I am an only child. My parents are in their late 70s, and my two DC (12 and 8yo) are their only grandchildren. Christmas was always huge in my house when I was growing up - lots of presents, massive fuss, all the extended family together. Lots of lovely memories.
Since they've been born, my parents have spent around £250, sometimes more, on each of the DC at Christmas. They've (mostly) always asked me what they would want, and my parents have paid for them. They live 250 miles away so that works well. In previous years, they've had a massive trampoline, bikes, trips to the theatre, battery operated sit in car, tent, umpteen toys, Lego sets, trains, art and craft stuff, cooking stuff, the list is endless.
This year, they want to do the same, and they've said that they would prefer to buy one big thing than small things. There is nothing that either child wants - they have only asked for small, inexpensive things. I don't think DC1 has ever in his life asked for anything remotely expensive, actually. They each have presents that they received last year that they haven't played with (lego sets for Dc1 and toys for DC2 - not things they asked for, but things I thought they would like). DH and I are thinking of getting DC1 a PS5, and DC2 their own Switch (DC1 currently has a switch that they share with DC2). DC2 also needs a new bike, but due to SN, we can only get a certain type and that is more than £250ish (I cannot say this to my parents as they would up the budget and buy the bike and that doesn't sit well with me as it is too much money, I think).
But apart from that, and maybe a couple of games to go with it, I am at a complete loss. I've bought stocking fillers, and books for each of them. I cannot think of anything else, and I've gone through everything in my head eg something for garden play, something linked to hobbies, clothes (neither of them interested) etc.
My parents (well my mother) is very keen to spend this money on them, and is pressing and pressing me to say what they should get, for me to buy it and then they will reimburse me. But I am at a complete loss. And things like a west end theatre trip aren't possible.
Mine are getting a little too old for annual local farm membership.
I really don't know what to do, and my mother is getting restless because we are nowhere near to sorting this. We won't be seeing them this side of Christmas, or probably over Christmas, due to Covid.
I have explained all of this to my mother - that they don't want anything, that I cannot think of anything. But that upsets them, as they want to give.