To buy second-hand xmas presents for the kids

[Schnullerbacke]

So, DH and I having a debate about it.

The older I'm getting (we also move around every few years), the less materialistic I get and I hardly buy any stuff for myself these days. I just get annoyed with shit lying around, having to tidy it away, with it not being used and just the general wastage of it all.

Obviously love the kids dearly but they are still quite young (6 & 3), so whatever they play with gets tattered eventually or they lose interest after a while. My thinking it, if I can get it cheaply second hand, and if its in very good condition, then I dont have a problem with it. They dont know the difference so why not save the money and spend it on something else. Its not that we dont have the money but I think I'd rather spend it on things that really matter to me, like going out travelling as a family or doing stuff together.

DH looked at me like I'm mad. I guess he only wants whats best for them so I understand him doing a double-take but if they can't tell the difference anyway, whats the harm.

Flame or agree away.

Nothing wrong with second hand.

YANBU - Children do not mind when they are that young, they don't even notice.

Definitely nothing wrong with second hand. The ultimate in recycling!

As long as it is safe, in good condition and clean, there isn't a problem.

^^^What nellyjelly said.

There are so many more important things to give your kids than 'brand new stuff'

And reusing stuff is good for the planet .

I reckon it's fine as long as the second hand stuff is good quality.

Most of DS's Christmas presents for this year are second hand stuff I've picked up at local NCT sales.

YANBU, and I am selling some of our ds's old toys on eBay ATM that are in great condition. They're selling well so you're not alone in your thinking.

Son's favourite thing to play with is a set of wooden bricks I got at an nct sale. He really doesn't care they have a bit of pen on. Mix the old and the new?
Hide the second hand ones around the house, unwrapped (so lack of box etc less obvious to older child), stick a bow on each and make a Christmas treasure hunt?

It's not second hand, its tres posh up-cycling

So is it the money or having stuff everywhere that you object to?
As you still have to tidy second hand stuff up I take it your decision is based more on money?

My son is nearly 13, he's getting a 2nd hand x box game (that he wants) for Christmas. It's the same game, so surely it makes sense.

We did this loads when the kids were young. Bit harder as they get older, but why not?

We did this loads when the kids were young. Bit harder as they get older, but why not?

I agree. Have done it with both DC (1 and 4) . No one cares (Not yet anyway).

It's fine!

Some of DS Christmas pressies will be second hand this year and I amalso using a facebook local selling group to sell lots of toys thich have been neglected for the past 12 months. DS is fully aware that his old toys are being sold to make room for new ones and we have had several takers of r our old (but good condition stuff) i usually post the advert with a link to the new cost price so people can see it is a bargain. EG 200 mega blocks (never used as DS is into lego now) for £15 would cose £45 new!!

Just be careful, its a false economy.
I bought DD a bike off eBay, claiming to be in mint condition. Got a friend to pick it up. It arrived with all four brake pads completely worn and a dodgey back wheel.
I paid £20 for it and spent £15 on accessories and will need to buy all those new parts.
I noticed Tesco selling brand new for £60, with all accessories and everything and wondered what possessed me to do it!

Both my DC, age 6 and 7 had second hand for their birthdays. They didn't even realise.

They have a mix of new and second hand for Christmas.

YANBU. I've always bought second hand stuff for my two. As they've got older I've had to buy new stuff too, stuff they've specifically asked for, but the rest of their presents come from car boot sales and charity shops. They know that they do, and they don't care.
Reduce, reuse, recycle :)

I agree with the concept.

However, I have failed to put it into practice. We bought a 2nd hand bike for DD1 yesterday. Then drove straight to halfords and bought a brand new one.

We are giving the 2nd hand one to charity though.

So am not too far off then.

@ Nancy, its a bit of both. Ideally I dont want to give them anything but guess that wouldn't go down too well. I dont tend to give toys (except colouring-in books or sticker books) throughout the year, except birthdays and xmas, and we try not to go overboard when it comes to those events. But they have so much stuff. Not excessive by any means but I feel that there isnt enough time to play with it all anyway.

We're always busy doing other stuff, we're out a lot and buying more stuff which then isnt really used anyway just gets my back up these days.
I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather have less in the house but good quality stuff (first or second hand) than continuing down the buy buy buy route that one could be tempted by.

Have have given my dcs second hand Christmas presents in the past. Playmobil bought on eBay, doll from charity shop. They never questioned it.my dcs love going round the charity shops & don't see getting second hand things as out of the ordinary.

YANBU. What a sensible person you sound.

When DD2 was born for the 1st 2 christmas's (2 months and 14 months) we wrapped up DD1s old toys. In our defence though we were beyond poor and she was too young to care.

Both DDs rarely get anything new its such a waste

wanna I'm thinking I might do this

yanbu. I often buy presents from our NCT sale.

This year 4yo DD is getting a second hand Barbie house and loads of Barbies, bought from a work collegue who was having a clear out.

When they're young you can get away with it. Doubt it will work when they're teenagers though!