CLEVELAND — Have you ever heard of the "four gift challenge?"
It's where families and Santa stick to only four gifts at the holidays: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read.
We talked to a local mom, Courtney Morris, who started this tradition early.
She loves to make Christmas special for her almost 4-year-old, Scarlett, but that doesn't necessarily mean with boxes and bags.
“Scarlett's the only granddaughter on my side and only girl on Clay's. She is very much loved and shown affection through gifting. So we feel Christmas doesn't necessarily needs to be this huge thing.”
Early on, she started the four gift challenge. Courtney explained to Scarlett that Santa acts differently in every house, and for their house, he brings two gifts and she and daddy give two.
“In my head, I feel like Clay and I are setting a really good expectation for what Christmas is about. It's not about gifts, it's about family time and giving.”
This way, she avoids the stress of cyber shopping and long lines. Courtney says, Christmas can still be big, in a small way.
“I think people think you're Scrooge, 'Oh, you only give four gifts.' But that doesn't mean they have to be four dinky gifts. It can be a nice dress...or a vacation, she might need a vacation, right?”
