Seven Founding Hills

Growing up, my sister and I usually received one large present from our parents. We spent Nochebuena with our big extended family, so we could expect plenty of gifts from my Nana and my eight aunts and uncles as well.

When my first son was little, Christmas looked very different. We were celebrating with much less family , and my husband came from a family culture where lots of gifts were the norm. As I began planning Christmas presents for our own household, I realized I needed to rethink our approach.

That’s when I returned to a simple rhyme I remembered hearing as a young mom juggling work and school:

Something you want.
Something you need.
Something to wear.
Something to read.

At the time, it felt like the perfect framework. It helped me curate a thoughtful but manageable set of gifts while also setting clear, healthy expectations for my son. Christmas still felt special, but it no longer felt overwhelming.

As our family has grown from one child to four, this minimalist Christmas gift strategy has saved us an incredible amount of time, money, and stress. Instead of endless shopping lists and decision fatigue, we focus on intentional gifts that actually get used and loved.

Now that my two youngest boys are preschool and early elementary age and fully aware of Christmas excitement, I wanted a way to help them think intentionally about their wishes. That’s why I created a Christmas Wish List printable built around the “Want, Need, Wear, Read” rhyme.

The printable encourages kids to reflect on what they truly want while also considering practical needs, favorite interests, and meaningful experiences. It’s simple, age-appropriate, and easy for kids to fill out with minimal help.

One unexpected benefit has been how much easier it’s made sharing gift ideas with family. Instead of vague suggestions or last-minute texts, grandparents and relatives can see exactly what each child is hoping for, all in one place.

Christmas Wish List Printable

To make this minimalist Christmas gift strategy even easier, I created a Christmas Wish List printable designed especially for kids.

Using the familiar Something You Want, Something You Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read framework, this printable helps children think intentionally about their Christmas wishes while giving parents a clear, organized way to plan gifts.

The worksheet includes space for favorite colors, games, stories, animals, and even tickets or experiences, making it helpful for both physical gifts and experience-based presents. It’s simple enough for preschool and elementary-aged kids, but thoughtful enough to grow with them year after year.

Whether you’re trying to avoid overbuying, coordinate gifts with extended family, or simply bring more intention to your Christmas planning, this printable makes the process calmer and more meaningful.

You can purchase the Christmas Wish List printable here and start planning a simpler, more thoughtful Christmas.

More Christmas Resources for a Meaningful Holiday Season

If you’re working toward a calmer, more intentional Christmas, you might also enjoy these other holiday resources on the blog:

SF Experience Gift Ideas for Kids

From minimalist gift ideas and experience-based presents to family traditions and seasonal activities, I share simple ways to celebrate Christmas without the overwhelm.

Be sure to explore the Christmas section of the site for more printables, planning tools, and family-friendly ideas to help you create a holiday season that feels joyful, not stressful.