Four Gift Rule: How Does It Work?

Table of Content

• Get Your Home in Order to be a Calm & Happy Mom
• Top Posts
• What Is The 4 Gift Rule?
• Here’s what some of our readers had to say about their 4 gift rule experiences:
• Here are more of the amazing benefits of the “4 Gift Rule”:
• Want, Need, Wear, Read, Christmas Gift List Ideas
• FREE 2-Page PDF Printable Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids

We’ve also got a cute 4 gift rule printable for your kids to fill out. Christmas, birthdays, and even other holidays like Easter or Valentine’s Day, can bring an overwhelm of gifts for our kids. The 4 gift rule for Christmas framework has significantly reduced the chaos in our home around the holidays.

So rather than pick and choose and try to guess which items on the list have priority, change the way your kids think about gifts! Kids can add a few ideas for each category, and then on Christmas, they will receive a total of four gifts - one from each category. This rule really helps cut down on spending around the holidays, it guarantees that each gift is wanted and thoughtfully selected, and the gifts will be evenly dispersed. The 4 gift rule for Christmas can make the holidays a lot more fun for kids and their families. Still how many kids really enjoy getting clothes? We’ve still got something you want, something you need, and something you read.

Get Your Home in Order to be a Calm & Happy Mom

Now 4 gifts may seem stingy, particularly if you are used to mounds of gifts. This means that 4 gifts are guaranteed to let your child experience the excitement without the overwhelm. The excitement died down and suddenly unwrapping gifts became almost mechanical. The boys still ripped off the paper and dutifully said thank you, but there was no joy in it. All five boys had gone into serious overwhelm and their excitement had fizzled out.

Some enthused about a video game, or craft kits or the stretchy alien toy that glowed in the dark. A recent study showed that an abundance of toys reduced the quality of children’s play. We also have a “one in – one out” policy for toys. Our house is on the smaller side, and keeping the house organized is difficult after the holidays. My wife’s parents started a 529 for each of of their grandkids . Great “tool” to use to help with Christmas ——this season is almost here, and my wife and I have talked about this problem at length.

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I know that for my children, stockings and presents are a big part of Christmas. If I was a child, I think I'd be pretty disappointed if I only got one present that was something I actually wanted. I know there is the risk when you give a lot of gifts that children don't appreciate the value of them, but that's why you have to be thoughtful about it too. I don't just fill stockings with tat that will get thrown away - I choose things carefully.

This Christmas tradition will change how your family celebrates…forever. Books are some of the greatest gifts you can give. If your little ones are very small, you can get them a Little Dress Up Activity Book full of stickers, stencils and colouring pencils.

What Is The 4 Gift Rule?

Last year I found myself constantly trying to make sure that everyone had a “equal” number of gifts, with multiple options, and I ended up with way too many things on Christmas morning. My children loved it, but they were done after opening just a few things. The best part of choosing something creative is that there are so many things to choose from. Creative play encompasses a wide variety of toys and there is something for every budget. The children would tell me about their new Lego set or science kits.

It's probably a good idea to set some parameters around the categories, but this one in particular, so kids don't think this is the place to make up for only getting four gifts. Free printable of the 5 Gift Rule Christmas plus a special family tradition for your kids to to put as #6 on the wish list this year. Plus, if you need any finding quality toys that aren’t junk, this ultimate gift guide will be your best friend. I love meaningful gifts – it’s the reason for my list of meaningful gift ideas for YOUR parents.I feel the same way with our children. We all want to give memorable, meaningful, good Christmas gifts that are thoughtful & sincere. When our kids transitioned from just wanting to open gifts to wanting to play and enjoy the gifts, it was not difficult to implement the four gift rule.

Here’s what some of our readers had to say about their 4 gift rule experiences:

You should have plenty of ideas of things they want. We have all the Christmas deals for your shopping list. Christmas morning will be less hectic &more enjoyable. Starting the 4 Gift Rule was the best thing I ever did for myself and for my kids. Deep down inside I felt empty and so very stressed over the financial burden. I was a very young mom living off one income and I knew I couldn’t afford to keep this up.

Other years they don’t seem to really want anything. Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. Ps- On top of the four gifts for Christmas, we will also be filling stockings.These will be small gifts – you can check out our 50+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas here. Another idea, as I mentioned before, is to do three gifts, like the three wise men. It’s not a book, but they do have to read & follow directions.

Here are more of the amazing benefits of the “4 Gift Rule”:

That’s why so many families are switching to the 7 gifts rule instead as a way to provide just enough, without it being too much. Basically, the 7 gifts rule is a way to simplify Christmas gift-giving for kids. The number of gifts you and your family members receive on Christmas is unique to your family. I really don’t believe there is a correct universal number. This category gets a little bit easier to brainstorm. It can be something fun your kids wants to wear, something they have outgrown, or something totally goofy.

If you're on a budget or your kids just don't need anymore stuff, the Four Gift rule might be right up your alley. Let’s face it, clothes are not a fun gift for most kids. Unless of course you have one who has discovered fashion and then clothes are everything.

For example, maybe you want to take the whole family on a special trip in place of one or more gifts. Sometimes experiences together are the best gifts you can give. I thought this was genius – not only does it eliminate a lot of the “stuff” you accumulate, but it gives a useful framework for gift giving ideas.

I wanted our kids to have an experience, a memory. Sometimes, things need to scale back a bit in order to appreciate more and that is what today’s post is all about. Giving them these 4 useful gifts will help them learn to appreciate what they have and not feel entitled or grow up to be greedy in our “give me more” commercialism society. I feel like I am stretching this gift a little bit, but with the way my kiddos are growing, it works out. Last year for my kids, I picked out an entire outfit, complete with a pair of shoes and one accessory. I always explain to my kids that reading can take you so many places that you have never even imagined.