The United Nations established the International Day of Friendship in 2011 so that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
While we can’t change the world alone, we can certainly extend the hand of friendship to you as we celebrate our individual friendships – occasionally undervalued and unappreciated. Having friends in these times can certainly alter our individual worlds, so we’ve scoured the market to showcase a host of goodies to show our friends what they mean to us for International Friendship Day and beyond.
PAMPER YOUR FRIENDS
Young LDN
A unique studio in London, created specifically for Gen Z and Millennials in mind, Young LDN offers a wide range of bespoke beauty and skincare treatments. Celebrating International Friendship Day, Young LDN is offering two friends the chance to relax together and enjoy their “The 40” treatment with a 40% discount.
This signature 40-minute facial is designed to hydrate, detox, refresh, brighten and tighten the skin, with the bonus of added LED technology helping to further boost collagen and rejuvenate the skin. Every treatment is finished off with a gua sha massage or cryotherapy, to boost lymphatic drainage and puffiness.
From – Young LDN
Price | £72 (without discount)
Miller Harris – L’Air de Rein
Created for Jane Birkin, Miller Harris’ L’Air de Rien perfume offers an intimate, nostalgic fragrance of musk and amber, blended with earthy moss and dry vanilla. Appealing and alluring, the exclusive perfume is limited to annual small batches, only sold via Miller Harris stores and website.
If you prefer to set the scene for a catch up, Miller Harris’ brand new reed diffusers will lift any mood, transforming your living space with a fresh air feeling. Created with a plant base, the glass bottles can be recycled or re-used and the reeds are natural, with plant based oils.
From – Miller Harris
Price | £115 (100 ml) for L’Air de Rein / £65 For Rose Diffuser (150 ml)
ESPA Modern Alchemy The Grounding Crystals
Gift your friends ESPA’s Grounding Crystals which echo back to ancient bathing rituals designed to purify mind, body and soul. Offering a soothing salt soak inspired by ancient traditions harnessing the power of minerals and water to re-energise and purify, the detoxifying pink crystals leave skin feeling soft, nourished and deeply cleansed while an aromatic blend of Ylang Ylang, Ginger and Vetiver grounds the body, mind and soul.
Key ingredients include Himalayan Pink Salt, Epsom Salts celebrated and widely used in Chinese medicine and Amber Extract, known for helping to balance emotions, releasing negative energy.
From – ESPA
Price | £31.20
Perricone MD Limited Edition Pamper Bundle
Nothing beats a girly night in with a pamper bundle for International Friendship Day. Perricone MD’s collection of goodies includes a No:Rinse exfoliating peel to reveal younger looking skin and a High Potency Classics Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Eye Serum to give eyes a visibly lifted effect. The Cold Plasma Plus+ Concentrated Treatment Mask holds to the contours of the face to deliver youthful looking skin in a trice, while the Cold Plasma Plus+ Intensive Hydrating Complex deeply moisturises. Finally, the Cold Plasma Plus+ Fragile Skin Therapy is perfect to strengthen fragile areas such as arms and shins.
From – Perricone MD
Price | £150 (worth £247)
Olivia’s Haven
When inviting friends over, look to Olivia’s Haven home fragrances. Every scent requires a special reason for making it into the collection. The stories behind each scent are told on the box and brought to life with playful designs illustrated by Jessica Smith.
All candles and wax melts use clean burning 100% soy wax, with paraben-free oils chosen to create a more intense aroma (also known as scent throw). Candles are contained in stylish white matte vessels and the glass tumblers are designed to be reusable so you can enjoy Olivia’s Haven long after the candle is finished.
From – Olivia’s Haven
Price | £31
TREAT YOUR FRIENDS
The Reid Single Malt Vodka
This brilliant vodka draws on the purest Alpine water sourced from the heart of Mount Cardrona in New Zealand and combines it with two simple ingredients, malted barley and yeast. These simple ingredients are distilled in a German made Jacob Carl column still, to produce its unparalleled signature creamy taste and unique flavour profile.
Pear drops, toffee and biscuits on the nose with a weighted spirit on the tongue. Exquisite sipped neat or mixed into a crafted cocktail. Hand-distilled and bottled in Cardona, this New World vodka was created by craftswoman Desiree Reid. The ideal gift or accompaniment for enjoying alongside quality food, ‘the reid’ can be easily paired with a variety of fish, game and also adds a luxury twist to many classic cocktails, offering a richness on the palate, dry finish and mineral undertones.
From – Cardrona Distillery
Price | £55
Fresh Monkey
Monkey Shoulder has launched a VERY exciting new spirit – Fresh Monkey. A world first for the brand, Fresh Monkey is a Blended Grain Spirit – a unique mix of three new make spirits – two grain spirits and one Speyside malt spirit – which have been blended together unaged, fresh off the still, and specifically selected to deliver a fresh, light, balanced flavour whilst still maintaining that 40% ABV.
Fresh Monkey offers the versatility of a light rum but with a delicate chocolatey and malty finish – which Monkey Shoulder is traditionally known for – this Blended Grain Spirit breaks new ground by combining the richness of classic malt notes with vibrant tropical flavours. Fresh Monkey joins the Monkey Shoulder range alongside Original and Smokey Monkey.
From – Amazon
Price | £29
Maestro DOBEL
The limited edition Encuentros cocktail making kit comprises three handcrafted pieces using local materials; a Mexican marble jigger, a glass mixing jug and stirrer. The fifteen sets are available exclusively at Harvey Nichols instore and online. Experimenting with the tactility of glass and marble, the set reflects the transformative process Maestro DOBEL uses to turn agave into their multi-aged cristalino and smoked tequilas, Diamante and Humito.
Their Diamante Tequila is the world’s first multi-aged Tequila that’s crystal clear. Crafted from a blend of Extra Añejo, Añejo and Reposado 100% blue agave Tequilas, Diamante is then double filtered to remove the colour and make it exceptionally smooth. Diamante has the sparkling diamond clarity and the crispness of a Blanco, combined with the creamy depth of a Reposado or Añejo.
From – Harvey Nichols
Price | £275
Läderach Chocolatiers
If your friends are anything like ours at Luxuriate Life, a present of chocolates will always be appreciated.
So where better to source something a little special than from Swiss chocolatier Läderach with their Läderach FrischSchoggi classic – a little boat packed to the rafters with various chocolates from fruity and fresh with white chocolate and raspberry pieces, classic with milk chocolate and caramelised Piedmontese hazelnuts or pure indulgent dark chocolate. There’s something here to suit all tastes as experience has shown that a Läderach chocolate is always shared around!
From – Läderach
Price | £29.40
Ramsbury Vodka Hamper
For friends who prefer a little more kick from our gifts, why not present them with a Ramsbury Vodka Hamper, made from the best of local ingredients on an estate in Wiltshire?
The Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka Hamper is packed in a wicker hamper and includes one bottle of Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka 700ml and two Ramsbury-branded blue-tinted highball glasses – well you can’t drink alone now, can you?
From – Ramsbury
Price | £75
Journey’s End
A bottle of wine is a perfect way to relax with friends on Friendship Day, so why not try Journey’s End’s Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2019? This elegant wine offers excellent floral aromas and soft red fruits on the palate. This particular wine is produced by the Gabb family, originally from Shropshire, who fell in love with the South African wine farm surrounded by 20 hectares of vineyards in the Schapenberg Hills.
Journey’s End is also committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. They converted to solar power in 2014 and their Foundation has provided over 1,000,000 meals to their local community.
From – Tanners Wines
Price | £16
Ridgeview
When only fizz will do, why not open a bottle of Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV for a fun, sparkling wine to enjoy with friends and family? Based in Sussex, Ridgeview have been pioneers of English sparkling winemaking for over 25 years and offer a range of exceptional sparkling wine for all tastes and occasions. The Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV is a perfect celebratory wine, this particular bottle is best paired with bread-based canapés, smoked salmon or seafood.
From – Ridgeview
Price | £30
Havana Club Añejo Especial Rum
What better way to celebrate friendship than kicking back with a few cocktails amongst friends? When the sun goes down, bring a touch of Cuba into your life with the Havana Club Añejo Especial Rum, a premium aged rum. Deliciously smooth, this amber coloured nectar with notes of vanilla is aged in old oak barrels to bring striking smoothness before enjoying a second maturation in younger ex-whiskey casks. This provides light sweetness with vanilla notes as well as cinnamon, tobacco, zesty orange and dry oak. Mix with cola for the ultimate Cuba Libre taste experience.
From – Tesco
Price | £20.50
Eflorist
It is not that often friends are sent a bouquet of flowers, but it should certainly be more common. Yellow roses are the flower of choice for friendship and Eflorist’s Yellow Rose and Lily Bouquet is a popular choice, although there is a range to choose from. Depending on your budget, there are standard, medium and large bouquets available together with a clutch of other additional extras – chocolates, a vase, a greetings card, etc. – that can be added for an additional cost.
From – Eflorist
Price | £37.99
Farm Wilder
Invite friends round to eat something delicious, sustainable, and healthy from Farm Wilder’s new BBQ range. The entire range is reared by farmers who use regenerative farming practices that improve sustainability across the whole farm, restoring soil health, increasing soil carbon, reducing soil pollution, and making the land more resilient to climate change.
This ticks all the right ethical boxes at the same time as enjoying tucking into pasture fed Lamb burgers, Wilder Venison Loin Steak or Chicken eights or even a pasture fed Butterflied shoulder of Lamb.
From – Farm Wilder
Price | from £6.50
EXPERIENCES WITH FRIENDS
Madera at Treehouse London Brunch
Weekend Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday at Madera with a modern Mexican take on classic brunch dishes, alongside bespoke cocktails including of course margaritas. Expect guest DJs, live performers, and Madera’s signature Californian-Mexican brunch dishes like the most tender grass-fed chimichurri marinated prime steak with sunny side up eggs and roasted mixed peppers. To spice things up a little, ask for their extra hot creamy salsa. To finish, there are unlimited churros with a chocolate sauce.
From – Madera
Price | From £45 per person.
Mama Shelter London
Throughout August and September 2022, Mama Shelter, Italicus and Lillet will be bringing a slice of Italy and France to their gorgeous Garden Bar. This al fresco terrace, Mama London’s Garden Bar is an outdoor courtyard space with retractable roof, covered island cocktail bar with bold monochrome striped awning, eclectic furnishings and lots of lush plants and greenery. Expect Italicus and Lillet cocktails and spritzes to share with friends and classic Italian snacks to share.
Red Letter Days
When you’ve run out of gift ideas, turn to Red Letter Days who’ve been pioneering the concept of gifting unforgettable experiences since 1989. Creating lasting memories is key to their concept, so ideal gifts include Afternoon Tea for two at over 260 venues across the UK.
Tuck into fresh scones, cakes and nibbles in the heart of the city or admire the grandeur of a historic country house. There is plenty to choose from with this voucher’s selection of experiences. Sit back and enjoy amazing hospitality, from stately visits to Coombe Abbey to tasty burgers in London.
From – Red Letter Days
Price | £49.99
Treedom
This International Friendship Day, show your friend just how special they are with a Best Friends Kit from Treedom, the first platform in the world that allows you to grow a tree online and follow the story of the project. With this kit you can plant two trees and give one to your friend, symbolising your friendship as it too grows over time.
You can name and dedicate the tree to them and you’ll both have access to an online tree diary where you can track the progress of the project it is involved. Everything from the project’s growth to its environmental impact, information about the community it is benefiting, and the produce it creates. Make a difference to the planet this International Friendship Day.
From – Treedom
Price | £39.90
GET FIT AND HEALTHY WITH A FRIEND
Polar Pacer
Exercising with friends is a perfect way to achieve fitness goals. Polar Pacer is the ideal watch for those starting their journey as runners. It’s an ultra-light, new generation GPS running watch with an integrated barometer, equipping serious runners with advanced training tools, making every run a good run.
It embodies the simplicity of running with all the essentials, plus specialised training, sleep, and recovery tools needed to fall in love with the sport. Even better, by choosing to exercise from home, your selected “gym” is never crowded, is close by, plays your favourite songs and has no membership fees!
From – Polar
Price | £169.50
Vital Proteins
Gift the means of feeling and living better in later life by gifting a starter pack of Vital Proteins’ Collagen Peptides, providing nourishing collagen and promoting production – an ingredient stripped from our diets by modern food-processing. As collagen production slows with age, our need for it grows as our bodies become less efficient. Vital Proteins believes you can make the most out of every moment you’re given – that your body shouldn’t be a limitation, but a catalyst.
A supplement containing collagen peptides can help boost natural collagen supply, which naturally declines from around 25. Even better, they’re unflavoured, odourless and dissolve.
From – Vital Proteins
Price | £24.99 – Collagen Peptides 284g
Chatham
If you have a marine enthusiast in your life and struggle to find appropriate gifts, try the Tribe Technical Boat Shoe from Chatham? Available in two colours – navy/red and grey/yellow – this statement shoe is a high-performance style specifically designed for sailing.
Following a classic boat shoe shape, it uses barefoot design technology, crafted from premium quick-drying materials. Alongside its technically advanced treat+ system providing assured grip, it also features an open cell foam mid-layer and drainage holes which increases air flow and maintains temperature. It’s finished with a rubber and latex soul, perfect for marine adventures on shore or at sea.
From – Chatham
Price | £86.26
Helly Hanson
If you and your friends enjoy active adventures, the Solen T-shirt from Norwegian heritage brand Helly Hansen may be ideal. The lightweight Solen T-shirt offers 50+ UPF protection with a wicking LIFA® Active fabric, which moves moisture away from the skin, to keep you dry and sun protected for any adventures such as sailing, hiking or spring skiing. Planet-friendly S.Café® technology is also utilised, infusing fabric with used coffee grounds, boosting the 50+ UPF sun protection. Not only is it chemical-free sun protection, but it’s also quick-drying, odour-resistant and it will never wash out so you can use it every friendship day.
From – Helly Hanson
Price | £35
A CUP OF COFFEE AND A CHAT WITH FRIENDS
KitchenAid
Turn an everyday hangout with friends into something a little special this friendship day by making a cup of delicious coffee using the new KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine and Artisan Coffee Grinder.
The latest addition to the KitchenAid collection makes perfect barista-quality espresso, shot after shot, in the comfort of your own kitchen. Four colourways are available (Almond Cream, Candy Apple, Cast Iron Black and Stainless Steel) so you can pick whichever works best for your kitchen. You can also achieve exceptional grinding precision for your home coffee with the compact, elegantly designed Artisan Coffee Grinder which happily comes in the same colourways.
From – KitchenAid
Price | £381.65 for the Artisan Espresso Machine / £169.15 for the Artisan Coffee Grinder
Emma Bridgewater
Ceramic maestro Emma Bridgewater’s ‘Soul Sisters & Best Friends’ emblazoned mug delivers a perfect statement of intent for friendship day. This mug is perfect for starting the day with positive intent.
Emma Bridgewater launched her eponymous brand in 1994, when she couldn’t find any pottery she liked to present to her mother, so she started her own brand. Today all her pottery is made from cream-coloured earthenware in their factory, with 1.7 million pieces produced each year. Incredibly popular and now one of Britain’s best loved brands, in 2017, they produced 64,000 personalised mugs – that’s an awful lot of tea, now isn’t it?
From – Emma Bridgewater
Price | £22
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
With advanced technology, Jabra is redefining wireless technology to deliver better sound quality, clearer calls and more flexibility. Whether keeping the world at bay by silencing the surrounding backdrop of life, listening to music or keeping in touch with friends and family, Jabra’s technology is here to help.
When you need to re-immerse and have your senses alerted, switch from total immersion to HearThrough technology to take in sounds around you. Whether buying a coffee or simply crossing the road, five levels of immersion or awareness can be customised via the Sound+ app as preferred.
From – Jabra
Price | £199
Featured image courtesy of Emma Bridgewater’s ‘Soul Sisters & Best Friends.’ All imagery courtesy of the brands featured.