According to a recent survey of French consumers, 44% of parents fear that they will not be able to spoil their children as much as they would like this holiday. This situation is no doubt linked to inflation, as well as to the successive global crises that have put consumer purchasing power to the test.

But for some parents, it’s also a question of ecological considerations: Will children really benefit from all these gifts piled up under the tree? Wouldn’t it be wiser to focus on moderation and more mindful choices, reducing the number of gifts and concentrating on those that are (really) likely to please kids the most?

If that’s something that sounds appealing, then you might be interested in a clever method called the “four-gift rule”. Originating in the United Kingdom in 2016 – and as relevant as ever today – it’s based on these core ideas: want, wear, read, and need.

In other words, this method involves giving your children just four gifts, with one based on each of these four principles.

One will be, within reason, chosen from your offspring’s ultimate wishlist. The second will be wearable (such as clothes or shoes), and the third will be something to read (a book, comics, etc.).

The fourth gift will be some kind of necessity that you were planning to buy anyway.

The method can be easily adapted to suit all ages and tastes, and it’s a great source of inspiration for gifts. Above all, it’s a good way to avoid spending hours browsing the shelves of kids’ stores, which can quickly become overwhelming during the holiday season.