As much as I adore Miss Manners (aka, Judith Martin), I have to disagree with her on the issue of electronic invitations, such as those offered by Evite. She thinks they're terribly gauche, a sign of poor manners, and should never be used. I agree that they shouldn't be used for formal occasions (eg, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and christenings) for which an electronic invitation would come across as flippant or disrespectful. But for informal gatherings, they're a great way to invite a lot of people without having to spend a ton of money in postage. Also, I find that people are more likely to respond when all they have to do is click a button, rather than mail back a card or even pick up the phone. Another benefit is that, if you're having a potluck, everyone can see what the other guests are bringing, which diminishes the possibility that you'll end up with 3 different versions of green-bean casserole or pink divinity at your potluck--and that's a benefit that everyone can appreciate.
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