I am raising my children to appreciate time spent over material goods. We focus on experiences and acts of kindness rather than things. If asked what we'd like we ask for presence over presents. Come and spend time with us, it's more valuable than anything which could possibly come in a box. We do also have suggestions for when presence isn't possible (namely avoid plastic, shop locally and sustainably, choose something pre-loved or at least check if we already have one), and try to show gratitude for well meant gifts if they do arrive.
My (much older) sister is a gifter. She takes joy in commercialism and giving people presents. She thinks it's her right to bestow people with gifts if she wishes and any requests or suggestions on what she buys is an insult.
She hasn't seen or spoken to me or my children in over a year. But at birthdays, Easter, Christmas or even then the kids started school she sends a message to the wider family chat group informing me to "look out for a parcel for the children". These have invariably been brand new plastic gifts, in plastic packaging, wrapped in plastic based wrapping paper.
I don't understand why she hasn't answered my phone calls or texts for a year, but she's still sending the children gifts. At Christmas she sent doubles of things we already have so I took everything to the charity shop. I feel awful about the whole situation. I feel like she's wasting her time and money and it's horrendous for the environment. It makes me sad to keep them, she's rejected having us in her life, and seems to be using gifting as a weapon to prove a point. But getting rid of the stuff makes the kids feel sad. So I have mum guilt that these gifts are nothing to do with me, they're from her to the kids and I should just stay out of it. Though then idk how to answer their questions on why we never see or speak to her.
So I'm now waiting for the Easter gifts (when did this even become a thing?!) to drop so I can also take those to some local playgroup or something. However I can't shake that if I was buying presents which were straight back out the revolving door I'd want to know.
TL:DR do I tell my estranged (her choice) sister that the gifts she keeps sending don't stay in my house longer than a day in the hopes she saves herself money and us both time and just stops sending them? It'll be a very uncomfortable chat, she can be vicious.