Even if the people welcoming the Gruesomes don't have such elaborate rituals (I'm they would take a lot of pride in presenting their gifts very nicely), just pulling stuff out of plastic bags is pretty much a universal signal
Certainly is a universal signal.
Suggests that they nipped to Primark or Claire's Accessories at the last minute. They were probably sick of the pair hoovering up free gifts, even though they hadn't had the courtesy to bring even a bottle of cheap wine for their hosts.
I wasn't going to say this, but it reminded me of the wife of one of my mum's cousins
She's a right old snobby witch, her main claim to fame being that she married the son of a wealthy man (her parents were wealthy too, but she wasn't educated or very beautiful or beautifully-mannered), who is now basically the patriarch of that branch of the family.
So whenever we visited their place (to visit my cousin's grandmother - she was my grandmother's sister - who lived with them, and visiting relatives who would stop/stay over there), she would bring out nicely-wrapped expensive gifts for two of her favourite niblings (the ones with the wealthiest parents). The next category would receive cheap gifts from a cheap plastic bag. The last category would get expired or used things from around the house (I once got an expired 'imported' lotion, cousin got a broken ornament off the table).
Now she wonders why my cousins don't visit her, or even if they visit, don't stay with her anymore
Last I heard, my narc uncle's narc wife was sucking up to her big time. A lovely pair
Anyway, this aunt would never waste any opportunity to let us know our station in life. From her, I learnt how not to treat people, even though she's considered to be the best host ever by those whom she hasn't slighted. Rather like people who haven't yet been discarded by Smegs sing praises of what a great friend and host she is (sloppy avocado toasts and four expired-looking chocolates make a good hostess, apparently).
The best thing I can say about the aunt is that her sons are awesome and that she isn't as ill-mannered and uncouth as my narc uncle's narc wife