DEAR MISS MANNERS: When you receive an invitation to a birthday party and it states that dinner will be $25, are you obligated to buy a gift?
GENTLE READER: As a sponsor of this event, you are one of the hosts. If you want to give yourself a present, Miss Manners has no objection.
(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.)