Today July 30th is known as International Day of Friendship. A day for celebrating everything about friendships. Friendship Day however occurs on different dates in different countries.

The Link Between Friendship Day and the Greeting Card Industry

Friendship Day was originated by the founder of Hallmark Cards in 1930, intended to be 2 August and a day when people celebrated their friendships by holiday celebrations. Friendship Day was promoted by the greeting card National Association during the 1920s but met with resistance from the public, the feeling was that it was too a commercial gimmick to promote greetings cards. In the 1940's the publics' recognition and giving of cards had dwindled and the holiday all but died out.

United Nations, Winnie the Pooh

In the name of Friendship Day in 1998, Nane Annan the wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.

World Day of Friendship

The World Friendship Crusade lobbied the UN for years to recognise 30 July as World Friendship Day and on 20 May General Assembly of the United Nations decided to designate the date as the International Day of Friendship; and to invite all Member States to observe the International Day of Friendship in accordance with the culture and customs of their local, national and regional communities.

Some friends acknowledge each other with exchanges of gifts and cards on this day. Friendship bands are very popular in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and South America.

Covid-19 + Friendship Greeting Cards

Here in the Wonky Tree office we have noticed a great number of Friendship type greeting cards being ordered. Cards that simply say hello, give someone a hug or just to say they are missed. It's not surprising I suppose considering the enormous changes in all our lives since lockdown began. The greeting card designers have been very quick to understand the current situation we find ourselves in, how normal life and relationships have been tested in these troubled times and they have produced some fabulous designs, both touching and sometimes a little naughty to make us laugh.

Whatever you are up to today... have a good one and stay safe :)