It can very much be about relationships and maintaining a connection. I know that I keep backup gifts in my home, as it is a concept handed down generationally about reciprocation of sorts. It a gesture of saying "you matter".
This thread is as much about the relationship with your brother, in my eyes than giving with expectations.
Diverting whatever it is that you could have budgeted towards a charity is a statement as much as anything and yeah, charity feels good. And can even be anonymous.