To stop buying friends birthday gifts?

[NewUmberSloth]

Me and my group of friends (6 of us) are in our late twenties and we have always brought each other birthday presents, and we usually spend around £40. I have recently gone part time at work after having a baby so obviously I have less disposable income. Would it be rude of me to say I can’t afford to be buying birthday gifts as it’s just out of my budget? We usually always go out for a meal/drinks for our birthdays too which I will continue to do

Suggest a secret santa or lucky dip instead, maximum budget of £40-£50.

I suggested to my group of friends that we stop present giving and just go out for lunch or for supper. Sometimes we were actually giving the same presents that we were receiving and none of us actually need more candles, diffusers, hand cream etc

Great idea user. We just do the big bdays now it was getting constant spending. So a card now. I feel theres no end to them! I felt with one friend eg 20 euro I had to do it too. Less pressure now

I would just let them all know what you’ve said here. Any good friend would understand and as long as you say you don’t expect them to buy you a gift then yanbu.

We just do £10 contribution each and raise a whip for the birthday girl. Then they either get cash or we buy what they have asked for

I think it would be fine as long as you make clear to them that you don't expect them to buy you presents for your birthday, and if they still want to give each other presents that's fine. You might find others happily jump at the chance to stop when you suggest it - but otoh they might want to keep doing it in which case you'll have to be prepared to sit there and feel a bit awkward while everyone except you hands a present over.

Also depends on the timing - if you've just had your birthday and they all bought you stuff, or all bought the baby presents, it might come across as quite tight.