What To Do When You Forget Your Friend’s Birthday
By: A Girl In Progress
Tags: Birthdaycelebrations, Forgotafriendsbirthday, Birthday

Remember the days of writing ‘HaPpY BiRtHdAy GaL!!!’ on the Facebook walls of every friend from school? Back in a time when your biggest concern was what you’ll order for lunch at the canteen, your teens are an era where every birthday matters. Each year, a step closer to the elusive freedom of adulthood.

Fast forward a decade or so and most of us are trying to forget what age this year marks. We avoid sharing our birth date with coworkers and acquaintances to skip the dreaded 3 pm office sing-along. And as for our family, well, we’re lucky to get a phone call from dad on the right date.

But when it comes to our besties, birthdays are a well-earned cause for celebration. It’s a time to book into that cool new wine bar, take a trip to the day spa or treat your girlfriend to that leather monogrammed wallet she can’t stop talking about. As the years go by, our friendships are what keep us grounded, lift us up when we’re down and make sure we bring out the champagne when we’ve landed that promotion at work.

So, what happens when we drop the ball? Ever realised you’ve blanked on the date and missed your besties birthday entirely? Before hitting the panic button, here’s your fool-proof guide on how to give a heartfelt apology that shows you really do care.

Pick Up The Phone

No, I don’t mean sending a half-hearted text at 11 pm. When you’ve screwed up, the best thing you can do is to acknowledge your mistake. If catching up face-to-face isn’t feasible, give your friend a call to show your genuine concern for the mishap.

In a time where email and texts reign supreme, making the effort to jump on the phone is a big step towards repairing a relationship. Particularly when you’ve blanked on an important date like a birthday, taking the time to touch base and chat over the phone is a powerful act of sincerity and compassion.

Be sure to address the elephant in the room during the first few minutes of the call to get the awkward bit out of the way, and shift the conversation back onto her. Ask how her big day was, find out where her boyfriend took her for dinner and let her drive the discussion. Use this as a great opportunity to book in a catch-up in the next couple of weeks to ensure you can follow through with your apology in a practical way. Keep reading to find out how!

Make Thoughtful Plans

Now that you’ve talked it through, it’s time to turn those words into action. Think about what your friend loves to do, and arrange plans that you know she’ll enjoy. The most important bit here is to really take the time to consider what kind of activities she prefers and make that the focus of your outing.

Does she love an early morning swim at the beach before heading out for a healthy brunch? Or maybe she’s a night owl who loves bar hopping around the city late into the night?

Craft a fun, activity-packed itinerary of things to do and be sure to make reservations at restaurants, bars and cafes well in advance to avoid waiting for hours for a table. Nothing kills a vibe like queuing!

Send A Handwritten Note

Another great way to demonstrate sincerity is to perform acts of kindness that require planning and careful consideration. A simple but super effective example of this is sending a handwritten card.

When was the last time your mailbox was filled with something besides bills and fast-food flyers? It’s so rare to receive postcards and letters, a nostalgic age-old form of correspondence. So, what better way to really illustrate your apology than with a handwritten note?

Head to your favourite stationery store and pick out cards, pens and paper to bring your note to life. Get creative and design your own card by adding polaroids, stickers and even glitter to leave a lasting impact on the recipient. Trust us, this one will earn you serious brownie points!

Plan For Next Year

Prevention is better than cure, so take the time to set up measures to avoid mistakes like this in the years to come. Use your phone’s calendar app to set annual reminders for the birthdays of your friends and family, and start thinking about potential presents and plans you might need to purchase in advance.

Another life-saving birthday hack is to buy cards in bulk and keep rolls of wrapping paper and ribbon on hand all year round. You never know when these gift-giving essentials will come in handy.

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