Flowers

Well now you have done it... You screwed up and your SO (Significant Other) is upset with you.  So, flowers right?  Wrong!  Sure, it sounds like the right thing; you screwed up so you get them something nice to help make up for it.  The only problem here is that it lessens the effect flowers can have at other times.  Worse yet, if you do it enough, they will start seeing flowers as a sign that you have done something you know you are going to be in trouble for ("Uh oh, he's got flowers again").  Remember when you bought them flowers for a first date?  How about on a holiday or a birthday?  If you buy them flowers because of the wings you spilled on the couch too, it just wont have the same effect anymore ("Happy Birthday, dear! Here's some more of what I got you when I screwed up!") Bottom line: Don't use a gift as a way out.  If you want to give them a gift, give them a gift.  Don't give them gifts because you think it will soften the blow or decrease the time they are angry.

A flower is a simple gift that shows thought about a person.  It doesn't have to be roses; they don't have to be expensive (though showing up with a handful of dandelions is probably not the best move).  When properly thought out, flowers can be a wonderful surprise that can brighten your SO's day.  Since flowers do not cost much, they are something that you can use on a somewhat regular basis to let your lady know you care.  I have never seen my wife complain about getting flowers.  I have seen her get confused when I tell her she received flowers because it was Thursday and therefor she needed flowers.  It is perfectly okay to have your lady be confused by a good surprise.  Try it: on your way home tomorrow, stop somewhere, buy some flowers, take them home, present them to your lady.  When she asks why, tell her the truth: "Because you deserve them."  If you have taken the time to think about them, they have made a decent impression on your life.  If you are willing to buy them flowers, I would say they deserve them, wouldn't you?

As for what you should do when you are in trouble?  Try a heartfelt apology.  It sucks having to deal with all the consequences of your life choices, but in the end, "I am sorry I got wing sauce on the couch," is better than "No really, I did not do anything wrong this time!"