DEAR ABBY: I have a nephew and niece who are in their 20s. As teens and adults, they chose not to acknowledge gifts. I stopped sending them anything as a result.

I have recently learned my nephew is engaged. He will be eloping and then having a family reception in a few months. Nobody in my family has met his fiancee. I do not live in the same town they do. Would it be wrong to not attend the reception? I have never said anything to their father (my brother) about his kids’ lack of acknowledgement. I know my mother will give me grief, because she did a few months ago when I didn’t attend my niece’s graduation party. -- STAYING AWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR STAYING AWAY: I understand you are miffed because you weren’t thanked for gifts you gave your niece and nephew when they were younger.

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