Party On.

Byline: EDITOR: ALEXANDRA KOTUR

The economic climate hasn't chilled the flurry of holiday invitations. William Norwich negotiates the bounty.

Mindful of our less-than-jolly economy, rumor had it that people would, if not should, respectfully cancel their annual holiday parties. Although this may be true of some businesses, especially those noted for their December bacchanals with ice sculptures and caviar bowls, in the private realm it has dawned on many that we need a little Christmas more than ever this year and, eureka, there are no rules against entertaining on a budget. Style, not money, is this season's mistletoe.

Here are a few guidelines for negotiating invitations:

Accept as promptly as possible for your host's sanity.

If sending regrets, the first year you are asked, just say no, but thank you for the kind invitation. If it is a party you have attended before but do not wish to again, as briefly as possible blame a schedule conflict with (a) family or (b) work.

If you have accepted an invitation and now want not to go? This is something one tries never, ever to do unless the circumstances are genuineyou are a surgeon needed in the operating room, or something sudden happens in the family. What sort of party is it? You will be missed less at a cocktail party than a seated dinner at home or a charity event, or if your host has tickets to a concert. If you must cancel, give ...