I recently attended a baby shower of a colleague I don't know well, but there was pressure to attend. And yes, we all had to get presents. But at least it was in the office & easy to attend for a quick hour.
The next one will be held at a venue 45 mins away from the office at a place hired out. It's also really far from my home. A colleague has offered to put me up for the night and stressed that all the women are going. But I'll need to travel to the office the next morning. AIBU to just say no?
And there's another one in 2 months. 😂 I realise it will be frowned upon but I barely know these people beyond the obligatory coffee/tea breaks and work dos.