Budget gift idea for a co-workers bday

[halfpintpeggy]

I think a greeting card is more than enough. This is silly. They aren't 5 years old. I hope they don't make it weird for the OP, but there is no good reason to worry about this or spend any money. I have a box of greeting cards -- birthday, sympathy, congrats -- in my office to pull out when needed. I'd give the OP one to use if I could.

Ya know what? @Sandi is right! Perhaps if you just give a card, you can break the chains they have you in of expecting to receive gifts!!!

 

[MomToOne]

I have a birthday that falls on or near a holiday weekend every year. Funny how everyone wanted to be taken out for lunch for their birthday, but conveniently forgot mine. I let it slide and took the others out to lunch with a smile.

But then my mother died a few days before Christmas after a short illness. I know many people were out of the office over that time period, but a card at least even a week or two afterwards would have been nice. (Usually they make a fuss over things like that with plants, etc.) But no one did anything. Nothing at all. Not even send me an email expressing sympathy. That's when I started feeling just fine saying "No" to all of those little requests. If they don't even have the decency to acknowledge my mother's death, then I certainly don't need to make a fuss over their birthdays or participate in those awful potlucks. I just conveniently have other plans those days!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I have a birthday that falls on or near a holiday weekend every year. Funny how everyone wanted to be taken out for lunch for their birthday, but conveniently forgot mine. I let it slide and took the others out to lunch with a smile.

But then my mother died a few days before Christmas after a short illness. I know many people were out of the office over that time period, but a card at least even a week or two afterwards would have been nice. (Usually they make a fuss over things like that with plants, etc.) But no one did anything. Nothing at all. Not even send me an email expressing sympathy. That's when I started feeling just fine saying "No" to all of those little requests. If they don't even have the decency to acknowledge my mother's death, then I certainly don't need to make a fuss over their birthdays or participate in those awful potlucks. I just conveniently have other plans those days!

How awful, so very sorry you did not receive the support that you should have.

 

[tink89]

We sometimes do stuff here at work for Bdays. Someone will bring a cake we will sing and eat cake or its left in the break room for ppl to have. Gifts are not involved at all unless you are actually a close coworker and more of a friend. I have gotten a few coworkers on either Bday or holidays. things like something from Bath and body works or for their desk or from a joke we have going on. Not every year and nothing big. I give it when its just us two or put it on their desk and not make a big deal about it.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I have the money but just hate all the gift exchanges for whatever reason (holidays, birthdays) and just opt out because I always hated all the useless stuff I get in return. I also don't purchase or go to all those stupid "parties" where you are guilted into buying more useless stuff (Tupperware, Pampered Chef, etc)

 

[Candlelady]

No reason to exchange anything more than a card and I doubt anyone is expecting more. Unless you are close friends, a card with handwritten one sentence note is perfect.

 

[AnnaS]

At work, within our department and sometimes a person here and there from other departments, would get together in the break room for one of our birthdays. No gifts. Just cake, soda, coffee. Unless it was a 30th, 40th, etc. Even then, something small/funny, etc.

You can always get a card at the dollar store and put in a $5 scratch off or two $2 scratch off "just in case" there are gifts. If no one is gifting - you can keep the scratch off for yourself - just a thought anyway. When you work with a large group and there is a birthday every other day/week, it will add up. This is why there were never any gifts involved no matter how small.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Thank everyone. It does add up and when I first started there was a time that the work staff would ask for a $25 per employee a year social club to go to staff bday (chocolate bar or balloons), retirement parties, babyshower party, death etc. Plus they would send around an envelope asking for $5-$10 donation for gift for a baby shower, special anniversary, etc $20 per person for Christmas party for taco truck. Luckily it all stopped but I'm stuck with this little group. I'm just trying to keep the peace :/ and btw I make a lot less money than they do like 3,000-4,000 less a month. I'm sorry I guess I'm just being negative Nancy. I work really hard for the main lady and never even get a Thank you so I guess I'm bothered and annoyed that she always acknowledges everyone else and I feel put on the spot to chip in

Buy her a box of thank you cards!

 

[Hikergirl]

I wouldn't feel weird about not giving a gift.
Say Happy Birthday or just give a card.