Creative Ways to Say Sorry

There are so many creative ways to say sorry, which is why adding your own special touch to your apology can make all the difference in getting things back on track.

Be an apology star and share your own apology ideas....
or read and comment on what others have written by going to our Apology Ideas page.
 

Apology Gifts :::

Apology gifts add that 'extra touch' to your apologies. Keep in mind that they absolutely aren't necessary for an apology to be effective. What makes them so special (and something to consider when thinking about ways to say sorry) is that they are NOT necessary or expected. Just make sure when giving a gift that it is given WITH an apology and is not THE apology itself.

We've come across some really interesting options for apology gifts that show the recipient that you went out of your way to find something special.

This one adds that extra wow factor. Buy a Star through the Online Star Registry (yes, a real star... and name it after them). Give them the star along with your apology and tell them how brightly they shine in your heart. It tops our list of great and personalized ways to say sorry. Read about Dave's experience with this unique gift.

The old romantic standards of flowers, gift baskets, candy, and stuffed animals are always effective and appreciated for personal relationships but the only real limit on any apology gift is your imagination.

Flora2000 offers US and Worldwide Flower Delivery and has great gift baskets too. We like them because their arrangements and baskets are designed with a European flair and not the usual stuff you get when ordering online.

And for those looking for that "classic" apology gift, jewelry is the way to go. This is most appropriate for intimate relationships and is supported by a recent survey conducted by a jewelry company in the US who found that a substantial amount of their customers bought jewelry as a way of saying sorry. For this type of extra-special gift, we like Reeds.com.  They're a great company, completely trustworthy and have been in business since 1946.  They offer everything from discount jewelry to diamond rings, fine jewelry, designer pieces and watches. They even offer a heart-shaped cut diamond and other heart pieces which are perfect for saying sorry to that special person in your life.

Poems and Poetry :::

A poem has long been considered one of the most thoughtful, symbolic, and romantic ways to communicate ones feelings. They capture the essence of a person's thought and often invoke an emotional or sensual response. When thinking about ways to say sorry however, a poem or some poetry alone is almost NEVER a sufficient alternative to a good and meaningful apology. This is a common mistake.

Obviously, the perfect apology can only be tailored to your particular situation, so poetry alone is not likely to do the trick. Use poetry to let the person know how important your relationship is, but frame the poem with a well crafted verbal or written apology appropriate to the circumstance.

For example, if you'd like to include poetry when apologizing to your sister, then add a poem that really highlights the essence of the important bond that siblings share. And when apologizing to your boyfriend or girlfriend include a romantic, touching and heartfelt love poem that speaks to something special or unique to your relationship.

Finding the right poem is NOT always easy, so take the time to read and find the right one for you!

See examples of poems and how to use them.

 

Quotes :::

Using quotes or quotations can also help to illustrate a point and enrich your apology. But like poems quotes should be used to support your apology and not be the apology itself.

For example, in a situation where you remained quiet when a friend needed support, the following sentiment from William James may help:

"When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that in itself is a choice."
William James

"A stiff apology is a second insult.... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt."
Gilbert Keith Chesterton

On our quotes page we provide a few good examples of quotes and what situations they are best tailored for. 

We also have a few other quotes pages on...

:: interesting quotes found on the subject of apologies
:: apology quotes by famous people
:: quotes on forgiveness

 

Music and Song Lyrics :::

Quoting song lyrics in a letter can also enhance your apology, for many of the same reasons. The added advantage of using song lyrics is that you can include the song on a custom made CD (or, even better, an Ipod) as a gift to go along with the apology.

For example, Chicago's "Hard to say I'm sorry" has some beautiful lyrics about promising to make things right again.

"After all that we've been through,
I will make it up to you. I promise to."

Think about a favorite song that you share and how you can bring that into your apology or offer it as a gift, but remember to relate the song to the situation by framing it within a traditional apology. 

Perhaps it's a song you were dancing to on your first date, or one you were both listening to on a memorable vacation, or the  music that was playing on the radio when you had the fight. If it's relevant in some important way to your relationship or the situation then the addition of music or lyrics will likely enhance your apology.  Relevance is a key to success when thinking about effective ways to say sorry.

Apology e-cards and Greeting Cards :::

Sending e-cards is another alternative when considering ways to say sorry. They offer a quick and easy way to extend an apology for minor infractions. Apology ecards can also be a great vehicle for extending an invitation for a meeting where you can then deliver that perfect verbal apology.

When choosing an apology e-card, think about an appropriate (and relevant) image or sentiment related somehow to you, the injured party, or your situation.

Greeting cards are also very useful for adding that special touch to your apology. Because we associate receiving one with a special occasion or memorable event, they add a level of importance to an apology—suggesting to the recipient that your apology is heartfelt.

Learn about romantic apologies.


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Ways to say sorry to The Perfect Apology Home Page.