What Is the 'Four-Gift Rule'? And Is It Really the Secret to Less Over-Consumption (and, Let’s Face It, Less Clutter)?

The Christmas break is supposed to be a time for relaxation and enjoyment. One thing we don’t want to spend our precious holiday time doing is tidying.

Unfortunately, the post-Christmas period is often dedicated to decluttering your house and trying desperately to find space for an excess of new gifts. However, the Four Gift Rule is designed to encourage present buying that makes the receiver’s life easier, rather than gifting presents that clutter the house or are left in cupboards and forgotten about.

Instituting this rule might be the key to reducing the number of things cleared out in the new year. We spoke to organization professionals to hear more about how this rule can improve the gift-giving experience, for both the giver and the receiver.

What Is the Four Gift Rule?

The Four Gift Rule is essentially an outline to follow that both limits the number of gifts you buy and maximizes the utility and relevance of each present. You can also opt for creating a Christmas zone to keep relevant gifts in check.

Originally designed as a framework for parents buying presents for their children, the Four Gift Rule can easily be applied when shopping for a partner, friend, or family member.

This is how each present breaks down.

Gift One: something they want

Gift Two: something they need

Gift Three: something to wear

Gift Four: something to read

Amélie Saint-Jacques, founder of Amelie Organizes, explains why this rule is so helpful when shopping: “Having built-in categories of gifts can be very inspiring. It gives us a framework when we come up with gift ideas."

She continues: “Limiting the number of gifts can also help us envision how it will fit in our home and in our life, so that we don't buy something cumbersome. And of course, being mindful of what we buy helps us to save money.”

How Does the Four Gift Rule Reduce Clutter?

The four gift rule not only gives you inspiration for your shopping, but it also has the major practical benefit of producing less clutter in your home than a large haul of less thought-out gifts, and makes space for those easy home organization ideas.

“By limiting the number of gifts a family receives to only those of significance, it will considerably reduce the number of items that would randomly accumulate in drawers and closets," Tina Priestly, the founder of Ready, Set, Refresh, tells me. "A gift purchased in accordance with the Four Gift Rule will most likely be appreciated and utilized because it has a specific purpose attached to it. Additionally, this method encourages families to value the quality of gifts over the quantity.”

What Are the Other Advantages to the Four Gift Rule?

But beyond the post-Christmas clutter, applying this change to your gift-buying strategy has other advantages. Tina explains: “The Four Gift Rule is financially advantageous to shoppers because they can shop with a purpose rather than based on impulse.

Additionally, the Four Gift Rule can also help "promote a sense of gratitude among both children and adults, rather than excessiveness. It encourages the spirit of giving personal, meaningful gifts, thereby enhancing the joy associated with gift-giving.”

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If you're looking for some inspiration on how each of these gift categories can be filled creatively, then I've put together some suggestions just for you.

The purpose of this rule is to choose things very personal to whoever you are buying a gift for. So, we’ve left gift number one (something they want) blank for you to fill.

But here are some ideas for something practical they may need, wear, and read.

There's plenty of other decluttering issues that can crop up around this busy period, but our guide on how to get sorted for the big day is sure to help you tackle them.