With the rise of sustainability and minimalism, many parents are looking for ways to give gifts this holiday season without overloading their children. The 4-gift rule has become increasingly popular in recent years, and while it may ironically seem more difficult to pick these four gifts than a multitude of them, we’re here to help break it down for you. More: 10 Christmas Gifts for 18 Year Old Boys
What is the 4-gift rule?
The goal of the 4-gift rule is to simplify holiday shopping for your loved ones and keep you from overspending or purchasing unnecessary items. Here’s how it works These four categories still offer up a broad enough spectrum for giving them something they’ll really love, but specific enough to narrow it down to items that fit your budget and their needs.
How To Explain The 4-Gift Rule to Kids
Especially if your kids are younger and have been used to receiving more presents at past holidays, they may not initially understand why they are only getting four presents. Use this as a teaching opportunity to discuss a few topics of importance with your children, including: minimalism, sustainability, and frugality. In addition, this is a great opportunity to encourage thankfulness during the holiday season, which is really what it’s all about. By discussing this with your children, you will hopefully help them see that you (or Santa) are still giving them items they love, while being responsible for our planet and your wallet. Pin these ideas to save for later:
Gift Ideas
Obviously, a gift for each of the four categories will vary per child depending on their age, needs, and interests, but we’ve rounded up a few ideas to get you started buying gifts.
The 4-Gift Rule for Toddlers
The 4-Gift Rule for Kids
The 4-Gift Rule for Tweens
The 4-Gift Rule for Teenagers
- Read: Continue encouraging an attitude of gratitude with this daily journal. Looking for more ways to keep Christmas simple this year? Here are 5 Gift Exchange Ideas for Big Families.
