A popular saying goes that hanging around too much or too little can ruin a good friendship. It seems that the rule, ?Everything in moderation,? applies universally, friendships included. Granted, we all have busy lives: work, family, projects, hobbies, investments, and volunteer work can take up a huge chunk of our time.

You need not be physically present to let a friend know you care. Small acts of kindness are sufficient. Here are some things you can do to keep the friendship going:

- Write a note. Nothing is more touching than a personally handwritten note. If you live away from a friend and need to travel, why not snail-mail a card or a letter? E-mail has made things easier for many of us, but in the bustle of things, the emotion gets lost in the translation.

- Make it a custom to send friendship gifts. We usually give gifts to friends during their birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. How about the days in between? Make any day a friendship day by giving gifts to friends. You need not give big, expensive gifts. Small, practical items speak volumes. A chocolate bar left at a friend's office desk or a small jar of cookies left at her doorsteps for no reason at all will surely warm the heart. Order your custom friendship gifts in advance so you don't miss an occasion.

- Create your own custom friendship gifts. Running out of gift ideas? Why not make your own? Friends will value the originality and the effort you put into making the gift. Moreover, the creative exercise will be good for you. So take out the craft supplies and make your own gift: be it a scrapbook, a thank-you card, a pencil holder from recycled materials, or popsicle sticks photo frames, your custom friendship gifts will surely be memorable.

- Keep in touch. E-mail, call, send an SMS. Technology offers so many ways to keep in touch despite the distance, so you don't need to mope that a friend will be moving away.

- Schedule some time alone together. If you make an effort to spend time with your family, why not make time for friends too? Simple tasks such as doing the groceries together, baking, jogging, or walking home together are good bonding moments.