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.
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
