Question

Question about giving birthday gifts. On my journey to pay down my debt since last September, I have decided not to do Christmas or Birthdays. Those who I am closest to, like my friends and family and boyfriend, are completely understanding and supportive. However, I do not share personal things like this with my coworkers. I work in a small investment firm, so I would be embarrassed to share that I have as much debt as I do. Anyways, with that being said. Everyone in my office was very generous with gifts this past Christmas. We did a Yankee Swap, but many others still decided to give gifts anyways and I did not. Now that coworkers birthdays are starting to approach, I feel like I need to give gifts because they were so giving during Christmas. But. I just can’t afford it. Every penny I can find goes towards debt, and it has shown through the progress I’ve been making. I have literally cut out everything I can find, and sell things around my apartment as much as I can online. How would you handle this kind of situation without sharing your personal financial journey with your coworkers? I could be being hard on myself because I love being giving too, just can’t be at this time. I’ve simply said to one coworker that I am saving money because I finish school in June and need to start making loan payments soon (which is true, but I left it at that and didn’t dive into the fact I’m paying down debt right now).  

Answer 1

I only get Christmas & birthday gifts for my main supervisor & then coworkers (3 of them) that I spend time with outside of work. $10-$25 is all I spend on each.  

Answer 2

Do you like to bake? Maybe pick a recipe that most people enjoy and have that be your thing you’re known for bringing in on birthdays?  

Answer 3

We stopped doing the giftie thing long ago as we just didn't need anything and were getting nick-knacks, gift cards for places we didn't like or go to, etc. Its can be time consuming to keep up with as well as expensive. If you are paying down the debt stick to your story and be true to yourself. You are the one who has to live with your choices. Good luck.  

Answer 4

Suggest the office adopts a person or family in need. This allows people who can afford to give more be generous and staff with tighter budgets to be more creative or regift.  

Answer 5

I would suggest a solution at work, or DYI. Baking, knitting, flower arrangement, lots of ideas on the Internet. Probably none of these people are close friends, so keep it in perspective.