When Hank was born, I went nuts.  I bought a ton of Christmas gifts.  And then Christmas came and we realized we had a few problems:  1.  He was 3 months old and could not open any of his gifts…and 2.  He did not care.  Not even enough to try and put the bows and paper in his mouth.  But he had 64 gifts to open.

And then we had a lot of stuff.  All at once.  Ugg.  Talk about overwhelming.  So the next year we did things a little differently.  We started following the four gift rule.

Something they want

Something they need

Something to wear

Something to read

Four gifts.  Not 7, not 18.  Four.  It is not only fun for them, but it is so much stinkin fun for me.  I put SO MUCH MORE THOUGHT into what I buy them.  I listen to the things they really want and really need.  I put so much consideration into what should go into their library and wardrobe.  And then…best part ever…we don’t have a house full of stuff we aren’t madly in love with.

As you go into this crazy holiday season, enjoy every minute.  If you don’t have the time, the money, or the room to buy all the stuff…well, then don’t.  Sometimes, less is more.  Maybe your four gift rule is a one gift rule.  You do what works for you and your family!

Merry Christmas!