Dear Jacquelyn,

I sent a holiday present to my niece that is not going to be delivered on time. I did my best to order early, but with all the shipping delays happening, I feel terrible she won’t have her present in time for the holidays. Can you please offer some advice on what to do when your gift isn’t going to arrive on time?

Dear Reader,

Don’t panic. The United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS are all in overdrive this year and with the sheer volume of packages out for delivery, delays are expected. It’s always ideal to have gifts arrive on time but this year especially, despite our best intentions, we should expect things not to run smoothly.

If you are uncomfortable that your gift is arriving late, it’s not a bad idea to call on your niece. Wish her a wonderful holiday and let her know a gift will be arriving soon. The excitement of hearing from you and knowing a gift is on its way will be received with joy.

It’s acceptable to share tracking information, as well. Leave out the specifics of what the gift is so your niece can have a nice surprise when it does finally arrive. If your niece is a young child, let their parents know something is on the way. When the gift arrives, it will be a wonderful surprise.

Carriers are putting extra work into making deliveries happen. Still, the unexpected could deter shipping plans. When life puts a detour in our path and we are left wondering how to best navigate those times, it’s best to respond by being honest. This will help relieve our feeling of regret. Just avoid not saying anything at all.

Despite all the good intentions, whether your gift shows up on time or not, it’s the thought that counts.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training. She is on the board of directors of the National Civility Foundation.

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2021 Jacquelyn Youst