Everyone likes to be remembered on their birthday. It’s the one day out of the entire year when you get to be recognized and appreciated for simply being here. And when a close friend forgets to commemorate that special day, it can sting a little bit. Forgetting someone’s birthday is a big mistake that leaves you feeling guilty and regretful, especially when that person means a lot to you.
Life gets a little busy sometimes, and we can get so wrapped up in the daily grind that we lose track of which day it is, and things get lost in the shuffle. So rather than punishing yourself for being the absolute worst friend in the world, get started on finding a way to make it up to them! And take a look through our list of 8 perfect gift ideas for making up for a forgotten birthday.
Apologize With Flowers
Nothing says “I’m sorry” like a beautiful bouquet. However, if you’re looking to make amends for missing someone’s special day, your best bet might be to order an arrangement of same-day birthday flowers. After all, you’ve already missed their birthday by at least a day. Don’t make it worse by making them wait for your gift!
Flowers can brighten someone’s mood and let them know that you’re thinking of them. They’re also a great way to apologize for being an unthoughtful friend. Pick out a bouquet that really speaks to what the person loves or includes their favorite blossoms or colors. And don’t forget to include the card asking for forgiveness and letting them know how much you care.
Gift a Little Rest and Relaxation
Expensive gifts are great and all, if you’re into that sort of thing. But what most people really need in their lives is a few moments of rest and relaxation. Your friend will completely forget your faux pas when they’re busy indulging in a bit of personal care and quality “them” time.
An R&R gift might include things like bubble baths or bath beads and scented body oils to create the perfect bubble bath experience. Throw in some scented candles and a soft, cozy robe or a brand-new pair of fuzzy socks, and your friend will be soaking their cares away before you know it.
Speak to Their Stomach
Want to know one of the best ways to garner favor with a friend after a missed birthday? Feed them, that’s how! Food is a universal language and one that works well as a birthday gift. It’s useful and enjoyable and is sure to leave your friend feeling forgiving.
Assemble a gift basket or selection of your friend’s favorites. Think of yummy treats like chocolate, candies, or pretzels. Send a dozen doughnuts to their workplace, or spring for having lunch delivered as a surprise. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something your friend will love and enjoy.
Wine and Dine Them
If snacks and chocolate don’t seem like a big enough offering to gain your friend’s forgiveness, then consider going bigger. Set up a lunch or dinner date for just the two of you, and make sure you pick up the bill!
Quality time is sometimes the greatest gift of all, and if you want to prove to your friend that you truly care about them (and their birthday), then showing them you want to spend time with them is a great way to do just that. Throw in a movie, take in a show, or head out for some dancing after dinner to make the evening extra special.
Lend a Helping Hand
Another great way to prove your friendship is to offer your services for the day. How you do this will depend a lot on exactly what your friend needs. If they have kids, offer to babysit them for a few hours so your friend can get some alone time. Offer to deep clean their house or weed their garden. Walk the dogs.
Anything you can do to take a little stress off your friend and allow them some time to themselves will work. And if you’re having a hard time thinking of something your friend might need, just ask them. They will probably be more than willing to tell you!
Remember the Good Times
If you’re feeling bad about missing a close friend’s birthday, chances are that you have spent quite a bit of time making memories together already. If you want to create a meaningful and memorable birthday gift that will leave your friend feeling nostalgic, dig deep into your memory for ideas!
Look through old picture books or yearbooks and create a scrapbook featuring pics of the two of you. Add snippets of text that remind your friend of the great times you two have had in the past.
Bribe Them With Cash!
Maybe it sounds callow, but cash is still king. If you’re completely out of ideas and down to the wire, a gift card to your friend’s favorite restaurant might just do the trick. Got a friend who loves coffee? How about a gift card to the local coffee shop? Maybe your friend is a shopaholic. You could fund their next shopping spree with gift cards to their preferred stores.
If you’re going the gift card route, don’t forget to make it mean something more by including a thoughtful card. Write a heartfelt note letting your friend know exactly how much you appreciate them and include it in the envelope.
Most Importantly – Make it Meaningful
No matter how you decide to commemorate a missed birthday, the most important thing you can do is to make sure you express your true feelings to your friend. If you’re honest about your forgetfulness and ask for forgiveness, chances are your friend will be more than willing to offer it to you. Whatever gift you decide to give, make it something personal and heartfelt.
Conclusion
Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, even if that celebration happens the next day. If you accidentally skipped someone’s birthday, all is not lost. Put your thinking cap on, brainstorm some ideas, and come up with an idea that lets your friend know you’re sorry for missing their big day, and that you’re willing to make it up to them. Need another gift idea? Try Hand-poured Candles.
