Abstract: The present invention is a computer-based method and system for coordinating the collaborative selection and purchase of a gift given by any number of gift contributors to a recipient. The gift shopping system maintains updated information on the remaining balance for gift's purchase amount The collaborative gift shopping system processes monetary transactions for each gift contributor until the full purchase amount has been reached. When the full purchase amount is reached by the collaborating gift contributors, the gift order is processed for delivery to the gift recipient. The gift shopping system can send communications to gift contributors each time a contribution towards a gift has been processed. Once the purchase amount of the gift has been reached the gift shopping system can send communications to gift contributors.