I have a circle of friend where we usually go out to celebrate birthdays. At first it was okay to chip in a little amount of money so we can gather for a present. This tradition going for 3 years until recently, the present they want is more like a luxury stage already. Things like buying an insta camera, getting 2x under armor tshirt, headphone, playstation, expensive watches...and now! one of them want a Laptop! WTH. This weekend they are celebrating another of our close friend birthday....I'm not too sure I wanna go for now....

This post has been edited by bettachick: Apr 14 2016, 04:29 PM

well, hard to save money like that...
mind to share how much u need to share for each birthday present? and how frequent is it?

Kesian you

Next time you ask for a Car lol

Well it really depends at the end of the day, are you happy with the friendship?

When we grow older, we will have less and less friends, but more genuine friendships. A handful of friends is good enough.

lol get your own gift and don't chip in for the big one.

Broke record was like 150+ each pax for the cake+ present + buy bday person a meal. There were 8-9 of us..SO! 9 times per year

Genuine friends don't ask for luxury stuffs, the time is the most precious gift....The ones that ask for it (again and again) is really takes friendship for granted.

Time to stop this trend.
Probably all feeling the pinch but no one wanna break the cycle.
Be the one to do it. Just go for makan at decent restaurant 9 times a year. Max Rm20-30 per person meal.

Yes exactly. Genuine friends are glad that you already make time to celebrate their birthday.

im happy if any of my friend remember my birthday and jusst send me a text "happy birdthay" (without seeing social media lol)
but wait i dont really have any friend huhuhuhu

Please tell me the last sentence is not true.

haha u bet lol, u want be my friend
and what i mean friend is like those good friend or like those u can call at the 2am for help.

A good friend is with you when you're happy and sad, or in distress. Sometimes people have their own reasons not to be with you when you need them the most. I've been through it.

Tc.

haha i hv non then

A direct way to deal with is to tell them u can't afford the expensive gift and see how they react. If things goes bad, u probably need to think if they deserve to be called friend and need to continue stay by ur side

anti-informatic's advice there is good. Just tell them you have a lower budget and if they don't like it, it's your choice whether to continue hanging out with them. At the end of the day, money shouldn't be an issue between friends and shouldn't be made an issue between friends.

Well, you can always make the same request to match the highest bid for urself if you feel imba, perhaps u can asked for something equivalent to a laptop as well? Lol.

In my perception, if you are a student, I think u should really reconsider this kinda outing.

If you are working adult earning decent income; I think it's fine though. Perhaps u can propose to set a budget for everyone and revisable every year or something ?

Eg;
2016 - budget for each bday rm 100/pax. Min, if wan chip more; sendiri decided