The 4 Gift Rule for Christmas is simple – you get your kids something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
Doing this makes choosing gifts simple, helps keep you on budget and means your kids receive a diverse range of gifts.
We’re going to discuss how to make this idea work for you, some present ideas for each of the rules and there’s a free printable list template for you so your child can have some input.
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The 4 Gift Rule explained
The idea behind the 4 gift rule is that you purchase your child four gifts with each one based on the key categories:
- Want
- Need
- Read
- Wear
The idea is that you strike a decent balance between practical items and things that are fun. That’s not to say that the need, read and wear rules mean you get something boring!
The “wear” gift could be a fun poncho to snuggle up in during winter, or a cool hat featuring their favourite TV character.
The “need” gift could be a vital item of sporting gear they need for their fave sport – such as a new skateboard or riding helmet.
To help you with your shopping here are some gift ideas that work with each rule.
Want gift Ideas
- Games console
- Video games
- LEGO kit
- Video game
- Dolls and action figures
- Cuddly toys
- Character toy
- Role play sets
- Dressing up sets
- Board game
Need gift ideas
- Art supplies
- New school bag
- New lunchbox and water bottle
- Sports kit – a new bike helmet, uniform, equipment etc
- Musical instrument kit – music books, instrument cases and stands
- Bedding
- Travel essentials – a new suitcase or bag like a Trunki
- Hobby essentials – new camera for kids who love photography, new Yoga mat etc
Read gift ideas
- A new book from their favourite series
- Magazine subscription
- Non-fiction fact book
- How-to book – such as how to draw or craft ideas
- Cookbook
Wear gift ideas
- Socks
- Onesie
- Poncho blanket
- Hat
- Dress
- Smart outfit
- New trainers
- Pyjamas
- Dressing gown
- Coat
Do stocking fillers count towards the 4 Gift Rule?
In our house stocking fillers do not count towards the 4 Gift Rule.
Stocking fillers tend to be a maximum of £10 each and are usually quite small things in our house – such as chocolate coins, some socks and a fidget toy.
What if you want to buy your child more than four gifts?
If you’re not sure whether the four Gift Rule is for you then it could be that you typically buy more than four gifts each for your children at Christmas.
As with any other parenting rules – from the exact right bedtimes parenting experts claim you must follow to discipline techniques – you take the ideas and make them work for you.
So you could use the 4 Gift Rule to give you categories to work with, but you can purchase more than just four gifts.
For example you could buy two or more books, and if the want new LEGO then get them a couple of new sets instead of just one.
Another alternative is to check out the expanded Gift Rule list ideas – full details below!
What is the 5 Gift Rule?
The 5 Gift Rule for Christmas includes those main categories from the 4 Gifts Rule plus one more that adds another dimension to the selection.
- Want
- Need
- Read
- Wear
- Something to do
The something to do may be an experience or a day out somewhere.
It could be a tickets to a zoo or theme park, or a promise of a weekend away somewhere your child will love.
What is the 6 Gift Rule?
The 6 Gift Rule – you guessed it – adds a sixth category.
- Want
- Need
- Read
- Wear
- Something to do
- Something to make
The “something to make” gift could be a craft kit, puzzle or anything else creative!
It may overlap with the other categories, such as the something they want category. But it gives them an extra gift!
What is the 7 gift rule?
- Want
- Need
- Read
- Wear
- Something to do
- Something to make
- Something for the family
Now we add a seventh gift category to the list! This one is about all of the family, so something that everyone could use together.
An example of this might be a game for the back garden that everyone may enjoy, such as tether ball, or a games console with games that can be played in twos or threes.
Free 4 Gift Rule Christmas printable gift list
You can use my free printable “what I want for Christmas” list for kids to guide them with their choices based on the 4 Gift Rule.
Simply download the PDF Christmas wishlist and print it off as many times as you like!
Then challenge your kids to write down their present ideas under each category. You can then share ideas with other relatives too!
Download it here:
Final thoughts on the 4 Gift Rule
I hope this has given you some ideas for how the 4 Gift Rule works.
Remember that you don’t have to follow this strictly to the letter if you do want to get a few more gifts for your child. But you can use the categories to guide you so they get a good variety of items.
If you are on a budget then having this rule can really help you stick to your spending limit as it encourages you to focus on gifts that really matter.
While I love getting my kids gifts, I do find at Christmas that we receive so many gifts for them that they are totally overwhelmed.
Now I’m not complaining. I know my kids are very lucky to have so many relatives who love buying them gifts.
But I also think it’s important kids aren’t bombarded with too many new things, as that way they don’t ever really appreciate the individual items.
Plus the clutter is unreal!
So give the 4 Gift Rule a try – and use my handy free printable to get your kids to give you ideas for what they really want, really need, will read and love to wear!
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