Friendship day in office, exciting, isn’t it? Yes, it is and also an impactful way of enhancing inclusiveness, engagement, and bonding among employees. The debate about celebrating friendship’s day at work is the loss of productive time, differences in opinions, and aligning the celebrations with professional ethics. While some anticipate it to be a sheer waste of time others have the opinion that it could provide valuable experiences and refresh the workplace by fostering stronger interpersonal connections and boosting morale.
The mere intention of the Friendship Day celebration was to promote mutual understanding, cordial bonding, respect, and friendship among various countries that will help relax the tension between countries having varied options, cultures, and perceptions. So, its celebration and inclusivity at the workplace will not only help create a healthy work culture but also help in team building and enhancing the employees’ connection with the organization.
If you’re struggling with the idea of whether to celebrate Friendship Day in the workplace, then we’ve got you covered like “A friend in need is a friend in deed” with the best of ideas that will not only align with professional ethics but also enhance team spirit and create memorable experiences for everyone involved.
When is Friendship Day Celebrated?
While International Friendship Day is celebrated on 30th July as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, Countries like India and so, Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year.
The origin of celebrating Friendship Day dates back to the early nineties, the idea of a World Friendship Day was proposed during the 1958 meeting of the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organization that campaigns to foster a culture of peace through friendship. The United Nations officially recognized July 30 as International Friendship Day in 2011.
However, the origin of National Friendship Day, celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year, traced back to 1935, when the United States Congress proclaimed the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. The idea was to promote the exchange of friendship cards and to honor the importance of friendships in our lives.
10 Best Ways to Celebrate Friendship Day in the Office
Friendship Day is a cordial way to surge inclusiveness with fun and engagement. But what’s needed to be taken care of is adhere to professional ethics along with robust ideas to make the event memorable for your employees.
Here are some best ways of how to celebrate Friendship Day in office with your work friends and create a cherishing happy memory.
1) Team Lunch and Potluck
Potluck is one of the productive as well as healthy way of getting your friendship day at office cordial. Foods connects hearts and the potluck sessions brings to table taste, warmth and cultures of various states of employees belonging to various geographical regions. Ask your employees to bring the unique cuisine of their states and explain its origin and importance in their respective states.
2) Appreciation Award Events
Arrange an awards event to appreciation for the achievements and accomplishments to the employees for their exceptional performances and learning throughout the quarter or so. Create new awards titles like “shining performer”, “learner of the session”, etc. You can also make it a fun event and create funny titles for awarding “late coming” employees of the session, “miser” employees of the team, etc.
This will create a fun environment in the workplace and will bring employees together with fun, laughter, and joy.
3) Snap & Reel
Snap and reel is the trending activity in recent times. Ask teams to create photo booths in their cubicle and award the best ones with rewards. You can also ask them to send their Friendship Day photo of the week and create reels with a friendship theme.
4) Theme Party
Ask the team leaders or managers to pick up chits for the entire team and follow the color code mentioned in each chit. You can also go for Bollywood themes, retro themes, movie character themes, etc.
5) Wellness activities
Arrange blood donation camps, health awareness camps or full body check up camps for employees in the office premises. You can also arrange donation camps, where employees can donate clothes, stationery or etc. to NGOs or so.
6) Workshops or Seminars
Arrange workshops or seminars on mental health, depressions, and ways to tackle it. Seminars on career advancements, investments, budget planning networking, etc. can also be beneficial and engaging.
7) Secret Friend
Celebrate the friendship day with secret friend activity. Put the name of employees in a pot ask employees to pick a chit randomly and gift the person name mentioned in the chit.
8) Plant a Tree & Preserve Environment
“Environment is the best friend of human beings” why not preserve it on friendship day. Arrange plantation activity where employees will plant trees as well as contribute their bit in cleaning the workplace environment and premises or any public place for the day.
9) Team Building Activities
Various team building activities such as friendship bingo cards, team trivia challenge (Prepare a set of trivia questions related to your workplace, team members, or general fun facts. Divide the team into small groups and have a trivia competition. Include questions about each other’s hobbies or funny office moments.), two truths one lie game, etc.
10) Treat and Greet
Ask employees to celebrate friendship day in a noble way by treating and greeting each other as well as by supporting each other’s philanthropy activity, such as treating under privileged people or animals whom the other employee have been contributing to, etc.
Happy Friendship Day to Colleagues: Quotes
1. “From being strangers to being partners in workplace crimes, it has been a journey of emotions, professionalism, tight deadlines and lots of fun. Happy Friendship day mate.”
2. “Happy Friendship day to the ones with the same enthusiasm and vibe as mine.”
3. “Happy Friendship Day! Grateful for the camaraderie and support we share at work. Cheers to many more successful projects together!”
4. “Happy Friendship Day to a colleague who’s always there to lend a hand or share a laugh. Here’s to our great working relationship!”
5. “Sending warm Friendship Day wishes to a coworker who makes even the busiest days feel manageable. Your friendship means a lot, mate.”
6. “To the colleague who turns work into a fun adventure—happy Friendship Day! Thanks for making each day at the office enjoyable.”
7. “Your positive energy and collaborative spirit make work so much better. Thanks for being a great friend and colleague! Happy Friendship Day.”
8. “Wishing a fantastic Friendship Day to someone who not only excels in the Excel sheets but also excels at being a great friend.”
9. “Wishing you a joyful Friendship Day! Working with you is always a pleasure, and I value our friendship both inside and outside the office.”
10. “Happy Friendship Day to my friend, philosopher, and guide. You’re a fantastic human, the best colleague and partner. Wishing many more to come.”
Happy Friendship Day!
This Friendship Day, celebrate the spirit, enthusiasm, strengths, and perceptions of your colleagues with joy, and fun. Hope these ideas serve your purpose and help elevate your workplace positivity and bond. Here’s to all our wonderful readers, may we grow, and learn together in this process forever Happy Friendships Day.
