I have to agree with the ridiculousness of this. In the past 9 months that I've been at my current job, I've been asked for at least $60 for two employees only - the managers of our branch. Anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas. They're the highest paid of the bunch. It'd be one thing if I actually got to be a part of the gift giving - like signing a card, witnessing the exchange, or even knowing what the hell they got - but I never have been. This is in addition to the $40 "social committee" fee we have to pay every 6 months, too.
I think I need a gift, for putting up with it. Funny, I didn't even get a card for my birthday.