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Original poster

Second hand toys…Is it really that bad?!

129 replies

Bunbum · 08/10/2024 18:52

So I was talking to a friend this afternoon about how expensive this xmas is going to be (for various reasons). I’m stressing to be honest as my eldest (4yo) is hopeful to be receiving a few specific toys which are costing up to £100 each (honestly, a paw patrol lookout tower is over £100……. Like what?!).

I looked on FB marketplace and there’s lots of these toys on there that are clearly in good working condition and I asked her if she thought I should just get some second hand toys and wrap them up but she was mortified and said that she couldn’t gift her child a second hand toy for christmas….

Is it really that bad?!

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 08/10/2024 18:54

No it's absolutely fine and actually sensible.

Your friend is being precious.

We didn't even buy our children Christmas presents their first year, they got so much stuff they didn't really need anything extra at all for the rest of the year.

PermanentlyTired03 · 08/10/2024 18:55

If it’s in good condition then it’s fine! Your 4 yr old won’t know or care.

Rosienose · 08/10/2024 18:56

Your friend is a mentalist

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Behaviour & development Christmas Toys
DryBiscuit · 08/10/2024 18:56

2nd hand toys all the way !!!

But get them now, because as you get closer to Christmas, they wont be available / prices will go up

Evenstar · 08/10/2024 18:56

It’s more environmentally friendly to buy second hand toys, particularly plastic ones, and when your budget is tight it makes sense in every way to buy second hand.

When mine were small I used to get many things from car boots and charity shops. You can clean them throughly and small children are just delighted to have what they wanted.

Your friend has more money than sense if she buys everything new.

Procrastinates · 08/10/2024 18:57

She's being ridiculous and I honestly wouldn't want to be friends with someone so materialistic.

I would have asked her with a straight face what she thought should happen to all the toys that are grown out of if the answer isn't that they are brought by people to give their children for their birthday and Christmas?

SBHon · 08/10/2024 18:57

We’re doing a mix of second hand and brand new.

One of my very most favourite childhood toys was second hand. The fact it was second hand hasn’t marred that memory even a touch. I loved it.

Scottishday · 08/10/2024 18:58

Tell your friend to naff off. Do what suits you OP.

ObieJoyful · 08/10/2024 18:58

My parents always shopped secondhand. I remember fondly the year I asked for sticklebricks. My set was miles better than everyone else’s because it came in a tin with Magic Roundabout stickers on it.

It was a biscuit tin painted red, because the box was tatty.

Similarly, the year I got a portable record player with stickers of my favourite bands (the lid was scratched).

As a child, I was thrilled with my personalised gifts, and as an adult, I’m impressed by the effort and ingenuity shown by my parents!

thesnailandthewhale · 08/10/2024 18:58

When my ds was little he loved the metal Thomas trains, they were about £8 each I think?
I bought a job lot second hand from eBay, with some track and buildings etc, cleaned them and set it all up Christmas Eve night. He still talks about it now, many years later, as one of his favourite Christmases. When he outgrew then we sold them on and the money went into his piggy bank.

BringTheWine · 08/10/2024 18:58

If all parts are there and they're fully working, why not? At that age we used to take some toys out of boxes and set them up to save time on Xmas day. If they don't come with boxes, just set them up and your child will be non the wiser. I doubt they'd care anyway. Better for the environment too. It gets harder to do as they get older so make the most of it while you can.

LucyLocketLovesPollyPocket · 08/10/2024 18:58

Of course it's not bad. My dc have always had mostly second hand from us. It means we're usually able to get the things they want but couldn't otherwise afford. A few years a go my dcs 'big' birthday gift was a £5 bike from a charity shop. We got a nice helmet and accessories new, and he was blown away by it all.

They are older now and when saving for something I always give them the choice of looking second hand to see if they could get it cheaper/sooner. Usually they'll go for this option.

Dh and I also try to buy most things second hand, but for us it's more from an eco choice.

Pancakeflipper · 08/10/2024 18:59

It's fine. They grow of of their toys and at that age you need a mix of toys (but not huge amounts). Happy shopping!

I can remember when our DS1 was about 6 months old and we realised they had no toys. Only cuddle toys an a couple of rattles. We had little money and went to an NCT toy sale and bought a stash of toys.

user7654263 · 08/10/2024 18:59

It's good for the planet and very sensible from a financial perspective. Why on earth wouldn't you. Particularly when they are very young and wouldn't know

notacooldad · 08/10/2024 18:59

It's fine. I used to do it.

My mum was absolutely horrified. I learned not to discuss things like this with parents and friends, especially as over the years friendship groups change and you never know what a previous friend is going to say about you.

Namechangeforadhd · 08/10/2024 18:59

No. My DC always had 2nd hand toys. And clothes! Not even because I couldn't afford new, but because I'd really not destroy the planet I brought DC into more than necessary!

Alwaystired2023 · 08/10/2024 19:00

The real benefit of many second hand toys is that someone else has had to assemble it so you don't have to!

thicklysettled · 08/10/2024 19:00

It's not just fine, it's the way to go! You're not contributing to a landfill, you're saving money and your child is getting what they want! Win win 😃

Doingmybest12 · 08/10/2024 19:01

Its fine ,but also you don't have to buy several toys costing £100 each.

TemuSpecialBuy · 08/10/2024 19:02

I am a high earner and my kids are getting some second hand toys.

its absolutely fine and your job as a parent is to plan your finances and budget as you see fit.

I’d rather my children had good quality meat and had properly fitting shoes than buy a £100 paw patrol tower I can pick up for £20 on fb marketplace

Eviebeans · 08/10/2024 19:04

You can pick up loads of stuff like duplo and Lego for the price you would pay for one set

Isntshelovely2024 · 08/10/2024 19:05

Considering the amount of toys that I am clearing out to make way for birthday presents I’d go second hand while you can. The paw patrol tower will be a wow gift but probably only hold
interest short term. You can then sell it on for a similar amount

Mumdiva99 · 08/10/2024 19:05

As others have said buy now as prices will raise.
Absolutely second hand when you can. Nowt wrong with it. Great way to get good quality toys at a reduced price.

Wibblywobblybobbly · 08/10/2024 19:06

Your friend is ridiculus. We're very comfortable and can afford new, but my five year old is still getting secondhand toys for Xmas. He doesn't care about the packaging so I'm saving the money ams reducing our environmental impact at the same time. I doubt he'll even notice but if he did he wouldn't care.

Danikm151 · 08/10/2024 19:06

some toys my son really wants you can only find second hand unless you want to fork out US shipping fees( blaze and the monster machines) I’ve saved hundreds compared to buying brand new and he knows no different.
the boxes get chucked anyway!