Want, Need, Wear, Read: Free Christmas Printable

If there’s anything I’ve learned from living in a small house, it’s that quality matters more than quantity. Over the last year, we have been working on more minimalist living and buying more consciously. That’s when I discovered a great idea for Christmas lists: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. It took me a long time and a lot of research to realise this method would work perfectly for us as our Santa gift. Now, instead of worrying about what the big guy is going to get, we have a solid rule, and we end up with fewer gifts that carry more meaning. The great thing about this is that there are still plenty of Christmas presents around the Christmas tree to bring true excitement on Christmas morning.

There are many reasons to adopt a more minimalistic approach to gift-giving at Christmas. Perhaps you are trying to declutter your home, maybe your children already have everything they really require, or perhaps you’re keeping a close eye on your finances (check out this post for Christmas on a budget!). Whatever your reason, this four-gift rule is the perfect answer to build a new Christmas tradition. ‘Want, need, wear, read’ means choosing just four gifts, one from each category, for your child to open on Christmas morning. It is a great way to keep the spirit of the Christmas season alive, whilst teaching children how giving can be just as much fun as receiving. Why not try a new tradition this festive season?

The best way to get started is the free printables including a free printable PDF wish list, at the bottom of this post.

Now let’s get into it. Simply choose one gift from the following categories:

Something They Want

At this time of year, there is always a barrage of toy adverts on TV, aggressive marketing in shops, and an abundance of commercialism. Children have a seemingly never-ending and ever-changing list of Christmas gifts to give to Santa, and it can be difficult to drill down into what they are being persuaded to buy through clever advertising, and what they will truly cherish without a bottomless Christmas budget. Finding quality toys that won’t be tossed aside within a week is getting harder, and it’s important to spend time thinking about the one perfect gift.

Your ‘want’ gift should center around something your child truly loves. It is a great opportunity to allow your child to expand their hobbies or passions. Consider purchasing them something they wouldn’t normally be able to buy – a new instrument, the latest football boots, or an heirloom wooden castle. This is your real opportunity to show your child how well you know and understand what is important to them, rather than choosing the first item on that ever-changing want list.

Something They Need

The ‘want’ gift is all about what is important to your child, but the ‘need’ gift is all about what is important for them. Consider what will make their daily lives easier/better. Is there something they need for school – a new rucksack, stationery, or a water bottle? Maybe it’s time their bedroom had a makeover and they’re going to need new bedding, a new lampshade, or a new rug? Or perhaps something they already have is broken, damaged, or needs updating like headphones, a lunchbox, or a watch?

Whatever you decide, try to think of something that is going to be needed and used throughout the year rather than something that will be forgotten by the end of the holiday season. The aim of this way of giving is to make each gift truly purposeful.

Something To Wear

This category is pretty self-explanatory – anything your child wears can count here! When thinking of what to buy for your ‘wear’ gift, consider something that is going to get used throughout the year – a new coat, pajamas (don’t get sucked into Christmas ones!), new jeans, or trainers.

Rather than succumbing to the latest trends and fast fashion, consider buying more long-lasting items that will become a timeless staple in your child’s wardrobe. Consider shopping with small businesses such as Etsy. Often these are made-to-order items and handmade pieces that bring a real sense of excitement and wonder to gifting.

Something To Read

As a family of bookworms, this is possibly my favourite gift category. Something to stimulate the mind is an important part of gift-giving and shows children that this is as valued as any toy that may be on the market. Don’t just think this has to be a generic storybook. You may like to consider a fact book on one of your child’s interests, a sticker or puzzle book, or a magazine subscription. Something to read can also open up the opportunity of an inexpensive item where spending time together is the ultimate goal. Sharing a book together speaks more love languages than we often realise.

Particularly for reluctant readers, it is important to think about what they will truly enjoy reading. This may even be a cookbook, sheet music, or a manual. Whatever it is your child enjoys, the gift of reading is magical and may just spark a love of reading with the right book. Never underestimate the power of a great book.

What About Adults?

The concept of ‘want, need, wear, read’ is not limited to children. Whilst we use the rule as something for Father Christmas to stick to, it can just as easily be adjusted for an adult. Last year I followed this rule and bought my partner a Lego set (want), some socks (need), a tailored jacket (wear), and a signed copy of The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (read). He was over the moon with his gifts, and I felt satisfied that each was going to be loved/used without cluttering up our house any more than it already is. Don’t worry if some categories cross over and keep scrolling for your free download.

Free Downloads

If you’re thinking of using the ‘want, need, wear, read’ approach this Christmas, then please download the free printable below (intended only for personal use). Also available is our Christmas wish list template, free printable Christmas lists for children to complete.

To get the most out of this printable, simply jot ideas down in each of the boxes, before writing your final choice on the line. You can then check off when you have bought the item to keep your gift-giving well organised.

Print out a few of these Christmas wish lists and allow children to create multiple copies throughout the Christmas season (our first one usually gets written the day after halloween!). By allowing your child to write many iterations, you will get a better idea of what they really want, and what is just a passing fad.

Why not create a new special family tradition and share the ‘want, need, wear, read’ Christmas list phenomenon with other family members?