October 24th, 2009 | 
Author: I have become the person responsible for planning all of the birthdays at work. I enjoy doing things for birthday’s, but I always seem to be the only one who remembers, so I end up doing all the work and buying cake, etc. I started out planning something for a few people I was close to, and I would send out an e-mail letting the other people on my team know who had a birthday coming up and tell them they could sign a card at my desk and if they wanted to contribute anything for cake, they could, but didn’t have to. After doing this for a few people, one person complained that she didn’t like being asked for money (even though she is usually the first person in line for cake), so I stopped asking for money. However, I still feel like people expect me to do something for birthdays on my whole team. I didn’t do something once and the person complained to me that everyone else had gotten cake, etc. I would like to keep doing something, but can’t afford to buy for everyone w/o help.
Well, you need to stop this trend right away. Your office needs to constitute a new policy for birthdays.
What our office does is that we have a list of everyone’s birthday (who wants to participate) and you have to buy a cake for the person whose birthday is after yours. That way you’re only buying/making a cake once a year, and everyone is able to get together. The people participating get an email sent to them saying what time they can come for cake.
You could also just stop doing cake altogether and just go out to lunch with those you are friends with. Or, you can have one ‘day’ a month where the employees get one cake and you celebrate everyone’s birthday in that month.
Posted in Birthday party planning
Send out an email saying "I’m sorry but I am no longer financially able to throw office birthday parties." Then stop doing parties. There may be some complaints at first, but if people want to celebrate birthdays, they’ll eventually start helping out.
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I agree with Jen. or state in your email that if you do not have enough help then the party will be canceled.
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This is actually pretty easy.
Stop.
Continue to buy cards and cakes for the few people you are close to (and who made an effort for YOUR birthday last year). Make these from YOU, not from the group. For everyone else, just stop. If someone asks you whether something is being planned for the next birthday, you say, "I don’t have anything planned. If you get a card, I’ll sign it." Or "Really? I’ve stopped keeping track of most birthdays. If you want to buy a cake, I’ll chip in a few bucks."
Most people will quit hassling you immediately when you turn the responsibility around on them. Good luck.
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Well, you need to stop this trend right away. Your office needs to constitute a new policy for birthdays.
What our office does is that we have a list of everyone’s birthday (who wants to participate) and you have to buy a cake for the person whose birthday is after yours. That way you’re only buying/making a cake once a year, and everyone is able to get together. The people participating get an email sent to them saying what time they can come for cake.
You could also just stop doing cake altogether and just go out to lunch with those you are friends with. Or, you can have one ‘day’ a month where the employees get one cake and you celebrate everyone’s birthday in that month.
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Is there any space in the company budget to cover these sorts of things? Where I work, if we keep the cost below $20 (enough for cake and a card), we can get reimbursed.
As for getting other people involved, if nobody’s stepped up on their own, it’s because they like reaping the rewards of your work. If I were you, I’d just stop doing things for people’s birthdays. No need for a preemtive email. If someone asks you why you quit, explain why. You’re all adults and not getting a birthday cake at work isn’t a life-shattering event.
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it is time to let this go and let someone else do it, if they want to.
You can’t be a mother to people and remind them, that is not your job…..
Post a note or memo that you are no longer responsible and if anyone wants to bring in a cake for anyone’s birthday to go ahead and do so….
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Yours is a case of being too efficient and responsible.
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