, and relax. The focus is squarely on the beautiful bond you all share. To help you plan this get-together, the editors at Blue Mountain have compiled a list of 5 simple steps to hosting a fun and fabulous friendship luncheon. We think you’ll find these tips extremely helpful. Now enjoy!

Pick a date. With everyone’s busy schedules nowadays, this may be harder than you think. But as the host, you need to start with your own calendar first. What dates and times are best for you? Then either email or call your friends to see which of those dates are good for them as well. (There are even online scheduling sites you might want to try.) If everyone can agree on the same date, perfect! Move on to step 2. But if some can’t and you’re determined to have every invitee come, you may have to start over with a new set of dates. (May we suggest you try to gather on actual Friendship Day, which falls on the first Sunday of August every year?)

Send out invitations. It’s so much more fun to make your friendship luncheon official with a pretty invitation. You might want to print out something nice on paper stationery and actually mail it to your friends. Or you might want to choose a special eCard to email instead. Regardless, you’ll want to include all the basic details: date, time, location, RSVP date, and contact information (either a phone number or email address). If you’ve decided to set up your party as a potluck, be sure to also include which food/drink you’d like your guests to bring. Make sure to send your invitations at least 4-6 weeks before your event in order to give guests plenty of time to plan ahead.

Plan the menu. Here’s where it gets fun! If you don’t already have a fixed menu in mind, try to narrow it down by thinking through a few things first. Do you have a specific budget? Do you want your luncheon to be formal or casual? Do you want everyone to mingle buffet-style or sit down? Do you have a theme? (Think ladies’ tea, New York deli, light and healthy, or a Mexican fiesta for just a few ideas.) Do your guests have any food restrictions or allergies? Do you plan to serve alcohol (such as wine, sangria, Champagne, or a fruity cocktail)? The answers to these questions will help you decide exactly what you’d like to serve. Just remember, whatever you do, this isn’t the time to be experimenting with something brand new or complicated. That will only add to the anxiety level. Go with what you know and are comfortable with. After that, relax and have fun!

Provide favors. Offering a favor to each of your guests is a really nice and personal touch they are sure to appreciate! These can be given upon arrival, displayed on your luncheon table, or passed out as a parting gift. They don’t have to be expensive or fancy or even over-the-top. But to help make your luncheon more personally memorable, they should be a gift that honors your friendship. A few ideas include a laminated throw-back photo of your group made into a magnet; a stem, bouquet, or pot of flowers that signify friendship (such as chrysanthemums, geraniums, ivy, yellow roses, or zinnias); or a meaningful quote printed out, placed into a lovely frame, and displayed at each place setting.

Send a thank you. Although it’s probably more common for guests to send a thank you to their host, it’s also just as thoughtful for a host to send a thank you to her guests for coming. Be sure to include something personal in each note that shows you took the time to reflect on your special friendship. There are so many lovely thank you eCards to choose from. Be sure to pick one that both reflects your style and conveys your message. If you need help with what to write in your thank you note, check out these helpful tips.

What to Write in Friendship Cards

August 3, 2017 by bluemountainecards

Casual friends come and go…but good friends last forever. So when it comes to sharing your sentiments and showing that special someone how much you appreciate their friendship, any time is the perfect time. That’s why friendship cards are especially appropriate: The whole reason to send one is no reason at all!

Maybe you just want to let them know how much they mean to you. Or to make them laugh. Or to simply put a smile on their face. After choosing the perfect friendship card or friendship ecard, there are plenty of options you can add to give your card that one-of-a-kind feeling. Quotes and unique messaging also make great additions. See some of our favorites below:

Friendship Quotes:

Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. _ Albert Camus
One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. _ Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. _ Aristotle“
A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” —William Shakespeare
“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” —Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” —Khalil Gibran
“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” —Douglas Pagels

Friendship Messages:

This card is sent with lots and lots of love to a friend who means so very much to me.

You’re the greatest…and I’m better because of you. Best friends forever, you and me!

I’m thinking of you and realizing—once again—what a special friend you are, and how incredibly lucky I am to have you in my life!

I thank you for your friendship, which is a truly precious gift indeed.

Looking forward to many, many more years of laughter, fun, and friendship—together!

I am genuinely blessed to have you as my friend. To many more years ahead!

Even though we don’t see each other often, when we talk it’s as if no time has passed at all, and I love that.

You listen with an open heart and are always there for me with support and a kind word.

I truly treasure our friendship and can’t imagine life without you in it.

You always manage to see the best in me even when I can’t see it for myself.

Thanks so much for being my lifeline during the difficult times—I couldn’t ask for a better friend than you!

Sending a note to you, my friend, to brighten your day as you have done for me so many times before.

Random Acts of Kindness: Part II (FREE printable)

April 27, 2017 by bluemountainecards

Now that we’ve discussed the beauty and impact of generosity and thoughtfulness towards one another in “Random Acts of Kindness: Part 1,” let’s see how we can actually put this lovely concept into motion and make it come to life.

There are a few different ways to do this. You can initiate the act. Or you could perform an act in response to a kind act bestowed on you (which is called “paying it forward”). You could do something nice for your friends and family. Or you could do something nice for strangers. But regardless of which way you do it and to whom, the most important thing is that you do it without any expectation of reward. These are totally selfless acts that are certain to bring you immense satisfaction and pleasure.

We also want to emphasize that these acts do NOT necessarily require large sums of money or a lot of effort. Even the smallest gestures—as long as they’re performed sincerely and without an expectation of recognition or acknowledgement —can result in the greatest happiness.

We’d now love to share a few ideas with you for FREE acts of kindness:

Smile broadly and genuinely at someone who passes you by.
Hold the door (or elevator) open for the person behind you.
Let someone who’s in a rush cut ahead of you in line.
Visit a nursing home.
Give a sincere compliment to someone who looks like they could use one.
Share magazines you’ve already read with co-workers, friends, etc.
Bring in your neighbor’s trash cans.
Share extra produce from your garden with someone in need.
Write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your life.

And here are some ideas for LOW-COST acts of kindness:

Leave a heftier tip than usual for your waiter or waitress.
Bring a meal to someone who just had a baby or other major life event.
Buy a candy bar (or magazine subscription, etc.) that a neighbor child is selling for a fundraiser.
Bring donuts or other delicious treat to work.
Put lots of pennies on the sidewalk for kids to find.
Pay for someone’s coffee.
Leave your change behind in a vending machine.
Buy an extra ticket and take someone to an event (e.g., movie, concert, ball game).
Send a care package to a soldier.

And as a small gift from us to you, we’ve designed a FREE printable that you can download today and give to anyone you choose. It includes 6 different cards that you can fill out and leave anonymously. Look at these cards as your chance to make someone’s day just a little bit brighter!

To download these free printable coupons, simply click on the image, and once the new page opens, right click to print or save the image to your computer.

Top 10 Ways to Surprise & Delight your Best Friend (FREE desktop background)

August 5, 2016 by bluemountainecards

Your closest and dearest friend(s) will always have a special place in your heart. And you in hers. You know each other inside and out. You’ve gone through good times and bad. You’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. And there’s no one else you’d rather call your best friend.

But times change—and life happens. You don’t get to see each other as often as you once did. You don’t keep in touch as often as you’d like. And you suddenly somehow feel that an occasional phone call just isn’t enough.

You’d like to change that now. You’d like to reach out to her in some very special way and surprise her with an act of appreciation for your deep friendship. Any ideas of how you’re going to do that?

Don’t give it another thought. Blue Mountain has done all the work for you and compiled a list of 10 fun and exciting ways to reconnect with your BFF. Pick one (or more!) and delight her today!

MAKE A SCRAPBOOK OR VIDEO
Compile a scrapbook or PowerPoint slideshow of the many pictures you have of you and your best friend together. If doing a video, add songs in the background that have a special meaning to you both. Don’t forget to add a personal message that will touch her heart. This will truly become a keepsake.

RECREATE PAST MEMORIES
What did you use to like to do together? Ride bikes? Go bowling? Shop at the mall? Visit an amusement park? Have sleepovers? Recreate that exact kind of day with little notes that will remind her of your past shared memories and inside jokes.

HAVE DINNER TOGETHER
Visit a restaurant in a city that neither of you have ever been to before. Make reservations under your nicknames. Order for each other. Giggle the night away.

WATCH AN OLD SHOW
Rent an old movie that was a favorite of both of yours and laugh/cry through it together. Choose either a popular TV series (like “Leave it to Beaver,” “Father Knows Best,” or “I Love Lucy”) or a classic film (like “Gone with the Wind,” “Casablanca,” or “Titanic”). If a good chick flick about female friendship is more to your liking, choose “Thelma and Louise,” “Beaches,” or “Steel Magnolias.” And don’t forget the popcorn!

MAKE A RETRO DINNER
Cook dinner for your best friend that would be something you both loved as kids. Think retro. Your menu could include such all-time favorites as macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, salisbury steak or meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas, chicken à la king, tuna casserole, TV dinners, deviled eggs, spinach dip in a hollowed-out bread bowl, cheese spread in a can with a nozzle plus crackers, baked Alaska, a gelatin mold, or S’mores.

SEND FLOWERS
It doesn’t matter if it’s a magnificent bouquet or a simple arrangement. The important thing is that your friend’s day is made that much brighter when she receives those beautiful flowers from you. You might also want to accompany them with an eCard that expresses your sentiments. For a helpful guide, here is what some flowers signify:

Amaryllis – splendid beauty
Birds of Paradise – joyfulness
Black-Eyed Susan – encouragement
Blue Violet – faithfulness
Carnation – pride and beauty
Chrysanthemum – cheerfulness in old age; fidelity
Gladiolus – strength of character
Heather – admiration
Lily – majesty
Pink carnation – gratitude
Yellow rose – friendship
Zinnia – thoughts of friends

SHARE A SPA DAY
Book an afternoon (or even a full day!) of pampering at the spa for the two of you. Choose from the variety of services offered—from manicures and pedicures, to facials, massages, and body treatments. Throw in a shampoo/style, makeup application, or lunch, too, if available. Then get ready to enjoy a truly restful and relaxing time together.

ENJOY AN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Think outside the box on this one. Maybe plant a garden together. Or go hiking (and enjoy a picnic lunch afterwards). Or play in a playground. Or fly kites. Or rollerblade. Or go kayaking. Or run a race. Or…frankly, the world is your oyster.

ATTEND A COOKING CLASS
There’s nothing that brings good friends together quite like food. Choose a class that will introduce a cuisine or technique that’s new to both of you. Then maybe schedule another evening to recreate at home what you learned in class. Don’t forget the wine! Bon appétit!

GET AWAY
Schedule a getaway weekend just for the two of you. It can be as exotic (a trip to Paris!) or as modest (tenting in a national park) as you’d like or can afford. The important thing is that you enjoy your time together and get a chance to catch up on old times!

And now we’d like to surprise and delight YOU, our dear reader, with a free desktop background featuring one of our most popular friendship quotes. To set as your desktop background, simply click the image, and when the new window appears, right click and choose “set as background.”

Summer Adventures Roundup

August 12, 2015 by bluemountainecards

When it comes to fun and adventure, there’s no better season than summer to charter unknown territory with your friends. From traveling and hiking, to exploring your own city or offering up your time to assist a person or organization, there’s always something new to learn, unfamiliar places to explore, and grand experiences lying just around the bend.

We’ve collected six fun and different ideas you might like to try, or they may even spark an idea of your own. So grab your friends and set out on some new adventures, and be ready to make some beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. There’s still so much summer to enjoy!

Get up, up, and away! Whether you’re heading off for a week at the seaside or a fun day trip, parasailing will give you the ultimate adventure of fun in the sun! It’s one of those “someday” activities that we always want to try but never seem to get around to. Unleash your hesitations and let your spirit soar!
Take a random road trip. Let fate plan your fun by throwing darts at a map of your county (or of your state or country if you’re up for a longer excursion) and wherever they come closest to is your road trip to remember. If you happen to be near the World’s Largest Frying Pan or Biggest Ball of Twine, Roadside America will make sure you don’t miss it. Don’t worry too much about taking an exact route—the goal here is the fun and stories you’ll gather along the way.
Food truck day. If you’re tired of the same old restaurants or just want to cut back a bit on spending while you explore your town or city, switch things up and chase down some delicious food trucks! Have each friend pick a different truck for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and of course—snacks and treats! Or have each friend pick a different food truck each week, and plan to meet for lunch throughout the month. It’s amazing what new and different things you can experience right in your own city.
Go on a hike and pack your own trail mix. Hiking doesn’t have to be an all-day trek through the wilderness. Visit your local trails or your state park and relish the fresh air as you catch up,unplug, and drink in nature’s scenic beauty. Have each friend bring a batch of homemade trail mix to share during your outing.
Try a completely new activity without spending a lot. Always wanted to try yoga? Never learned to swim? How about learning how to paint? It’s always refreshing to try something new with friends, and with helpful sites like Groupon and Living Social, you’ll find great deals and discounts to boot.
Volunteer for a good cause. There’s no better feeling than helping someone else, so gather your friends and do something for the greater good. You can help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, volunteer at a local animal shelter, rock babies at your hospital, or even band together and help a sick or elderly neighbor by mowing, weeding, and beautifying their yard. There’s no greater joy to be had than sharing a simple act of kindness.

Friendship Printable

July 10, 2015 by bluemountainecards

We love celebrating friendship! It’s so important to keep in touch with friends and remind them how grateful we are to have them in our lives. So we wanted to offer this beautiful, printable friendship quote to all of you – our friends! It’s perfect for framing and sending to a friend as a token of just how special their friendship is! Enjoy!

Click here to download, print, and frame.

National Best Friend Day! (Free Printable)

June 8, 2015 by bluemountainecards

Today is National Best Friend Day! We thought we’d celebrate with this quote – a fan favorite every time we post it. The best part is, this one is printable and framable. It’s the perfect gift to give your best friend to let them know just how special they are! Enjoy.

How to be a Supportive Friend

August 28, 2014 by bluemountainecards

Good times and good friends just naturally go together, but what do you do when hard times befall your friends? It’s easy to be a good friend during the fun times, but your friends need you most when life gets difficult, and they often could use your support and some words of encouragement. Here are some helpful ways to be the friend she needs through big changes, hard times, and everything in between.

Actively listen
Don’t just hear what your friend is saying, actively listen and validate her feelings with phrases like, “That must have made you feel so anxious” or “I understand you’re really hurting.” Your friend wants you to empathize with her situation and show that she’s understood. Don’t dismiss or minimize the importance of the problem by saying things like, “That’s nothing to be upset over.” You are not her, and she’s the one going through the ordeal, not you.

Don’t compare
Don’t compare your friend’s situation to one of your own, as this may appear to her that you’re changing the focus to you. If you feel she might relate to your past situation, mention it and quickly bring the focus back to her, such as, “I felt the exact same way when “x” happened, but it got easier as I talked it through and maybe you’ll find that happening for you as well.” This shows you sympathize with her situation, and relate to it, while keeping the attention on her.

Don’t be “Miss Fix It”
Your friend mainly wants to be heard and supported. She’s not necessarily looking for you to solve or fix the problem. Rushing in with ways to “fix” things may give her the feeling that she’s not capable of handling it on her own. She really just needs you to be her empathetic confidant.

Don’t ask—take action
When friends are going through tough times, it’s our natural reaction to say, “Let me know if I can do anything.” The trouble with this is that now we’ve given our troubled friend a task to do in addition to dealing with her situation. Plus, if she’s not one to easily ask for help, then this becomes a daunting task for her and chances are she’ll never reach out. Instead, take charge yourself and make a few meals for your friend and drop them off. A homemade dish is always a sign of comfort, no matter what. Or, simply stop by with her favorite coffee drink or smoothie to brighten her day. Small acts of kindness can go a long way in showing support.

Be her cheerleader
When she’s ready, let her look to you for cheering up. One of the best ways to help a friend in need is to offer a strong dose of positivity by validating her feelings and also showing a brighter side. She’ll not only reap the benefits of your good mood, but it will make even the most challenging situations easier for her to cope with.

Hugs are healing
Never underestimate the power of a hug. Sometimes, there are no words and simply pulling her in for a warm hug can make her feel nurtured, calm, and safe. Research has even shown that hugging boosts brain chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin, elevating one’s mood and creating a sense of well-being—everything your friend needs.

How to Nurture all of your Friendships

August 19, 2014 by bluemountainecards

Not all friendships are created equal, but all friendships are indeed important and meaningful in their own unique, special ways.

Truth be told, there are varying levels of friendship. Some are extremely close. Some not as much, but still significant nonetheless. Although your various friendships may be different from one another, it’s still important to stay connected with each of them and to show your appreciation. After all, they have inspired, supported, encouraged, and motivated you—and perhaps even stood by your side—and probably continue to do so even today.

Blue Mountain has compiled a list of five different groups of friends you might have. We’ve also added fun ways to keep in touch with those friends in each group. Maybe you have suggestions of your own. We’d love to hear them!

FRIENDSHIP GROUP #1: BEST FRIENDS
Friends in this group are very few, but they’re the ones who know you best and accept you unconditionally. They’re also the ones you first turn to through the different phases of your life. To stay connected with this select group, the more personal, the better: one-on-one get-togethers, phone calls, and cards (yes, through the mail) are the nicest and most meaningful gestures.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP #2: SOCIAL FRIENDS
These friends are formed from social circles that enjoy each other’s company outside the home and workplace. They enjoy getting together and having a great time, whether at each other’s homes, at outside venues, or at functions. To stay connected with this group, eCards are a good choice.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP #3: WORK FRIENDS
Obviously, these friends are your professional colleagues and co-workers. You’re brought together through a mutual employer, but then you just happen to click on a more personal level. You might even socialize outside of work. These friends could also accumulate if you leave one company for another. To stay connected with this group, the social network LinkedIn is a great place to gather. Coffee and lunch dates are also nicely practical.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP #4: SCHOOL FRIENDS
This group of friends could have been culled from your grade school, high school, or college…or your child’s grade school, high school, or college. These individuals might include classmates, teachers, professors, coaches, mentors, other parents, etc. To stay connected with this group (through messages and photographs), blogging and social media work extremely well. You might want to consider Facebook or Twitter. Also, alumni groups and reunions are great ways to keep in touch.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP #5: CASUAL FRIENDS
These are friends you see just every once in a while. They could be meet-up groups, neighbors, members of your religious affiliation, etc. You don’t see each other regularly, but you do enjoy each other’s company and you get along well. To stay connected with this group, you may want to make more of an effort to do a planned activity together (movie, dinner, concert, art show, bowling) or share a lovely treat (bakery, flowers, vegetables from your garden, a small gift). You can also reach out and send an eCard that shows how much you value their friendship.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: