The Four-Gift Rule: A Conscious Way of Giving Childcare

What is the four-gift rule?

There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the innocent, excited eyes of children in front of a Christmas tree full of presents. However, it’s important to be aware that an avalanche of toys can overwhelm them, preventing them from focusing on each one and ultimately diminishing their enjoyment.

Managing the gifts children receive at Christmas in a balanced and sensible way is essential, which is why we need to ask ourselves how many presents the little ones in the household should get. According to psychologists, the perfect number is four, not one more and not one less. This way, we can prevent children from becoming overwhelmed by too many gifts, feeling stressed, losing focus, and ultimately not playing with any of their toys.

This rule provides a way to set guidelines when choosing Christmas gifts, limiting the number to just four. This helps to preserve and even heighten children’s excitement, while also promoting values such as responsibility, decision-making, and the ability to accept limits.
 

The 4 categories: What types of gifts are included?

1. Something to wear or use

Choose clothes, shoes or accessories that they will use on a daily basis.

2. Something to read

Encouraging a love of reading is a wonderful gift and it’s a habit we can help children develop. We should take their preferences into account to encourage them to read, whether it’s a comic, an adventure book, or even an e-book.

3. Something they really want

This is the time to take a look at the wish list the children have written to the Three Wise Men or Father Christmas and choose the toy they truly long for.

4. Something they need

We should look for a gift that is useful in their daily life, such as an accessory for their favourite sport or a set of coloured pencils.

Consider the child’s preferences and interests, and be sure to choose gifts that are age-appropriate, educational, and inspire imagination and creativity. The most important thing is that they learn to explore the full potential of their gifts, enjoy playing with them, and create happy memories from the experience.

Emotional and educational benefits of giving thoughtfully

Giving thoughtfully means choosing a gift that conveys genuine and heartfelt emotions, such as love, gratitude, or appreciation, and that aligns with the recipient’s values and personality. It’s about giving more than just a material object, focusing on the message you wish to convey, the connection you want to foster, and the positive impact you hope to have on the other person.

Giving consciously and with purpose brings numerous emotional benefits, such as strengthening bonds, reducing stress, and fostering empathy, gratitude, and happiness for both the giver and the recipient, while also contributing to their well-being and 
promoting social connection. On the other hand, from an educational perspective, providing meaningful experiences can enhance social and creative skills, as well as the acquisition of intangible values, in both children and adults.