Dear Queenie,
My sister married a man who had a daughter from a previous marriage. This girl has never been close to any of our family, in fact she mostly ignores all of us – until now she is pregnant we have all received invitations to a baby shower for her.
Queenie, do we have to go? And if we don’t, should we still send her presents?—Baby shower Etty Ket
Dear Etty Ket,
You are never obligated to attend an event just because you have been invited. An invitation is a request for the pleasure of your company, not a command performance (unless maybe it comes from the Queen of England). And, you are not obliged to send a gift for a shower you will not attend.
However, it would be kind of you to send at least a small gift for the baby, especially if the parents are not financially well-off.
