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Christmas

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Original poster

What do you think about the four gift rule?

103 replies

Cupcakeicecream · 03/08/2016 14:14

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read

What do you generally feel about this. I have never followed this myself but I have tried to cut down more and more each year. It doesnt really make a difference to me as my child has a december birthday so is inundated with more gifts.
I think the idea is quite good if you have a small house or if your child gets lots of gifts but only plays with a select few. At christmas I do consider books and clothes to be gifts whilst some people see them as a necessity. My child obviously gets books and clothes all year around but the books I buy tend to be chosen by my child and are a treat as they would be more expensive or something I wouldnt normally buy the same goes with the clothing such as a favourite character or a particular brand of clothing.

OP posts:
Methenyouplus4 · 03/08/2016 22:03

We do this for birthdays and kids love it. However at Christmas we spoil them and they get about 20 presents (amount spent depends on age but about £70 each on youngest 3 and £250 on eldest).

BendydickCuminsnatch · 03/08/2016 22:11

I did this last year plus a stocking (DC1's first Christmas) and plan to stick with it because I like to minimise the amount of stuff in the house, and who needs piles of presents - you just lose track of it all and it's pretty gross IMO!

flightywoman · 03/08/2016 22:13

I don't really care for 'rules' about what I choose to give my family and it all appears to be a bit worthy, a bit clever-clever (LOOK! It RHYMES!) and very holier-than-thou.

Quite frankly, it's the kind of thing that would push me to buying the entire Hong Kong output of pink plastic tat for my daughter, purely because I'm being told I shouldn't...

WankersHacksandThieves · 03/08/2016 22:18

there are 363 days in te year when you can instill values and appreciation etc etc etc.

For 2 days in the year Christmas and their birthday, I like to give a different message. That it's nice to be treated, it's nice to buy things for other people and it's nice to spend money on things that you really want regardless of whether they are practical or value, it's nice to spread joy. We only have one life and I'd rather live it as I'd like to rather than be puritanical and obey some shitty rhyme.

Obviously the rest of you can do what you like.

Paulat2112 · 03/08/2016 22:25

I like it, but maybe for birthdays rather than Christmas.

Any ideas on the need part? DD will be 8 in a few weeks, want -shopkin play set, wear - anything as she loves clothes, read - harry potter set. But need?

Nospringflower · 03/08/2016 22:29

Sounds dull, dull, dull!

BendydickCuminsnatch · 03/08/2016 22:34

Need - new coat; something for a club they go to eg new ballet shoes; Something they've tried to convince you they 'neeeeeeed!'; money! Everyone needs money; urrrrm... Hard to suggest without knowing your kid!

Paulat2112 · 03/08/2016 22:41

She just got all kitted out for school going back here soon, so doesn't need a coat or.shoes etc. She only does swimming but doesn't need.anything for that as has it all. She would like a new loom board and bands but I don't know if that is a need exactly lol. I guess just because pretty much anything she needs gets bought in a timely fashion. Trickier than I thought lol.

WankersHacksandThieves · 03/08/2016 22:42

Need? Toothpaste, everybody needs toothpaste. This is why it's a shitty rhyme. Why should you be saddled with something you need as a gift when you are a child? You should already be providing things they need, that's what being a parent is. The other parts aren't much better if your child isn't into clothes or books. So essentially they could be getting one gift they want and 3 things you've decided they need. It's horrible. By all means limit tat if you want to but don't get your child stuff they don't want because of a horrible rhyme.

nancy75 · 03/08/2016 22:43

Buy the loom board and forget about the daft rhyme!

Ilovewillow · 03/08/2016 22:45

We do something similar as a couple but it is six categories of gift with a total budget. We don't do it for our children though!

Purplehonesty · 03/08/2016 23:08

I like it. I tried to do it last year but got wee stockings for them to open too.

They woke up before we did and I could hear them giggling when ds opened Dds by mistake and got lipgloss!

So I will do it again. Last year their presents were bikes and then they had a book, clothes and art stuff.

They get so so much from all our family that it really wouldn't matter if I only bought one thing each let along four!

HelenaJustina · 04/08/2016 08:04

I have no problem limiting the number of gifts I buy my DC, as well as the 4 main presents they also get stockings with little bits in. We also have a huge immediate family all of whom buy for the DC. I'm starting to have a clear out over the holidays to make space!

As with all parenting decisions, there is very often no right/wrong. Embrace the Christmas spirit and celebrate our diverse traditions!

attheendoftheday · 04/08/2016 10:13

I can see the argument but I love to buy things for my dc. We aren't in debt and they aren't spoiled so I feel free to continue to indulge them at Christmas.

teaandcake789 · 05/08/2016 18:44

It annoys me. The actual rhyme annoys me. I've heard it so much and read and heard so many people rave about it that now when I hear it it's like nails down a blackboard.
But the principle? Well my kids don't "need" much. Clothes, food, love right? I don't see them appreciating new school uniform or a weeks worth of dinners under the tree. No they get wants. 2 presents equal to £80. They are also all winter babies so get plenty more over the coming weeks

sweetsomethings · 05/08/2016 18:48

Seems to be those who have the luxury of others buying their kids lots of presents use the rhyme. Then make out they are smug when their kids are getting the same just not them buying it all. Also those you say i follow it and buy lots of things for the stocking doesn't that go against the point of the rhyme.

LifeIsGoodish · 05/08/2016 19:06

If you need inspiration, it might be a good rule(pay attention,dh!) but otherwise, no, no and no.

Choosing gifts is fun! Go overboard or be sensible? Lots of little ones or one big one? Make em laugh or make em sigh? To share or to hoard?

Notso · 05/08/2016 19:27

What do people get as the 'need' present?

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2016 19:36

Usually fun/character pants, socks or t shirt notso.

Notso · 05/08/2016 19:42

Do you get something else for the 'wear' present then?

DragonsEggsAreAllMine · 05/08/2016 19:52

Sounds joyless, who wants clothes or something they need for christmas. It's supposed to be a magical time for children not teach them a lesson day.

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2016 20:04

notso I do the rhyme for stocking fillers though. Proper clothes are not presents for a child!!! Mine assume that I'll clothe them anyway!!!

SpringerS · 05/08/2016 20:23

Need? Toothpaste, everybody needs toothpaste.
I don't do this rhyme but last year when DS was just turned 3 we were writing out his Christmas list. And out of nowhere told me that Santa was also bringing him a toothbrush. So I decided that he could also ask for a toothbrush and that actually it would be cute if every year he got a new toothbrush. So I guess he does get a need every year. He doesn't get something to wear though, as I usually knit him a Christmas jumper that he gets for his Santa visit and is also worn for Christmas day. I guess I could throw a pair of socks/undies in his stocking.

SpringerS · 05/08/2016 20:24

Need? Toothpaste, everybody needs toothpaste.
I don't do this rhyme but last year when DS was just turned 3 we were writing out his Christmas list. And out of nowhere told me that Santa was also bringing him a toothbrush. So I decided that he could also ask for a toothbrush and that actually it would be cute if every year he got a new toothbrush. So I guess he does get a need every year. He doesn't get something to wear though, as I usually knit him a Christmas jumper that he gets for his Santa visit and is also worn for Christmas day. I guess I could throw a pair of socks/undies in his stocking.

WankersHacksandThieves · 05/08/2016 20:26

Mine used to get a new toothbrush (with a character or something on it) in their stocking every year and some strawberry toothpaste - it wasn't something they asked for but they got a fancy pancy one at Christmas to counteract all the sweeties and other rubbish consumed.