You forgot your friend’s birthday, and now you’re scrambling to find a gift. It can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry – you’re not alone. With so many things to remember, it’s easy to forget special occasions sometimes. As a matter of fact, one in five Americans has forgotten their friend’s birthday at least once. So, don’t feel bad. Just take a deep breath and know we’ve got you covered.
Here are some fantastic and thoughtful gifts that will put a smile on your friend’s face – even if they are a day or two late.
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1. Buy a Personalized Gift Tailored to Their Interests
Forgetting a friend’s birthday doesn’t mean that you’re not in their life. Instead, it’s simply a sign that you have many things going on, and sometimes things get forgotten. A personalized gift is always an excellent idea when trying to find a present for someone you care about. Think of meaningful, thoughtful presents tailored to their interests, such as their favorite movie, book or flowers.
For example, once you realize your mistake, try and order their favorite flowers right away from a florist with this same-day service or one with a similar option. Or, browse your local bookstore and check out the sections with their favorite interests, such as gardening or photography. Look for personalized gifts online as well – for jewelry pieces you know they love, or even customized cutlery if they love to cook, for example.
2. Treat Them With a Gift of Memories
You can also treat your friend with a special gift of memories by taking them out for dinner or giving them tickets to their favorite show. This is a great way to give them a meaningful gift they can appreciate. The gift of memories is a great option for any friend you’ve already shared many experiences with in the past.
For example, if your favorite activity as kids was going fishing, take them out for a day of fishing and reminisce about your childhoods. Friends are the people that know us inside and out, so it’s important to show our appreciation with special gifts tailored just for them. Memories are no doubt one of the best gifts you can give your friends.
3. Gift Them an Unforgettable Experience
If you forgot your friend’s birthday, you can make up for it by giving them a great and unforgettable experience they will never forget, such as skydiving, rock climbing or bungee jumping. For example, if you opt for rock climbing – you can plan to do it at a local indoor gym that offers some great deals on memberships. It can be an amazing experience to share with your friend, especially if it is something they have never tried before.
Think of something thrilling and unique that they’ve always wanted to do but never had the time or money for. It could be the perfect opportunity to give them a post-birthday gift that creates lasting memories. Of course, you don’t have to spend much on these types of gifts either. In fact, you can even talk to other close friends about doing these things as a group.
4. Get Creative and Make Something
Another great gift idea is to make something for your friend. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, as long as you put in some effort and creativity into it. For instance, you could bake them a cake or some cookies from scratch, knit them a scarf or a hat for winter, paint an original piece of art that showcases their interests and passions, or write a song about how much they mean to you.
These gifts will show your friend exactly what they mean to you because these are all things that come straight from the heart – literally. You can also find many DIY craft ideas online or in magazines that can help you with this. Don’t forget to include a note that highlights how much they mean to you.
5. Send a Goodie Assortment With a Happy Note
You may have missed out on sending a birthday present in time, but you can make it up to your friend by sending them an assortment of their favorite goodies, along with a happy note. You have the option of ordering from an online store like Amazon or contacting one of your local gift stores to curate something more personalized. You could also create something yourself using some ideas from Pinterest.
Some people love getting candy, and others prefer snacks – so send both. If they’re into healthy food, try to incorporate some of those. If your friend loves coffee, create a basket with specialty blends or a new Moka pot. A carefully crafted basket will show you really care and express how much they mean to you.
Make Your Friend Feel Special
There’s no better way to make your friend feel really special than by paying attention to the little details. If you’re struggling with what gift you should get your friend after forgetting their birthday, get started with these gift ideas.
