Since our little man was born, we have realized how crazy the holiday season really gets for most people. There’s a bizarre primal instinct that wells up in parents and makes them want to purchase everything they see for their children. My little guy’s birthday is at the beginning of January, so presents can get a little out-of-hand this time of the year. Between his two grandparents and numerous aunts & uncles on my side, plus three grandparents and even more aunts & uncles on my husband’s side of the family…most of the time I don’t know what to do with all the gifts little man gets during the holiday season!
However, last year I heard about this new Christmas gift philosophy, and I have adopted it as my own. It’s called the “Want, Need, Wear, Read” philosophy. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Basically, each person in your household receives 4 gifts for Christmas {which we also do for birthdays}:
I have found that since adopting this philosophy, we have been less stressed during the holiday season. We don’t have to worry about over-spending or going crazy on Black Friday. It has also helped little man realize that the spirit of this season isn’t all about receiving gifts. In addition, we are able to give more to others, which our son is involved with. This year we chose a 1-3 year old little boy to purchase a toy & necessity for, and little man is old enough to understand what we’re doing which really gets me excited!
Oh…and for those of you who think we might be depriving our child of a wonderful holiday experience…don’t worry…he still gets PLENTY of presents from the family mentioned above! This is simply something we, as a family of three, have chosen to integrate into our list of holiday traditions.
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I think this is brilliant. It’s so easy to get swept up in the stuff and the craziness of it all. One year I got each person in my life one gift, one gift and I specifically chose it to help them realize or to reenergize a dream they once had. It was super cool. This year we’re downsizing our thought of a traditional Christmas and I’m handmaking almost everything. I think it’s going to mean more, and for once we won’t contribute to our debt monster over the holidays. In fact he’ll get a bit smaller.
That’s wonderful! I love receiving a handmade gift…you always know thought & effort goes into it!
I think this is wonderful.
How funny! I just drafted a similar post to be posted tomorrow!
That’s a great idea, I think it definitely covers all the bases. Although for me I think the need/want and read would all be the same category:)
That’s always my problem too!
I looove this philosophy! It’s just brilliant!! I always get stumped while buying gifts. Specially for guys.
Thanks for sharing. :)
I saw this on facebook this winter and thought it was a great idea. I would love if you would share your post on Fall Into the Holidays, open from Saturday through Thursday.
http://redcrowgreencrow.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/fall-into-the-holidays-11/
Hope to see you there!
Katie @ Horrific Knits
This is a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!
I saw this on instagram and really like the philosophy! Our little guys get way too much during the holidays – and this is a great way to break it down and still enjoy buying and giving!