ok first off, you travelled over 200 miles to go see them.. that is good enough!
Don't feel guilty.. and its a GIFT not a competition... really I am sure she does not care one way or the other if she got a really expensive gift from you on top of you guys having to pack up and drive 200 miles each way to see them...
I think people "read" too much into gifts these days. It really should be about the time you spend together and the memories you make...
When a sibling dies, you don't remember the nice gifts they gave you? You remember the good times you had together as a family...
Just food for thought. Don't make this into a competition. Accept, say thank you and move on.
Next time she will know better than to spend too much on gifts.
I always hate throwing birthday parties because my so called friends always wants to "one-up" each other by showing me how MUCH they really care... I could see by their expressions and whispers that it was not about me but about who got me the best gift... I am so over it.. I stopped having parties to say the least. Don't get me wrong I LOVE gifts....but they must be from the heart! I dont care about a pandora bracelet... that photoframe I got with the memory of us drinking wine... THAT's what I'm talking about!!
The time you spent with them should really be enough girlfriend. Don't let her make you feel bad... It was her decision to get expensive gifts.