There's an email in the Entertaining forum that raises an interesting question, so I thought I'd share it here to see what the general response would be.
"We rsvp'd to attend a 70th birthday party for a friend (not that close) and now my husband and I are sick. I told the wife we would not be able to make it (it's at a nice function restaraunt). I say we should still send a gift (with other friends that are going) but my husband says no, since we are not going."
Do you send gifts when you can't attend a party? How about if you have to back out at the last minute? And would you expect a gift if you had paid for a guest who didn't end up showing to your party? Share your thoughts in our forum or in the comments below.
Comments
I would give a gift if I’ve been invited to a birthday party but could not make it. But if I were the host/guest of honor, I would not expect a gift from those who couldn’t attend. I think sending a gift in that situation is thoughtful and generous, but not necessary.
I think it is courtesy. My daughter (12) was invited to her friend’s 13th Birthday but didn’t attend due to personal reasons. She still bought her friend a gift because she felt 13 was a special Birthday.
if you rsvp,,,you send a gift.
if you said you couldn’t make it from the start, then its okay not to send.
usually, i would send a smaller gift if i cant make it and rsvp,and spend more if i attend..
.if its close family relavtive,,always send a gift.