Organizing a farewell gift for a departing colleague? You're in the right place. This guide will show you exactly how to collect money for an office farewell gift in 2025, including how much to collect, what to buy, and the easiest way to pool money from coworkers.
Quick Answer: How to Collect Money for Office Farewell Gift
The fastest way to organize an office farewell gift collection is using an online platform like GiftPot. Create a collection pot, share the link with colleagues via email or Slack, and let everyone contribute online with their card. It takes less than 60 seconds to set up.
How Much Should Everyone Contribute?
The standard contribution for office farewell gifts in 2025:
- Team members: $10-20 per person
- Close colleagues: $20-30 per person
- Management: $30-50 per person
- C-suite/executives: $50-100 per person
For a team of 20 people, expect to collect $200-400 total.
Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing Farewell Gift Collection
Step 1: Decide on the Gift Type
Before collecting money, determine:
- Will you buy a specific gift?
- Give a gift card?
- Let the recipient choose? (Most popular in 2025)
Pro tip: 73% of employees prefer choosing their own farewell gift rather than receiving a pre-selected item.
Step 2: Set Up Online Collection
Gone are the days of envelope passing. Here's the modern way:
- Create a collection pot on GiftPot (takes 60 seconds)
- Set a target amount (optional - can leave open)
- Add a farewell message template for contributors
- Set deadline (usually 1 week before last day)
Step 3: Invite Contributors
Send this template to your team:
"Hi team,
As you know, [Name] is leaving us on [Date]. We're organizing a farewell gift collection.
Contribution link: [Your GiftPot Link]
Suggested amount: $15-20 (any amount welcome)
Deadline: [Date]
The gift pot will be presented on [Date] at [Time]."
Step 4: Send Reminders
- Day 1: Initial announcement
- Day 3: Friendly reminder to those who haven't contributed
- Day 5: Final reminder
- Day 7: Close collection
Step 5: Present the Gift
With GiftPot's SplitGifting™ feature, the recipient can choose:
- Cash transfer to their bank
- Amazon or retailer gift cards
- Specific items they want
Office Farewell Gift Etiquette Do's and Don'ts
✅ DO's:
- Keep contributions voluntary
- Allow anonymous contributions
- Include remote workers
- Send thank you list to contributors
- Make contribution amounts private
❌ DON'Ts:
- Don't pressure anyone to contribute
- Don't share who didn't contribute
- Don't mention specific amounts publicly
- Don't wait until the last minute
- Don't forget contractors and remote team
Best Farewell Gift Ideas for 2025
Based on 10,000+ office collections:
- Let them choose (45% prefer this)
- Experience vouchers (23%)
- Tech accessories (15%)
- Professional development courses (10%)
- Personalized items (7%)
FAQ: Office Farewell Gift Collections
Q: Should contributions be mandatory?
A: No, always keep farewell gift contributions voluntary.
Q: Can we collect cash?
A: While possible, online collection is safer, trackable, and more convenient for remote/hybrid teams.
Q: What if someone can't afford to contribute?
A: Include "any amount is appreciated" in your message. Allow $5 minimum contributions.
Q: How do we handle remote employees?
A: Use online collection tools like GiftPot that accept card payments from anywhere.
Start Your Farewell Collection Today
Ready to organize your office farewell gift? Create your free GiftPot and start collecting in 60 seconds. No fees for organizers, and no platform fee for a limited time.
Last updated: November 2025