What to do if you forgot someone’s Christmas gift

So busy decking the halls that you accidentally left someone off your Christmas list? I’m here to help in a holly jolly haste.

I’m the type that starts buying Christmas presents in the late spring and early summer. I play Christmas music year-round because it’s fun. I’d decorate full-force all year if it was slightly more practical. 

Yet, also year-round, I have recurring nightmares that I’ve *gulp* forgotten someone’s present… and that it’s Christmas Eve. In an effort to mitigate that from ever happening—and because there’ve been a few times in my life where someone unexpectedly sprung a gift on me—I’ve come up with a series of five useful holiday hacks.

1. A handmade gift

You don’t even have to be particularly crafty for this one. As long as you’ve got a piece of paper and pen laying around, you could create a Christmas card, draw a picture, or write a poem about a special memory you and the recipient shared.

If you’re feeling a little more savvy and have some crafting supplies on hand, timely gift ideas might include a handcrafted ornament, a no-sew-fabric project, or a festive painting.

2. Money

You know what’s open on Christmas? ATMs. I’ve never heard anyone complain over a fresh, crisp $20.

To make the gift seem more personal, place the cash in a box and wrap it—or just stick a bow right on top of the bill for a little laugh! Besides, it’s the thought that counts.

3. Gift cards

This is probably my favorite holiday hack. For the past few years, I’ve purchased a handful of gift cards to various places that I like: Coffee shops, Target, you name it.

I go ahead and write the amount on the card when I buy it, but I leave the “to” section blank. That way, if I realize I’ve forgotten to buy someone a gift—or a person shows up unexpectedly to a gift-giving event—all I have to do is write their name, and it’s like they were covered all along!

And if you’ve got gift cards left over at the end of the season, they’re to places you already shop—so spend away.

4. “It’s coming”

I’ve had to use this line more than once—because while I remembered to buy a gift, I bought it too late to arrive in time for the holiday. Or the shipping date changed.

There are a few tried and true ways to handle this situation. My personal favorite is to print out a picture of the item and wrap that up, then explain that while the physical present isn’t here yet, it’ll arrive within a few days. Another similar method is to take a screenshot of the item and show them.

If you’d like to keep an element of surprise, gift the tracking number so they can see their mystery package moving through the postal system.

5. Be honest

You’re human, and we’re all bound to forget something once in a while. Sure, it might be a little awkward to admit that you didn’t pick up a gift for someone, but at the end of the day, healthy friendships don’t fall out over a faux pas.

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