Serene responded:

> There's no need to give excuses, especially ones that are easily seen
> through. It's fine just to say, "Oh, sorry, we won't be able to make it
> (or "we have other plans that night"). Have a wonderful time!"

But that *is* an easy-to-reveal excuse unless you plan to abandon your house
that evening simply to avoid being caught in a lie. Why not tell the REAL
truth? "I'd like to come to your party, but I think it would be too much of
a burden for me to provide two expensive bottles of wine and roasted beef
tenderloin for twenty people, most of whom are strangers to me."

Bob