How to Stay in Touch With Old Friends

Staying in touch with old friends is a challenge and requires a commitment to keep in touch by all involved. Although it is difficult with everyone's busy schedules, it is not impossible, and these tips for keeping in touch are easy and fun.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Address book, notebook or journal
• Excel software
• Calendar

1. Collect friends' contact information, including address, home phone, cell phone, emails and birthdates. Keep the information in an address book, journal or excel spreadsheet.
2. Use electronic methods such as sending emails, sending instant messages, setting up websites and creating online groups and blogs. Sites such as Hotmail and Yahoo provide these services for free. Sending pictures is also easier when using electronic means.
3. Call friends to share good news or to catch up. Use emails, instant messages or web sites to schedule times to catch-up and stay in touch. Many email accounts also provide a personal calendar.
4. Acknowledge important dates like birthdays or anniversaries by sending cards, e-cards or text messages. Make a calendar of important dates that can be used or revised each year.
5. Plan an annual get-together or mini reunion, such as a happy hour or weekend retreat, once a year at least. Each year a different friend should plan the mini reunion. If scheduling a get together that includes all of the old friends does not permit a mini reunion, then consider an online reunion using webcams or a website such as MySpace.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to contact old friends at least once a month.
• Friends may not immediately read or respond to messages or information on emails and websites. Don't let that discourage you from trying to stay in touch with old friends.