Are you obligated to buy when your boss puts his/her kids orderform in the breakroom?

No, you're not obligated to buy something from your boss' kid any more than you're obligated to buy from anyone else who puts something in the break room. And if your boss is pressuring you to buy just because it's his/her kid, then you've got a legitimate complaint. In some places of employment you're not even allowed to bring in sales stuff like that (that's been the case in some of the places I've worked).

As for the going door to door, I agree with the other poster who said it's not wise to send your kids door to door these days, unless you know the people, and in fact many schools now tell the kids not to go door to door. They encourage just hitting up family and friends.

But as for your other complaint about parents doing this for the kids, I agree with what you're saying. I was a contestant in a contest (for Cherry Blossom Queen) in my hometown when I was in college. Of course, it was selling raffle tickets, and the Queen would be the one who sold the most tickets. I busted my butt going to everyone I knew selling tickets, and one of the other contestants just handed her tickets over to her grandfather (actually, I think he bought all 100 of her tickets and then resold what he could) and did nothing on her own. Of course, she won, and even though Cherry Blossom Queen wasn't in any way the ultimate goal of my life, it just ticked me off that she did nothing for herself to win that. So yeah, I get what you're saying. :)

Definitely mail her a thank you card for the lunch and for the $50 gift card(this should be done individually)...I think the team should chip in and get her a Christmas gift and a Christmas/Happy New Year card. You don't have to break the bank, after all the team is the employee not the higher paid boss.....even if she won't be back until January 2nd, that's OK, just put the gift on her desk. Decide what you want to chip in, $10 or $20 each, so as not to copy her gift certificate idea, buy a nice clock( or something mutually agreed upon) and enclose a gift receipt, that way she has the option of returning it if it isn't her taste....

Actually, the object of most of those is to raise money for programs for the school or field trips for the class or club. Yeah, there is a prize, but that prize is really only there to motivate more sales to generate more money.

You are NOT required to make a purchase, but I find that a lot of the sales have a lot of really cool things. I LOVE the girl scout cookies. And in my area candle sales are common and I LOVE candles. But, I dont buy when I cant. And you should NOT feel compelled to purchase just because the boss brings it in.

And btw, I would NEVER send my kid door to door today. Would you actually send yours door to door?

No, and I think that this type of behavior is wrong. I was a supervisor before I retired. I would never think of using my position to entice, intimidate or influence people who worked under me, to buy something I was selling, either for myself, or for someone else.

You are correct about the parent selling the things for the kid. This makes me think of parents doing their kids homework. Certainly, if the kid needs help, the parents should assist them, but the kids need to do for themselves.

I suggest that you speak with other employees about this situation. Maybe one of the more vocal employees would like to confront the boss about this inappropriate behavior he is exhibiting. Otherwise, I would just refuse to order any of the items, unless you really want them.

To answer your main question - No, you are not obligated