Asking Eric: Tired of inviting relatives who never show

Dear Eric: Over the years, I’ve made it a priority to invite my family to milestone events so we can bond, celebrate and stay connected. There are a few relatives who consistently choose not to attend, which is their right, but they still become offended if they don’t receive an invitation, even though they have no intention of showing up.

I’m growing tired of spending time, money and energy sending invitations to people who have made it clear they won’t participate. I want to handle this in a way that doesn’t create tension or spark a family feud.