Last year, I created a few “experience” gift guides, and the most popular one by far was the list of what we're giving our boys for Christmas.
Because let’s face it – there are TONS of gift guides full of ideas circling the Internet this time of year and while they can be helpful, it's one thing to see a massive list of gift ideas, but it's another to see what a real family is wrapping and putting under the tree.
In our house, we’ve chosen to do gift giving a little differently and follow the 4-gift- rule. Have you heard of it?
Before I get into the exact gifts that we’re gifting this year, I want to share a little more about this gifting concept, how we came to this decision, AND how we got our kids on board!
The 4-Gift Rule: What It Is, How It Works, and Why We Do It
The 4-Gift Rule is really simple – and that’s what makes it so awesome!
It includes something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read!
Additionally, we added a family gift of travel for later in the year.
These four categories (or five, if you include the travel/family gift) still offer a broad enough spectrum to give them something they'll love but specific enough to narrow it down to items that fit your budget and their needs.
While every family does gift-giving differently, it can be overwhelming. That's why I follow the 4-gift rule.
It helps me shop consciously, significantly reducing the amount of "stuff" the kids accumulate.
For the kids, it avoids gift fatigue, overwhelm, and disappointment. Just think how a few extra things for a child can sometimes lead to being overwhelmed by the number of choices they have (and the amount of toys to clean up).
Would you try this method? Would it help you have a stress-free holiday season?
Take a look at a few of our gifts we gave this past Christmas!
Family Gift of Travel
Road Trip to Buffalo, New York ( December 28th -January 1st) with tickets to the Buffalo Sabres
( entire family went to the game) and Patriots vs Bills tickets (for me and Clark), day trip to Toronto to see the Holiday Lights and Market
February trip to New Hampshire, where we will stay at Conscious Cabin. The boys also received a gift card to Cannon Mountain ( for tubing), Flapjacks (for breakfast), and Flatbread Pizza (for dinner after tubing!). We will also include our annual trip to the ice castles!
If you want a great mini itinerary for New Hampshire, check out our list!
Lennon, age 9:
Want: Mars Rover Lego Set
Read: Adventure chapter books [about National Parks]
Need: few new cooking tools
Wear: New snow boots, hat, gloves, base layers and snow pants
Clark, age 13:
Read: Sports Illustrated magazine subscription with Red Sox gift card for future games.
Want: Bruins tickets
Splurge: Concert Tickets to see Kenny Chesney at Gilette in August
Wear: Sports hoodies, coat, hat and gloves [winter wear]
John and Me
Date Night comedy show tickets are spaced out throughout the year!
Massage gift cards - to be used throughout the year
We love giving gifts that can be used later in the year or planning activities for different months. It truly helps alleviate clutter, gift overload and brings excitement when the holidays close.
I’m curious – how do you approach gift giving in your family? I’d love to hear about your method! Connect with me on Instagram and let’s chat
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