Gifting Etiquette Scenarios

[kamik86]

1) I wouldn't have done anything. I have done a few things (given money for the people having babies in the office) the office has a party sometimes and does more of a diaper party sometimes too. A housewarming inviting all coworkers with a registry is just out of line. We had one coworker have a party when he got his new house but he actually sent out an email that went something like:

"I have heard a few people refer to this party as a housewarming party. This is NOT the case any presents will be thrown on the fire, no exceptions!" I couldn't go to that event but wouldn't have minded going. I would decline a housewarming party with a registry... probably even for friends or family. Buying a house really doesn't sound like a gift giving occasion to me.

 

[HM]

I can't even imagine what that coworker and his wife were thinking. Buying a new house is not an event with a registry. The only people that really care...are the homeowners and the realtor (and maybe the new neighbors).

I feel bad that you felt obligated to contribute to the gift. Ugh. I liked the reply that a PP suggested "no thanks, I've got it covered".

 

[emma'smom]

. Housewarming Party - I agree it is straight up tacky---but I would toss in a 20 to keep the peace as well. Sometimes that is just the cost of being a team player.

2. My daughters are on several different teams and we either give (or sometimes organize) the coaches gifts for most teams. The Rec coach is totally voluntary. He's out there for practices 2x a week, coaches the games on the week-ends, hosts the end-of-season party at his house, and is just an all around great influence on the kids. He's upbeat and many of the girls have stuck around playing Rec for years just because he's such an awesome coach. Usually someone passes out a little flyer at a practice asking for $$ donations of any size for a team gift. We usually end up giving him about 100.00 in one dollar bills (which the girls think is so fun) and sometimes a small gift card to Starbucks or something like that depending on the season. For the travel rec team--we did something similar but it was a gift card for each coach. 100 for the head coach and 50 for the sideline coach. My husband was team manager and the coach organized a gift of a team jacket for him (about 75.00 value). In all cases, a request for a voluntary donation of any amount went out with a suggested amount listed. Some people give more and some less...and some not at all---but that's never noted on the gift. It's from all of the girls always.

For club level, we actually don't do gifts. Nobody seems to organize it and the coaches are paid---and don't really interact with the parents much. If someone asked, I would give as they aren't paid much.....but it just isn't a tradition. I think the difference is that these coaches are college students or other recruits for the club---rather than parents. They aren't part of the parent community.

 

[cel_disney]

One suggestion for the high school teachers - check to see of you have an education foundation type organization and see if they have any fundraiser gift activities.

Our education foundation encourages 10$+ donations. The teachers get a certificate of thanks and an entry into a gift certificate raffle for each contribution. The teachers are all able to apply for grants from this group in the spring which is nice. Its a tax deduction for the parents as well!