50 Ways to Show Someone You're Sincerely Sorry

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 apologize 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 apologize. 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.

01
Send a Bunch of Beautiful Flowers to Their House
Getty

Send a Bunch of Beautiful Flowers to Their House

02
Or a Bunch of Native or Dried Flowers That Will Last Even Longer
Getty

Or a Bunch of Native or Dried Flowers That Will Last Even Longer

03
Make or Buy Tasty Chocolate Truffles as a Gift
Getty

Make or Buy Tasty Chocolate Truffles as a Gift

04
Surprise Them With Brunch at Their Favorite Cafe
Getty

Surprise Them With Brunch at Their Favorite Cafe

05
Treat Them to Breakfast in Bed
Getty

Treat Them to Breakfast in Bed

06
Send a Handmade Card Featuring a Joke Only They'll Understand
Getty

Send a Handmade Card Featuring a Joke Only They'll Understand

08
Own Up to What You Did
Getty

Own Up to What You Did

09
Ask How You Can Make It Up to Them . . . Then Do That
Getty

Ask How You Can Make It Up to Them . . . Then Do That

10
Don't Make Excuses For Your Actions
Getty

Don't Make Excuses For Your Actions

11
Promise That You Won't Make the Same Mistake Again
Getty

Promise That You Won't Make the Same Mistake Again

12
Say Sorry . . . and Really Mean It
Getty

Say Sorry . . . and Really Mean It

13
Bake Their Favorite Treat and Hand Deliver It
Getty

Bake Their Favorite Treat and Hand Deliver It

15
Fill a Gift Box With Their Favorite-Colored Skittle
Getty

Fill a Gift Box With Their Favorite-Colored Skittle

16
Make a Bouquet Out of Their Favorite Dessert
Getty

Make a Bouquet Out of Their Favorite Dessert

17
Paint the Words "Sorry For Being a Prick" on a Potted Cactus
Getty

Paint the Words "Sorry For Being a Prick" on a Potted Cactus

18
Treat Them to Dinner at Their Favorite Restaurant
Getty

Treat Them to Dinner at Their Favorite Restaurant

19
Create a Playlist With All Their Favorite Songs
Getty

Create a Playlist With All Their Favorite Songs

20
Hand Deliver a Coffee to Their House Before Work
Getty

Hand Deliver a Coffee to Their House Before Work

22
Leave Post-Its That Say "I'm Sorry" Around Their Apartment
Getty

Leave Post-Its That Say "I'm Sorry" Around Their Apartment

23
Spell the Word "Sorry" on Their Doorstep With Their Favorite Candy
Getty

Spell the Word "Sorry" on Their Doorstep With Their Favorite Candy

24
Organize a Pamper Day to Make Them Feel Special
Getty

Organize a Pamper Day to Make Them Feel Special

25
Don't Blame Them For Your Bad Behavior
Getty | Thomas Barwick

Don't Blame Them For Your Bad Behavior

26
Don't Make Them Come to You — Go to Them
Getty

Don't Make Them Come to You — Go to Them

27
Give Them Space If They Ask For It
Getty

Give Them Space If They Ask For It

29
Write a List of Creative Ways You'll Make It Up to Them
Getty

Write a List of Creative Ways You'll Make It Up to Them

30
Ask For Forgiveness
Getty

Ask For Forgiveness

31
Decorate Cookies With the Word "Sorry"
Getty

Decorate Cookies With the Word "Sorry"

32
Write a Handwritten Note Saying Sorry
Getty

Write a Handwritten Note Saying Sorry

33
Don't Expect to Be Forgiven Immediately
Getty

Don't Expect to Be Forgiven Immediately

34
Text Them the Words "I'm Sorry" in a Different Language Every Day
Getty

Text Them the Words "I'm Sorry" in a Different Language Every Day

36
Create a Cute, Custom Phone Background For Them
Getty

Create a Cute, Custom Phone Background For Them

37
Hide Notes That Say "I'm Sorry" in the Pockets of Their Clothes
Getty

Hide Notes That Say "I'm Sorry" in the Pockets of Their Clothes

38
Ask How You Can Make Things Right
Getty

Ask How You Can Make Things Right

39
Book a Surfing Lesson and Spend the Day Laughing
Getty

Book a Surfing Lesson and Spend the Day Laughing

40
Write a Poem Expressing How Sorry You Are
Getty

Write a Poem Expressing How Sorry You Are

41
Write and Perform a Song to Say You Love Them
Getty

Write and Perform a Song to Say You Love Them

43
Transform Your Outside Space Into a Cinema With Their Favorite Treats
Getty

Transform Your Outside Space Into a Cinema With Their Favorite Treats

44
Plan a Fun or Romantic Weekend Away
Getty

Plan a Fun or Romantic Weekend Away

45
Re-create Their Favorite Meal at Home If You're on a Tighter Budget
Getty

Re-create Their Favorite Meal at Home If You're on a Tighter Budget

46
Make Them a Heartfelt Apology Gift, Rather Than Buying One
Getty

Make Them a Heartfelt Apology Gift, Rather Than Buying One

47
Learn From Your Mistakes and Forgive Yourself, Too
Getty

Learn From Your Mistakes and Forgive Yourself, Too

48
Apologize in a Way That Matches Their Love Language
Getty

Apologize in a Way That Matches Their Love Language

50
Be Patient With Them If It Takes Time to Be Forgiven
Getty

Be Patient With Them If It Takes Time to Be Forgiven