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The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and, of course, the excitement of giving and receiving Christmas gifts. Lately though I’ve become more concerned with the commercialization of Christmas and have become more interested in sustainable ways to enjoy Christmas. We are doing more recycled crafts at home and have curbed down the emphasis on gift-giving. The pressure of giving gifts takes away from the true spirit of the season.
This is where the 4 Gift Rule comes in as a simple, meaningful way to celebrate with your kids. This approach not only simplifies shopping but also instills valuable lessons in children. We also include a 5th option which we share below.
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What is the 4 Gift Rule?
I am not entirely sure who came up with the 4 Gift Rule but I’ve seen it floating around the internet and a few years ago, we decided to use it as a tradition for our family. Basically, The 4 Gift Rule is a guideline for parents to follow when buying Christmas gifts for their children. It revolves around four basic categories:
- Something I Need: This encourages practicality and thoughtfulness in gifting, such as a new backpack for school or a bicycle for daily exercise.
- Something I Want: This allows kids to express what they truly want for Christmas, whether it’s a toy, a video game, or a hobby-related item.
- Something to Read: Promoting literacy and a love for reading, this could be anything from a picture book for younger kids to a novel for older ones.
- Something to Wear: This can range from everyday clothing, to special occasion outfits. We often like to gift pajamas!
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Benefits of the 4 Gift Rule
- Simplification: It cuts down on excessive spending and the overwhelming number of gifts.
- Gratitude and Appreciation: Kids learn to value and appreciate what they receive.
- Practicality and Thoughtfulness: Encourages practical gifts that children need, not just what they want.
- Focus on Reading: Fosters a love for reading from an early age.
- Memorable and Personalized: Customized tags with your kids’ names can be used each year, adding a personal touch.
Adding a Fifth Element: “Something to Give” or an Experience
To make this tradition even more meaningful, we added a 5th category.
- Something to Give: Choose a charity or a cause and involve your child in the process of giving. It teaches empathy, compassion, and the joy of helping others.
- An Experience: Instead of a physical gift, opt for an experience, like a trip to a museum, a movie night, or a cooking class together. Experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.
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Where do you get 4 Gift Rule Tags?
There are many places online to get 4 Gift Rule tags. We found the most varied options on Etsy. The options range from printable tags (lowest price points) to these wooden custom ones we got. The benefit of the wooden tags is that although a bit pricier, they are sturdier than paper tags and will last many holiday seasons.
Conclusion
The 4 Gift Rule, with a 5th option, is an excellent way to celebrate Christmas with kids. It not only simplifies holiday gifting (and keeps moms like me sane!) but also teaches children valuable lessons about gratitude, giving, and the importance of thoughtful gifting. I hope you try out this new tradition of gifting with your family this year!
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Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.