Post by Fleur » May 13th, 2009, 4:53 pm
Tonight I was "surprised" by my colleagues with a lovely party to celebrate our upcoming wedding (May 23rd.) I really had no clue this was a party for us as periodically one of our senior management will have a party at her home. I just thought it was one of those. My FI had no idea either. None of these people are invited to my wedding. We only have about 18 people coming to our very small wedding. FI and I have said from the beginning we don''t expect gifts. We haven''t registered anywhere. We just want those invited to attend and everyone else to wish us well.

It was very pleasant and after dinner FI and I were seated in two chairs and "funny" gifts were presented to us. Each had a funny little description. No names were attached and I thought they were created by the hostess because she''s very creative. We all had a laugh, it was fun, and I thought it was over. Then the hostess gave me a card and said something like "those were just for fun, here''s our real gift." I open the card and everyone has signed it (about 15 people) and there was a visa gift card in there.

So I thanked everyone. FI thanked everyone. I said a few words about what a great place it is to work where your colleagues are so generous and thoughtful to plan something like this and contribute to a gift. But I didn''t look at the gift card or check the amount at that time. I feel uncomfortable "checking out" money in front of people because it makes me feel greedy. But I got the sense that the hostess was disappointed/upset that something wasn''t said more directly about the amount.

When we got home I said to FI, well, I am curious let''s see what''s on the card. OMG, I almost fell off the couch! The card was for $500. YIKES. Of course I said to FI, well we''ll be writing thank you notes to each one of these people this weekend. But now I wonder if I should have been more intentional about checking out the amount and making more of a "to do" while opening the gift?

What are your thoughts about how to handle cash/gift card gifts if you''re opening them in a group situation? Could we have done this better?