Electronic Invitations?

This particular topic does not specifically relate only to those individuals with children.  Although, I have to say, it seems like I field many more invitations as a parent than before children (most are birthday party invitations for one or more of my kids). 

In this great age of digital everything, a new type of invitation has emerged.  The electronic invitation, such as an e-card or "evite."  An electronic invitation is, of course, much more ecologically friendly than a paper invitation.  However, does it introduce new etiquette?  Follow traditional etiquette?  I often wonder how others feel.

From an environmental perspective, digital invitations can't be beat.  They do not waste valuable paper resources, eliminate delivery (and transportation costs/resource use), and are much less expensive.  No hunting down snail mail addresses or buying stamps.  A moment is all it takes to invite numerous people to an event.  Often, it is an exceptionally eco-friendly and inexpensive method of sending out invitations to an event.  The question, is....is there a line between resourceful and tacky?

Does old etiquette apply to the new digital invites?  Are some events off-limits for an evite?  I think there are clear-cut issues (a wedding invitation--definitely not; the bonfire at your house on Friday night--send an evite!), but there are "fuzzy ones."  A child's birthday party?  A wedding or baby shower?  Hmmm....

What about the handling of the invite?  With a paper invitation, I would propose you are obligated to send a gift if you are unable to attend.  I always do.  However, an evite.....I must admit, I do not.  It often depends on the situation.  If I receive an evite for a close friend's baby shower, I'll certainly send a gift if I can't make the event.  Yet, the co-worker I barely know who sent the invites to the entire office.....probably not.  It seems like evites are more widespread than a hand invitation.  Having to write out an invitation and pay for the cost makes the sender more conscious of whom they include on the guest list.  Tapping a few keys makes it extremely easy to invite 50 acquaintances to the birthday party.  Am I being terribly rude by not always sending a gift in my stead?  Anyone want to weigh in? 

From an Earth Mama perspective, evites are a fabulous invention.  I would admit, however, they have limitations that you should acknowledge and observe.  If you think I am living in the twentieth century, instead of the twenty-first, speak up.  Otherwise, I say.....use your evites for Mama Earth!  But, skip them for the big events.  

--EM

Comments

[Brittanie Gulzow]

Ha ha, I read this and wanted to write "welcome back!" but I realize this was posted three weeks ago and I am just now noticing it. That let's you know how I've been doing with my blogging as well :) But I always love to read them whenever you get a chance to post (and I get a chance to read)!