We used to have a collection around Christmas time for a holiday present for the boss. No one, not even the boss, really liked it. The boss would in turn buy small presents for everyone in the department. Anyway, we got rid of it all and instead collect money for a charity. Then we plan some get-together with the whole department where we do some kind of charity work, like making blankets for the children's hospital, or buying and wrapping gifts for the YMCA holiday gift program. That way if an employee can't really afford to donate money, they still have the opportunity to donate some time to help out a charity.
