Every child dreams of seeing a tonne of brightly wrapped Christmas gifts under the tree every year, but the reality is the novelty of the gift is often more exciting than the gift itself.
For many homes, budgets are stretched, and Christmas can end up being an expensive time of year – beyond the presents.You might find that the ‘5 Gift Rule’ will work better in your household, getting the little ones to really think about what they want while reigning in the spending.
1. Something you wantThis will be the big-ticket Christmas present your children have been longing for all year (or the past month at the very least!) You can set a budget limit for this, but it’s going to be the one indulgent item just for them.
2. Something you needThere are so many things children need throughout the year that might seem exorbitant, so it’s well worth considering including this in the Christmas gifts. These could include items for the bedroom, sports equipment, or some hobby item.
3. Something to wearLet your child choose something they really want for their wardrobe, or something they need for next year. This could be a name-brand clothing item, sports shoes, a new swimming costume… anything they can wear.
4. Something to readEncourage that love of reading by getting them a literary item, whether it’s a book (second-hand also counts), a comic book, a magazine, an audiobook… anything along these lines. You can spring for a subscription if you feel it’s worthwhile.
5. Something to doThis could be a family game, a movie night, an outing somewhere fun… any shared experience they choose. You don’t have to spend a cent on this one!
If the 5 Gift Rule is too many, feel free to cut it down, but it helps manage expectations on the day and keeps everyone within budget.
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