Why so many gifts!?

I am confused about the frequency of which gifts are given by/to my British soon-to-be-in-laws.... My fiance is coming to visit tomorrow (!!) and called to ask what he should bring my parents.  I told him nothing, as this is not the first time he is meeting them and there is nothing that either has specifically mentioned that they would like from the UK.  Fiance said "I have to bring something!" and absolutely refuses to believe that it would be completely acceptable to come gift-less.  
Then he mentioned that his parents have given him a gift for me and each of my parents for him to bring with him.  With no exaggeration, it seems like his family gives me a gift EVERY time I see them and my fiance seems to expect me to reciprocate.  He hints at it, or even just asks me what I have purchased for them. 

Is this cultural or just his family? ... or even worse, is it across the board and I am the only rude one who doesnt give gifts like they are going out of style??

Is this cultural or just his family?

I don't know, but we give gifts all the time! 

We bring gifts for the in-laws every time we go visit. Both sets of in-laws. But his family never sends anything to my family or vice versa.

We don't.  Dan sees my parents on an almost weekly basis, so it would be daft, though Dad usually gets bought a pint.

I got flowers for Dan's step-mum the first time I stayed with them, but since it is birthdays and Christmas only.  We might take them out to dinner sometimes.

In other words, not cultural.

Vicky

We bring gifts.  The in-laws bring gifts.  My daughter's boyfriend's family is CRAZY with the gift giving.
I don't think it's entirely cultural.  My US family would never go visit someone without taking a gift.

Oh maybe that's why J's mum hates me, I never bring a gift! 

We don't.  Dan sees my parents on an almost weekly basis, so it would be daft, though Dad usually gets bought a pint.

A pint's a gift! 

If I have a meal with relatives (which I did pretty much every week when I lived in Wales), I'd always bring flowers or wine or chocolates. Now, because I stay with them with I visit, I bring something nicer.

Oh maybe that's why J's mum hates me, I never bring a gift! 

Aha!

My fiance's parents are not gift-givers. It drives me NUTS.

Well crap. Thats not what I was hoping to hear (except Vicky's take which I much prefer!)  I understand giving a gift if you are staying in someone's home, but just when you go over for tea?? Or even just because I HAVE to go over b/c I am in the country (er... I mean I love visiting the in-laws, yeah yeah.. love it!)  Seems like over-kill, but I will begrudgingly give in...

So... I guess that begs the question - what the heck am I supposed to give them when I go back to England in May!?! I've done the "the is typically Colorado" gift basket thing, so what now?   I need help from the gifting pros!   ( I just had an image of me showing up at the door with a poured pint in each hand and a big smile on my face!  Too bad that wont fly...)

Aha!

Well to be fair, she never gives me one either.  But next time... oh I'll catch her off guard... Flowers, chocolates, anything else? Need some ideas!!  

I've got to get this woman to like me, or at least tolerate me or well at least let me into her house.  Otherwise, if J and I get married, its going to be a nightmare.  

Well crap. Thats not what I was hoping to hear (except Vicky's take which I much prefer!)  I understand giving a gift if you are staying in someone's home, but just when you go over for tea?? Or even just because I HAVE to go over b/c I am in the country (er... I mean I love visiting the in-laws, yeah yeah.. love it!)  Seems like over-kill, but I will begrudgingly give in...

No, not every time you see them. But if you're visiting from the US and they're a gifty family, then bringing a gift ONCE during your visit is fine.

It doesn't have to be something typically American or Colorado-ish. Do you know them well enough now to know their tastes?

( I just had an image of me showing up at the door with a poured pint in each hand and a big smile on my face!  ...)

Beer comes in bottles too!


Vicky

Phat - we will become gift-givers if it kills us!  (at least to the future/potential MILs!)  
Bring on the gifty gift giver list!

I could buy his dad gifts no problem - hes easy, but I know very little about his mother (shes very reserved and doesnt really seem to enjoy talking to me all that much...)  And of course shes the one who seems to care about the gifts.  His dad says my presence is gift enough  Good man!!

His dad says my presence is gift enough  Good man!!

Are you sure he didn't say "presents"? 

LOL     That's much more likely!

DH's family, nor mine, are gift givers in the sense of 'here I am and here's a gift for you'. But both our families are always finding little things here and there (and occasionally big things) that we think the other would find useful, or would like, etc. It could be as little as some chocolates to as big as a car (yes, my aunt and her partner have given us a car!).