Question about cultural norms
I’m American- my husband is Egyptian- we live in the states. My husband’s two nieces (sisters) who live in Egypt had birthdays recently and we called them to wish them happy bday and all. I asked my husband to send them $25 each (about 1,300 Egyptian pounds) from me, not knowing he had sent some to them too. There are 4 kids total and I thought that since I was sending two of them and didn’t send the other 2 on their bdays, I would send all of them $25 (1300) each. I have given gifts before that were worth much more than $25, but that was when visiting or of my husband family came and I sent gifts back with them (purses, clothes, etc). The kids were really happy (ages 7-19). Later my youngest sister in law (not the mom of the kids) called my husband and said that I embarrassed the kids by giving them money because their parents are getting divorced and the dad had abandoned them so they were thinking that I was giving them money because I felt sorry for them and that I shouldn’t have given the other two money- only the ones who’s birthdays it was.
I’m confused as I have given gifts before, just not money- for me culturally it’s acceptable and a nice gesture to give a gift or gift card on a bday- especially since they are my nieces/nephews. I struggle with the conversion rate because I think in US dollars and what I think isn’t always a big amount is not receiver as that in Egypt when it’s converted- is it rude to send money as a gift? Was the amount inappropriate?
I don’t want to ask my hubs because I don’t need to make it a bigger deal but just want to understand if I did something wrong or should do something different next time.
Tia!