Christmas shopping for my children is both exciting and also overwhelming. In the past I would start to feel like I was just going through the motions, buying a million little things, but not really getting them anything meaningful. One approach that has helped me streamline our gift-giving for the kids at Christmas is to give one BIG gift from mom and dad (this is usually the one thing they really wanted and/or is usually the gift that is largest in size and the most expensive) and then Santa sticks to the “Five Gift Rule:” Five thoughtful gifts that fall into five categories: 1) Something they want, 2) Something they need, 3) Something to wear, 4) Something to create, and 5) Something to read.
This keeps us on budget, keeps it fair for all four children, and keeps them from falling into the life style of over consumption and instead focusing on the real meaning of Christmas!
To give you an example of The Santa Five Gift Rule, here is what we came up with this year for our four children, ages 8, 5, and 3 year old twins.
Eight year old boys are hard to shop for but a comforter made the list this year for something he desperately NEEDS. As the kids start to get involved in sports a sports bag or tennis bag is also a NEED so in included both options but I ended up getting the comforter. For something he WANTS, this will vary for all kids but our Minecraft loving boy has also discovered the game of Chess, so I was excited to find this Minecraft Chess set. Shoes is a great Santa gift for something they can WEAR but we are also adding this smart watch for him that will allow us to track him and text us and do 1 or 2 simple games. A paint set is always a good idea to CREATE and this one makes a fun marble design. And for something to READ, the first Wild Robot book was a big hit for him (along with the amazing movie!) so Santa got him the entire Wild Robot three book box set!
Our five year old loves having “sleep overs” in the sunroom with his brother, so we decided to add a sleeping bag as a NEED for his Santa list. At age five, sports are starting to become a big deal for him and our son has fallen in love with basketball, so we decided to add this fun arcade basketball game for him as something we know he would WANT. These Columbia jackets are a great price for something he will WEAR plus some new sneakers. Instead of Legos we are going to try the Minecraft building cubes for something to CREATE and then a few fun books that his librarian helped us pick out for something to READ!
Shopping for a pink obsessed 3 year old is a a lot of fun. For her NEED, we got these great trunks for her to store all her doll accessories and tiny toys. She has been asking for a new bike to keep up with her older brothers and I heard great things about these balance bikes. She will also be getting new sneakers for her something to WEAR as well as a cute new hat and gloves. For CREATE, I love these honey stick crayons and stocking up on crayons is always a good idea. For her something to READ we also did a set of three books. Angelina Ballerina for my ballet girl and I am secretly excited about this Golden Girls book too!
And lastly, our wild and adventurous three year old. He loves to play with our doll house so I know he would love this police house too! They also make a wooden firehouse that is very cute. He NEEDS a balance bike just like his sister so we can really start learning how to ride. And for something to wear, he will be getting new sneakers and this wonderful sweater from one of my favorite brands La Coqueta. To CREATE Santa got him Kinetic sand which is the new Playdoh. You heard it here first. And finally a set of three books, including our favorite personalized books from Wonderbly and the newest Little Blue Truck Book that came out this year.
Hope this helps any of you who are still in the throes of holiday shopping. I have loved this Five Gifts from Santa method, please let know if any of you try it this year! xx
