Anonymous wrote:$25 is a bit cheap, OP. That’s what I give my mail carrier. That said, if you can supplement with things that are really thoughtful or that take time to prepare, that’s a good way to boost the gift-giving. And keep your eye open for sales all year long, so you can get something more valuable for the same money. Listen carefully all year to see if they say anything that gives you ideas for gifts.

You give your mail carrier gifts? What the heck…

Anonymous wrote:Very situational.

We give one set of parents far more than they give us, including "experiences" and on occasion, help.

The other set is far more well off than us, so while we don't skimp, their gifts and cash gifts will always outpace us.

Everyone seems happy, so, it is what it is.

I meant to add: to the parents who give us a lot, the way we approach it is to give them similar gifts to the other set, but since we fly to see them we even out the costs with that, without a lot of holding back.

Very situational.

We give one set of parents far more than they give us, including "experiences" and on occasion, help.

The other set is far more well off than us, so while we don't skimp, their gifts and cash gifts will always outpace us.

Everyone seems happy, so, it is what it is.

Don’t want gifts; only want time.

My mom loves to shower DH and I with gifts but refuses to accept any that we buy. It's a bit annoying, because we also don't really want gifts, but that's how she shows her love and just doesnt want us to spend money on her. She is also a huge proponent of decluttering, but then continually buys us random stuff...

Parents should be fine with far less than $25. We're local so would be just fine with grandchildren picking out $15 bouquet at Giant.
But what if the parents do not want stuff gifts? If I want an experence I can buy it myself-did one $$$ over Thanksgiving with family as guests. We appreciate token gifts - sentimental or cheap consumable. Grocery store bouquet v florist. We sent stuff to non local GP/parents [now deceased] like florist made /delivered + consumables. Non parent sib households get either or... want to cut that thing on DH sibs.