Just when I thought things couldn't be anymore backwards at work...

I buy my direct boss and everyone that works in my department a small gift. If I was asked to contribute to the CEO of the company (since its on the stock exchange we dont have an owner) I think I would just politely ignore the request.

 

There is, I think, a difference between those you work with and those you work for. When we have wanted to have a whip round to get our boss or co-workers a gift, then you come up with an idea of what you would like to do and why, and ask people to contribute. I always found that the more chance of humiliation on the face of the recipient encourages people to dig deeper - we once got our bar manager a naughty kissogramme, which did make him blush - and then the second one came in dressed as a police woman and threatened to arrest him for indecent and lewd behaviour. We even threw a buffett for the occassion - I spent the day catering, and sent it all on ahead in a taxi. I didnt think much of the begging letter in the op. So little sense of fun in it that it could have been a whip round for a wreath. There should have been mention of 'a cunning plan'.