Friendship is something that means something to people both young and old. Without our friends we would find life very difficult. It requires a great deal of effort to find and make good friends, and once you have them you want to keep them. Because friendship is such an important part of our lives it is necessary to express it. We express it through words and actions as well as through objects. One of the best ways to explore and strengthen a friendship is by making something unique together. However, most people assume that making stuff with friends is just kid’s stuff. One of the items that many kids make together are friendship bracelets. They are cheap to produce and easy to make. The finished product is totally unique and expresses something about the nature of the friendship.
Friendship bracelets are not just for kids; there is no reason why adults cannot make a meaningful friendship bracelet. The bracelet need not be juvenile or cute. Adult friendship bracelets can express a deep sense of common interest or shared history. People in the military often wear the dog tags of fallen friends—making a friendship bracelet need not be any less serious a matter. The bracelet reminds you of a meaningful bond in your life—everywhere you go a piece of that bond goes with you. Just as a married couple wears rings that remind them of their commitments, so to can a friendship bracelet be a reminder of a strong friendship. However, the great thing about friendship bracelets as opposed to wedding rings is that you make them.
Described bellow are a few ideas for adult friendship bracelets. The key with any friendship bracelet is expressing the uniqueness of your friendship. Try these ideas or come up with your own.
1. Traditional friendship bracelets are braided but you can use whatever materials you like to make one. If you decide to braid your bracelets I recommend dark, earthy colors. The reason for this is that an adult friendship is a little different than a child’s friendship. Children typically use bright colors to express the enthusiasm they feel in their friendship. For an adult the friendship might be a much more personal matter. Darker colors won’t stand out as much or distract from other clothing.
2. I highly recommend that adult friendship bracelets have something subtly unique about them. There is a good chance that you share some hobby or interest with your friends. The friendship bracelet could be designed to represent this common interest. For example, if you both love golf attach a tiny golf club to the bracelet. If you like basketball cut up pieces of a basketball and attach them to form a bracelet. Any object from the past that convey something essential about the relationship or how it started can be use din the bracelet.
3. Perhaps more so for adults than kids writing is of real importance. Have a small metal plate engraved with your friend’s name or some meaningful statement. Attach the plate to the bracelet so you can always read it. You can also write directly onto a braided bracelet with a fine tipped marker.
A good adult friendship bracelet communicates something serious about the relationship. The ideas described above help to convey the importance of the relationship. These sorts of adult friendship bracelets can also be great conversation starters. With a little bit of effort you can produce beautiful friendship bracelets that will remind you of your friends for years. You are never too old for friendship.
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