Stuck for Christmas or birthday gifts ideas? Mum’s swear by this four-present rule

By Emmie Harrison-West
published

Savvy spending mums who don't want to overindulge their children love this four present rule.

Leaving Christmas presents for the kids until the last minute? Don’t worry - you won’t be the only one.

It’s very easy to get distracted by Christmas parties, carol concerts and cosy nights in with the family when you know you should be present shopping.

Don’t even get us started on what the kids want! Whenever an advert flies onto our screens about the latest must-have gadget, or toy, the list for Santa tends to grow longer…and more expensive!

But instead of splashing the cash and blowing your budget, parents across the UK are swearing by this four-present rule...

The first present you should buy your child, is something they want.

The second is something they need.

The third is something to wear.

And the fourth is something to read.

It’s so simple – and it’s easy to remember because it rhymes! Where has it been our whole life?!

Instead of wandering aimlessly around the shops on Christmas Eve, write those four rules on your shopping list and tick them off as you go along.

It means you won’t go over budget this year, and you’ll rest easy knowing your child is happy with their haul from Santa.

The idea has been around for few years, and shared by several websites and Facebook groups, most including the group Quirky Momma - where mum's went mad for the idea, commenting, ‘We’re going to do that this year.

‘Trying to have a more minimalist Christmas with quality over quantity.’

Another commenter said, ‘Yes we have done that for the past 3 years, I love it.

‘We also add one gift from Santa.’

The best thing is it works for birthdays, too. You’re welcome.

Emmie Harrison-West
Hiya! I’m Emmie, Commissioning Editor and digital features writer for TI Media. I help plan your (hopefully!) favourite glossy magazines Chat, Woman and Woman’s Own. All the stories that you read in these magazines have been hand-picked by me, just for you. I also contribute regular features to Goodtoknow.co.uk.   I live in London with my bearded husband and whatever cat decides to come through my flat’s cat-flap that day. Originally though, I’m a born and bred Geordie. Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to make sure that no Newcastle slang makes its way into my articles…areet, pet?   Outside of work – surprise, surprise - I write! I’m a freelance lifestyle, culture and travel writer for national newspapers and online magazines, including Daily Mail, The Sun, The Mirror, Metro.co.uk, Glamour, Huff Post, Time Out London. I’ve written about everything from weight and mental health, to period sex and being a woman today. One of my career highlights was appearing on Channel 4’s TV show ‘Supershoppers’ to talk about my great love affair with pasta. I’m also writing a book (pray for me!).   Aside from pasta (and *maybe* my husband), writing is my greatest love. My dad often had his name appear in music magazines when I was growing up, and thankfully he kept them all for me. I remember sitting amongst these magazines skyscrapers as a kid, marvelling at the shiny covers, colourful pictures and bold words thinking ‘My name will be in one of these one day’. My dream came true aged 23 when I officially graduated as an accredited journalist, and got my first ever magazine job.   Feel free to follow my ramblings and mishaps on Twitter – and please hit me up if you have any tips on how to write a book successfully without wailing every five minutes that I’ve only written 10 words in three weeks.
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