Childless aunt wonders: should I stop giving gifts to my nieces/nephews?

[Anonymous]

Stop all together...no more gifts.

[Anonymous]

I set up Section 529 accounts for the kids and throw money in there a couple of times a year to help with college. It's not "fun money", but will be used for tuition, books, and direct expenses. Wish I had all the money back I'd wasted on crap they threw away in the past and could put it in the accounts. I don't get thanked, however, and have issues when we set time as a family for gift exchange and the kids don't bother to show. As a result, I stopped giving when they turned 21. I've told my sister that I'm not "Santa Claus." If the plan is for people to gather and if gifts are to be exchanged then I expect them to be there out of respect.

[Anonymous]

I don't have kids, but I have two nieces and a nephew. They have an overindulgent grandma, so I don't go crazy buying gifts for them, and I try to be considerate about space/mess/junkiness. We give them gifts on Christmas, their birthdays, and occasionally if we travel internationally, we'll pick up something small (like a necklace) because they like the story behind it. My MIL has the trendy toys covered (monster high and barbie dolls, singing do-dads from their favorite disney movies, etc.), so we try to get stuff that she wouldn't think to buy (a little toy microscope was a big hit), try to get something that is in line with a particular interest of theirs (like an animal hood towel with their favorite animal), games that we can all play together and they will enjoy for several years, or art supplies that are ultimately disposable. Now that my oldest niece has access to a tablet, I'm thinking about sending her e-books instead of regular books to keep down on clutter and also because she thinks it's super cool to use technology (and my SIL doesn't limit screen time). I don't worry about jealousy issues on birthdays, because they get over it and forget about it if their sibling gets a gift and they don't. I don't buy them gifts for holidays like Halloween and Easter...since when did those become gift holidays?