Who hasn’t been in the awkward position of needing to decline an invitation but not wanting to hurt any feelings or come across as rude? We’ve all been there. Whether it’s a party you’d rather avoid, drinks after work when you’re exhausted, or a setup with your friend’s cousin who “has a great personality” – learning how to tactfully say no thanks is an invaluable skill.
What’s the Best Way to Politely Decline an Unwanted Invitation?
The best way is to thank the person for thinking of you, briefly explain why you must decline, and if possible, suggest an alternative that would work better for you. For example,
“Thanks for inviting me over Saturday, but I have family plans that day. Could we get brunch on Sunday instead?”
Be lighthearted, let them know you appreciate them, and compromise if you can.
I’ve rounded up 100 clever, funny, and inoffensive ways to turn down invitations for all occasions that will let you off the hook while keeping relationships intact. Read on for how to decline invites for parties, setups, events, and more without damage.
Can’t Make the Party? 10 Witty Ways to Politely Pass
“As much as I’d love chugging questionable punch in red Solo cups, I have to take a raincheck.”
We’ve all been roped into lackluster parties that weren’t really our scene. When the FOMO texts start rolling in, you shouldn’t have to fake excitement about lukewarm events. This tongue-in-cheek decline lets them know you’ll pass this time, but leaves the door open for better ragers down the road.
Other party pass suggestions:
- “I was going to come get turnt with you guys, but I just discovered this thing called Netflix so I’ll be anti-social tonight instead.”
- “Partying isn’t really my speed, but let’s grab brunch the next day to hear how wild it got!”
- “As fun as watching drunken karaoke sounds, I’m going to hit the pillow early with sleepytime tea instead.”
- “I’d love to get crazy with y’all, but I have the same idea as Cinderella and turn into a pumpkin at midnight these days.”
- “I appreciate the invite but I’m #TeamIntrovert tonight. Can’t wait to see the pics though!
- “Thanks for thinking of me but I’m cozier than a blanket burrito at home.”
- “A Netflix binge is calling my name tonight, but raincheck for next time!”
- “I wish I could drink questionable concoctions from red cups with you fine people, but adulting calls.”
- “Dancing on tables with glow sticks sounds potentially regrettable tomorrow. I’m still recovering from last weekend’s shenanigans so I’ll have to sit this one out!”
- “You had me at party, but the hangover potential tomorrow lost me. Next rager I’m there!”
Can’t Make the Date? 10 Amusing Ways to Politely Decline
“I’d love to meet The One over chicken wings and beer, but I think I’ll pass on the blind date tonight.”
We get it – your friends mean well setting you up, but their idea of your perfect match doesn’t always align with yours. Avoid awkward dates explaining your life plans to strangers with these lighthearted declines when you’re just not feeling the setup.
Other date pass suggestions:
- “I’m flattered you thought I’d hit it off over happy hour with your coworker, but I think I’ll stick to swiping tonight.”
- “Your neighbor seems lovely, but I’m taking a break from setups for a bit. Maybe we could all hang out casually instead?”
- “As entertaining as critiquing first date outfits with my friends sounds, I think I’ll pass on the blind date. But please keep me in mind for better options down the road!”
- “I wish I was excited about this mystery suitor, but setups haven’t been my thing lately. I’d rather binge watch Netflix tonight.”
- “Meeting new people can be fun, but I think I’ll skip getting grilled by a stranger over dinner tonight.”
- “I know you mean well finding a date for me, but I’m flying solo and loving it right now!”
- “I appreciate you thinking I’d hit it off with your friend’s brother, but no thanks to drinks tonight!”
- “As sweet as this gesture is, I think I’ll take a raincheck. My Friday nights have been reserved for snacks, sweats, and trashy reality TV lately.”
- “I’d rather stay in with wine and feline cuddles than awkward first date small talk tonight, but thanks for thinking of me!”
- “My ideal Friday night is less making awkward conversation with a stranger and more pajamas, takeout, and belting out 90s pop songs into a hairbrush. But I appreciate you thinking of me!”
Can’t Make the Event? 10 Humorous Ways to Politely Refuse
“Getting dressed up to make small talk sounds less enticing than a sweatpants Netflix binge, so I’ll have to take a raincheck.”
Whether it’s a stuffy work function, your neighbor’s Tupperware party, or an event you’re just not excited about, we’ve all been forced to attend lackluster shindigs. While skipping out entirely may not be an option, postponing with humor softens the blow of your refusal.
Other event pass suggestions:
- “Schmoozing with strangers over subpar cocktails sounds like my personal circle of hell, so I’m going to pass just this once.”
- “As delightful as discussing office politics and water cooler drama sounds, I unfortunately have other plans that night.”
- “I’d rather watch paint dry than make awkward small talk about the weather and pretend to enjoy warm champagne.”
- I have to miss the big holiday party this year, but save me some snacks under a napkin for later!
- “As fun as synchronized swimming at the company retreat sounds, I think I’ll sit that team building activity out.”
- “I wish I could make it to hear all about your essential oils / makeup / candle / insert MLM here party, but I have an unbreakable prior obligation.”
- “I’d love to hear all about your brilliant direct sales business plan over lukewarm chardonnay, but I’ll have to take a raincheck.”
- “Making increasingly painful small talk with the same group of strangers isn’t my idea of fun. But say hi to everyone for me!”
- “I appreciate the invitation to your toga party / karaoke night / book club meeting / improv troupe performance, but I have other commitments that day.”
- “I’m thankful I didn’t have evening plans for your flash mob, but I actually despise public dancing sober, so I’ll pass just this once!”
Can’t Meet Up? 10 Humorous Ways to Politely Decline Plans
“My ideal Friday night involves binging Netflix in bed by 8 PM, so I’ll have to take a raincheck on hitting the town tonight.”
We get it – being social can be exhausting. Sometimes your best weekend plans involve sweats, snacks, and your couch. While friends may not relate to your homebody habits, a clever excuse can get you out of even the most tempting happy hours.
Other plan passing suggestions:
- “Binge watching The Office with takeout sounds infinitely cozier than attempting to chat over blaring club music tonight. I’m going to fly solo, but see you next weekend!”
- “My cat gets separation anxiety if I’m out too late, so I’ll have to take a raincheck on late night shenanigans.”
- “I wish I had the stamina for an all night rager right now, but frankly I’d rather be asleep by 10 PM. I’m no fun lately!”
- “Dog snuggles and comfy PJs are calling my name tonight. Catch up with you guys next weekend!”
- “My ideal Friday is less shots and dancing to Top 40, more pajamas, takeout, and Netflix. But swing by Sunday for hungover brunch and embarrassing stories instead!”
- “Bingeing bad reality TV with a face mask on sounds way more appealing than attempting to network tonight. Next happy hour’s on me though!”
- “Sweatpants, snacks, and Netflix have my name all over them. But let’s grab coffee this week to catch up instead!”
- “Comfy clothes and blankets are seducing me hard tonight – gonna have to take a raincheck so I can become one with my couch.”
- “My liver is begging for a break from socializing. But let’s plan a picnic or board game night instead soon!”
- “Oh, you meant go out out? With people? And fun? Hard pass. Jk! Well, kind of. I’m still recovering from last weekend’s shenanigans so raincheck please!”
How To Playfully Decline for Guys
Some guys can take declines personal and get offended easily (even if they seem laidback). But letting a dude down easy doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right blend of humor, appreciation, and compromise, you can refuse invites without bruising any egos.
If your buddy invites you out for guy’s night when you’re just not feeling social, try something like: “I wish I could down some brews and get destroyed at darts with you guys tonight, but I have to be boring and handle some adult errands instead. But I’m so down for next week’s rematch!”
Or if you’d rather skip the set-up with his co-worker, go for: “I’m sure Becky is lovely, but I think I’ll stick to messaging cuties on Tinder for now if that’s cool. Let’s grab wings later on this week instead though!”
Other amusing ways to decline guys include:
“You had me at happy hour, but doing taxes and laundry tonight lost me. I owe you beers next Friday though!”
“I totally would have been down to shoot hoops today bro, but this Netflix binge isn’t going to watch itself. Next game’s on me though!”
“As appealing as critiquing girls from the bar over beers sounds, I have to adult and meal prep instead. But I still want to hear how it goes!”
The key is keeping things casual, offering a reasonable excuse, and suggesting a solid backup plan that appeals to their interests. Throw in some self-deprecating humor too for good measure. Most dudes will appreciate you being upfront instead of flaking last minute too.
How To Tactfully Decline for Girls
Letting a friend down easy can be trickier with some girls, since many prioritize connection. If your pal invites you to girls’ night when you’re drained, try: “I’m bummed to miss out on gossip and bubbly with you ladies, but this week has me seriously lagging. Could we plan a spa and wine night instead soon though? I could really use some R&R with my best girls!”
If she offers a double date you’re not feelin’, go for: “I know you mean well setting me up on a blind date, but I think flying solo is the move for me right now. Let’s you and me hit up a concert or comedy show together soon though instead!”
Other ways to politely refuse girlfriends include:
“Oh man, I wish I could make it to your jewelry party and hear all about this brilliant biz opp, but my cat literally starts crying if left alone too long. She’d be so mad if I didn’t come right home to cuddle tonight! Can we get mani pedis this weekend instead? Bring me samples!”
“I’m all for dancing like no one’s watching, but I don’t think I can rally for the club after this long week. Can we plan a spa day soon instead? I could really use some detoxing girl time with my fave!”
Again, empathy, compromise, and humor are key. Most female friends just want to connect and know you make their company a priority even if you decline. Suggesting self-care focused alternatives is an easy win too.
Key Takeaways for Declining Offers with Wit
Lead with gratitude. Even if the invite is totally not your vibe, thank them sincerely for thinking of you. People put themselves out there when inviting others out.
Keep it light. Don’t overexplain or make grand excuses. A simple, playful reason is perfectly adequate. Less is more.
Suggest alternatives. If possible, offer to reschedule or make other concrete plans. Friends want facetime with you, so suggest something one-on-one.
In Closing…
Turning down invites or disappointing friends is no fun. But with the right blend of brevity, wit, and compromise, you can refuse unwanted offers without damage.
Next time you’re just not feeling that blind double date, tedious work event, or basic party, try out these funny but inoffensive declines. Chances are good humor and honesty will win over even the most persistent pals. Stay true to yourself while keeping relationships intact.