When it comes to gift-giving, we all feel a little pressure to ensure the perfect timing. After all, no one wants to seem forgetful or careless, especially when we care about someone.

But if your gift arrives a bit later than planned, it might not be as disastrous as we think. Research shows that sending a belated gift is not as harmful to relationships as most of us fear.

Why Do We Worry About Timeliness?

We tend to place a lot of importance on the timing of a gift. After all, there are so many norms around gift-giving, like making sure a present is on time. But research suggests that we're more concerned about it than the recipient is. We often believe that a late gift signals that we don't care, which could harm our relationship. In reality, however, gift recipients are far less concerned about the timing than we imagine.

How Timing Affects Gift Choices

Our concern about lateness can influence the kind of gift we choose. In fact, research found that people tend to choose cheaper gifts that will arrive on time instead of more meaningful, expensive ones that could be late. In a study conducted around Mother's Day, nearly 70% of participants chose the less expensive option just to make sure the gift arrived promptly.

It's not just about the value of the gift—it's the perception of effort we put into it. Interestingly, some participants believed they could make up for a late gift by giving something handmade, suggesting that effort can alleviate the guilt of lateness.

Better Late Than Never

Here's the good news: sending a gift late isn't as detrimental as we think. In fact, recipients believe receiving a gift late is far better than not receiving one at all. In a study conducted with 903 participants, the results showed that most people would rather get a gift that's two months late than not receive anything. So, next time you're late on a gift, remember—late is better than never.

What Does This Mean for Us?

We might feel stressed out by the thought of a late gift, but our research points to something reassuring: people are far more understanding about the timing of gifts than we think. So don't stress about that holiday gift arriving in January or February—chances are, it will still bring a smile to someone's face. Next time you're running behind, remember this: it's the thought and effort that counts the most.