Collections at work for group gift - update post 23!

[key west chick]

Yeah, I would say kinda cheap, sorry.

 

[Julie08]

cheap cheap CHEAP!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Well, if they didn't like you, they would have gotten you nothing. Or a cow patty.

In the past, what typically is the protocol for group gifts where you work?
How much do you contribute?

 

[saddina]

Last year we and a good friend all went to a wedding. He was mid divorce and flat broke, so I told him not to worry about a gift, and I picked out something small from him, and sent it with our gift (a teapot for two in the bride's colors), It was about $10 on sale, and I didn't mind doing it, as I didn't want him embarassed. Could someone be on hard times and get to sign thier name but not pitch in?

 

[JennsPeeps]

I understand all about inexpensive gifts vs. cheap ones. We give lots of hand-made items b/c DF has been unemployed for over a year. I have a whole new appreciation for knitted and canned gifts, lemme tell you! Those are time-intensive items!

Gift-giving in my office of 6 (including me) has run the gamut from:
* "so-&-so saw this $10 trinket and liked it, so I bought it for her and you owe me $2 for your share"
* boss is having a baby, please contribute to a gift certificate (I'd already knitted a gift for the baby, so opted out)
* co-worker got married, my part of group gift was $30

It just felt weird, you know?

 

[Julie08]

Sounds like a policy needs to be put in place. At my work we have the sunshine club they take 2 bucks off every pay check (if you choose to participate) for collections. The collection guildlines are clearly and fairly spelled out for everyone in the sunshine club. For example if your mother in law dies you get flowers if your second cousin dies (no matter how much they felt like a sister) you get nothing, also the amount they spend depends on the relationship if your (I hate to even type this) spouse or child does the arrangement is of a different dollar value then if your mother in law dies. Agree or not at least you know what to expect if you choose to contribute.

 

[thechickenchick]

I think if these people are just co-workers and they did this out of obligation, well cheap, but ok. However if these people consider you a friend they really missed the boat. They would have been better off to take you to lunch. The $ may have come out about the same but at least you could have spent some time together. To me that would have meant more than picking the cheapest gift on your registry list. Congrats by the way!

 

[sparkles2307]

We usually chip in $3-$5 depending on the occasion for the gift. Usually in groups of 6-10. Once we have funds THEN the designated gift-buyer gets the gift. In my unit we all agreed on gifts so there was never an issue about who bought the gift or wether it was something that everyone else would've chose. If you have a group dynamic like that then it works great and is NOT cheap.

 

[debilorrah]

Yes cheap. We always pool $5 each so it comes to $35 to spend on gift, bag, card. If it is a special occasion like a wedding, we EACH buy something.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
A co-worker of yours got married, and you contributed $30 to the gift? Then when you are getting married, 3 of your co-workers have the gall to 'pitch in' on a $10 gift?? What a bunch of jerks, if you ask me. I know the economy is down and all that, but if they can't afford to pitch-in at least $10 a piece for a wedding gift, why even bother?