got invited to a jewelry party by my neighbor across the street. I do not want to go...How do I get out of it?

Question

I am tired of going to these home parties shows where you feel obligated to buy something! I got invited to my neighbors jewelry party - I make jewelry and I'm broke, so this is the last party I need/want to go to. so, since she lives across the street and I like her, what should I do? Should I go? Can I possibly get out of this?

Answer 1

Try this, "I am sorry Sally, I do not have any extra money right now. Thank you for thinking of me." Or "Sally, I make my own jewelry, and I already have way more than I need, thanks for inviting me, though." Or the truth: "Sally, I'm broke right now, but thanks for asking me."
Or some combination of those statements. If she is a friend, or a good neighbor, she will understand.
If you are worried about the friendship, next time you cook or bake something, take some over to her and say, I felt so bad that I couldn't come to your party...
Don't feel bad, I couldn't go to my friend's jewelry party last Sunday, I had to work early the next day.
I only had a situation once from someone who would not take "no" for an answer, but he was selling out of a catalog at work(which was against the rules anyway). He was an employee, not a friend. He couldn't see that I I inherited all my parents cooking stuff after they died. I have at least two of just about everything. He said" why don't I buy the pizza stone, it's the cheapest thing." I do not eat pizza!
Good luck, I hear what you say, I get tired of the expectation that we have to buy everything our friends and co-workers are selling.

Answer 2

I've had the same problem - friends with jewlery parties, pampered chef parties, etc... I've gone to a couple but didn't buy anything because I don't have the money, so I felt bad because everyone else bought stuff... by the second party I realized that if I wasn't planning on buying anything, I should not go. It's kind of understood that you're going to buy something if you go. So if I was you, I wouldn't go unless you're going to buy something. Figure out something else that you need to do, somewhere else you need to be. Don't stay home while they're having the party or you'll feel bad. And sometime in the next month perhaps get together with your neighbor so she doesn't take it personally, and you can get to know her if you don't.

Answer 3

I have been invited to those and if you do not have the extra money to spend on it (believe me it cost) then do not go because it is like any of those parties they are going to want you to buy something so they can earn points or something. What you do is get sick....And I mean do the scrub look have you hair crazy and if you have to put on some make up to make yourself look sick. Start the night before so that she will believe it. I know it is mean but tell her if she can bring you a book and you will see if there is anything in it you want, and then you do not feel so obligated to buy something. I have been in that position and people who are not struggling do not understand that we are not being mean, we just really can not afford to. That way if you see something you want and can afford you can buy it but you also don't feel the pressure. Oh yeah and keep saying I am sorry I wish I felt better and come but I really do not want to get you or your friends sick. It will work.... It is kinda of lying but at least you aren't just being rude and saying you do not want to go.....I lived in Military housing and that is one of the worst places because it is like there is some kind of party every weekend and once you go to one then everybody is going to want you to go....And I mean be realistic not everybody can afford to just buy anything. It would be nice. But if you go once they might try to get you to more it is a cycle. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Be truthful. If you tell a lie about why you can't go it will come back to bite you. Gently but firmly let her know that you feel uncomfortable about attending any kind of event where you are expected to buy something. Suggest a visit between just the two of you either at her place or yours where you can be yourselves and enjoy each other's company.

Answer 5

I mean, are u under some kind of obligation? Just tell her you won't come. If you feel obliged, then tell her you won't be able to. And if she wants to know why , you tell her a white lie. But it's really none of her business. You have something else to do, and if that means staying at home and doing what YOU'd like to do, well.. so what.

Answer 6

Say thank you for the invitation and you are looking forward to getting together with her sometime really soon, but that you can't possibly afford to buy jewelry at this time.

Answer 7

You could say you are unwell / got to visit a sick relative but either way she will probably try and get you to buy something anyway. Why not tell her you cannot afford any jewellery at the moment and as you make it you don`t need anymore. If she is worth knowing she will understand if she doesn`t she is not worth knowing anyway.

Answer 8

I know how you feel. I used to get invieted to candlelite parties and I would say UGGGGGHHHHh every time my friends would give me an invitation. Tell her you are just not interested in going and polietly say it's not you cup of tea so to say. and keep saying it if she keeps inviting you, she'll eventually get the hint.

Answer 9

Just tell her, that you appreciated being asked, but you don't like those parties, or lie like hell and tell her you have to go visit your sick aunt, friend, etc or you have to work overtime, or just say ok I will be there and then call her and tell her you been throwing up and do not feel well. It's up to you, I would just tell her the truth.
At least she won't be bothering you again.

Answer 10

You have to be honest with her and tell her you will no longer want to attend such parties. Otherwise she will keep asking and you will keep having to come up with excuses. That's tough. So be honest and cut her off once and for all.