Also known as: Big joy, not big piles.
I donât know about you, but here at Binky HQ weâre really feeling the squeeze this year. So, consider this a little honest Christmas chat from us to you.
The idea actually hit me while I was shopping for my nieces. I thought Iâd make them each a little âgoodie bagâ of cute bits and stocking fillers. Before I knew it, my basket was full⌠fun little things, lots of them, and shockingly the same price as buying them one amazing, squeal-inducing, heart-bursting gift each.
The bag-of-little-things looked fun, but would they treasure it? Probably not. Would they remember finally getting that one special thing theyâve been talking about all year? Absolutely no. And thatâs when it clicked.
đ Letâs rethink Christmas gifting
Weâve talked about the 5-gift rule before â something they want, need, wear, read, and share. Itâs a gorgeous way to keep things thoughtful and low-clutter. This year weâre giving it a little twistâŚ
đ Assign a category to each family member.
Dad takes the âWantâ, Grandma brings the âReadâ, Auntie claims the âWearâ⌠suddenly youâre gifting together instead of piling on. Still magical, but smarter.
đ¸ Tiny gifts can be false economy
When budgets feel tight, itâs so tempting to bulk-buy little bits so Santa's sack feels âfullâ. But those bits add up fast, and too often they end up:
- forgotten
- unloved
- broken by Boxing Day đ
Meanwhile, the walkie talkies, the camera, the scooter, the tricycle, or huggable new friend  â thatâs what they remember years later. And honestly, a basket full of âquick winsâ can cost as much as that one special thing they really, really wanted.
đ Itâs not about spending more â itâs about choosing well.
If your childâs wishlist is wild, sure, we manage expectations. But if thereâs one thing theyâve asked for again and again? Try to get that one thing, even if it means less under the tree.
Because childhood joy is not created by more stuff. Itâs created by the feeling of being listened to. Of being seen. Of someone saying, âWe knew you wanted this, and we made it happen.â đ
Think back to your own childhoodâŚ
Do you remember the random craft kit?
Or do you remember that one doll, that one bike, that one toy that made your heart explode?
Yep. That's it, what Christmas gifting really is all about.
âťď¸ Be clever (and kind) with the extras
For the toys which you know are more of a nice to have and not really true to your child's wishes, such as that plastic action toy or the doll that the class is into that year, before you shop new, try this:
- Swap unopened toys with friends (we all have them, friends and unopened toys!)
- Check local parent groups, charity shops, Vinted
- Clear out what your family has outgrown â you might make someone elseâs Christmas.
Nothing is sadder than toys going straight from factory to landfill, untouched and unloved. Letâs not do that this year. Letâs be thoughtful in every direction. đ
â But there is one rule you MUST keep (We really insist)âŚ
Donât skip the stocking.
Which does kind of go back on everything I have just written... but that is the joy of making memories there is no rule book...  other than at Christmas a Childs stocking in mandatory but it doesnât need to be fancy. Fill it with fruit, a magazine, a chocolate coin, something silly. But do it. For so many children, the stocking is the pure magic moment â messy, exciting, giggly, and full of mystery. You can even apply the five gift rule here too, who doesn't love a festive pair of socks!Â
Santa would never skip it⌠and neither should we. đ
đ The Binky Christmas formula:
â¨Â One gift they truly want
âťď¸Â Thoughtful extrasÂ
đ
 A magical stocking
đ Less waste. More wonder. Bigger memories.
Hereâs to a Christmas that feels good, not excessive.
Big joy, not big piles. The Binky way. đâ¨
