5 Gift Christmas Rule: A Full-Length Guide With Gift Examples

Head's up! This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links at no additional cost to you. The content we produce is not sponsored. All items were selected independently. I picked these specials and goods because I think you'll like them at these prices.

The 5 Gift Christmas Rule is a rule that dictates you should give 5 gifts to those closest to you for Christmas. This might sound like a lot, but it’s actually not as difficult as it seems! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 5 quick and easy ways that will ensure your 5 gift Christmas rule goes off without a hitch!

The Secret to the Five Gift Rule is straightforward. Instead of wasting money on gifts or attempting to purchase enough presents to fill up space beneath the tree, we stick to the five-thing limit. Each object is classified according to a theme, making shopping easier.

In the 5 Gift Rule, the first four presents are all about what they want, need, wear, and read. And for the fifth gift, it is experience.

How Much Do Parents Spend on Their Child for Christmas?

According to a recent survey, American moms plan to spend an average of $400 on gifts for each child this Christmas. One in ten respondents said they would spend more than $800 on gifts for each kid. Despite the poor economy, only one-fourth of parents say they will spend less on presents this year, and people generally end up spending more than planned.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts that Americans will spend about $998 on gifts, food, and decorations in 2021-2022, the same amount they planned to spend in 2020.

How to Incorporate the 5 Gift Rule for Christmas?

I am a big fan of the holiday. I’m also a giver, and I enjoy giving. But I’m also thrifty. I prefer to get gifts for individuals that they will like and value — things that are meaningful to them.

We’ve never been one to over-indulge our children at Christmas. It originates from the days when parents would go overboard and then have to come up with extra money for layaway payment or open a new credit card just for presents.

We determined that was not the experience we desired for our sons, so gift-giving was scaled back significantly from what we’d done in the past. It wasn’t until my Grandparents brought two GIANT building black bags FILLED with stuff for my littles that we realized there needed to be a change in strategy.

5 Gift Rule Christmas Present Ideas

What should you get your children for Christmas with a 5 Gift Rule? Here’s a list of ideas for each of the five categories.

Something They Want

The big-ticket present. This is the toy or gift your kid truly wants. This is self-explanatory. Of course, your kid may add something to this list that’s totally excessive, but it will at least provide you with a few options to choose from. Perhaps it’s a bike or scooter, a dollhouse, a train set, or some remote control equipment.

The greatest benefit of this is that it informs you exactly what your youngster desires, not simply the newest hot toy or fad on the market. It will most likely have something to do with the current technology or gaming system as they get older, but you know your financial restrictions best.

Sale
LEGO Marvel Infinity Gauntlet Set 76191, Collectible Thanos Glove with Infinity Stones,...
8,805 Reviews
LEGO Marvel Infinity Gauntlet Set 76191, Collectible Thanos Glove with Infinity Stones,...
  • Features a LEGO brick recreation of the iconic Infinity Gauntlet with Infinity Stones, and a sturdy stand with a descriptive tablet
  • The golden Thanos glove captures forever the captivating style of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame movies
  • This impressive homage to Marvel features Thanos' Gauntlet with movable fingers and vibrant colors resulting in a timeless display piece
Sale
Townley Girl L.O.L Surprise Non-Toxic Peel-Off Nail Polish Set with Glittery, Shimmer &...
802 Reviews
Townley Girl L.O.L Surprise Non-Toxic Peel-Off Nail Polish Set with Glittery, Shimmer &...
  • KIT INCLUDES : 18 Nail Polish Bottles With Glittery, Shimmer And Opaque Colors. Shades Include: Pink, green, purple, blue, orange, white, green and more! Polish types include glitter, shimmer and opaque.! Get Creative by Mixing and Matching.
  • MADE FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 AND UP : Our Nail Polish Set Are Carefully Designed for Girls Ages 5+. Our Non-toxic, Non-irritating, Water-based Formula Makes Our Polishes Kids Friendly and Safe for Your Young Ones Aged Three Years and Older.
  • EASY TO APPLY : Polish Enables Little Girls To Explore Fashion And Beauty Safely. Throw A Slumber Party and Host a Play Spa Day Complete with Manicures and Pedicures. Our Nail Polish Formula Dries Quickly, So Your Little One Can Get to Play Without Waiting. Perfect for Small Hands and Feet.
Sale
Auspicious beginning Stuffed Animal Shiba Inu Plush Toy Anime Corgi Kawaii Plush Dog Soft...
15,717 Reviews
Auspicious beginning Stuffed Animal Shiba Inu Plush Toy Anime Corgi Kawaii Plush Dog Soft...
  • ★Materials: Premium plush fabrics; Feather PP cotton filler - Soft plush pillow. ★High quality inner is really comfortable to hold and supprot your lumbar.
  • ★Length: 15.7 "(40cm), 19.6"(50cm). -Note: please measure the stuffed shiba from its nose to hip, when it recover full.
  • ★Comfortable Companion: Presents super soft, cute, & adorable stuffed animals that unfold into fuzzy pillows for sleep. Teens, & adults love these classic & collectible comfy critters.
Sale
Bravokids Toys for 3-6 Years Old Girls Boys, LCD Writing Tablet 10 Inch Doodle Board,...
24,922 Reviews
Bravokids Toys for 3-6 Years Old Girls Boys, LCD Writing Tablet 10 Inch Doodle Board,...
  • EYE PROTECTION COLOR SCREEN: 10-inch LCD colorful screen, easy for viewing and graffiti, free child’s imagination. This kids drawing tablet without radiation, no glare, safe and comfortable, even kids use for a long time. Learning education toys birthday gifts for girls age 3-8.
  • PROTECT ENVIRONMENT: Over 100,000 times smoothly rewriting ,save thousands of paper and ink with just one drawing board, reduce tree felling. Protect our environment from now on!
  • EASY TO USE: Writing tablet doodle board creates lines as writing and drawing on paper, the different thickness based on how hard you push with stylus, nails, or any hard thing. Emptying the screen content in one second by press earse button, acheive time-saving and convenient using. Click lock key of doodle board to save the content.
Sale
PlayShifu Educational Globe for Kids - Orboot Earth (Globe + App) Interactive AR World...
14,800 Reviews
PlayShifu Educational Globe for Kids - Orboot Earth (Globe + App) Interactive AR World...
  • EARLY LEARNING GLOBE WITH AR: Orboot Earth world globe takes your child on a journey around the Planet Earth. Scan the globe with the companion app to bring it alive and explore the world in different modes inside the app. Full of visual storytelling, music, animal facts and voice interactions, world quizzes, globe puzzles and challenges for ages 4 to 10. (No borders and no names on Globe)
  • EDUCATIONAL FACTS IN THE ORBOOT APP: Explore 400+ highlights and 1000+ world facts across 6 categories in AR - animals, cultures, monuments, inventions, maps and cuisines of the world. Learn about the food chain and balance the ecosystem of your national park, go on scavenger hunts around the world, and take part in fun quizzes for every category
  • CHECK YOUR DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: This smart globe works with the free Orboot app that can be downloaded from the App Store or Play Store on your device (no in-app purchases required). Compatible with - iPad 5th gen & above, iPad Air all models, iPad Pro All models, iPad Mini 2 & above, iPhone 6 & above; Android 3GB RAM and above. Amazon Fire devices are currently not supported

Something They Need

Hobby item, sports equipment, necessity. You could be receiving a gift of new winter boots or underwear. It may be a new bed comforter, a new backpack, or anything else they’ll need.

It might be a new fishing pole or a booklight if they don’t want anything. It’s always nice to pique their interests, and I’m always on the lookout for a way to provide kids with additional activities aside from looking at a screen.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet, 8' HD, ages 6–12, 32 GB, (2021 release), Doodle
16,333 Reviews
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet, 8" HD, ages 6–12, 32 GB, (2021 release), Doodle
  • Save up to $70 on a full-featured tablet (not a toy) designed specifically for kids ages 6–12 that includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+, parental controls, a slim case, and a 2-year worry-free guarantee, versus items purchased separately.
  • Includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+ - a digital subscription designed for kids to safely learn, grow and explore. On the Fire HD 8 Kids, kids can enjoy thousands of ad-free books, games, videos, apps and more. After 1 year, your subscription will automatically renew every month starting at just $4.99/month plus applicable tax. You may cancel any time by visiting the Amazon Parent Dashboard or contacting Customer Service.
  • In addition to Kids+ content, Kids Pro tablets include access to a digital store. Kids can request apps or eBooks, while parents approve purchases and downloads. Plus, parents can add access to more apps like Minecraft and Zoom.
Yoobi Mini Notebooks for Kids & Adults – Mini Spiral Notebook Set w/Puffy Covers (Taco,...
120 Reviews
Yoobi Mini Notebooks for Kids & Adults – Mini Spiral Notebook Set w/Puffy Covers (Taco,...
  • Puffy Notebooks for Kids: Take a note and make it fun with our set of 4 cute spiral notebooks. Each pocket notebook features vivid colors, a funky design, and an eclectic puffy cover with a mini size, perfect for taking on the go. Each pretty notebook contains 80 pages to doodle all your thoughts, dreams, and ideas.
  • Fun & Unique Designs: In 4 adorable designs, our small journal notebook set has enough notebooks to share with your friends or keep all to yourself! Our mini notebook pack includes 1 taco, 1 rainbow, 1 boba, and 1 heart notebook.
  • Conveniently Sized Small Notebook: These 3" x 4.85" cute notebooks for girls and boys include 80 lined pages. Our adults' and kids notebooks come with the perfect size to throw in your backpack or purse to go anywhere without taking up too much space.
Sale
Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids 6+, Blue Astro Green, One Size
7,097 Reviews
Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids 6+, Blue Astro Green, One Size
  • BATTERY LIFE: Up to 8 days of battery
  • Compatibility: Compatible with iOS 12.2 or higher & Android OS 7.0 or higher
  • Animated Clock Faces: Fitbit Ace 3 makes fitness fun with animated clock face characters that change and grow as kids make progress toward their goal throughout the day
Marvel Avengers Blue Circle 5 Piece Full Bed Set - Includes Reversible Comforter & Sheet...
1,878 Reviews
Marvel Avengers Blue Circle 5 Piece Full Bed Set - Includes Reversible Comforter & Sheet...
  • PERFECT FIT & FUN DESIGN - This Avengers full bed set includes (1) 72 inch x 86 inch twin/full comforter, (1) full fitted sheet 54 inch x 75 inch, (1) full flat sheet 81 inch x 96 inch and, (2) standard pillow cases 20 inch x 30 inch. Add a touch of decorative enchantment to your room with our fashionable and super soft Marvel Avengers Bed Set.
  • HIGH QUALITY & GREAT VALUE - Keep your little one as cozy as can be! Avengers twin bed set is super soft and great for all seasons. 100% brushed microfiber polyester allows for a comfortable night's sleep. Fade resistant and machine washable. To clean, machine wash cold. To dry, air/tumble dry on low.
  • GREAT GIFT - This Avengers full bed in a bag will make any child smile and will transform any bedroom, guest room, kids room, RV, or vacation home. Great gift for school or home. It rolls up for easy storage and travel. Fun and colorful design features your child’s favorite Avengers, Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor.
GreenForest Office Task Desk Chair Adjustable Mid Back Home Children Study Chair,...
3,219 Reviews
GreenForest Office Task Desk Chair Adjustable Mid Back Home Children Study Chair,...
  • Teens office chair with great pop purple color, this cute bright color match easily with room decoration and stationery, which can bring good mood for children.
  • Kids desk chair is very easy to assemble, kid can install it in 10 minutes, a great gift for boys and girls,leave an interesting manual time to them
  • Desk chair is height adjustable and 360 degrees swivel, very easy to handle, suitable for different ages kids. And the warranty is lifetime.

Something to Wear

Clothing, shoes, accessories. Hide and seek light and sound, as well as a shape sorter baby learning game, are ideal for teaching toddlers to share and take turns, and it’s never too early to start having fun (and increasing their motor skills) with ease wooden peg-style jigsaw puzzles.

Disney Boys' Little Mickey Mouse Kids Umbrella with Matching Rain Poncho 2-10, Red, Ages...
1,296 Reviews
Disney Boys' Little Mickey Mouse Kids Umbrella with Matching Rain Poncho 2-10, Red, Ages...
  • PLAYFUL DESIGNS: Help him be a Rainy-day hero with these adorable and Lightweight Umbrellas and matching kid's poncho set featuring imagery of his favorite Character Mickey Mouse from Disney. The Rain Slicker is moisture and humidity resistant and is designed to Fit for Toddlers and Little Boys and available in 3 different sizes for ages 2-7.
  • PREMIUM QUALITY: Poncho: This kid's rain poncho is made of durable vinyl water-repellent material that is resistant to moisture and humidity. Features an adjustable hood with an elastic band, contrast trim, and conveniently easy-to-use snap closures. Umbrella: Matching 8-panel Umbrella made of durable polyester material. Features a safety cap, Mickey Mouse clamshell handle, nylon cord, and Velcro strap for easy carrying.
  • GREAT FIT: Designed for toddlers and Little Boys and available in 3 different sizes for ages 2-7. Designed with easily accessible snaps they can safely open or close. Your Little Boy will love that he can proudly put in on and off by himself.
Spooktacular Creations Unisex Child Dinosaur Onesie Pajama Plush Dinosaur Costume Cute...
1,280 Reviews
Spooktacular Creations Unisex Child Dinosaur Onesie Pajama Plush Dinosaur Costume Cute...
  • Deluxe Version of Dinosaur Pajamas One Piece Plush Cosplay Animal Costume Onesie. Child Size. Made with High Quality Plush Fleece Materials.
  • Perfect for Halloween Dress-ups, Parties, Cosplay, Halloween Trick or Treat Events. Add Lots of Fun to Your Halloween Party and Other Theme Activities.
  • Plush Fleece Materials Keep You Warm and Soft Touch. The Button Up Closure Allows Quickly Get Dressed or Remove the Costume. Built in Pockets Allows Stashing Your Phone, Wallet or Other Items.
Ainikas Toddler Boys Girls Slippers Fluffy Little Kids House Slippers Warm Cute Animal...
5,053 Reviews
Ainikas Toddler Boys Girls Slippers Fluffy Little Kids House Slippers Warm Cute Animal...
  • CUTE ANIMAL UPPER: The kids slippers which are patterned with a cute animal face will endear you at first sight. It’s great gift for little boys or girls.
  • WARM FUZZY LINING: Soft cotton upper and cozy lining presses the softest of kisses on their little toes. These toddler slippers provide ultra comfort and warmth for baby boys and girls feet in any indoor/outdoor activities.
  • DURABLE&NON-SLIP THICK SOLE: The fluffy boys slippers feature reinforced PVC sole for maximum comfort and grip, adapting to any indoor outdoor surface. Lightweight non-slip thick sole effectively prevent little feet from suffering discomfort on a chilly floor.
Girls Underwear Kids Thermal Underwears Toddler Winter Base Layer Long Johns Sets for Boys...
516 Reviews
Girls Underwear Kids Thermal Underwears Toddler Winter Base Layer Long Johns Sets for Boys...
  • ⇒ Material: Toddler underwear wear, made of high quality Cotton and Polyester, keep the baby soft and warm. These boy's thermal underwear are stretchy comfortable.
  • ⇒ Design: Winter clother for boys, these thermal long johns have the perfect blend of comfort, warmth, elasticity, and moisture protection. Simple design and several basic colors, match all winter girls boys clothes. The boys' snow wear with good flexibility perfectly fits body curves, keeps cozy in winter.
  • ⇒ Features: For child's safety, cotton sleep sets should always fit snugly. Loose fitting garment is more likely to catch fire. Each baby should have a baby Pajamas, it must a great baby clother for your kids.

Something to Read

Books, magazines. A great present for kids is a book; you can get them any sort of soft book, bath books, one to attach to pushchairs, highchairs, and lights and sounds musical storybooks.

The Chosen Kids Activity Book: Season One (Ages 6-12)
203 Reviews
The Chosen Kids Activity Book: Season One (Ages 6-12)
  • The Chosen LLC (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages - 08/17/2021 (Publication Date) - BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC (Publisher)
Sale
Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection (Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and...
22,288 Reviews
Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection (Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and...
  • 5 beloved beginner books by Dr. Seuss will be cherished by young & old alike.
  • Ideal for reading aloud or reading alone.
  • Includes: The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop and Fox in Socks.
Sale
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
5,501 Reviews
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
  • Hardcover Book
  • Jeffers, Oliver (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Sale
Britannica All New Kids' Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't
3,389 Reviews
Britannica All New Kids' Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't
  • Hardcover Book
  • Britannica Group (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Sale
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
101,008 Reviews
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
  • Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
  • J. K. Rowling (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Something to Experience

Adventure, game, movie, outing, activity. Allow your youngsters to select something they’d want to do as a family outing. Of course, there’s the chance they’ll say they want an all-inclusive 14-day vacation to Disneyland or Mexico, so remember to establish limits! You may simply inform them that it needs to be realistic.

The second shooting is devoted to family time together and making cherished memories, which there’s nothing dearer than.

Some common examples of things to do are:

  • bowling
  • mini-golfing
  • going to the movies or a drive-in
  • visiting an arcade/game-center
  • indoor trampoline/play place

Or perhaps they’ll choose something outdoorsy and adventurous like:

  • ice skating
  • sledding/tobogganing
  • snowboarding/skiing
  • tubing
  • canoeing
  • hiking
  • planning a camping trip for next spring or summer
  • dinner out at a new or favorite restaurant
  • something simple like having family game night once a month
  • charity work
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Magic Kit - Perform 20 Unique Experiments as Magic Tricks,...
15,683 Reviews
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Magic Kit - Perform 20 Unique Experiments as Magic Tricks,...
  • MAGIC SCIENCE YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE! These 20 science experiments are mind-blowing! Girls and boys will bend metal with water, create a vanishing test tube, make a coin float, and much more! You won't find experiments like these anywhere else
  • SHOW OFF FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY - Each experiment is specially designed to be performed as a magic trick! The included magic wand and white gloves let your children dress the part, too. Magic for kids has never been this fun and educational
  • EVEN THE EXPERIMENT GUIDE IS AWESOME! Our one-of-a-kind experiment guide has illustrated, kid-friendly instructions as well as insight into the science that creates the magic, techniques used by real scientists, and loads of fascinating facts
Sale
3D Coloring Puzzle Set, Arts and Crafts for Girls and Boys Age 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Year Old,...
2,914 Reviews
3D Coloring Puzzle Set, Arts and Crafts for Girls and Boys Age 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Year Old,...
  • NEW 3D DIY COLORING PUZZLE SET: 5 different large 3D puzzles with 12 dual tip brush & fine line pen set to make your own 3D model. Kids can assemble and color these puzzles themselves. Hours of educational and creative fun that is exciting and hands on for kids and adults alike. One of the best STEM gifts for 6 7 8 9 10 12 year old girls and boys.
  • UNIQUE COLORING PATTERN for EACH MODEL: The set includes a total 5 different puzzles to color in and then build in to a 3D model, that you can put on display. To avoid the repetitive pattern often seen in other 3D puzzles, BEARUN designed a different pattern for each puzzle to keep kids entertained and engaged, there is a Butterfly, Sea plane, Dinosaur, Peacock and the Eiffel Tower. The variety of designs will keep kids engaged for hours.
  • BENEFITS OF COLORING FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Coloring benefits for kids include improved motor skills, stimulation of creativity, enhanced color awareness, also helps improved focus and hand to eye coordination. Adults who enjoy coloring will also find this new format challenging and interesting.
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up -...
34,910 Reviews
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up -...
  • Trusted by Families Worldwide - With over 50 million sold, ThinkFun is the world's leading manufacturer of brain games and mind challenging puzzles
  • Develops critical skills – Playing your way through the challenges builds spatial reasoning and planning skills, and is partly an engineering and building toy that provides a great stealth learning experience for young players
  • What you get – Gravity Maze is a combination logic game, marble run, and STEM toy that's one of the best gifts you can buy for boys and girls age 8 and up It contains 60 challenges from beginner to expert, a game grid, 9 towers, 1 target piece, and 3 marbles
Sale
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Earth Science Kit - Over 15 Science Experiments & STEM Activities for...
16,399 Reviews
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Earth Science Kit - Over 15 Science Experiments & STEM Activities for...
  • MASSIVE SCIENCE KIT FOR CURIOUS KIDS - More than 15 experiment activities including dueling water tornadoes, building an erupting volcano, growing a crystal, two geologic dig kits, and more
  • ENOUGH TO GO AROUND - This science lab allows kids to conduct multiple experiments and is great to share with family, friends, or classmates; you will enjoy the magic of discovery together
  • THE SECRET IS THE SCIENCE - A detailed learning guide teaches the science at work in the experiments, allowing your child to develop a deep, lasting appreciation for a variety of Earth sciences
Sale
Light-Up Terrarium Kit for Kids - STEM Activities Science Kits - Gifts for Kids -...
15,468 Reviews
Light-Up Terrarium Kit for Kids - STEM Activities Science Kits - Gifts for Kids -...
  • What is a terrarium? It is a miniature garden within a container that simulates a natural environment. So, let your child discover the beauty of nature by creating their own beautiful terrarium with this all-inclusive kit. Watch as it grows by day and glows at night with the innovative LED light under the lid.
  • Grows by day, glows at night: Beneath the lid, there is a built-in innovative LED light that transforms the experience into something magical. At night, just hit the small switch to turn on the light and watch how your terrarium turns into a gorgeous illuminated tabletop garden. You have to see it to believe it! The light can easily be recharged with the included Micro-USB cable.
  • Kit includes: Terrarium jar (4"x6"), light-up jar lid, Micro-USB charging cable, clear and easy step-by-step instruction booklet, vermiculite soil, blue sand, river rocks, wheatgrass and chia seeds, small bunny and mushroom miniatures, removable stickers for decoration, spray bottle, and wooden stick to aid in planting the seeds. The ultimate arts and crafts for kids & Stem projects for Kids

Last update on 2023-03-20

Lily Mills

I'm the author of this page. If my selection helped you, or vice versa, you know something that is worth adding - please write it in the comments.

Recent Posts