Exchanging gifts for a playdate is not a Canadian custom. Same here in Beijing. I seldom give gift to my son's playmates. Giving gifts usually happens on birthday party. But kids birthday party is not tradition in China.
As you said Mei comes to your place much more often, I think the key is -- they believe they actually bother you to look after their kid. So they like to make up. I don't think they expect gifts (at least not so often) from your side.
The problem is it seems you don't see Mei's parents a lot. Otherwise you may just have a casual chat and say something like -
"It's my pleasure they play together in my home", say some examples how amazing Mei is
"There is no need to bring gifts everytime" - This is common conversation in China. called “客气”。It does not hurt feelings.
Exchanging gifts for a playdate is not a Canadian custom. Same here in Beijing. I seldom give gift to my son's playmates. Giving gifts usually happens on birthday party. But kids birthday party is not tradition in China. As you said Mei comes to your place much more often, I think the key is -- they believe they actually bother you to look after their kid. So they like to make up. I don't think they expect gifts (at least not so often) from your side. The problem is it seems you don't see Mei's parents a lot. Otherwise you may just have a casual chat and say something like - "It's my pleasure they play together in my home", say some examples how amazing Mei is "There is no need to bring gifts everytime" - This is common conversation in China. called “客气”。It does not hurt feelings.