Gift ideas when kids already have a lot

Dear Amy: My brother and his wife are hoarders. They’re not the gross kind that you see on television, but just an out-of-control lack of organization.

My nephews, who are preadolescents, have no interest in the hundreds of toys that clutter the living room, dining room and toy room. If they are not at an organized sports event, they are staring at their phone or tablet.

Along every wall of the house are stacked boxes of barely opened and unopened Christmas and birthday gifts.

I cannot bear the thought of adding anything more to this clutter. Don’t suggest getting a book, because their shelves are groaning under the weight. Gift certificates would go unused. They only eat a limited array of bland foods. I can’t be there with them to do things, because they live 800 miles away.

They are the only child relatives in my life. — Wondering Relative

Dear Wondering: Perhaps you could find ways to recognize these occasions and milestones through your financial generosity. Look into opening “custodial accounts” for them and let them know that each birthday you will deposit a set amount into these accounts.

You could then tell them you will release their funds on or around their 18th birthdays. They should be allowed some access to see how their accounts are growing.

It’s important to keep in touch with these boys, expressing an interest in their lives.

Uncles and aunts have very real opportunities to influence their nephews and nieces. Understand that the emotional investment you make might not earn immediate “interest.” As with financial accounts, these relationship investments tend to grow slowly over time — and, as investment professionals always warn, “past performance is not always indicative of future results.”

Amy Dickinson ASK AMY