Gift Giving Dollars and no *amn sense

GURLS I NEED TO VENT!
I work in HR and sent an email out a couple of days ago saying that for those who could afford to contribute some money I'd be coming around to collect it to get a gift for our COO whose getting married next week. Now for a little back story so you understand why I'm peeved... he was successful at other companies and came away with some serious cash- so it's presumed he's not hurting financially. GREAT (rolling my eyes) Tell me why a couple of people said, "He's loaded or He's a millionaire he doesn't really need the cash (I was going for AMEX gift card so he could buy what HE wanted and found out later he was registered at Macy's- so him being "LOADED" ain't stopped him from registering! (making a point here....)). I couldn't believe that came out of their mouths! Mind you this dude, he doesn't flaunt or brag (like my boss does) and you wouldn't know he was loaded unless someone told you (which was the case for me) or he told you himself. He's very lo-key and cool. What business is it of anyone to keep tabs on whose got bank? There is another employee which I found out by the nosy *ss staff here that said she inherited some serious cash from her aunt and she doesn't have to work and AGAIN I ask why is it anyone's business what she has and why she chooses to work or not?!
I came THIIIIS close to throwing my phone at one chick because she was trying to justify that getting him a physical gift (pot, plate, etc.) would be better than giving him a gift card because financially he's OK....a GIFT IS GIFT IS A GIFT. It's the thought that counts and nothing else. Problem is these folks here are too concerned about peoples business instead of minding theirs.
GEEEEEEZ!

Ginoue, thanks. I just couldn't believe that they felt like he could afford practically anything so why bother with a gift. It made me think about how they'd feel if they decide to gift me with something when I get married soon- and certainly what I have, don't have or what they think I have shouldn't be a topic of conversation.
It actually embarasses me that I work with such (not everyone) a closeminded group of individuals. Even my boss was like '' He doesn't need the money'' (assuming at the time we were getting the gift card. Ginoue, I agree giving him the gift card he could apply it to whatever- even items on his gift registry. I guess my frustration just lies in where does someone get off determining who gets what based on their financial status....what a bullish attitude. It's shameful.

Pamcrow, I feel what you're saying....in the email I sent I asked if anyone had any ideas or if they knew if he was registered anywhere and no one said anything. So a gift card seemed like one way to go. But even so, the fact that people were using financial status as a way to gauge what kind of gift to get him in my opinion was wrong. He's the type of individual that would appreciate the sentiment of a gift in any form. In past experience getting something personalized hadn't been received well...but my boss decided to take that reigns and pick out something for him- which takes a load off me. Now that we know he has registered at Macy's my boss should've gone that route but since he thinks that he can find something better- more power to him.....lol