We've been together 3 years, talked vaguely about long-term and we're looking at the possibility of buying a house within the next couple of years. So far no marriage, but we've lived together for a year. 

I bought his parents a gift at christmas (just brought them some food back from my home country as a little surprise) last christmas, and they bought us a joint gift, just a small thing but I really appreciated that they did so. This christmas they've told my SO "we just want something small from her" so I guess that's fairly clear that I should buy them something, which I'm happy to do - they're lovely people and I'm very fond of them.

The problem is that I'm spending christmas with my family at home, and he's spending it with his extended family. He's never bought presents for my family (and I wouldn't expect him to), but since I'm buying something small for his parents, and obviously something bigger for him, would it be expected that I buy presents for his extended family too? I've met some of them once (we went on holiday together) but otherwise we've never spoken. It would be one or two aunts, two or three adult cousins and their spouses (one couple of which I've never met) and five or more children (of which I'd say only 4 might remember who I am). 

I feel that if I bought presents for just some of them there might be some weirdness, if I bought presents for those I'd never met it would be weirder still, but not buying at all...? 

If I was actually going to be spending christmas with them it would be simpler, but I'm not - I was invited but my family is very small and it would kind of ruin christmas for my parents if I wasn't home. To add to the stress, I'm currently trying to write a doctoral thesis, and I'm wondering if I'll manage to buy presents for anyone at all...
user
When did you start buying christmas gifts for your partner's family? They're pretty awesome people, and I'm happy to buy them gifts, but should I buy presents for
assistant
We've been together 3 years, talked vaguely about long-term and we're looking at the possibility of buying a house within the next couple of years. So far no marriage, but we've lived together for a year. 

I bought his parents a gift at christmas (just brought them some food back from my home country as a little surprise) last christmas, and they bought us a joint gift, just a small thing but I really appreciated that they did so. This christmas they've told my SO "we just want something small from her" so I guess that's fairly clear that I should buy them something, which I'm happy to do - they're lovely people and I'm very fond of them.

The problem is that I'm spending christmas with my family at home, and he's spending it with his extended family. He's never bought presents for my family (and I wouldn't expect him to), but since I'm buying something small for his parents, and obviously something bigger for him, would it be expected that I buy presents for his extended family too? I've met some of them once (we went on holiday together) but otherwise we've never spoken. It would be one or two aunts, two or three adult cousins and their spouses (one couple of which I've never met) and five or more children (of which I'd say only 4 might remember who I am). 

I feel that if I bought presents for just some of them there might be some weirdness, if I bought presents for those I'd never met it would be weirder still, but not buying at all...? 

If I was actually going to be spending christmas with them it would be simpler, but I'm not - I was invited but my family is very small and it would kind of ruin christmas for my parents if I wasn't home. To add to the stress, I'm currently trying to write a doctoral thesis, and I'm wondering if I'll manage to buy presents for anyone at all...
user
SO's family (who I've never met) are visiting us for christmas - when did you start buying gifts for your partner's extended family?
assistant