February, February how do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Well despite the possible doom and gloom outside (depending on where you live of course) February does have a lot to offer other than snow. Like what, you might ask? How about this list, that looks like it could have been lifted straight from the Amintro website, so closely does it mimic the kinds of good things we talk about: Family Day, Make a Friend Day, Drink Wine Day, Send a Card to a Friend Day and even, Random Act of Kindness Day! What’s not to love about all these choices for how to spend our time celebrating our friends? As an added bonus, if there is a loved one in your life – Valentine’s Day! Which, by the way, even if your “loved one” is yourself – is always a good day for those looking for an excuse to buy chocolate. For those of you who’ve lost count, that makes at least 6 ways to answer the question February, how do I love thee? What are you doing to celebrate?
Make a Friend Day is February 11th.
Friends play a vital role in our lives and have been called one of life’s most valuable assets. At Amintro, we help those who are 50+ to find and make new friends because we passionately believe these statements to be true. If you’re looking for a new way to make friends, consider joining Amintro – it’s free and takes about two minutes to register if you’re not already a member. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate friendship, join a friend for coffee or a lunch date, pick up the phone and take the time for a chat (not just a text message!) or maybe even surprise a friend with a small token of your appreciation representing what they mean to you. It doesn’t have to be expensive, if you have a friend that loves to bake, some pretty cupcake liners would be sweet. A friend who loves to read might appreciate a lovely, laminated bookmark. You get the idea, celebrate your friends, they help you live happier, healthier lives!
Drink Wine Day.
Well, I’m not gonna lie this one might as well be called “Sheralyn this one is for you Day” such is my love for a good glass of red wine. February 18th is the date to celebrate all things wine which, according to our research, was originally founded in order to “spread the love and health benefits of wine.” Wine has played an important role throughout history and is even referenced in at least one of the world’s largest religions as well as in the Bible. According to further research, Drink Wine Day is also an opportunity to “embrace the positive benefits of wine such as new friends, reduced risk of heart disease and the enhancement of food and life.” There it is again, the reference to friends. Sounds to me like February is shaping up to be a great month to make a new friend and while I am quite content to drink wine alone (maybe too content, I sure don’t need a special day to be declared, I already think every day should be drink wine day) there is also almost nothing better than sitting down with a good friend over a glass of vino. Perhaps even a friend you made the Amintro way!
Send a Card to a Friend Day!
Obviously, we aren’t writing this blog in any particular order because “send a card” day occurs on February 7th. Probably invented by a card company, it doesn’t really matter to me because I am just in love with the idea of randomly connecting with a friend and receiving something other than flyers and junk mail in my mailbox. I think there is also something kind of special about not relying on technology for once and taking the time to personally pick (or perhaps make) a card for a friend. Even your local discount store probably has a wide variety of appropriate blank cards you could use to mark this occasion. Use it as an excuse to reconnect with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while or reinforce the strength of your commitment to a new friend in your life. With many here in North America surrounded by snow and/or gloomy weather – choose a card with something bright on the cover to lift the spirits!
Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Celebrated on February 17th, this day is a chance for all of us to embrace the good and spread a little cheer in the world – not just towards our friends but also towards our fellow man. Hold a door open for the person behind you, pay for the coffee of the person next in line, or if it’s snowing where you are, clear off the cars on either side of you in the parking lot – trust me, it will be appreciated! Leave a friendly message on a post-it note on your colleague’s desk at work or bake some treats and bring them in to the office with you. Drop by the house of a friend and personally deliver flowers, a plant or even their favorite pizza if budget allows and then they won’t have to cook dinner that night. Be kind, because the world sure could use a little more kindness.
February also includes the more traditional holiday of Valentine’s Day and in Canada, Family Day. While these might, at first glance, appear to be “exclusive” holidays for those with a spouse, partner or significant other, or with children and loved ones living nearby, we see no reason to limit either to such exclusivity. Many of us have friends who are like family and family we’d prefer to spend less time with! As for Valentine’s Day, I don’t see why we can’t celebrate ALL the people we love on this day, friends, family or otherwise. So here’s the thing folks – if the February blahs have got you down, winter weather is making you frown, there’s always a way to “turn that frown upside down.” You can start by drinking wine! With a friend! At least when you’re done you might both be upside down and you most certainly won’t be wearing a frown! All joking aside, go ahead and celebrate February – with a friend! Oh Happy Days indeed.
