I personally hand make all of my cards. It's free, it only cost time, and people often find them more sentimental. The woman who founded Mother's Day was horrified it became a holiday to spend money and suggested everyone make their own cards.

I would not spend 24$ per year on a website, even if I was a millionaire. I mean the company is not paying for it, it's BS. I am happy to give my time and energy to these social events, but when I am expected to pay for something at work, that's crossing a personal boundary for me. It's not about the money, it's about a boundary. Any job that asks me personally to fit the bill, is crossing a line, and it's not okay.

Maybe you are fine paying 24$ per year, but watch out. If this gets around, you may end up paying for everything. Why should your job pay for things when they have you to do it? What if they ask you to fit the bill of 20$ so everyone there has nice stationary at their desks? Maybe if you invest 100$ you can buy all your office mates nice chairs, maybe as birthday presents for everyone.

Trust me, I have been there. As a teacher, what seemed like less than 2$ a year eventually added up to me buying school supplies for an entire class, for my own hard-earned money, and it still does.

I draw boundaries where I can, and I often do.

This woman was setting a boundary, she will not spend money on her job, and it's good one.

This issue is about boundaries, not a lack of caring.