It was the Christmas list heard (or saw) around the world.

A dad recently posted his 10-year-old daughter’s Christmas list to Twitter.  The list included such things as an iPhone 11, AirPods, a Hydroflask, Gucci slides, a Go Pro, and…$4,000! This left many parents to wonder:  how much is too much when it comes to holiday gift giving?

We loved these ideas from Good Morning America on how to avoid the kid-gift-overwhelm and keep the focus on what is really important during this holiday season:

The Four-Gift Rule
Purchase something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.  If you don’t necessarily want to go that route, you can also decide to focus on quality over quantity with the three-gift rule: purchasing three more substantial or expensive gifts as opposed to numerous smaller ones.

Gifts That Give Back
Look for gifts that give back to the greater good of this world such as dolls where proceeds to purchase meals for people in need or jewelry that helps women and girls escape human trafficking.  This allows kids to see beyond just material gift giving and feel connected to the world.

Focus on Experiences, Not Things
An overnight trip to a nearby city, a membership to the zoo…these are gifts that will keep on giving long after the holiday season has ended.  Need some ideas?  One of our Branch bloggers shares some great ones here.

Read the entire Good Morning America feature here.

What are you doing this holiday season to avoid spending too much or purchasing too many things?