Victorian "4 gift" Christmas

[Thystle]

Something they want
Something they need
Something to play with
Something to read



I have posted about this before and there are many variations floating around the web. For those who get stuck, have any type of budget, or want to curb down the over gifting/over spending... it's a fun little rhyme to remember!


And it can be a challenge to creatively fill it!

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Thystle

Something they want
Something they need
Something to play with
Something to read



I have posted about this before and there are many variations floating around the web. For those who get stuck, have any type of budget, or want to curb down the over gifting/over spending... it's a fun little rhyme to remember!


And it can be a challenge to creatively fill it!

Hi! We've been doing it this way for about 6 years now.

We do:

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to Read

The 'play with' when they're younger is usually their 'want' anyhow. I find it is a really nice guideline, and can work within any budget. We do it for the adults, too.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to Read

It's funny, we were doing this long before I heard the rhyme a few years ago. It is a good guideline for gift-giving. It's also nice when the categories overlap a little!

[Jenn_M]

We haven't in the past but I think this will be our "rule" for Christmas shopping this year. We'll probably go with the need, want, wear, read version .

[Marissamom]

I like this, last year I think we went a little overboard on DD's christmas presents, a 6-month-old really doesn't care what they get. we did a lot better with her birthday because I figured I would let my family get her toys and clothes. we gave her cloth diapers, bowls, and a swimsuit. all things we needed anyway.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Our revision is:

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

The want = usually a toy.
The wear = Christmas Eve PJs
The Do = an outing -- a hike, skiing, snowshoeing -- usually done ON Christmas day to make is special.
The Share = board game they can play with their siblings or a food treat. This year it will be a bin of legos I got at a garage sale.

[EdnaMarie]

Yes, I love this. We do something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. I *love* the share idea because we don't really need that much, so I think maybe we'll do want-wear-read-share thing. That's fantastic.

[mommariffic]

I am doing this on Christmas too! For my kids anyway

[Attila the Honey]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Our revision is:

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

The want = usually a toy.
The wear = Christmas Eve PJs
The Do = an outing -- a hike, skiing, snowshoeing -- usually done ON Christmas day to make is special.
The Share = board game they can play with their siblings or a food treat. This year it will be a bin of legos I got at a garage sale.

I love this one. I love the idea of an outing, and I love the idea of a 'family gift'! I might just add a book, doesn't fit the rhyme but it's always a nice gift to give also.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to Read

That is what we do as well.

[wendybird]

Crunchy*VT*Mom

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

We were doing the want,wear,need,read but all agree we like this one! Thanks!

[starling&diesel]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Our revision is:

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

So cool! We do the want/need/wear/read, but I like your version better! Count us in!

[Thystle]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Our revision is:

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

The want = usually a toy.
The wear = Christmas Eve PJs
The Do = an outing -- a hike, skiing, snowshoeing -- usually done ON Christmas day to make is special.
The Share = board game they can play with their siblings or a food treat. This year it will be a bin of legos I got at a garage sale.

I REALLY like this version too!

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by Thystle

Something they want
Something they need
Something to play with
Something to read



I have posted about this before and there are many variations floating around the web. For those who get stuck, have any type of budget, or want to curb down the over gifting/over spending... it's a fun little rhyme to remember!


And it can be a challenge to creatively fill it!

We do this and it works out really well. They also get Christmas Jammies they open on Christmas eve. We don't buy new stuff any other time of the year, really, (except maybe some new clothes for Easter, and birthday), so we like to go a little wild for Christmas

[delightedbutterfly]

We do the want, need, wear, read... But we also do stockings as well.

And with the read/books I also add in pajamas in the box but we don't give them Christmas eve as usually my mom and/or MIL will do that.
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[OkiMom]

Im trying to implement the 3 wise men gifts for the girls. The wise men brought Jesus 3 gifts so we give each other 3 gifts during Christmas. Since they are young I'm trying to have it be:
-one Daddy has control of because I do everything else pretty much for their Christmas (I plan, bake, cook, wrap, put together, sew etc etc)
-Something for them to share (this year we are doing a dress up trunk for the two of them to share)
- something homemade (this year we are doing a puppet theatre for one and a box of felt animals to play with the theatre with for the other- my girls love to share right now, I know I'm blessed, so I thought this would give them a chance to play together.. and I stop having to hold the little castle up that they use as a theater)

eta- We do Christmas outfits but they are given way before Christmas and are worn to any work/church parties we go to, as well as for Christmas pictures for the family and Christmas day. We do PJs (which the girls generally would get anyway but giving it to them on Christmas eve guarantees fully dressed kids Christmas morning) and stockings as well.

[nadia105]

We're planning on this for the kids this year again. It really helps limit the 'but I really think we should get him/her just a couple more things'. 4 thoughtful things are plenty.

I remember Christmases when I was growing up when I couldn't even remember all of the things I got, I think it's better for them to be able to recount it!

[PoetryLover]

We're DEFINITELY doing this this year!

[TheSavedQuarter]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Our revision is:

Something you Want
Something you Wear
Something you Do
Something you SHARE!

The want = usually a toy.
The wear = Christmas Eve PJs
The Do = an outing -- a hike, skiing, snowshoeing -- usually done ON Christmas day to make is special.
The Share = board game they can play with their siblings or a food treat. This year it will be a bin of legos I got at a garage sale.

I love, love, LOVE your variation! We've been doing the "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read" but I'm flumoxed coming up with something they need right now. We just got a huge cache of used books at the book fair for $20 - nearly a full shelf of children's books - so we don't need more books right away.

My mother in law does an activity (usually swim lessons or kinder gym classes) and that's always a huge hit. A family membership to a zoo or children's museum would fit this really well. I also love the idea of something to share.

I think I'm switching to your version.

[hadleys_mom]

This year we're going to do:

something you do
something you share
something to play with
something to create with