A few years ago, my husband and I sat together on the couch after we’d put the kids to bed on Christmas and both said something to the effect of, “they got way too many presents this year.” 

Instead of appreciating each gift and feeling the excitement of unwrapping presents, they had set a record for ripping through all the gifts under the tree in record time – hardly even paying attention, or saying so much as a ‘thank you’ for what they’d received. 

While I love Christmas, the feeling that my kids didn’t appreciate the gifts hand-picked and paid for with hard earned money, made us both realize something had to change.

So, the next year we cut the number of gifts they received in half and asked grandparents and family to only buy one gift per child, not 3 or 4 like they’d had previously.

We began sprinkling in more meaningful experiences into the month of December, like shopping for siblings and doing thoughtful acts of kindness for our neighbors, and before long, the gifts didn’t mean as much to my kids.

Now, Our kids look forward to the meaningful experiences of giving and doing nice acts of kindness for others, more than they do the gifts they receive.

Each year, they get excited talking all of our Christmas family traditions and have become more creative when it comes to thinking up new ideas of how we can share in the spirit of Christmas with others.

That’s not to say we have stopped giving gifts all together. 

We still want to have presents under the tree and watch as the kids race down the stairs in the morning to open a few gifts, but the difference is there are only a handful there these days.

We started the 5 gift rule for Christmas right after we had our change of heart about overloading them with presents.

Here’s what our gift rule (want. need. wear. read)

Something you want is what the christmas wish list is for. And the something you want gift is usually the biggest, most exciting present. It’s something that they really really want. Otherwise if they’re wanting a certain toy or game. Or whatever.

Something You Need

Though it doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical gift. It could also be an experience; like tickets to an activity or concert. Or for older children if they’re impossible to buy for maybe a voucher or gift card.

• Bike (and helmet)
• Computer or console game
• A new console
• Music player
• Trampoline
• Swimming pool
• A toy or game

Something You Need

I tend to struggle with the Something you need, because generally anything my kids NEED they already have. So sometimes I need to stretch the meaning of the word need… because do kids really need anything much? And while this present is something practical, it’s still needs to be something that will be fun and exciting to unwrap on Christmas day.

• Nice stationery
• School bag especially if they’re starting kinder or prep
• Their own suitcase if you’re travelling over the holidays
• Beach towel it alludes to the fact that you’re going to take them to the beach
• New bedding or a new bed if they’re outgrowing their toddler bed or single bed
• Computer/Tablet for school and studying

Something You Wear

Typically, on Christmas Eve each child gets to open a gift and it’s a new set of Christmas pajamas so depending on the year, jammies might be something they wear. Other ideas would be….

• A fancy outfit
• Costumes or dress ups – these could be from the op-shop.
• Sports uniforms
• School uniform if they’re starting school
• Swimmers and a promise to take them to the beach or pool
• Accessories
• Make up
• Brand name sunglasses

Something you Read

Something You Read is the easiest one for me. Because I love books. Actually this is where I usually break my own rule of only buying four gifts each and end up giving them both a stack of books. But you can’t have too many books! And fostering a love of reading is something I’m more than happy to go overboard on.

Given that I do tend to buy them books throughout the year as well, if possible for Christmas I’m looking for box sets or something a little extra, just to make it special for Christmas. When they were little I’d buy them the little gift sets, like a picture book with a plush character included.

• Books
• Bible or devotional
• Even more books

Okay, if you want an actually useful guide for books for your kids:

• Picture books for reading out loud to your children.
• Chapter books for early readers.

So I hope that helps make your Christmas shopping a tiny bit easier! If you have any ideas about how to make gift buying simple, but still amazing, comment below! Or let me know what you’re getting your kids for Christmas!