A Gift for a Special Friend to Say "Thank You for Your Friendship"

While mothers, fathers, grandparents, secretaries and even St. Patrick get plenty of attention on their own special holidays, a friend who has been there through thick and thin deserves a day to shine in the spotlight, too. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for a date on the calendar; you can celebrate your buddy any day with a gift that expresses your gratitude for the friendship.

Present your friend with a showcase of all your special moments together. You can create a collage from a handful of your favorite photos together or, if a single page won't do, fill a scrapbook or photo album with every moment you’ve shared caught on film. Create the photo album online for a techno-savvy gift. If you’d like to give your friend something he can use every day, have a collage printed on a mug, tote bag or T-shirt or choose your top photo pics to make a coaster set. If your friend has a sweet tooth, show him you appreciate his friendship with cupcakes topped with edible icing images of the two of you together.

Show your friend how much you cherish all of the memories you’ve made together by surprising her with a new experience together. Share a little adventure with a zip-line tour or white water rafting trip, or thrill a daredevil friend with a skydiving lesson. If relaxation is more her style, arrange for an afternoon of pampering at a local spa with massages, facials and manicures. You can treat your friend to a simple evening out for dinner and a movie or cheer on your favorite sports team at a home game. Plan a weekend long event to commemorate years of friendship, such as a camping trip for a nature enthusiast or a hotel and shopping trip for a city lover. If your friend is adventurous, make no plans at all – just plenty of memories -- with a weekend road trip.

Show your friend you value his friendship by letting him know you’ve been paying attention. Pick up a new set of pastels or paints for an art-loving friend and personalize the gift with a monogrammed case. Surprise a sports enthusiast with an autographed ball or jersey, or pick up a photo of his favorite player. If he prefers spatulas to hockey sticks, enhance his culinary collection with new kitchen gadgets, spices or serving dishes. If your friend is an avid supporter of a particular cause, show your support by making a donation in his name.

Invest a little effort and creativity in a gift you know she'll cherish at home. Sew a scarf or handbag for a fashionista friend. Instead of everyday fabric, make it from memorabilia apparel, such as the T-shirts you picked up on vacations together. Make a CD compilation of the songs that are meaningful to your friendship or splice together clips from videos you’ve made together. Alternatively, make something your friend can display around her home, such as a salt dough ornament engraved with thoughtful friendship quotes or hand towels embroidered with a special message.