The ‘want, need, wear, read’ philosophy makes Christmas shopping a total breeze

The holidays are chock full of merry festivities but they’re also chock full of endless commercialism which can be overwhelming. The never ending push of the newest toy on TV and the barrage of toy catalogs is a lot to handle for both parents and kids. 

Consumer madness aside, there’s an opportunity here to develop a meaningful holiday gift-giving philosophy. One that brings thoughtfulness to the art of gift selection. We know it can be really hard to choose gifts, especially when there’s pressure to find the so-called “perfect gift,” but check the stress at the door because a gift-giving philosophy is just what you need. 

The “want, need, wear, read” philosophy is a super simple concept that divides gifts into four categories. For everyone on your list, think about: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Gifts are not the end-all be-all of the holiday season and this gift-giving philosophy will take out the consumer-driven excess of unlimited gifts and instead make space for mindful presents. 

The “want, need, wear, read” philosophy

1. Something they want

The first step is to think about what they want. What are their interests, hobbies or tastes? Are they dabbling in photography or gardening? Maybe they love reading romance novels or watching horror movies. Grab a gift that supports the things they love to do such as: cookware for a baker, a theater gift card for someone who loves the movies or a book on photography for a budding photographer. 

2. Something they need

When you approach your gift-giving philosophy in terms of, what does this person need then, you really can’t go wrong. Receiving a gift that takes care of a “need” can deliver a huge sense of relief. Think about what your gift recipient does on a daily basis and what kinds of gifts could potentially make some part of their routine more comfortable or efficient. Maybe that looks like a warm coat for winter for someone who walks to work or school, a new coffee machine for the aficionado in your life or a sleeping mask for the mom who needs a better night’s sleep. 

3. Something to wear

The “want, need, wear, read” philosophy even takes into account personal fashion and sense of style. Even if you’re on the hunt for the best sweater deals for absolutely everyone on your list, you’re probably looking for completely different styles for the teens vs the adults vs the little ones. Think back to how they like to express themselves. Are they drawn to a specific color? Do they love soft materials? If they’re someone who ALWAYS has some kind of jewelry on, maybe a new pair of earrings is just the thing. 

4. Something to read

I’m a big proponent of believing that you can never have too many books. The gift of a good book can fall into a genre that you already know they love or it can be something new you think they might love. If they love holiday romance novels, you might try tempting them with a historical romance—if you know any Bridgerton fans, this is one category they’re sure to love! 

A mindful gift-giving philosophy

The “want, need, wear, read” philosophy makes things easy for both parties during the holiday season. Your gift will garner genuine delight and it’ll make you so happy to see that reaction. It also has these advantages: 

• Narrows down gift options
• Makes it easy to choose budget-friendly gifts 
• Shifts the emphasis from quantity to quality

Thoughtful gift-giving, is a chance to cultivate deeper connections with loved ones. This philosophy can help alleviate the stress of the season and bring more joyful memories.