My sister and I aren't close, very different people, but are on OK terms. Probably see each other every few months, mostly for the sake of our kids who are similarly aged (between 5 and 8 - she has two, I have one).
When the kids were young we would ask each other for suggestions for Christmas and birthdays and buy presents which we chose, usually checking to make sure we weren't duplicating something they already had. Sometimes we'd send links. All fine.
This year, my sister has gone one step further and asked me to just transfer money for presents she'd already bought her two. I did it, but am not sure they'll even be told or register that it's from me. In return, she's sent my daughter a gift she's already got, that I have just spent 20 mins on the phone to the company trying to swap.
Is there any point? Why don't we just save our money and buy our own children what they want? Plus even if I ask for the same in return, it works out to her advantage as I will always be spending double what she is - which I never minded when there was some element of personal input, but without that, it just seems a bit daft.
Is it really stingy to just say let's call it a day?