"I didn't know I had to RSVP"

[Michelle]

I had my 3rd cookie swap yesterday and it went very well. My first prize awarded was to the lady who was first to RSVP. When I announced this before the games, several ladies commented "Well, if I had known I would have RSVP'd". I guess the instructions in the invitation that said "RSVP and let me know what cookies you're bringing" just wasn't obvious enough.

[Kim_B]

Ugh!! I completely understand! I invited 13 or 14 people, and only 5 RSVP'd...the others didn't even bother to let me know if they received their invites or not!! Bah-humbug to them, I say!

I was thinking more about this and I think people are so afraid to committ to things for fear it will 1) inconvience them or 2) they'll miss out on something better...like they need to keep their options open just in case something "better" or "more fun" comes along...at least that's what the case seems to be in my family.

[pamw]

I think you are right, Kimmy, sadly I think some people do think that way. I end up calling some to make sure if they are coming or not, which I feel I shouldn't have to do. My cookie exchange is just for family, sisters, sister-in-laws, mother, nieces, daughter-in-laws, granddaughters, etc. I finally quit sending out an invite to my one nephew's wife. For five years she never even responded either way,
same with my sister-in-law. I seen her different places and she would never commit. So we have to do what we have to do.
I do agree, that RSVP is a lost art!!
Pam W

[hmweaver]

This last year I sent a "raffle" ticket with each invitation and explained that there would be a Grand Prize winner at the end of the party and to get more tickets the first 6 ladies to RSVP would get tickets: 6 for 1st to RSVP, 5 for 2nd, etc. It worked, I had 12 of 16 RSVP. I also gave tickets for wearing Christmas PJ's, sweater, jewelry, and bringing their recipe. The ladies really got into it. At the end of the party I drew the tickets out, but you didn't want your ticket called...instead it was the last ticket who was the winner. More suspense that way. Thanks to the ladies on here who shared their ideas about getting people to RSVP!
(The prize was a 2 tier cookie plate and apron I made and some other little goodies.)

[nopoquirkymomma]

I love the ideas on how to get people to respond to invitations. This has always been a problem for me, always. I think I will hold a raffle for the people who actually bother to respond prior to the morning of the party.