DEAR MISS MANNERS: I liked your advice to the person who may not be able to afford a big restaurant party to invite friends over for tea and cake instead. I always get carried away with big ideas that I can't afford. I forget that one can still be hospitable and generous without spending a lot of money.
Do you have any other similar ideas for someone on a budget?
GENTLE READER: The underlying idea is to invite people at times when meals are not expected: midmorning coffee, afternoon tea, or after another event, such as the theater. Miss Manners has noticed that even the greatest food snobs consider scrambled eggs to be a great treat when served at midnight.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)