Hey there! Hope all is well. For today’s hang out, I want to give you a few tips on how to excuse yourself from some gatherings during the holiday season. You can do this politely and not feel horrible about it.
People love to gather for just about anything, but holidays are major for many families and friends to get together. Of course, most kids are out of school, and some work locations give time off to celebrate. For some, their loved ones have moved away to other places, and the holidays are the only times they come home to visit.
During Thanksgiving and Christmas, many people come together to enjoy lots of food, fun, and fellowship. You probably get invited to many different parties and gatherings throughout the holiday season. However, just because someone requested you be there does not mean you have to oblige. It can get hard to say no to an invite for fear of being left out in the future, but if the invitation is coming from a pure heart, they should accept and understand your decision versus outing you for good.
Some people have no problem saying no when you ask them to attend your shindig, but I’ll be honest to say I’m not those people. I want to be available and show up for everyone, but that’s not always possible, and truthfully, there are some events I’m just not interested in attending. When I come across this situation, I feel terrible about telling someone I can’t make it. However, I’m learning more and more each day how to decline someone’s invitation without feeling guilty about it later.
Here are a few ways you can decide not to attend a gathering and go on about your business without a care in the world.
- First and foremost, always be honest and tell the truth. There’s no need to come up with a lie, nor have to explain why you can’t make it. You can’t make it, and that’s just that!
- If you have a previously scheduled event, let them know. You are not obligated to attend multiple events on the same day because they invited you. If you’ve already committed to one function and that’s all you have the capacity for, then that’s it!
- Lastly, just simply say you’re not able to attend. Whether you don’t care to go or you actually have something valid keeping you busy, your reason is your business.
Until next time, I’ll leave you with this. Be sure to show up for some gatherings when you can. Enjoy your family and friends as often as you’re able to because you never know when it may be your last time getting together. However, don’t feel guilty when you can’t make an event. Tell the truth and be okay with having to miss out. Do you have any other suggestions for how to get out of an event? Please leave them in the comments below.
Hey Toni,
I love that you say tell the truth, I think sometimes we think it’s okay to lie because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.
This year there won’t be any invites for us as our city in on lockdown…
We’ll be enjoying our intimate gathering with our immediate family.
Yes, we often think we’re helping but lying, when being honest is the best thing. If they’re true to you, they’ll get over it. We aren’t on lockdown, (probably need to be), but we will be hanging with only our immediate family also. Enjoy your holiday!
this is so helpful especially with everything going on this year. I find people still wanting to do their usual gatherings during the holidays but I tend to feel hesitant because of the pandemic.
Exactly! Some people show no concern. I was being cautious from the beginning, but I’ve had many family members catch Covid and lost one uncle to it recently, so I definitely look at things differently!😩
Aww I’m sorry to hear that! I also lost someone to it. Stay safe and healthy 😊 we will get through this
Sorry for your loss also! We will get through. Thank you!
Great post as usual, sometimes one feel that guilt of not going somewhere but your first point says it all, bye honest, there is no need to lie. I guess during this pandemic times will be easier than ever before to be cautious and say no without the guilt.
Absolutely! Just let them know. Thanks so much!
That is the one advantage of the pandemic. Everyone has an out for any event they don’t want to go to this Christmas!
Absolutely! The pandemic has definitely stopped a lot for me, regardless of what everyone else is still doing. I’m so sorry I’m just responding. I found this comment in my spam folder. Hopefully, you will come back to visit me and your comments will come straight to me.