Shared gifting can help residential communities recognize staff more consistently, but collecting and distributing contributions creates work for volunteers and property teams. Eshed Doni, GiftCrowd's founder and CEO, examines those trade-offs in an article published on October 3, 2025.

Doni cites O.C. Tanner research associating recognition with exceptional work and argues that individual gifts alone can leave some staff overlooked. His proposed alternative is a coordinated gift fund that lets residents contribute toward recognition across the staff group.

Alternatively, holiday gift funds and group gifting provide a more equitable and meaningful form of recognition. However, organizing such efforts can be cumbersome, with tasks such as tracking contributions, collecting funds, and distributing gifts overwhelming volunteers, HOA members, or management teams.

The article also discusses the financial pressures residents face during the holidays, which can make participation in traditional individual gifting or group contributions difficult, potentially reducing overall involvement and leaving some staff unrecognized.

Doni suggests that digital platforms can simplify contribution collection, provide transparency in tracking participation, and allow for equitable gift distribution. These tools enable personalization, giving residents the option to include heartfelt messages, photos, or videos with their gifts, and offer flexible payment options to reduce financial barriers.

Providing staff with the freedom to choose their gifts adds another layer of meaningful recognition, with studies showing that employee satisfaction and morale are higher when individuals are given choice and flexibility in how they are recognized. This approach demonstrates respect for staff individuality and preferences, reinforcing the value placed on their work and dedication.

Doni's argument extends beyond holiday collections to birthdays, work anniversaries, promotions and retirements. Planning the process in advance can reduce the workload for organizers and make the recognition more consistent across those occasions.