Is this a good excuse?

[Beth76]

My friend is having a "cookie exchange" party in a few weeks. It's on a Saturday morning at 9:30. Who has a party at 9:30am? I don't really know how I feel about a cookie exchange. I'm pretty picky about the xmas cookies I make; I like to have certain kinds. I'm not too keen about making the cookies that I like and then having to give them to someone else, not knowing what I'm giving in return. The party will be mostly people that I don't know anyway.

Here's the excuse: DH and I always go to a Spinning class on Saturday mornings. We do this every week. Is that a good enough excuse not to go to this party?

 

[Cindy B]

Yep, go Spin away! The Cookie exchanges are fun, I've done them, but sometimes you wind up with the same cookies!

 

[yourtravelpro]

Tell her you have a prior committment. No need to explain!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just say you already have plans. No need to go into details.

 

[Kimickey]

ditto what everyone else says. Tell her you had a prior committment.

 

[pixie3]

You could always go to a bakery and by some homemade type cookies and put them on a plate. Go for a half an hour, eat some cheese and crackers then make an excuse if you don't feel comfortable there.

ps. I don't know whats wrong with me tonight.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

I don't think I'd like a cookie exchange either. My family is so picky! I have to make their favorites because they don't eat all the other kinds.

 

[disykat]

I hate cookie exchanges. The ones I've been to the cookies have either been too gourmet or too regular for my tastes. Someone spends hours making Biscotti and the rest bring chocolate chip cookies. My family likes gingersnaps, candy cane cookies, and fudge - it's easier just to make them since they're going to want them regardless. Now my child with allergies gives me a built in excuse to these kind of things.

I agree - tell her you're sorry you can't come due to a prior commitment and leave it at that. It's hard when you have a good friend and they know your comings and goings though. You may either have to fudge a bit or tell her the truth - that Saturday mornings are reserved for dh.

 

[mickeyboat]

I go to a cookie exchange every year and I love it. It's not just for the cookies, it's also for the socializing- how often do you get to go to a party by yourself? No worrying about what DH or the kids are doing. I love the variety of cookies we get. There is something that appeals to everyone. Some people are so creative.

If you really don't want to go, the excuse of having a prior committment should suffice.

Denae

 

[Beth76]

Thanks everyone. I'm just not good at saying "I have a prior commitment." I feel like I have to specifically justify why I won't be there. I just have to work at that, I guess.

 

[ByTheSea]

Why not just be honest? That way she won't possibly try to reschedule or invite you next year.

I'd rather a friend tell me they weren't interested in the cookie exchange, than lead me to believe you may want to participate but that particular time/date doesn't work for you.

It's not like saying you don't want to be friends anymore. Just tell your friend what you said here, your family is really picky, or even just tell her thanks for the invite but cookie exchanges just don't interest you, and maybe at the same time invite her to coffee or a lunch or something just to visit, to reconfirm you like her and enjoy her company, you just don't do cookie exchanges.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Just tell her you made plans previously.

A friend of mine has a cookie exchange every year. We always have a blast! We don't actually trade cookies, we trade recipes. We make a bunch of cookies and make recipe cards for them. Then they are all placed on her table. If there's something you want to try, you take it. If you like it, you take the recipe for it. Works great!

This is with my friend who is a Close to my Heart consultant. That's the group she always does the exchange for. The trick is that our recipe cards have to be decorated with CTMH stamps, etc. Some people are very creative!!