Life is full of reasons to celebrate, from births to weddings and everything in between. If you’re an adult, one unexpected yet common event that may be on the horizon is a friend’s promotion at work. Promotions are normally a sign that an employee is being recognized for their leadership potential. It’s a good idea to acknowledge your friend’s achievement, but what if your budget doesn’t match your enthusiasm? Fortunately, there are many ways to celebrate without breaking the bank. If you have a career-oriented friend, here are five affordable ways to congratulate them on their upcoming promotion.
1. Treat Them to Lunch
Most people will appreciate the gift of a nice meal, but celebratory dinners can be expensive. Fortunately, many restaurants offer a lunch menu of smaller, affordable plates that are designed to be whipped up and eaten quickly. By opting for lunch, you can leave room in your budget to visit a high-end restaurant or throw in a few cocktails on the side. To make sure your friend can fully enjoy their lunch, allow them to pick the restaurant they would like to dine at.
2. Give a Personalized Gift
In many cultures, it’s common to gift a wallet, watch, briefcase, or similar item to celebrate an individual’s promotion to a more “adult” role. You can take this idea a little further by giving your friend a personalized gift. For best results, choose items that are related to their line of work. These types of gifts help your friend appear more professional at work, and they can also express a message of support. Stationery, pens, desk plaques, file folders, and luggage tags are a few ideas that are affordable and easy to customize.
3. Smoke Cigars
For generations, cigars have been associated with luxury and sophistication, making them perfect for all sorts of celebrations. Many people also find cigars relaxing, indulgent, or both. You can help your friends feel especially triumphant by offering to smoke cigars with them. Of course, you should provide the cigars, too. There’s no need to make it an expensive activity because many online cigar shops offer quality cigars for every budget.
4. Create a Scrapbook of Previous Roles
Collect photos of your friends that were taken at previous jobs and compile them in a scrapbook. This is a nice way to honor the years of hard work your friend has invested in their career. You can find these types of photos from your friend’s social media, family members, or co-workers. If you don’t have enough photos for a scrapbook, consider a single framed photo or a shadowbox of mementos.
5. Send a Card
With more and more people conducting their business online, receiving handwritten notes and letters in the mail is a rare treat these days. For the ultimate budget-friendly gesture, you can pick out a nice card, sign it, and purchase a stamp for just a few dollars. To make sure the card is a success, handwrite a thoughtful note before sending it off. When the card appears in your friend’s mailbox, they will surely feel special after knowing you took the time to jot down some words of support.