Take the Hassle Out of Giving Group Gifts

Chipping in for a gift with a bunch of friends or family members can be a logistical nightmare, but some new websites promise to make the pain of passing the envelope a thing of the past. Be aware: These sites don’t offer returns or exchanges. And always read a site’s privacy policy before placing an order.

eGifter lets you pick an electronic gift card from more than 250 national merchants, including Amazon and Best Buy, then invite people via email, text, or social media to contribute. Payments can be made by credit card, PayPal, or even bitcoin, and everyone who gives can add a message or photo, animation, or video to the accompanying greeting card. There are no fees for the service.

HipChip sells gift cards from dozens of restaurants and retailers as well as Visa network gift cards, which can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. It sends invitations and tracks all contributions, charging each contributor a 50 cent processing fee. There’s also a $5 to $35 charge for the Visa gift card, depending on the denomination. A bit pricey, so decide whether it’s worth the convenience.

GiftStarter offers gift cards and a curated selection of products, including electronic Beats wireless headphones, $380, and a 9-foot-long shuffleboard table, $900. It charges an 8 percent fee for the service. Some of the product details and pictures are skimpy, which can make it difficult to compare prices with those for the same items elsewhere.

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