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gift guides 2020: want, need, wear, read

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!

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Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
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Thanks for having us today @adventurelandresort! I haven’t been since middle school so we were excited to surprise our kids with a trip. After a few humid days of almost 100°, todays cloudy, high of 70 was beautiful! We will definitely be back when it’s warm enough for the water park! #AdventurelandIowa #familyof5 #momof3 #familytime
1 week ago
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Blaire’s face 🤣🤣🤣 Apparently 8 is the age when taking a picture with your parent is painful. Harsh.
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Blaire’s face 🤣🤣🤣 Apparently 8 is the age when taking a picture with your parent is painful. Harsh.
2 weeks ago
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sisters ❤️ with a photobombing brother in the background.
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sisters ❤️ with a photobombing brother in the background.
3 weeks ago
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Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
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Happy #starwarsday to my #1 Baby Yoda fan! #maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou
3 weeks ago
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Mostly sharing this photo just so I can share the story of it being taken: Jason stands in the street (barely) of the parking lot around this trophy. A few couples who are together offer to take a picture of all of us. He explains he’s a Cubs fan (🤢) so he’s good. Along comes a car who apparently wanted him completely on the sidewalk… they speed past him (after waiting for 3 seconds) and yell “don’t you have any roads in Iowa?” When I tell you I couldn’t stop laughing. (Swipe to see the shirt he had on. 🤣🤣🤣)
Mostly sharing this photo just so I can share the story of it being taken: Jason stands in the street (barely) of the parking lot around this trophy. A few couples who are together offer to take a picture of all of us. He explains he’s a Cubs fan (🤢) so he’s good. Along comes a car who apparently wanted him completely on the sidewalk… they speed past him (after waiting for 3 seconds) and yell “don’t you have any roads in Iowa?” When I tell you I couldn’t stop laughing. (Swipe to see the shirt he had on. 🤣🤣🤣)
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Mostly sharing this photo just so I can share the story of it being taken: Jason stands in the street (barely) of the parking lot around this trophy. A few couples who are together offer to take a picture of all of us. He explains he’s a Cubs fan (🤢) so he’s good. Along comes a car who apparently wanted him completely on the sidewalk… they speed past him (after waiting for 3 seconds) and yell “don’t you have any roads in Iowa?” When I tell you I couldn’t stop laughing. (Swipe to see the shirt he had on. 🤣🤣🤣)
3 weeks ago
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Not sorry✌🏻
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Not sorry✌🏻
3 weeks ago
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