[TDG: The Compulsive Cook: Being a gracious guest]

Great article - definitely a few people to whom I would love to send it. One item that I thought was missing, but was discussed somewhere in the thread, is the simple act of RSVPing. That seems to be the largest problem that my husband and I have with a certain group of our friends. So bad with one that he has been essentially banned from future events.

[Champagne under $50]

The Geoffroy Cuvee de Reserve Brut is an excellent value at $31. Another good value is the Duval-Leroy Cuvee Femme. It's slightly over the $50 mark at $55, but I have seen it on sale at Sam's in Chicago for less than $50.