The Group Gift: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I have just had yet another very interesting experience trying to organize a group gift for a friend’s baby shower. I have done this many times, and have participated in group gifts that someone else organized. Having done so, I have formed some very strong opinions about why this can be a great idea, but can also be a disaster.

The Good

The great thing about giving a group gift is that it allows you to give the person involved a much higher quality gift than if each individual were giving their own gifts. It is also nice because those who have more money than time can just write a check rather than have to go out shopping. Finally, giving a group gift often allows the guests to focus on getting their friend something she really needs rather than focusing on what they can afford.

The following make great group gifts:
For the bride and groom:

• A vacuum cleaner or other large appliance.
• China serving pieces.
• A gift certificate to a spa or resort. Make sure this is good for over a year so that they can use it for an anniversary trip.
• Camping or other pricey sporting equipment.
• A microwave oven or high end cooking equipment.

For the new baby:

• A stroller.
• A crib or changing table.
• A diaper or maid service.
• A rocking chair.

The Bad

There are several pitfalls involved in giving a group gift. The first and most obvious is that you might purchase something the recipient already has or doesn’t want. So before you get too caught up in an exciting Joovy caboose review, ask an uninvolved third party if they couple still needs a stroller. Or, if they are registered somewhere, simply consult the registry. If you go this route, just be sure to have a backup plan in case someone beats you to the draw.

Another problem is that there may be a certain disparity in the amount people contribute. You can deal with this in one of two ways. The first is to decide what you want to get, how many people will go in on it and how much each will donate. The other is just to “pass the hat,” see how much you get, and buy the gift accordingly without any thought of who gave what.

The Ugly

Unfortunately, there is always the possibility that someone will make a bad decision that will ruin the experience for everyone. There is always that person who thinks that you didn’t make a good gift choice, or that someone else didn’t give enough toward the purchase. This is just the chance we take in life.

However, there are certain steps you can take to minimize these problems. For instance, including a gift receipt with the item is a far better choice than having someone say loudly at the shower, “That doesn’t look like the stroller described in the Bumbleride twin review.” Also, encourage everyone to keep in mind that the gift is supported to be about celebrating a new chapter in the life of the person or people we are honoring, not about complaining about our own disappointments.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron, who is married with two children, lives in Austin, Texas next to her elderly parents. Melissa leads a full life that includes a productive career as a freelance writer and spending time with her extended family. She loves writing about various subjects including parenting, local history and living a frugal life. She also enjoys searching the Internet for bargains and researching ideas for articles.