Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

to buy my dcs christmas presents from oxfam?

18 replies

LacyLeggins · 30/09/2010 11:20

we can afford to buy new but i like to think my money os going to a good cause, so have bought all of their presents from charity shops. my dcs are all under 5 and i have got them some good quality toys and books.

my mil thinks iabu and stingy as we can afford new. am i?

OP posts:

emmyloulou · 30/09/2010 11:23

Well, buyng from a charity shop, I hate to tell most of the money won't be going to the cause, you should have bought new and donated direct.

Rhian82 · 30/09/2010 11:35

I don't think it's stingy, it's good ? not just because of the charity but also because you're reusing toys etc that are still perfectly good, but could end up in landfill just because parents think if you can afford new, you should!

coraltoes · 30/09/2010 11:37

I think it is a really healthy attitude to it! Kids get through toys and books quickly. As long as the items are clean/ safe (which they will be in Oxfam) why waste your money on full price bits which just add to the massive landfill we create. I often buy books from charity shops, it doesn't lessen the enjoyment because they're not new!

Mermaidspam · 30/09/2010 11:38

It's a great idea.

Your dc won't know because of their ages, you're saving money and you're giving to charity.

Do it!

jeee · 30/09/2010 11:40

I've done this. It's cheap and environmentally friendly. There are no negatives to doing it for young children.

lucy101 · 30/09/2010 11:44

I like buying secondhand (everything really - lots from ebay too) just from the recycling point of view - all my baby clothes were (I loved that they were so soft from all the washing). We could afford to buy new but I rarely do... I don't really tell people I do it - I bet MIL wouldn't even know if you didn't tell her!

Original poster

LacyLeggins · 30/09/2010 11:47

good to know i am not an evil mummy then! mil had me feeling a bit guilty then!!

emmyloulou i thought that they didnt recieve all of the money, as obviously they need to pay for expenses, but i would still rather give to them than a big branded shop etc.

OP posts:

bluecardi · 30/09/2010 11:50

Good idea. I get most of my kids books from a second hand shop - saves loads & is reusing.

julybutterfly · 30/09/2010 11:51

Ebay, charity shops, car boot sales - all fine in my opinion (as long as they aren't falling apart or dangerous!)

merlino123 · 30/09/2010 11:51

Fantastic plan, well done I think it's brilliant, so many wasted toys, why pay out for expensive new toys that they will only grow out of soon anyway, when there are some great ones out there already to be used.

mamatomany · 30/09/2010 11:54

It's recycling apart from anything else.

cloudpuff · 30/09/2010 12:01

I think its a good idea. Younger children don't tend to notice anyway.
My 5 yr old has loads of books she got from charity shops. I dread to think how much they would cost new.

ninedragons · 30/09/2010 12:14

I've done it - green AND cheap, how much better does shopping get?

DD is too young to realise that all her clothes and toys come from the local flea market (sounds skanky but it's all ELC dolls' houses and lovely clothes). I am hoping, though, that when she's older and she knows I am going to spend $x on her present, which buys something fab at the market but disappointing and crappy at the shop, she'll make a sound decision.

veritythebrave · 30/09/2010 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fedupofnamechanging · 30/09/2010 12:23

Toys can be chronically overpriced for cheaply made, nasty plastic tat. If you can get nice things and not pay some manufacturer, who is exploiting poorly paid workers in other countries, then you would be silly not to.

Just because you can afford to pay for new, it doesn't mean you should have to.

merlino123 · 30/09/2010 13:14

I used to love going to charity shops when I was younger to pick out books and toys, we had reasonable money and my parents worked hard, and I went to a private school but my parents always got things from charity shops and taught me it was no different and nothing to be ashamed of and I used to love it, still do actually!

MollysChambers · 30/09/2010 13:16

I hate things going to waste so from a purely environmental point of view I think its a great idea. Kids won't know any different at that age.

itsybitsy08 · 30/09/2010 13:28

Yanbu!
You get some fab things in charity shops etc.
My dd is nearly 3 and i like to get her one big present and stocking fillers - this year her big present is a gorgeous wooden dolls house with furniture which cost 20 quid at the carboot sale!
It doesnt have a mark on it and apart from the fact it is not in a box you would never know! I priced similar ones costing 100 pounds and over smug

Flip