I would love that news. Can't stand buying crap for my kids cousins that they don't need. If be happy with only grandparents giving gifts to the kids outside the parents.

My reply would be "great"

But since we drew names and we got you and bought stuff you wanted and can't return, here is the bill"

Wait , so they drew names and then decided afterwards not to do gifts ?
And you're not upset ?

I don't understand how he was left out.

Your pissed because you didn't have the guts to back out first and that you hung in there for years and wasting time and money you didn't want too.

So this is really just a vent because I don't want to burden DH with bitching about his siblings jerky behavior. Also because it's totally hypocritical because I'm simultaneously relieved and annoyed, so it's really kind of dumb to even waste time on this. BUT, this year my siblings in law apparently decided that they are "over" gift exchanging except for the children in the family. Which is awesome news because they all have way more extravagant taste than DH and I - they really put a high priority on things having designer labels and being the latest and greatest. Even with picking names instead of getting gifts for everyone, we always end up spending more on them than we do on each other, and in a way that feels kind of pressured and crappy. (Like gee, I hope what we find will be good/cool/extravagant enough. Because for them it is not the thought that counts.)

And they typically end up giving me something lovingly given but which I will never use (eg large animals made of crystal or rugs that we have no place to put even if they did look good with our decor), so it always gets discreetly passed along (they never visit, so they wouldn't notice these things not showing up in our home). So why in the world did I find the text letting me know that there would be no gift exchange this year because the sibs were "over it?"

I think I'm so annoyed because it felt like such an out of the blue decree, and one that clearly (yet again) left DH out of the loop. He loves them so much, but they are so inconsiderate sometimes. I wish they had just run it past him first - I know it wouldn't even bug me in that case. Not to mention that we did our shopping on the day that names were drawn, and some of the things we got can't be returned (eg photo art that SIL wanted). And saying anything to them about it - I've found the hard way - is not worth the drama and pouting (and therefore the energy required to deal with it) that follows.

Additional positive though - no more chaotic and high pressure skype gift exchange! Ok, humbug over now