Does anybody follow the four present rule?

[Mallowmarshmallow]

Something they want
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read....

My two (3 and 1) have got birthdays in August and January and my house is full of toys that don't get played with because they have a handful of real favourites that they play with all the time.

I'm thinking of a stocking with some small bits in then follow this rule and wondering if anyone else had made it work?

Yep, done this for years. MN generally hates it and you'll get a lot of very negative replies. Works really well for us though.

Well kind of but not one of each. I might put 4 books in and maybe pyjamas, socks, a couple of tops. Lots of chocolate. So yes the principal but lots of stuff to open.
I love doing the stocking and shopping for it.

I tried last year. It was fun to do. Depending on the person I substituted the "wear" for "drink"

Mallow have you tried keeping out their favourites and splitting the rest into say 4 piles. Put 3 away, only have 1 lot of those toys out at any one time, and then bring out a new box/bag every so often. Works really well for us - he'll usually play happily by himself for at least an hour with all the 'new' toys!

I don't stick to the 4 present rule, but I do limit what he gets!

And I'm ruthless with broken/incomplete toys or ones he doesn't bother with even when they reappear. Charity shop or bin, depending.

Oh no, fluffy I don't want to anger the MN crowd....apologies in advance.....

I do, most certainly, need to do a thoroughly ruthless clear out (DH is not overly supportive with this) in advance of the birthday/Christmas celebrations.

I could certainly rotate toys better too.

For me, it's not about dampening the excitement; I love the festive period, it's just that they get so many toys they won't play with properly and I'd love to find a way to give them things they will enjoy more.

It's July. I've just didn't s day at the beach.
Why are we talking Christmas?

...Because we're in the Christmas topic

I do that for myself. DS generally gets a small mountain of whatever crap he asked for. But he was born on Christmas Eve so it is a double celebration for him

Nope

I'm not quite going by the 4 gift rule but I cutting back this year because my 4yo and 11yo share a room and we're rapidly running out of space for stuff plus they don't really bother with toys or stuff so it's pointless really.

My plan is to get them:
A book (Minifigure encyclopedia / Dr Seuss)
Something practical (Crochet throw / Hooded fleece blanket)
A novelty item (? / Bright Light pillow)
A game (Ticket to Ride / ?)
Main gift from list (possibly Lego train set / Bike)

I will probably add in a few bits but I'm trying not to go overboard as things are just sitting gathering dust now!

Other list gifts are deligated amongst family.

I do the four present rule and then I read the bargain thread and multiply the amount..... A few times

I find the rhyme a bit joyless if I'm honest, I do usually buy books and do sometimes get something they'll wear or need but only if I think they'll really like it and not so much as they've got older (pre-teen now). So they have both had new bedding sets in the past, DD had her big car seat when she was about 3 or 4 (and is still fond of it even though she hasn't legally needed to use it for a good couple of years). I totally get the "too much stuff" problem though as we have a small house and birthdays close to Christmas.

No it's stupid.

I do Play, Wear, Read, Share for my DC - they're all 5 and under so I couldn't think of any needs that could wait for Christmas. I'm aiming for the 'share' present evolving into a new family board game every year (once they're all old enough to play!)

Yes it's a great 'rule'

I get the kids one big present (around 50 pounds) and 2 smaller presents (around 25 pounds each). My in-laws send money (50 pounds per child) and my parents usually send them some clothes, a book and some sweets. Plus they get a stocking full of sweets and tat. It really is plenty and they love Christmas. I see on Facebook friends who have bought piles of gifts for their kids but we are a big family and don't have the space (or money).

So I do a variation of this, they get two presents from us under the tree both things they want, one from us and one from father Christmas.

Then they get a slightly bigger stocking than most people I think, it has 21 things in it, 5 things to read, 5 things they need, 5 things they can eat and 5 things they want plus 1 soft toy poking out the top. I shop around all year for the stocking bits and they aren't massive.

The need things are normally 1. PJs 2. Socks 3. Character toothbrush 4. T shirt 5. Shower gel. The food includes a mini box of cereal for that day. The want things normally have a couple of tiny presents and maybe one or two things they have asked for- Lego minifigures/ small playmobil set.

Although I follow a pretty set formula they are wildly excited each year, very appreciative and full of Christmas magic so it seems to work. We have a big toy clear out over the summer holidays in preparation as well.

@ChasingHighs really helpful contribution, why do you think it's stupid?

I'd never heard of this before, I think I might try it as we're newly cash strapped (just gone on maternity leave) and we're terrible for overbuying.

My grandmother started the tradition of a book, a toy, and something homemade. Santa would top it up with a big present like a bike. My mom was one of four so the presents could really add up. Plus as my grandmother said if three presents was good enough for Jesus is hood enough for you. I miss her.

Englishrose I like your thinking.

I don't strictly follow the saying but I sort of follow it. This year however I think I will need more of a structure to what I'm buying. It's baby's first real Christmas (born too close to count last year). I want them to have the same number of gifts.
I'm thinking they will get one gift from us, one from Santa and other bits n pieces. I'm running out of ideas for my older child other than more Lego. And the baby will end up inheriting lots of toys too.

I don't exactly, but over the years I have consciously cut back. My 2 DC have numerous relatives who buy for them, so I'll pass on ideas from the DCs lists (I'm also quite ruthless with the lists, DD is notorious for wanting EVERYTHING, but they know just because it's on the list, it doesn't mean they're going to get it). DH and I will then get the remaining things which will normally be around £50 each. We used to buy our presents for the DC first and then struggle with ideas for relatives, which resulted in far too many unnecessary presents, doing it this way around is so much better for us and more economical as relatives aren't buying unwanted gifts, the DC are getting what they asked for and we're not blowing our budget. Although saying that my DC are only 7 and 5 so their tastes aren't extravagant yet anyway, give it a few more years and I'm sure it'll be a different story

I don't follow that rule but I do something similar. They choose one main present, and then I get them three smaller ones. Last year DS wanted a guitar. He also got a nerf.gun, Science exploding kit, and mid size lego kit. They also get a stocking last year it had minecraft t.shirt, small set of pokemon cards, smal bag of lego. Small bits and pieces I picked up in M&S sale and TIGER along with gold coins, a tube of sweets.

We don't have a big family, Just one sister of DH's side. There are two grandmothers on reduced income and we do kids only with a few friends. So they do get gifts elsewhere but not vast amounts.

Kids are now 10. I know this sounds a little on the meagre side when I look at some of the lists on MN but they are happy. I get what I can throughout the year.

3 here one for each wise man....

Gowgirl I really like that idea :)