our christmas edit: simplify your life this holiday season with the 4-gift rule

The countdown to Christmas is officially on! Whether the thought has you jumping for yule-tide joy or just brings on resting grinch face, one thing is for sure – it’s time to start planning presents!  

Christmas with a young fam can very quickly get out of control! Gifts usually top the list of festive expenses with Aussies expected to spend $391 per person* this year. And we all know too well, that with so many spoils on the big day kids get over-whelmed and don’t have the chance to truly appreciate each gift and the true value of giving and receiving.

Enter the 4-gift rule. This approach to simplifying gifting and encouraging mindful giving and gratitude during the holiday season is a winner. And for good reason… it works! But if you’ve never heard of it or just haven’t yet taken the step to implement it, now is your time people!

how it works?

The 4-gift rule means you limit the number of gifts you buy your precious littlies to four, one from each of the following categories;

something they want

This is your chance to tackle their want list. But with some restraint folks… choose only 1 item! Be it a doll house, remote control car, video game, bluetooth headphones, or karaoke machine this gift is purely about your kid’s special interests and the gift that is likely to delight the most on Christmas morning.

something they need

With today’s busy and varied lifestyle kids always need new things; be it some equipment for their sport activities, a backpack or a lunchbox and drink bottle for the new school year. Think outside the box and add in a packet of festive treats, or art supplies, or cute stationery and just like that functional can turn into fun!

something to wear

With Christmas comes a new season, so this is your chance to sort kids out with some threads! Depending on where you call home, this might be new swimwear or new snow gear. Or something that every kid needs at the beginning of a new year, regardless of where you live – new sneakers.

something to read

In the infamous words of Dr Seuss “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!” Folks love to encourage reading so take this opportunity to gift a novel, a magazine subscription (a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year), a recipe book or perhaps a gift voucher to support a local bookstore.

why it works?

Giving four gifts lets you be more intentional and mindful by really considering what your kids want and need. It eliminates excessive gifts and encourages sustainability. And it can help you to start meaningful conversations with your kids about appreciation and gratitude, and how sometimes less is more. Not to mention the bonus of simplified shopping and savings for you!

give it a go

With lockdowns, home-schooling and generally more time spent at home this year chances are kids have received more than their usual share of toys to pass the days. So if like me, the thought of more stuff is starting to stress you out then the 4-gift rule is definitely worth considering, don’t you think?

Get started today with something they need. Look at you… sleigh’in it already!!

*https://www.finder.com.au/australias-christmas-spending-statistics-2020