What Friends
Do for Cheer ...

Special Observances in May:

Older Americans Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month
Better Sleep Month
Clean Air Month
Correct Posture Month
National Arthritis Month
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Nat. Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
National Mental Health Month
National Neurofibromatosis Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
Date Your Mate Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bike Month
National Blood Pressure Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
National Hamburger Month
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Photograph Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month

Check the What Friends Do for Cheer page often. New ideas are added regularly. Have an idea you’d like to share? Send an email to ideas @ whatfriendsdo.com.

Please visit your local blood donation center to share the gift of life.

What Friends Do for Cheer

In the midst of challenges, trauma and grief, the smile from a friend warms our hearts. A small act of kindness reminds us of the good things in life. And genuine help and cheer renews or instills a sense of joy in our lives. No matter what difficult situation your friend faces, joy can still be, and NEEDS to be, part of his or her life.

The WhatFriendsDo.com website has lots of fun ideas from simple notes to major projects – to help you rally around your friend with plenty of cheer. Some of these ideas are listed below. Use the menu on the left side of this page to find ideas for a specific situation.

Check the WhatFriendsDo.com Special Days section to find creative ideas for spreading cheer every day!

Click here to see special cheer ideas!

While you’re out - You’re having dinner with friends and you’re discussing your friend in need? Purchase a gift card for the restaurant before you leave. Enclose it in a card and mail it along with a note to let your friend know he or she was in your thoughts and you wanted to share a meal with them.

Sign it – Make a cheerful banner to hang in your friend’s hospital room – or in his or her dining room. Leave plenty of blank space so friends can sign their names when they visit. picture of banner

Remember the whole family! - When pampering your friend, keep in mind that his or her family members are also going through the experience. They need to be pampered, too! Movie passes for the entire family will be great for a fun family outing. If going out isn’t feasible, DVD rentals are good – you can pick up and return the DVDs – and maybe a family member would enjoy going with you to make the selection.

Who says gas can’t be fun? – When you fill your tank – fill your friend’s, too. Send a gift card for a fill-up!

Send a card! – Everyone likes to find a cheerful card in the mailbox – whether you send your card via the postal service or electronically, your friend will be glad to hear from you. Be sure to also send greetings via your friend’s WhatFriendsDo.com Guestbook on a regular basis.

Pampering the pets pampers the people – Drop off a gift certificate for pet grooming – tell the pet owner you’ll make the appointment and drop the pet off and pick it up afterward. (Don’t do this as a surprise – that would be like taking someone’s child for a haircut without Mom and Dad’s permission).

Dogs can be part of the team too in a WhatFriendsDo.com shirt.

$15.99

WhatFriendsDo.com Newsletters

Recieve e-newsletters with special articles and tips for helping friends when it's needed most.
Join WhatFriendsDo.com now!

" I've learned that everyday you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. "

–Maya Angelou

Visit the What Friends Give Store to find gifts to send to your friend. From practical to whimsical, our store will help you send just the right message!