Anyone else despise shopping parties?

[Bichon Barb]

Call me a bummer, but I received a postcard in the mail a couple of weeks ago for one of those "parties" where you go to someone's house, eat baked goods, and feel obligated to buy a product that is being demonstrated. I won't mention any names of those infamous companies.

Anyway, it's been stuck on the fridge for two weeks, and I've been ignoring it--kind of hoping that I'll conveniently forget that it's there. The hostess is a very nice women. The wife of one of my husband's friends. Doesn't it figure that DH saw the wife today, and she asked if I will be attending. The "party" is tomorrow. I told him that I don't really want to go. Now DH is putting me on a guilt trip.

I could call her and tell her and thank her for the invite but that I've got a drawer full of spatulas and don't really need anymore. But I'm sure she'll say those famous words "Just come anyway! You don't need to buy anything." Yeah sure. I'll come over and eat your baked goods and then leave with a "thanks, but no thanks".

I forgot to mention that I will not know anyone except for the hostess.

What should I do?

 

[bananiem]

I hate them all! Cooking, food, candles, baskets, home interiors, toys, even scrapbooking and I'm a scrapbooker!!! I hate the prices and the pressure. I usually tell them I don't like to shop at all, which is true. Most of my friends know how frugal I am too and have stopped sending them. Then again, most of my closest friends don't like these parties either.
If it's someone I don't know well I have no problem saying "Thanks for the invitation but I won't be able to attend."

 

[KristaTX]

Why doesn't your husband go ?

 

[tar heel]

Count me in as someone who doesn't like them, too. I really hate the way someone else in your circle signs up to have one and you get another invite, and another and so on.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I have always hated these parties. The companies (and some of the hostesses, although not all-so please don't flame me..) use FRIENDSHIP to make sales, and I think it is wrong. People who go to these parties feel obligated to buy something, even when they are invited "just for the company, you don't have to buy anything.."

Long ago I made it a policy to turn down each and every one of these kind of invites. And that is exactly what I say as I am politely saying, "No thanks, I just don't do those parties." If it a close friend, who would certainly understand, you can make a date for coffee. If not, then they are inviting you to sell you something, which I think is just plain rude.

Unless, of course, it is something that you really want to buy. Which I have never found to be my case..

If DH keeps up his guilt trip, give him the invitation, tell him to go and say that he is the one who does all the cooking...

 

[Bichon Barb]

Banahiem, whew! Thank God I'm not the only one. Misery loves company. One company charges each individual for delivery. Not to your doorstep but to the hostess's doorstep. And it's not one all inclusive charge that is split up, I'm talking like $5.00 for delivery for each person.

KristaTX, you are an absolute genius. Hey, why is it that only women are invited to these things anyway.

I remember years ago my mother was invited to a lingerie (sp?) party where they had a male stripper as entertainment. Now MAYBE I'd go to that one.

 

[hercamore]

I don't like them either, and the last party I was invited to, I "had" to go to.

It was a shower for my nephews Fiancee. Man, that was one expensive shower.


herc.

 

[bananiem]

Oh, herc!! I remember going to Tupperware showers for brides to be! UGH!! Back in my college days when I had so little money anyway. Thankfully, now you can just get 'em Rubbermaid at Target instead!

 

[onecoolmama]

I am right there with you Barb! I HATE hose things and I always try to find a readon not to go.

I dont know what to tell you about the guilt trip..except I agree with Krista. If i is that important...he can go!

 

[Lachesis00]

i am a party pooper I have a friend who is ALWAYS inviting me to these things. IF I want something I will buy it in a non-party setting (like someone turning an order in). I hate those party type things.

 

[bananiem]

I should probably add that I'm claustrophobic and packing me in a living living room with 15 other strangers is just NOT a good idea.

 

[CamColt]

Im with you...HATE EM! I buy whatever I need and Im definitely not into spending money on stuff I dont need. To me, thats all that stuff is...junk I dont need and dont have the room for.
Good luck! So far Ive only had 1 that I havent been able to get out of gracefully and had to attend.

 

[cinmell]

I don't like them either.

 

[mommytotwo]

Maybe you could just buy a couple of cheaper things and give them out as housewarming gifts, or save them for Christmas.

 

[hercamore]

Yes, banaheim,

Rubbermaid at Target is the way to go, LOL.


herc.

 

[Pig Pen]

HATE THEM, along with wedding showers, baby showers, bachelorette parties, and weddings.

I guess I am just a scrooge.

 

[snels]

Hi,
I decided long ago that I would never get sucked into the party cycle.
If I get invited to a party, I just decline. It has always worked for me.
Sandy

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, do yourself a favor and when you first receive the invite, call right then and say "I'm sorry Iwon't be able to attend. I have another commitment that night." That is not a lie...you probably do have another commitment that night, even if it's just a commitment to go to bed or read a book or watch TV.

I have to admit it is kind of rude to leave the hostess hanging for 2 weeks and still not have responded the day before the party.

 

[Kallison]

15 years ago I vowed never to attend another home party and I've stuck to it. All my friends know, they invite me -- but know I'll say no thanks. It was a problem with my one neighbor who first sold books, then Mary Kay, then baskets, then spices. I said no to all -- she didn't talk to me for awhile but got over it. I would just call and say sorry you can't make it, no need to make excuses or feel guilty.

 

[sk!mom]

I always call and decline.
Real friends don't invite friends to these.