What is a good excuse for not going to a family party?

Not feeling well – the old standby, volunteering somewhere, a friend is in town, helping someone move.

Tell them you ate lunch at mines and well… me not being kitchen friendly accidentally gave you food poisoning . I’m infamous for being a kitchen-phobe so they will believe you.

Either that leave my name out of it an just simply say you don’t feel too well.

You have another engagement witha freind from school.. She is in town this weekend.
Or… You can just put your game face on and go. Consider it exercise for your body and mind.
Besides, you don’t want them talking about you behind your back, do you? ;-)

if you are a student, you have a test coming up. If you are working, you have a big presentation coming up and it requires a lot of your attention. Or you are PMSing.. if you are a girl.. best excuse. Cramps! LOL..

Stomach cramps, back problems or migraine headache.

You might consider just going. Once there (as my mom used to counsel me) you might enjoy yourself more than you expected. (Bonus: You won’t have to come up with an excuse and run the risk of offending anyone.)

By not knowing what kind of relationship you have with your husband, it would be hard to answer this question. If you have an understanding husband, just tell him you are not in a socializing mood and rather stay home and fluther read a book or something. If he’s not the understanding type, use the old tissue in the nose trick (sounds like you’re coming down with a cold). Be sure to call the in-laws (while you have the tissue in nose) to let them know you can’t make it because you don’t want to spread any germs.

And again as @Austinlad said, the times you don’t want to go somewhere and you go anyway, that is the time you have the most enjoyable time.

How about…

I’m not going, because.

I have the exact same problem this Sunday! The reason I hesitate going is that everyone is expected to bring a gift. I know this lovely lady, who is pregnant, but not well. I feel funny about the present thing. I mean, I would never want to accept a gift from her. It seems inappropriate when we aren’t really “friends” in the classic sense. Her husband is my daughter’s brother in law. Oh, woe is me.

Yep, i would just say, i’m not going. If they ask why, i would say, just don’t want too.

Please…just go. It’s your in-laws, so unless there is an underlying reason, it’s probably important that you make an appearance. You can stay busy by helping with food prep and clean-up…this is what my unsocial SO does. If your husband is going with you, come to an agreement on the front end that if it gets to be too much, he will bow out gracefully when you are ready to go. Or you can take separate cars.

@BoBo1946 YOU would say you just don’t want to???

You cold the excuse my Brother-In-Law uses – “I’m staying home today.”

No excuses necessary—“I’ve decided not to be at the party but hope you all have a good time.”

yep…. just don’t want too.

You know I care a lot about you FrenchFry but this is one you need to discuss with hubby.
I’m not getting in the middle of it.

Awwww! Brat! You give awesome advice. but but but. Ok. Sounds like I am going anyways. It means a lot to my husband. I can’t let him down.