DH has two brothers, both married, five kids between them. When the kids were born we agreed that we would buy Christmas presents for everyone in the family - maximum £10 per adult, £15 per child. The youngest child turned 18 this year and we are still doing this.
Last Christmas I suggested that we scale back on the presents. I hardly see my nieces and nephews and the gifts bought for my sons were probably just shoved in a drawer. One of my SILs said it was fun to buy presents and having surprise presents makes Christmas special. She wanted to continue, and everyone else went along with it. I suggested some kind of secret Santa (too complicated) or family presents (too difficult).
DH thinks that it could turn into a family argument and he doesn't want that, he would rather just go along with it. We don't have a lot of money this year and I would rather give the money to my own sons. It also feels like I end up buying a load of tat, and we then receive a load of tat back and it just all feels so unnecessary.
I need perspective on this from someone outside of the family. I am seeing both SILs next week and want to raise it again.