Buying a group gift/card for the boss - opinions please...(and a little vent!)

So I'll start by telling the story, then I'll be interested in what people have to say about the situation and what the correct "ettiquite" is :)

I also need to start by saying that I, along with two other girls in the office, are the "social committee" for the office. We get everyone to put a small amount of money and buy small gifts and cards for people throughout the year for different events that occur. ie. deaths, births, big 'o' birthdays, leaving, retirements etc. It has been fraught with complications and issues, and I'm not sure what to do with this one.... I have an opinion (of course! ;)) but I'm just not sure what the right thing to do is!

Today as I was leaving the office to run off to a late meeting, one of my colleagues (male - and a little bit 'anal' about things at times!!) said "just quickly, have you thought about a thankyou for the boss." (it's christmas party on thursday) I said "no" and he said "I think it would be a good idea, not a present, a card is okay". I was out the door, and was a bit taken aback/by surprise or whatever, and so said "okay" and he said "thankyou".

so... that's the story... so... my thoughts..... as follows

I'm not sure it's appropriate for the social committee to get into the habit of doing something like this every year...
Last year, one of the senior staff members asked everyone to put a couple of dollars in and we bought flowers for her - that was because it had been a big year with lots of changes and her efforts at making it successful were being acknowledged.
I'm not actually sure it's appropriate to buy the boss a gift anyway???
I think it's NICE to buy her a gift or get a card.... but....is it appropriate? If it's just a card is that something we should do as a group, or is it something we should do individually?? A group card seems a bit... well... weird....
Asked DH if he bought any gifts/cards for his boss..... he says he's NEVER done it.
I think it feels weird cause = what are we thanking her for??? Just doing her job? She gets paid to do that?? It just feels all over uncomfortable....
I called one of the other committee members and we had a chat - agreed that we could thank her for the work she has done in this role in the middle of next year if/when any changes happen (oh I haven't mentioned that there may be big changes (espeically for her) in the middle of 2012, as the government is putting in changes to the way our service runs) - that feels appropriate - thankyou for all your work and good luck in the new role - or whatever....
the other girl and I seem to agree that it probably doesn't fit in the social clubs brief - but we know that this guy may get a bit thingy about the whole thing (which we will just have to deal with, and she's happy to have that conversation with him - if he doesn't agree, that's okay - we've decided this... blah blah)
So we are going to talk to the other member of our 'committee' and see what she thinks, but I'm curious to know what others think....

don't get me wrong... I think it's a nice idea, at some level.... I'm just not sure if it's weird....?? and I'm wondering whether other workplaces buy gifts for the boss??

so that's my question... do you buy group/individual gifts for the boss? or cards? or not at all? What are your thoughts??

in my workplaces bosses have usually given token gifts to staff (eg. 3 pack of nice choccies). I don't think I have seen anyone give a boss a pressie from all the staff. I think individuals could do it for their bosses but like you, i don't see a reason for it to be organised as a group. I gave one to my boss this year as she is new and I have appreciated teh support she has given me. Normally woudn't give the boss anything.
I am totally with you on your thougths

that's reassuring! Thanks Anney!

Have never known a workplace to give gifts to the boss, individual staff members have though so maybe just suggest that to your co-worker he can give her a card and/or gift if he chooses.

DH's fellow managers (and some crew) all chipped in and bought the owner of their store a Build-A-Bear that looked like him :lol: They also all wrote in a card, too. Some crew members gave DH some presents too, mostly for Amelia this year. None of these were because they felt obligated to, they genuinely like each other...

thanks black rose.... I feel better already - I thought I was crazy and horribly mean to think that it wasn't really what was 'done'

phew! it appears I am sane after all :ROFL:

Never done a group gift but have given my direct boss a gift just from myself. I think it is a little odd

feeling totally validated! awesome..... anyone out there reading had a different experience??

Coming from the perspective of a boss, it would be nice to receive something and feel appreciated - I remember the first year I worked where I am I started not long before Christmas. The staff had all had their Christmas do and exchanged gifts (secret santa type thing) prior to my starting, they all chipped in and bought me a gift which made me feel welcome.

I haven't worked anywhere where we all buy just the boss a gift though, everywhere I've worked we've done a secret santa style thing and everyone has received a gift.

thanks ausgirl - we have kris kringle already and the boss is (of course!) included :) we all pitched in last year and gave her a nice gift of appreciation - I worry about making it a precedence and expected??? I wouldn't want my employees to feel they HAD to buy me something, because then it would mean less as well.

nice that your workplace did that when you started :) I think that's what our office is like - wants to make sure people are feeling appreciated - that's probably why I feel torn - it's a nice idea - but as a "social committee" if we give her a card as a thanks for doing your job... then maybe we should be giving one to everyone....

think I'll ask a couple of others in the office tomororw what they think, and if people are feeling "def yes" then we'll consider again, but if people are not sure or oh that's a nice idea, but not necessary.... then we'll probably not.

seriously this social committee thing has caused me more dramas this year than anything else!!! work place politics!

My secretary and I exchange gifts every year.

But the MD and I don't - I think he gets one from his secretary, but not the other team members.

And no cards, as far as I'm aware.

I asked Dr Google :-) and found some interesting articles on etiquitte, bascially saying it wasn't necessary to buy the boss a gift and may be seen as sucking up ;) lol. but nothing about cards....

I think he should probabyl do cards himself if he wants to show her his appreciation....... then it makes me wonder....no.... feel guilty... I am crap at writing christmas cards and wish I was better at that... then I would be a "nicer" person who cares about her colleagues.....

pressure on myself much!!??!!

I am going to go against the grain and say I think it is a great gesture to buy the boss a gift as a group.
I can see how it might be awkward if you set a pattern and then it doesn't happen though...
I guess I see it that I know several people in my workplace are going to buy a gift for the boss so why not all chip it together and get something of more value?
We have always then all signed the card even if one person only can afford to put in $1 and another can put in $30
I think it is a way of saying thanks for putting up with us, giving us opportunities, assisting us, training us, etc etc.
But maybe that is industry dependent.