Best Ways to Show You're Sorry
50 Ways to Show Someone You're Sincerely Sorry
Image Source: Getty / Thomas Barwick
Nobody likes messing up — that's a fact. But, unfortunately, upsetting the people closest to us is, while uncomfortable, also completely unavoidable. That's why it's important to know how to apologise to your friends, family, and significant other in a sincere way that is personalized and filled with love. We won't deny that swallowing your pride for long enough to say your sorry really sucks, but it's an important stage of the forgiveness process; and as the old saying goes, if you do the crime, well, you've also got to do the time.
There are a few ways you can apologise. The best place to start is with an honest conversation where you own your mistakes, don't make excuses, and also ask for forgiveness. But beyond telling someone you're sorry, it's important to also show them you're sorry — and that's where we come in. Ahead, see 50 ways to show someone you're sincerely sorry and work your way back into their heart.
1 Send a Bunch of Beautiful Flowers to Their House
Image Source: Getty / photograph by dorisj
2 Or a Bunch of Native or Dried Flowers That Will Last Even Longer
Image Source: Getty / shironosov
3 Make or Buy Tasty Chocolate Truffles as a Gift
Image Source: Getty / Yulia Naumenko
4 Surprise Them With Brunch at Their Favourite Cafe
Image Source: Getty / Alexander Spatari
5 Treat Them to Breakfast in Bed
Image Source: Getty / Federica Del Dotto / EyeEm
6 Send a Handmade Card Featuring a Joke Only They'll Understand
Image Source: Getty / Jasenka Arbanas
7 Borrow a Friend's Dog and "Gift" It to Them For the Day
Image Source: Getty / Victoria Marriott
8 Own Up to What You Did
Image Source: Getty / Tim Robberts
9 Ask How You Can Make It Up to Them . . . Then Do That
Image Source: Getty / Michael Heffernan
10 Don't Make Excuses For Your Actions
Image Source: Getty / Carol Yepes
11 Promise That You Won't Make the Same Mistake Again
Image Source: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
12 Say Sorry . . . and Really Mean It
Image Source: Getty / Flashpop
13 Bake Their Favourite Treat and Hand Deliver It
Image Source: Getty / Ekaterina Smirnova
14 Plan a Surprise Picnic at a Scenic Location
Image Source: Getty / DaniloAndjus
15 Fill a Gift Box With Their Favourite-Coloured Skittle
Image Source: Getty / butch Dillinger / FOAP
16 Make a Bouquet Out of Their Favourite Dessert
Image Source: Getty / Erik Gonzalez Garcia
17 Paint the Words "Sorry For Being a Prick" on a Potted Cactus
Image Source: Getty / Andrea Obzerova / EyeEm
18 Treat Them to Dinner at Their Favourite Restaurant
Image Source: Getty / Maskot
19 Create a Playlist With All Their Favourite Songs
Image Source: Getty / PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson
20 Hand Deliver a Coffee to Their House Before Work
Image Source: Getty / Cavan Images
21 Send Their Favourite Meal For Dinner as a Surprise
Image Source: Getty / Johner Images
22 Leave Post-Its That Say "I'm Sorry" Around Their Apartment
Image Source: Getty / jayk7
23 Spell the Word "Sorry" on Their Doorstep With Their Favourite Candy
Image Source: Getty / Claudia Totir
24 Organise a Pamper Day to Make Them Feel Special
Image Source: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
25 Don't Blame Them For Your Bad Behaviour
Image Source: Getty / Thomas Barwick
26 Don't Make Them Come to You — Go to Them
Image Source: Getty / David Freigner / EyeEm
27 Give Them Space If They Ask For It
Image Source: Getty / © Marco Bottigelli
28 Gift Them Love Heart Candy With the Words "I'm Sorry" on Them
Image Source: Getty / Christine_Kohler
29 Write a List of Creative Ways You'll Make It Up to Them
Image Source: Getty / Rutherhagen, Peter
30 Ask For Forgiveness
Image Source: Getty / Flashpop
31 Decorate Cookies With the Word "Sorry"
Image Source: Getty / Poh Kim Yeoh / EyeEm
32 Write a Handwritten Note Saying Sorry
Image Source: Getty / Jamie Grill
33 Don't Expect to Be Forgiven Immediately
Image Source: Getty / Sarah Mason
34 Text Them the Words "I'm Sorry" in a Different Language Every Day
Image Source: Getty / Westend61
35 Surprise Them With a Fun Day Out
Image Source: Getty / Erica Shires
36 Create a Cute, Custom Phone Background For Them
Image Source: Getty / Maskot
37 Hide Notes That Say "I'm Sorry" in the Pockets of Their Clothes
Image Source: Getty / Maria Baburina
38 Ask How You Can Make Things Right
Image Source: Getty / Stephen Zeigler
39 Book a Surfing Lesson and Spend the Day Laughing
Image Source: Getty / PeopleImages
40 Write a Poem Expressing How Sorry You Are
Image Source: Getty / Mat Denney
41 Write and Perform a Song to Say You Love Them
Image Source: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
42 Be Honest About the Mistakes You've Made
Image Source: Getty / Petri Oeschger
43 Transform Your Outside Space Into a Cinema With Their Favourite Treats
Image Source: Getty / M_a_y_a
44 Plan a Fun or Romantic Weekend Away
Image Source: Getty / Muriel de Seze
45 Re-create Their Favourite Meal at Home If You're on a Tighter Budget
Image Source: Getty / Arno Images
46 Make Them a Heartfelt Apology Gift, Rather Than Buying One
Image Source: Getty / Jamie Grill
47 Learn From Your Mistakes and Forgive Yourself, Too
Image Source: Getty / Tim Robberts
48 Apologise in a Way That Matches Their Love Language
Image Source: Getty / PansLaos
49 Commit to Spending More Time Doing the Things They Love
Image Source: Getty / Stígur Már Karlsson /Heimsmyndir
50 Be Patient With Them If It Takes Time to Be Forgiven
Image Source: Getty / martin-dm
