Anonymous wrote:Look, the issue here is that OP doesn't want to go to this dinner because her friend is gross, but she also doesn't want to stop being friends with her friend.
OP, if you start declining suddenly for a bunch of different reasons, I agree that they will suggest rescheduling. I think that the best strategy here would be to talk with your friend and be straight (but gentle) with her. "Sarah, when we were there last year, the vegetables on your crudite platter were clearly expired and I saw the cat walking around on the counter in the food prep area. I also saw the kids sticking their unwashed hands into food that was then put on the table. One year I got sick after the dinner. I haven't mentioned this to you before because I did not want to hurt your feelings, but this year, we'd prefer to host or meet at a restaurant."
If this ends the friendship, at least your friend knows why.
This will almost certainly end the friendship.