<p>I wonder if it as an older person thing, or an in law thing, or a combination of the two. My Mum is always so critical of whatever my sister in law buys her. And the gifts are always nice things. I am surprised that my SIL even buys her gifts anymore. I don’t even live in the same country but I hear so many complaints about whatever my SIL buys her that it makes me not buy her things myself. For instance my SIL bought her some lovely crystal glasses few years ago (and she really was in need of some glasses) and I was surprised at my Mum’s negative reaction. It is something I would have thought she would like and would have got her myself, so it really makes me hesitate to get anything for her. Fortunately she does like to get flowers, so I just stick to sending flowers for every major holiday, birthday etc.</p>