As a childless aunt, my “rule” for giving gifts to nieces/nephews (I have 6) is this: 3 gifts per kid. One toy, one outfit of clothing, one book. Sometimes I bend this rule a little, but basically that’s where I start. I try not to do the math, 'cause 3 X 6 = a lot! But I love those kids, so I do it.
My parents had a dollar amount, so the number of gifts to open could vary, like the year my brother got his electric guitar, or the year I got a fancy-schmancy outfit (well, what passed for fancy-schmancy in western KS in the 1980’s - not like a got Manolos or anythin…if only…)
In recent years, we’ve run up against clashing traditions from our family and SIL’s as far as kiddie presents.
We got 1 gift from aunts and uncles, and because my mom’s family is large but far-flung, it was usually not all aunts and uncles, but the godparents (2 godmothers and 1 godfather for me the girl, and 2 godfathers and a godmother for my brother). DH’s entire extended family was dirt-poor when he was growing up, and they always drew names so everyone only had to buy one gift.
SIL’s family tradition is that the everyone, childed or not, spends Trumpenesque fortunes on everyone else’s kids.
DH and I, Bro and SIL, and my parents pretty much stick to one gift per person for each other, though my parents do the grandparent-spoilage on the grandkids. DH and I include the kids in the 1 gift.
Sigh…SIL’s sibs “married well” (their term, not mine) and can afford it. DH and I can’t, and especially not this year while he’s getting his freelance business started, and we’re not going into debt just to not be “shown up” (yes, they’re crass enough to list out who gave how many and how much it probably cost).
I used to love the holidays. Now it just feels like we’re competing in a contest we never entered.
One large present each for our own children, and a number of smaller presents like clothes and books and a few lollies /chocolates. Usually, I’ll try to keep the dollar amounts the same for each child. Last year they got a trampoline to share and a few smaller presents. For other kids (like nieces and nephews) one gift (like a toy) each.
Adults on my husband’s side don’t exchange gifts, and on my side I only buy for my sister and mum.