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30 Responses to “What’s the polite way to decline invitation?”
just call or write back and say, i’m sorry but i wont be able to attend. you dont have to give a reason. but you should let them know that you cant make it. then, send a card.
“Hey! I am really sorry, but I won’t be able to make the [blank]. Unfortunately I had prior plans that cannot be changed. But maybe we can meet up for lunch some time! When are u free?”
Well, especially if they’re new family, the polite thing is TO go to the shower so that you CAN get to know them. But if you don’t want to do the first polite thing, and still choose to politely decline, then you should just tell the person you’re supposed to RSVP to, “I am sorry, but I already had plans for that day” and then (again, if they’re family) send a small gift along with another family member that you know.
I think sometimes it is financially impossible to accept all the invites like that. New family members are also hard to buy for so I would send a gift card $10-$15 and a nice card just to show them you are not a snob.
well why dint you go, this is a way you can get to know them. Or you can say one of your favorite teachers died and you have to go to their funeral. seems easy enough
Well that don’t mean you should not go. It will give you a change to get to know them. My cousin just had a baby shower a few weeks ago. That was like the first time the whole family’s got together and meet each other. Everyone didn’t talk some stayed in their own groups. However things turned out fine.
If you must decline you could simply tell them why you dont want to go. Or just tell them “thanks but you aren’t feeling too well.”
A simple decline should be suffice, anything else gives them the oppurtunity to judge and complement on why you could not come. Leave it short and sweet..Who are they that you have to explain yourself too?
Thanks for inviting us to your party. Unfortunatly,we won’t be able to attend because of a prior engagement . But please accept this gift from both of us.
Well how else are you going to get to know them? But if you really don’t want to go just say ” Thanks for the invitation, I will try to attend but I am not really sure right now. Send a gift instead. Or just be honest and tell them thanks but that you really never or hardly ever attend showers and such and that they are just not your thing.
Write back or call up, ( as the situation is),” Oh, thanks a million for the invitation. I would have loved to join the—- but unfortunately there is another commitment which would keep me away. I wish you all a very enjoyable time- though I will miss it.”
” May be next time…”
Good for you, you are being polite to let them know in advance!
Anyone throwing a shower or party worries a lot about hurting people’s feelings by leaving them out, or getting their names wrong, or that the invitations didn’t arrive on time, or by not having enough food or the right kind for all attending.
Honestly, the worst you could ever do would be to call them on the day and add to their problems by cancelling. You are being really considerate to decline now, send a gift, & let them focus on who is going to be there. Believe me, they are just going to say, OK, two people less to worry about.
(Since it’s family, if someone asks later for your reasons, though, you’d better both have the same story ready about a conflict of dates!)
September 12th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Diane Tso
say you had prior arrangements.. then blow them off!
September 13th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Kurt Leclaire
just call or write back and say, i’m sorry but i wont be able to attend. you dont have to give a reason. but you should let them know that you cant make it. then, send a card.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Zelma Stokley
“Hey! I am really sorry, but I won’t be able to make the [blank]. Unfortunately I had prior plans that cannot be changed. But maybe we can meet up for lunch some time! When are u free?”
September 18th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Jesse Lippert
you could say “terribly sorry, but I have plans for that day that I can’t change.” If it’s a shower, send a gift.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Valerie Spina
Thank you but unfortunately I am already committed that day.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Susie Glenn
Well, especially if they’re new family, the polite thing is TO go to the shower so that you CAN get to know them. But if you don’t want to do the first polite thing, and still choose to politely decline, then you should just tell the person you’re supposed to RSVP to, “I am sorry, but I already had plans for that day” and then (again, if they’re family) send a small gift along with another family member that you know.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Joshua Crone
Just explain to them that you have a prior engagement that cannot be changed.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Allan Wilmore
Thank you for inviting me, but I am in love with your husband. Is it OK if I make a pass on him. Is it OK, if I seduce him
September 28th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Dianne Falgoust
Not so nice to lie or accuses. At least join them a while and be accused .
September 30th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Neva Outten
Just say you had a prior engagement, offer your apologizes and make sure you send a gift in your absence.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Earlene Caffrey
say no thank you… duh
October 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Douglas Funke
I think sometimes it is financially impossible to accept all the invites like that. New family members are also hard to buy for so I would send a gift card $10-$15 and a nice card just to show them you are not a snob.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Christine Voigt
Thank them for the invite, but you already have plans.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Frank Doctor
I’m sorry but I have other plans for that day.
October 12th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Kimberly Granado
tell that u would really like to go but unfortunately you had other plans.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Jack Story
well why dint you go, this is a way you can get to know them. Or you can say one of your favorite teachers died and you have to go to their funeral. seems easy enough
October 17th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Neva Outten
“oh gosh, I’m sorry I can’t be there. I’ll send the present with such and such. I have an apointment to have some blod work done.”
October 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Willie Quintana
If they’re new family members, you should probably attend. You might be setting yourself up for future ‘ hatred’ for not showing up.
Generally you just say I’m so sorry I’m not able to attend your……but thank you for thinking of me.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Victor Jacob
Well that don’t mean you should not go. It will give you a change to get to know them. My cousin just had a baby shower a few weeks ago. That was like the first time the whole family’s got together and meet each other. Everyone didn’t talk some stayed in their own groups. However things turned out fine.
If you must decline you could simply tell them why you dont want to go. Or just tell them “thanks but you aren’t feeling too well.”
October 21st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Vincent Medford
Just say you’re busy that day. If they’re polite, they won’t ask /what/ you’re doing. If they’re not so socially graceful, just make something up.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Albert Calhoun
A simple decline should be suffice, anything else gives them the oppurtunity to judge and complement on why you could not come. Leave it short and sweet..Who are they that you have to explain yourself too?
October 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Toni Tankersley
Dear ( fill in name)
Thanks for inviting us to your party. Unfortunatly,we won’t be able to attend because of a prior engagement . But please accept this gift from both of us.
sign your name
October 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Ida Henley
Tell them you appreciate their invitation, that it’s very thoughtful of them to invite you, but you’re sorry you won’t be able to be there.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Larry Truss
Just be polite, don’t offer details.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Walter Mount
Well how else are you going to get to know them? But if you really don’t want to go just say ” Thanks for the invitation, I will try to attend but I am not really sure right now. Send a gift instead. Or just be honest and tell them thanks but that you really never or hardly ever attend showers and such and that they are just not your thing.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Constance Mccrory
Write back or call up, ( as the situation is),” Oh, thanks a million for the invitation. I would have loved to join the—- but unfortunately there is another commitment which would keep me away. I wish you all a very enjoyable time- though I will miss it.”
” May be next time…”
October 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Frank Violette
Just tell them you are too busy and tired to attend it, that you have too many such invitations recently and you need some rest.
Or say you will try to come and just don’t turn up.
Or just say “sorry I can’t make it”.
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Tyrone Spengler
why not meet the family…why the distance?
November 4th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Patrick Tafoya
Why not go and get to know them? This is truely a great way to get to know people. Just try it. You will probably have fun. Go for it!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Craig Roddy
Good for you, you are being polite to let them know in advance!
Anyone throwing a shower or party worries a lot about hurting people’s feelings by leaving them out, or getting their names wrong, or that the invitations didn’t arrive on time, or by not having enough food or the right kind for all attending.
Honestly, the worst you could ever do would be to call them on the day and add to their problems by cancelling. You are being really considerate to decline now, send a gift, & let them focus on who is going to be there. Believe me, they are just going to say, OK, two people less to worry about.
(Since it’s family, if someone asks later for your reasons, though, you’d better both have the same story ready about a conflict of dates!)