We spent, I'd say, over $1500 for our party at a company of 15.

Yes, I would prefer a $100 bonus. The amount might decrease to the point that it's useless at larger companies due to economies of scale...

I think a more interesting question is: Would you rather get $100 or allow the other members of your team to attend a party they'd enjoy?

Hm... is such a party both a) deductible as a corporate expense and b) not treated as employee income?

If so, the choice is really between "$100 worth" of partying and $65 of after-tax cash.

For that matter, do corporations pay sales tax? If not, it's more like $100 of partying vs $58 of your choice of any consumption.

(Hence why it's not always as simple as "just give me the money".)