Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fuuma 
Just reply to the invite and politely decline. That way he won't count you among the people to be in attendence. As simple as that. Small gifts are for pussies, especially if you don't care about the person and have no interraction with them.
bingo.
i don't get why everyone's so afraid to give a polite "thanks, but I can't make it."
that's all that good manners requires. no explanation is owed. nor do you need to send a gift.