Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Stupid Vent/Poll
I have 4 friends who want me to host house parties for their home businesses (Arbonne, Scentsy, Epicure, Tupperware etc.) and I am running out of polite ways to say no. I very rarely attend parties that my other friends host because I'm too cheap to spend $60.00 on something that I don't really want, and the last thing that I want to do is invite a bunch of equally uninterested people out to my house. Not to mention the fact that I live out in the bush where people don't want to drive out to anyways. If calving season has one up side, it's a great excuse to be 'busy' for 3 months straight.
So here is my question/poll: How often do you host/attend home parties? Are you a rep for a company like this? If you don't want to do a party, how do you go about turning them down?
Re: Stupid Vent/Poll
I would just flat out say to them "no, I'm not really interested in hosting a party, if I change my mind I'll let you know". That way they *should* stop asking you. Also use your kid and pregnancy as an excuse and even the fact that you live out of the way, etc, etc. I would hope that as your friend if you say no, they would respect that and quit badgering you.
I have never hosted a party, but I've gone to the odd one. I have no problem attending and not buying anything though. That said, I usually get sucked into something that I "have to have".
I've never hosted a party, and don't think I ever would. I totally agree with Lindsay. If I want to go out and purchase something, I'll go looking for it. I don't need a friend inviting me over, convincing me I need something, so she can get some free goods from the party.
I got hit up to host a party. I just told her I didn't have anyone I could invite except struggling catholic school teachers and if I could think of anyone I would do a book party for her and just let it be.
That friend is a rep for Premiere Jewelry, but she's always hosting parties for that and other people. I will usually pick one or two of them to go to in a year
Ditto. I'm not a party person, but they are huge out here! I have been invited to a ton, including a "toy" party-awkward!
I always just say I'm busy and leve it at that.
I always just say I'm busy and leve it at that.
I got one of these invites as well. It was a F---erware party. No way Jose. At least the 'slumber party' sounds a little more tackful, but still not a party I would go to.
We have no extra $ to spend so going to any of those parties is generally not an option. I use the dogs and cats as an excuse for not having them at my house.... they are crazy and lots of people have allergies.
I've only hosted one. It was a makeup one and instead of a hard sell she did makeup lesson - it was me, my bridemaids and the Moms. We had a good time and nobody really spent much money.
They're not really popular among my friends because no one has the disposable income to use right now.
Kate's Recipe Box || Relatively Bookish
How often do you host/attend home parties? I rarely do them in my home, if I do I tend to do a "catalog" party vs doing the actual in home party. Just take the catalog around to my family and friends and ask them if they want to order. Seems to be less hassle on my part and people feel less obligated to buy, and you don't have to waste and entire evening of your time.
Are you a rep for a company like this? I am also a rep. for a company, not one of the ones mentioned above. I will never pressure anyone to have a party though, when I approach someone I share what I'm passionate about and why, then I ask if they would be interested. If they say No I immediately turn around and ask if now is just not a good time and if they would be interested in the future. That way I have my answer and if they say no to a future one then I never come back and ask again.
If you don't want to do a party, how do you go about turning them down? Simply explain that I have to many other things going on in my life and don't have time, and if I'm not interested I tell them straight out that I'm not interested.
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
My Blog
How often do you host/attend home parties? I attend 3-5 a year. I look at it as helping my friends out. I'd rather give friends business than random stores.
Are you a rep for a company like this? I started with a direct sales company (not one listed) last year. I asked my friends if they'd be willing to host a party to support me, with no obligation to buy (just to help me get the word out about the product and that I was involved in the business now). If they said no, I didn't ask them again and it in no way affected our friendship.
If you don't want to do a party, how do you go about turning them down? I just tell them I'm not interested in hosting a party, but thanks for thinking of me. There's no reason to make up excuses or lies or anything.
I don't mind attending these types of parties, maybe that's because I don't go very often, not many of my friends host them very often. I have been to a "toy" party before, too, I thought it was fun, lol, but it was just a bunch of girls hanging out, and it was several years ago.
I have also hosted 2 jewelry parties for my aunt who is a consultant. I told her that I wanted to host, so she didn't ask me. If I was in your situation, though, I would not want to be hosting either. A simple "no thanks, I don't want to host a party" should be enough. I assume your friends will understand.