The New Way Teams Are Handling Group Gifts in 2026

Group gifting is one of those responsibilities that quietly sits with EAs all year. Birthdays, farewells, thank yous, client moments, end of year appreciation. It’s meaningful work, but when it’s reactive, it can become time consuming and stressful.
Here are five practical ways EAs are making group gifting easier, more thoughtful, and far less last minute.

1. Stop collecting money manually

Chasing cash or bank transfers is still one of the biggest drains on time and energy. It also puts EAs in the uncomfortable position of following people up. More teams are moving to tools that collect and track contributions automatically. It removes the awkwardness, shows who has paid, and keeps everything in one place.

2. Plan the year’s key gifting moments upfront

One of the simplest ways to reduce stress is to map out gifting moments at the start of the year. It doesn’t need to be complex, just visible.

Common moments many EAs plan for include:
• Birthdays and work anniversaries
• Farewells and retirements
• End of year thank yous
• International Women’s Day
• Administrative Professionals Day
• R U OK? Day
• Team milestones or project completions

Having these moments noted early allows you to set expectations, budgets, and timelines, rather than scrambling when they appear.

3. Choose gifts that give people choice

When teams are large or diverse, picking the “right” gift can be difficult. Flexible gifting options that allow recipients to choose from a range of brands remove guesswork and reduce waste. It also helps when you’re gifting across different locations, preferences, or life stages.

4. Make it feel personal, even when it’s fast

Efficiency doesn’t have to mean impersonal. A short message, a thoughtful design, or a simple note of recognition can make a big difference. Even small personal touches help a gift feel considered, not transactional.

5. Track delivery so nothing gets missed

There’s nothing worse than wondering if a gift landed or if someone was accidentally missed. Tools that show delivery in real time give peace of mind and remove the need for follow up emails. Group gifting doesn’t need to be a recurring source of stress. With a bit of planning and the right tools, it can become a smooth, repeatable process that supports culture without taking over your workload.

Want to see how teams are doing this now?

GroupTogether are offering EAs a short demo of their platform, plus a $10 eGift voucher so you can try it yourself. It’s a simple way to see if this approach could make gifting easier for you in 2026. Book a demo today.