Invitation quandary

So, I was handed a baby shower invitation yesterday while I was at McDonald's using the wifi there. (My internet service is down after the big storm that hit Friday night.) Here's the deal: I don't accept invitations to anything from people who work there. I don't buy gifts for them. I thank them for the invitation, and decline.

Am I being a Scrooge? I don't think so. The way I see it, once I accept an invitation and buy a gift for someone, it starts something that's difficult to stop. It's not that I don't care. I just can't really afford gift-giving to everyone who works there nor do I want to commit time to showers, parties, etc. with people I am not close friends with or related to.

When possible, I go to family functions like weddings. That is, if I'm off work. It's harder for me to get a day off on short notice because our schedules are created for an entire month. That means I have to know well in advance which days I'll need off. But as far as functions for co-workers...I just don't go. The only difference in the most recent one is that the young lady just moved from another state and the people who work with here are practically the only people she knows.

What would you do in this situation?

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