A few years ago we found ourselves anxious over the coming holiday season. A time that was always so joyful, light and exciting was now filled with stress – over money and time. I love shopping for my kids throughout the year, so trying to come up with more gifts for them specifically for Christmas (from us and their family members) felt forced. Adding things to their list just for the sake of having enough “things” to go around from everyone. We finally decided to try the 4 gift rule I had read about in a magazine (remember those?) The 4 gift rule means each child receives 4 gifts, one from each of the following categories: want, need, wear, read.
I’ve read this method is effective because four is the perfect number for a child. They see four gifts and to them, it feels like a lot. But it’s not so many that it’s overwhelming. They’ll remember each gift and will be able to thoughtfully process each as they open them. More than four and they’re just ripping open paper, until they’ve opened them all.
Our kids do still receive one gift from Santa, as well as some small items in their stockings. They also receive gifts from close family members. Once we have decided what we are purchasing for them, the rest of the items on their “lists” go onto a Holiday Registry (yes, registry – I love to set up holiday registries for each of our children at Target) and that link is sent to our family members. It has allowed us to be intentional with the things coming into our home and keeps us from getting duplicates.
Girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for baby girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 1 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 2 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 3 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 4 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 5 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 6 year old girls
- want, need, wear, read: the gift guide for 7 year old girls
Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for Baby Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for 1 Year Old Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for 2 Year Old Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for 3 Year Old Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for 4 Year Old Boys
- Want, Need, Wear, Read: The Gift Guide for 5 Year Old Boys
I’m sick of the piles of toys that are only played with for a week or two. I want meaningful toys that will last and that will keep the attention of my children for more than a few days. And as the gift giver, shouldn’t you want that too?
I know many other parents who are sick of the clutter as asking relatives to focus on experiences as gifts and I think that’s great!