What do you think about a grown man giving his 10-year-old nephew a gift card to a restaurant? This happened last year (my brother gave one to my son) and my SIL mentioned that since my son "liked it so well he'd probably get him one this year".
First, son was NOT that crazy about the card. How many 10yo's would be. He'd rather have had a Wal-Mart card, I'm sure. Second, it was given almost as an afterthought, and pulled out of my brother's pocket. I should say he also got from them a $9 Wal-Mart knock-off underarmour shirt and a pair of $2 houseshoes. I'm pretty sure the gift card was a "regift" from my brother's office, and obviously he's either already gotten one this year, or expects to get one; thus the comment from SIL about giving my DS another one this year.
I do not mean to sound ungrateful or materialistic, but my DS stood by with his cheapo gifts/regift while my nephew's then-girlfriend's little girl (they've since married) opened $300 worth of gifts from my brother and SIL. I know my son was hurt/disappointed but he handled it well for a 10yo. We are doing our Christmas exchange at brother's house again this year, and I dread it soooo much. I did tell them earlier that he's into reading a book series, and which ones he didn't have, and to let me know if they got him one which one they were getting so I could get the other ones. The books are a whopping $11 each. Since she didn't mention it, I guess it's the restaurant card again...
When their children were small I put a lot of thought, not necessarily a lot of money, but thought as to their likes/dislikes, into their gifts.
I know, I'm being childish...