If you do the "four things"..

[drspouse]

What have you done for "something you need"?
Previously I've done hobbies, things for bedrooms, and nice plates/cups but they don't need any of those this year!

A day out? Everyone needs to make memories! Or have one on one time with a parent.

Do they need new headphones for school? A new backpack/lunch box.

Scooter or bike. Maybe another type of physical activity, mine could always do with a new way of burning some energy or encouragement to go outside!!!

A watch or possibly fitbit type one if they are interested in fitness tracking.

A cuddly toy, everyone needs someone to squeeze. Even as an adult if I've had a bad day having a cuddle with my favourite teddy makes me feel better 🥰 squishmallows are particularly good for this as they are soft and squishy but also could be used as a pillow which is what my eldest does.

A hamper of their favourite foods/treats. Everyone needs to eat!!

I kind of do the 4 things because I think it generally gives a nice mix of gifts for the DC. But my interpretation is very loose. Generally ‘need’ is something relating to hobbies or to develop specific interests. But sometimes I just make the gift I’d like to get them ‘fit’!

This year DS13’s ‘need’ is a V8 model engine because he wants to be an engineer Sao he needs toys like this to develop his interest.

DD9 wants to learn to do more styles with her head so she needs a stylings head to practice on.

DD3 is getting an interactive toy dog for her ‘need’ because she keeps arguing with her sister over hers so clearly she needs her own!!

*styles with her hair not head!

what are the 4 things?
what does that mean?

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba

what are the 4 things? what does that mean?

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

My sister does it when choosing pressies for my niece. Couldn’t really tell you what she’d bought though!

A weighted blanket or something like an Oodie?

I do the 4 Things as well- really helps focus the gift buying on decent stuff that’ll be loved and used, rather than panic buying when you’re worried you haven’t bought enough!

@Spidey66

thanks.
never heard of this so clearly we don't do it.
sounds like a lot of effort so I won't start now😁

Toothbrush ?
Hat ?
Sunglasses?
Watch ?
Wifi credit?
Notebook ?

Bike helmet ?

We do:
Something you want
Something you need
Something to eat
Something to read
Something that smells nice
Something to do
All wrapped up with love for you

Want is main thing on Christmas list
Need is normally nicer version of normal things - hoodie, socks underwear etc. Eg Victoria’s Secret instead of Tesco!
Eat - chocolate usually
Read - book or magazine subscription
Smells nice - toiletries mostly but have done scented candles as well
Something to do - diamond painting, board games etc

They do get a small stocking as well as that though

What age?

Hair stuff?, so bobbles/bands, slides and new hairbrush for young ones, hair dryer/straighteners for teens, new brush comb and gel type stuff for boys.
Electric toothbrush.
Open a savings account if they don't have one. Or Premium Bonds.
School supplies.
Toiletries.
Beach towel.
Metal water bottle.
Contact lenses if they wear glasses.

I've never heard this referred to outside of MN.

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

And chocolate

A watch or some nice stationary?

Honestly I use these as a guide but tend to use 'something they need' more as something that I think they should have or would enjoy but wouldn't necessarily ask for, like a telescope or a globe or a harmonica or an easel. Often after the excitement of more plastic tat the present that they want, this ends up being the present they actually use the most and get the most enjoyment from. I know it says need, but I don't think it needs to be need as in a functional item only, because kids need play, learning, creative opportunities, fun etc. as well as new bags and things for their hobbies

I hate the “4 things” especially for kids, surely Christmas is about receiving things you want? I need a vacuum cleaner but would be very pissed off to receive one for Christmas 😬. Not everyone likes books and receiving clothes as a 5 year old is disappointing.

I know people want to reduce the amount bought and I’m all for only buying 4 gifts but they should all be things you want rather than things you need.

Sports/activity equipment is a good ‘need’

It enabled my DS to have to more expensive football boots he really wanted rather than just buying cheaper standard ones.

I think some people take these 4 things way too literally. You can interpret them however you want. I always see people say ‘surely if it’s something they need or something to wear it’s an essential and you should just buy it anyway’. My ‘need’ presents are never essential items and my ‘wear’ presents are never essential clothing…they are always indulgent things that the DC will love. My DC’s ‘wear’ presents are an oodie (DS13), a rucksack that my DD (9) has specifically asked for, and a giant puppet for DD3 to play with! Fair enough if some kids don’t like reading, but plenty of other things could fit ‘something to read’. I’ve made tickets to something, experience presents and animal adoptions something to read’ because they have to open it and read what their present is. It’s open to interpretation…I just like that you get a good mix of presents rather than same old same old.

I should have specified ages!

DD is 7 and has short hair and won't wear hairbands/clips. She plays football but doesn't need anything for that. She is in Beavers but has her top, a Beaver teddy and a camp blanket.
DS is 9 and has SEN and doesn't really like sports except swimming (and he doesn't need a new swimsuit, or any water toys). He's in Cubs but again has his top and a camp blanket.

I am getting them Comfy hoodies (which have a Junior size, DD is tiny so the Oodies would be bigger than her by a long way) as something to wear (they both have WAY too many clothes).
I like it as a PP has said so they get a mix, and not just endless plastic toys with bits to lose. They have both really liked getting cute house-y things before.
We find it easy to get things to Read, Want is as a PP said something they have asked for (DD wants some more Lottie dolls, DS a specific Lego board game).

I should add that they are getting a play room makeover (swings, a build yourself sofa, and a climbing wall so I may decide that's enough, but given the state of deliveries, I don't want to be left with The Itch around Dec 15th!)

Mine is only 15 months and I’ve loosely done this, if only to rein myself in a bit! ‘Need’ in our case is a learning tower for the kitchen (local carpenter made for like half the price you see them online) and it was more me that needed it as I can’t keep cooking/ doing jobs one handed whilst she insists on being held so she can see what I’m doing.

Other things that could be ‘need’ for older children -

• Electric toothbrush (my nephew has one on his list he’s very excited about it!)

-Toiletries - some kind of character version if there’s anything they like -Hot water bottle/ plush hottie thing -Wellies - in next size up If they already have? -Torches - they can ‘need’ them for reading their new books or for going on torchlight walks in the winter or whatever -Do they do swimming lessons? - something for that, or indeed the lessons themselves -New school bag, lunch box, pencil cases or stationary

• Art/ craft supplies
• PJs/ dressing down - ok it’s wear but could be both

Or book a family day out/ theatre or cinema visit - you ‘need’ to spend time together as a family and they will ‘need’ their ticket to come along (or if they themselves know/ expect the want need wear read thing you could just explain as there’s nothing they really need this year you’ve decided to fill this slot in this way).

My daughter suggested this for her four things, book, book, hoodie with a book in its pocket and a book. They've now moved into a tiny flat with no room for books so she's panicky about her Christmas gift this year.

Do you need to give something “they need” just to fulfil the logic of the “four things”?

It looks like they actually don’t need anything so why not spoil them with an addition to another gift? Or just drop the number for a year.

Or look from another angle, does it has to be a physical thing? You could say “they need to see a play, go to a place, do a certain activity”.

@drspouse, how about something to play music in their rooms like an echo dot, or maybe a watch/fitness tracker? Do they need a new rucksack for school? Are they interested in painting or baking that they need equipment/supplies for? A game or some to entertain themselves?

One of them has a Google mini speaker. I am thinking of trying a Tonie or Yoto for the other one but we would get it as a trial in case she doesn't like it.
And they would both definitely like bath stuff and torches! Also handy for Beavers/Cubs (the ones we used at the last camp were a bit impractical/small/dim).
I think it's about learning they get practical gifts too IYSWIM. But a visit or activity could be practical too.

@drspouse get them head torches. DD is an Explorer and uses them always. Both hands are free so more practical and also great for any outdoor meeting in winter.