Materialistic, unimaginative, impersonal and certainly not the
way to educate our grandchildren IMHO. When I was little we made presents for relatives. I remember the joy of making and giving little posies of flowers, home-made peppermint creams and coloured bath salts. My mother made birthday cakes, gingerbread men etc, lovely pictures with pressed flowers and hand knitted sweaters, hats and scarves for children.
My GD loves wearing dresses so I made her two for her birthday in her favourite colours and style and I will continue to sew for her, arthritic fingers permitting, for as long as she wishes.
I'm all for shared experiences if possible as a previous poster mentioned.
I took my 5 year old grandson 10-pin bowling on his birthday.
Regarding birthday parties, the norm in this neck of the woods is to issue invitations with "No Gifts please but please donate to such and such a charity if you wish" and a donation box will be at the party. It works very well although a little present often presented as well. The birthday girl or boy chooses the charity.