What is Group Gifting?

Giving a gift can be tricky. It takes time and energy to think of and buy a gift, and sometimes, the perfect present may be too expensive to buy alone. That is where group gifting comes in. Instead of everyone scrambling to find their own present, the group joins forces to give a bigger and better gift. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, work anniversary, wedding, or any special occasion without the usual gift-giving stress.

Below, we will explore group gifting, when it’s best to use it, and some great ideas for making it unforgettable! Let’s get started.

What is Group Gifting?

Group gifting is exactly what it sounds like—a group of people pooling their resources to give someone a single, meaningful gift. Instead of individual gifts, which may vary in size and significance, group gifting allows people to come together to contribute toward one larger, often more impactful present.

For example, consider a time when someone you know is celebrating a big milestone, but the perfect gift is out of your budget. Instead of finding a smaller present in your price range, you can pool the resources of others celebrating the individual to purchase the better gift. 

Group gifting is especially beneficial at work, where each individual may prefer to contribute a smaller amount. But together, the gift is greater.

The collaborative effort of a group gift not only means the recipient gets something they want or need but also enhances a sense of community and collective appreciation. Whether it’s a colleague, a friend, or a family member, group gifting brings everyone together to celebrate.

When You Should Use Group Gifting

Group gifting isn’t just for major milestones (though it’s perfect for those, too). There are plenty of occasions where group gifting is the ideal solution. Here are some times when it makes perfect sense to consider this approach:

• Workplace Celebrations: Milestones like a work anniversary, retirement, or promotion are perfect times for group gifting. If everyone in the office wants to honor the recipient, it saves everyone the headache of figuring out individual gifts.

• Birthdays and Holidays: Whether it’s a close friend’s birthday or a family holiday celebration, group gifts are a great way to give something that may otherwise be out of reach. Pooling funds can mean a more significant, thoughtful gift than someone could afford alone.

• Weddings and Showers: Starting a new life as a couple or bringing a new baby into the world can be expensive. Because of this, group gifts are common for significant life events like weddings or baby showers. They allow guests to contribute toward something with a higher price point, like a much-needed household item or a nice crib or stroller.

• Teacher or Coach Appreciation: Teachers, coaches, and mentors play such an important role in our lives, and a group teacher appreciation gift can express just how much their efforts are appreciated. Whether from students, parents, or team members, chipping in for a special gift shows collective gratitude.

• Farewells and Goodbyes: When someone leaves a team or office, a group gift is a meaningful way to show appreciation for their time and contributions. It’s a shared effort that makes the recipient feel valued by the entire group.

• Fundraising and Charity: Sometimes, a group gift can be a charitable donation. Instead of giving gifts to an individual, people can contribute to a cause in someone’s name.

Group Gift Ideas

If you don’t already have a gift in mind, it might feel daunting to select a meaningful gift that an entire group can get behind. However, it doesn’t need to be intimidating. Here are some group gift ideas that stand out.

Gift Cards

Gift cards are a group gift favorite for a reason—they’re versatile and great if you’re unsure of the recipient’s preferences.  Additionally, they are easy to coordinate. Whether personally collecting money in hand or using a crowd-funded gift card, you’ll have your gift ready in no time.

Once you are ready to purchase the gift card, you can select a high-value card from a favorite store, restaurant, or online retailer. Popular choices include Amazon, Target, or a Visa/Mastercard prepaid card. Some crowd-funded gift card options (such as Kudoboard) allow the recipient to choose their own merchant, guaranteeing they’ll get something they’ll use and love.

Read More: “How to Collect Money for a Group Gift with an eCard”

Printed Memory Books

A printed memory book is one of the most heartfelt group gifts you can give. It’s personal, meaningful, and timeless. Collecting notes, memories, and photos from friends, family, or coworkers can create a beautiful keepsake for a big milestone like a retirement, wedding, or birthday. Imagine how wonderful it would feel to receive a book filled with heartfelt messages, funny anecdotes, and treasured moments! Not only is this gift visually appealing, but it also holds emotional value that lasts for years. 

And memory books don’t have to be difficult to create. Companies like Kudoboard make it easy for contributors to add messages, photos, and videos to a board. Once everyone contributes, you can easily compile everything into a professionally printed book.

Group Greeting Cards

Whether you select a greeting card from the card aisle at the store or an ecard you found online, a group greeting card can be the perfect way to collect meaningful messages from your group. 

If passing around a card around the office isn’t possible (or seems like a lot of work) and you still want to send them messages of love, a group eCard is a great option. A digital group card from Kudoboard lets people contribute from anywhere, adding messages, photos, and even videos. This makes the card feel like a big, collaborative celebration of the person. 

Plus, with digital options, the recipient can print it out later or revisit it whenever they need a morale boost. Cards may seem small, but they can pack a powerful emotional punch when filled with meaningful words from multiple people.

Experience Gifts

An experience gift is always a great option when a group is chipping in. Rather than a physical item, you can give the recipient a memorable outing. It could be tickets to a concert, theatrical performance, sporting event, or even a spa day or weekend getaway. Experiences have the added benefit of creating memories that last longer than most material gifts. Plus, with a group contributing, you can aim for a truly spectacular experience that the person may not have done alone.

Subscription Services

Whether it’s a subscription to their favorite magazine, a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, or even a meal kit delivery service, subscriptions are gifts that keep giving. With many services offering packages at various price points, it’s easy for a group to contribute to several months (or even a full year) of something the recipient will love and use regularly.

Charity Donations

If the recipient is passionate about a cause, consider making a group donation in their name. This is an especially meaningful gift for someone who has expressed that they don’t want or need any physical items but would appreciate something that makes a difference. Whether it’s an animal shelter, an environmental cause, or a health-related foundation, coming together to support a cause can be a powerful, feel-good gift for everyone involved.

Group Gifting Made Easy

Group gifting is about creating a collective moment of joy and appreciation. When done thoughtfully, it enhances the meaning behind the gift, whether it’s for a colleague, friend, or loved one. It leaves everyone, including the recipient, feeling like they’ve been part of something extraordinary.

If you’re looking for an easy way to organize a group gift, Kudoboard offers a perfect solution. You can create a digital group card where everyone can contribute messages, photos, and videos, regardless of physical location. You can allow people to pitch in for a gift card or a charitable donation. Plus, you can turn those thoughtful contributions into a lasting keepsake with a printed book. Kudoboard takes the hassle out of group gifting, giving you a fun, collaborative way to celebrate any occasion.