This is something that has bothered me for a while. Every year I go out of my way to buy birthday and Christmas gifts for family and friends that I think they'll love. I really think about it, I don't just buy anything. And for the most part it is appreciated. However, I never get thanked, or a gift even acknowledged, from DH's nephew (7) and my two goddaughters (12 and 16). I sent out thank you cards for my two DC (1 and 4), my friend, mother of my 2 goddaughters, even had the cheek to text me when she received the card to say it was 'good to know their gifts were appreciated.' Right back at ya! I haven't been thanked for about 10 years. As for DH's nephew - since his brother and his wife divorced 5 years ago, we have never had a thank you - and please don't think I always expect a card; a text, phonecall, facebook message, even a thank you face to face would be great. But it goes unacknowledged. I mentioned it to MIL, and she actually said, completely straight-faced, that her DS 'doesn't have a wife anymore.' As if that explained it, you had to have a wife to thank people for you! On one occasion, at Christmas, nephew opened our gift on Boxing Day about an hour before we saw him at MIL's. When we arrived nothing was said. So I said 'haven't you just opened some more presents?' He said yes. I said 'were they nice?' he just looked at me (he was 5 at the time). MIL laughs, BIL just sits there. I could actually see the present on the floor, when he started playing with it later, I said 'we bought you that' in front of BIL and MIL. Still nothing. My DS2 was 1 last month, got nothing at all from BIL. I don't want to do what my mother has ended up doing - complaining about it and yet still buying gifts for seemingly ungrateful people. DH was supportive about stopping buying for goddaughters, but not so much for his nephew (surprise!) He said why should his nephew lose out just because his brother is ignorant? I told him if he was so concerned then he could go out and get the gifts for him (won't happen). AIBU to stop buying for them? I know the nephew is only young, but BIL has now missed DS2's birthday, and has NEVER given DS1 his present on time - he usually brings something cheap around in a carrier bag a month later. (and I am aware that it's the thought that counts, not the money, but if you saw the stuff he's given DS in the past, it's verging on an insult. Brought him something for his 3rd birthday that was for a 6mths old, and obviously 2nd hand as it was grubby. Think it might have been his son's and he'd found it when he moved house).