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Want, Need, Wear, Read: free printable Christmas list

Four presents each: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Print the list free, no sign-up, no email.

My Christmas List

Want · Need · Wear · Read

Name Age

Something I want

Something I need

Something to wear

My size

Something to read

Draw a star ☆ next to the one you want most of all!

Want the family to circle what they’re buying, so each of the four gets bought once? Make the list online, free, at wishorium.com

What is the want, need, wear, read rule?

It’s the four-gift rule for children’s Christmas presents: something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. Four presents each, one of each kind. Families like it because:

  • there are fewer presents, and less to tidy away after Christmas;
  • every present has a purpose, so nothing is bought just to make up the pile;
  • it’s easier to plan a budget for each child, and to keep things fair between brothers and sisters;
  • there’s a new book under the tree every year.

Ideas for each of the four

A few of this year’s most wanted from our shop, picked for each one. Buy one, or add it to a list.

Something they want

The one they’d circle first in a toy catalogue: let them choose it themselves. A big wish is fine here, it’s the only toy on the list.

More toys in the shop ›

Something they need

Something they’ll use every day: a night light, a new toothbrush, headphones for the car, pencils and a bag for school, a lunch box, a bike helmet.

Something to wear

Christmas Eve pyjamas, a warm coat, slippers, wellies or a football shirt. Write the size on the list so the family buy the right one.

More to wear in the shop ›

Something to read

A book for Christmas Eve, the next in a series they love, a first chapter book, a comic annual or a book about whatever they’re into this year.

More books in the shop ›

Some links earn us a small commission, at no cost to you. Prices are the usual price; the shop shows today’s when you click Buy.

Making it work

  • Let them fill in “want”. Children take the rule better when the big wish is theirs to choose.
  • Grown-ups help with “need”. Look at what’s worn out, outgrown or lost since last Christmas.
  • Write sizes down. “Wear” goes wrong when Gran guesses: put the size and favourite colour on the list.
  • Ask about “read”. Their teacher or the library knows which books are popular in their class right now.
  • Add a fifth if you like. Some families add “something to do” (a day out) or “something to share” (a board game for everyone).

Make it a list the family can circle

Grandparents, aunties and uncles always ask what to get. Wishorium turns the same four into a wish book they can flick through on their phone and circle what they’re buying, so each one is bought once. It starts with the four sections ready, and your child never sees who’s buying what.

Make it a list the family can circleMore printables ›

Several children? Split the budget fairly between them.

Questions from grown-ups

What is the want, need, wear, read rule?

It’s a simple way to plan children’s Christmas presents: four gifts each, one of each kind. Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Fewer presents, and every one has a purpose.

What counts as a “need”?

Something useful they’ll actually use: a new school bag, a night light, a toothbrush, a water bottle, headphones, a bike helmet, bedding with their favourite character on it. It doesn’t have to be boring.

Is it only for Christmas?

No. Lots of families use the same four for birthdays too. The printable works for any occasion: cross out “Christmas” and write the birthday in.

What if grandparents and the family want to buy too?

Share the list with them. Put it online and each relative can circle the present they’re buying, so nobody doubles up and every one of the four gets bought once.

Does it cost anything?

No. The printable is free with no sign-up, and so is the online list. Some shop links on this page earn us a small commission, at no cost to you.