Second hand toys…Is it really that bad?!

[Bunbum]

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?!

I come from an area where there’s always been a lot of poverty. It would be seen as a bad thing to buy second hand for Christmas in my community. It’s a hangover from years ago when people were very ashamed to be poor.
Your situation doesn’t sound like it’s anything like that. Just ignore your friend. If you’re hurt by comments about it, just don’t tell anyone and they won’t know.

If you do want the box feeling for the smaller bits, keep an eye out at The Works.

They sell some lovely folding storage boxes. One year my son wanted Marvel everything and those figures don't lend themselves to wrapping. I got two big Marvel themed storage boxes from the Works, wrapped them and hid the toys inside in shredded paper like a lucky dip

My son still talks about how fun that was.

I was glad I got them second hand because he'd gone off all things marvel six months later but those boxes are still going strong storing other stuff in his cupboard!

Tell her to pipe down. My daughter loves proper dolls houses- builds all the stuff inside etc. Had wanted a Manor House for a long time (new £400+) No hope of affording that.
Found one on Marketplace £50 for Christmas. She knew it was 2nd hand and didn't care one jot. In fact, she enjoyed fixing the other persons efforts just as much as designing her own. They spend so much time at school talking about recycling and reusing; they know it's better for the environment as well.

One of my boys' best Christmases ever was the one when I bought an entire set of second hand Thunderbirds toys from an acquaintance for them. They played with them for YEARS

Your friend is a twunt, it's a perfectly normal thing to do. I'm a charity shop manager and we sell loads of "good enough to gift" toys and other things!

It’s not fine….. it’s great!

My child definitely got second hand toys when she was young. It wasn’t because money was especially tight, we quite comfortable financially. i just would happen to fine something used in great shape so i would buy it. why not? at that age they outgrow many toys quickly. some barely survive one child, but often they look brand new.

spend your money wisely. one day that choice may allow you to provide your child with a toy or an opportunity that is truly special and perfect for them.

Kindly, your friend is a buffoon.

DH is on healthy 6 fig salary. I take our children to boot sales, love to buy from FB for sale, and I resell loads of our stuff too.

It's the smart way of doing things. We have a stunning, and I mean stunning, light oak Neptune table with huge balustrade legs that was over £5k new and we paid £500 for. It's immaculate.

DTwins last year, boy twin wanted many tractor type vehicles. We bought a huge bundle of Bruder stuff off FB for £150. Over £950 new. One plough thingy was broken, but hardly noticeable, and it was all "ready to play" and not in boxes screwed down. When they are this age you're almost daft not to buy second hand. Why people thing second hand means wrecked I don't know. I have clothes that I've worn lots that still look immaculate. You just have to buy from people who look after their things.

Girl twin got a full Sylvanian set up from FB again, more than £600 worth. For £60. All set up. Incredible for her to come down to on Christmas morning.

Clothes, I buy loads from car boots. So when they grass stain and hole the knees, I shrug and bin the 50p trousers and pull out another pair of the twenty or so I bought at the last sale we went too.

I honestly question the intelligence of people who scoff at buying second hand.

Edited as appears to have posted twice

DD often got second hand things. We bought 90% of her Brio train set second hand, Playmobil items, board games, she also played with the Lego my sister and I had.

Lots of toddler/Infant school age books were second hand, some are beautiful illustrated ones.

I personally don't give second hand as a gift unless I know it is ok with the parent. DD's scooter went to a friend's DD, DD's pretend food and kitchen went to another. The children were just happy to have the toys.

These toys often only last a certain amount of time or a child is not interested. So it's a lot better for the planet to sell/pass them on.

1. They actually get what they want
2. They might well end up getting more of it (often things like play kitchens are sold with bundles of accessories included or you can pick up things like extra second-hand figures with some of the money saved)
3. It is good for the planet

I would buy secondhand 100% all of the time. If you can afford it put the money you saved, from not buying new, in accounts for the children when they are older, they will appreciate money more then. It won’t make any difference to them now if a toy has been used once or twice before they get it.

I’m 100% for second hand toys.
my children’s favourite event of the year is when they get to go to a second hand toy sale and pick something just before christmas.
they end up choosing unexpected stuff and those toys often make it to the all time favourite category.

Who cares what your friend thinks?

Get them "pre loved " toys now .

It’s always worked out for us. This children are happy to have it all set up and ready to play with rather than waiting for parents to put it together x

Second hand is good, much better for the environment. Especially when they are little and they outgrow their toys very quickly. When my child was that age I bought him a Playmobil castle for £40 that was at least three times as much new. It was in perfect condition.

It's totally fine.

Of course second hand toys are ok if they are in pristine and working condition.

Heck, antique toys like rocking horses sell at a premium, and those have probably had generations of owners.

Who is to even know?

For ''plastic tat'' that kids love, second hand is fine.

It'll look 'second hand' once all the packaging comes off anyway.

Don't worry about it- We loved second hand toys as a children. {Donated by older children of parent's friends}..and we too passed on good condition clean toys.

my eldest (4yo) is hopeful to be receiving a few specific toys which are costing up to £100 each

I think you need to manage their expectations and tell them they can choose one “main” present (regardless of whether you go for second hand or not).

More fool your friend OP! DS is almost 4 and i have bought him plenty of second hand over the years and still do. Hot wheels garages and monster truck arenas are so badly made no way would I pay full price for them. It so easy to pick them up second hand in brilliant condition. DS is none the wiser. Often when he gets bored of something I sell on for the same amount I paid for it and buy something else.
The world doesn't need more plastic toys being made when you can buy second hand. I also buy second hand books, lego, schleich figures.

No it’s not, we get a mixture for DS, sometimes new, sometimes second hand. Most kids toys get played with for a relatively short window and then kids move on to the next thing. If a toy has been looked after it’s a brilliant way of saving on costs and reducing waste for landfill. Everyone wins!

No its fine... In fact 'Santa' cares about reducing waste and runs a recycling program don't you know. 😉

He can take your child's out grown toys and give them to other children and your child can get other children's outgrown but loved toys to love himself... just like in toy story.

I buy second hand toys from Vinted. In good condition, some games even still in sealed packaging. There's nothing wrong with it and I'd be happy for my children to receive the same from others too.

Your friend is entitled. At the end of the day, most kids toys are plastic and we really should be passing them on and not rebuying brand new plastic all the time

I've often done this, your friend is being ridiculous. In a few years these things get more expensive, kids will be looking for branded items and won't be fooled. It makes sense to get second hand toys and then if they are in good condition they get passed on.

More support for secondhand here too. Regular chunky boxes are more fun to play with than the flimsy boxes with plastic bits that most toys come with anyway. As others have said, you get often extra accessories for free as well as paying less for the main toy.
If you are giving for the joy of the child, secondhand is perfect. If you are buying for when a fussy grownup needs to be accommodated ( I know it’s necessary sometimes in the real world ) then I guess pristine packaging is necessary evil.