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

[peanutter]

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.

[myturn]

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!!??!!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

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.