Five Gift Rule: Something You Want, Need, Wear, Read

NAVIGATION

If there is anything that I have learned being a part of the minimalism community, it’s that quality matters more than quantity, especially when it comes to giving gifts. The ethos of the want, need, wear, read research is to create a meaningful holiday focused on more than just giving or receiving gifts alone.

Something You Want, Need, Wear, Read: Five Gift Rule Christmas

When the holidays roll around, minimalist ideals can be hard to stick to! Living as a minimalist isn’t that insane in daily life because you don’t need to buy a ton in the day to day.

However, gift giving around Christmas is a true challenge that many minimalist families run into every year. One thing I really love about the minimalist community is that we are always trying to come up with new strategies to tackle some of the more challenging aspects of minimalism, like giving minimalist gifts.

One of my favorite approaches to gift giving around the holidays is giving clutter-free gifts centered on experiences. Another approach that I’m into is the five gift rule that’s been circulating in the minimalist community as of late.

What Is The Five Christmas Gift Rule?

The five Christmas gift rule is making its appearance in the minimalist community as families start shopping for the holidays. Basically, each family member is allowed to ask for and receive five gifts total each holiday season.

Four of these gifts should fall under the categories of one thing you want, one thing you need, one thing you can wear, and one thing you can read. The fifth gift is based on a special experience you can share with your loved ones.

Want, Need, Wear, Read Gift Ideas For Kids

Instilling minimalist ideas in your kids from an early age is honestly one of the best ways to help them understand the value of what they own while they are little.

I don’t have kids of my own, but I have seen my friends who raise minimalist kids use challenges like this with their families around the holidays. It really does have an inspiring impact on the overall spirit of the season.

Something You Want Gift Ideas For Kids

Of course, there is plenty out there that kids desire to get their hands on around the holidays. The “want” gift should definitely be centered around something your child truly loves. This is a great opportunity to choose gifts that reflect your child’s most favorite hobbies and passions.

Something You Need Gift Ideas For Kids

The “need” gift should be something useful to your child. Think about gift ideas that could improve their daily lives or items that could be put to use at school or in their weekly activities.

My friends who do this usually think about what needs their kids have had in that year leading up to Christmas. Maybe their daughter or son wanted to redecorate their room that year, so they might get them paint or wallpaper. If their kid is starting school, they might choose a backpack or water bottle for the year.

Something You Wear Gift Ideas For Kids

The “wear” category is pretty self-explanatory — anything your child can actually put on counts as a wear gift. When thinking about this category, try to imagine what clothing your kids might actually get the most use out of as the year progresses.

Don’t just buy the clothes that look nice and flashy. Spend some time thinking about the life and quality of the article of clothing you’re choosing and how your kid could get the most use out of their wardrobe.

Something You Read Gift Ideas For Kids

Stimulating the minds of your little ones is one of the best ways to give them a quality gift around the holidays. There are tons of ways to engage your kids in the world of literature and stimulate their minds around the holidays.

Want, Need, Wear, Read Gift Ideas For Adults

This minimalist gift challenge doesn’t just help kids. It can also be extremely beneficial for adults, especially around the holidays.

I’ll spare you the mushy gushy true meaning of the holidays speech, but as a guy who loves what the minimalist community stands for, I really have seen this kind of thinking change people and help them grow towards being more appreciative, more conscious of what they own, and more thankful for what they have.

Something You Want Gift Ideas For Adults

I think it’s easy in adulthood to start thinking of the holidays as a way to ask for those things you need to clean, cook, and get through your day. While that’s all well and good, I think it’s important to remember that you’re allowed to play even as a grown up!

For the want category, consider asking for things that make you smile and represent your passions and joys, not just what you need.

Something You Need Gift Ideas For Adults

Ideas for a “need” gift work best when you think about what items could really enhance your daily life. Maybe you are trying to start working out more, so a workout set is a helpful need. Maybe you could use some new furniture in your living room — there are so many ways to tackle this category.

Something You Wear Gift Ideas For Adults

Focus the “wear” category on clothing items that you think will improve the quality of your daily life or complete your wardrobe. It’s all about quality over quantity when it comes to this category, so spend some time evaluating the longevity of the items you’re considering purchasing.

Something You Read Gift Ideas For Adults

As an extremely avid reader myself, the “read” category is my favorite one on this list. I love thinking of ways I can engage my mind more each holiday season.

In a nutshell, this challenge is an awesome way to remind your friends and family that consumerism isn’t really what holidays are about. Limiting yourself to five gifts helps you to ensure quality gifts that won’t just sit around and collect dust and keeps the true reasons that you celebrate at the forefront of your holiday.

Your Turn!

• What five gifts will you choose this season?
• How can the five gift rule help you remember your values?

By Ryan Mitchell on October 25, 2022   /   Minimalism   /   Leave a comment

Tags: Minimalist