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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is it ok to buy presents 2nd hand?

25 replies

ghostspirit · 19/09/2013 17:10

I often buy 2nd hand for my children for birthday and xmas. well its bit of a mix the big presents such as a bike would be 2nd hand, but then things that dont cost to much would be new. i buy clothes a mix of 2nd hand and new. for my 3 year old 99% of her things are 2nd hand.

OP posts:
SoonToBeSix · 19/09/2013 17:12

Yes of course I get around lots of my dc's presents from eBay or charity shops last Christmas.

kinkyfuckery · 19/09/2013 17:13

Gifts for your own children, yes. Gifts for someone else, I'd have to find out how they felt about it.

TessTackle · 19/09/2013 17:13

I definitely don't see anything wrong with this! My DD's main present this year is a second hand wooden kitchen which I got for £50 instead of the rrp of £170 thrifty is nifty!

BrokenSunglasses · 19/09/2013 17:15

For your own children, of course it's ok! For other people, I wouldn't.

aliciaflorrick · 19/09/2013 17:15

Yes of course it is. If it's something they want or need they're not going to notice or care that it's been used before. My DCs actually know not to expect me to buy things like computer games new, or even things like iPods - they all come second hand in this house.

DS2 has very few items of clothes that haven't been handed down to him from DS1 or other friends.

In my experience children either grow out of things quickly or don't look after them properly, so second hand is fine.

I'm even considering given second hand as gifts to the children of friends and family this year, normally I would buy new, but money is tight and once the wrapping paper is off on Christmas morning it doesn't matter whether it's first, second or third hand.

PeterParkerSays · 19/09/2013 17:19

I do for DS and for others if it's something they'd appreciate - 1950s knitting patterns, 2nd hand copy of an out of print book or a board game DH had as a child etc.

Probably not clothes though for adults, just books and nick nacks.

Original poster
ghostspirit · 19/09/2013 17:20

the youngest dont know its 2nd hand the others do. i have to say to them if you have it new you will only get the one present and not anything else at all. not even pound shop stuff. and they seem to be ok with it.

i dont think i would buy 2nd hand for non family but then i dont buy for others anyway... but if i did it would be cheap and cherful like just something thats say 5.00-10.00 at most

OP posts:
spindlyspindler · 19/09/2013 17:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheDetective · 19/09/2013 17:25

I have just spent £50 on various toys on eBay for my soon to be 1 year old. They will be split between christmas and his birthday. I will buy some things new as I will be unable to get them second hand.

I see it as perfect sense - I have an 11 year old who costs far more, but will have less to open come christmas day Hmm. Mind you, all his xbox games are second hand. As was his computer. I am going to get him a laptop for his birthday next year as he is going in to a smaller bedroom, and will need the space that the PC takes up. That will be second hand too.

I'm not made of money. Unfortunately.

I don't buy second hand for others though. Just my children and my partner.

bearleftmonkeyright · 19/09/2013 17:27

Without question it is fine, even Father Christmas brings second hand bikes, unfortunately he left me and DP the job of cleaning the wheels with an old toothbrush on Christmas Eve to give it that wow factor!

missmarplestmarymead · 19/09/2013 17:27

I would love a Georgian writing slope and I guess it will have to be at least second hand.

CaptainCapybara · 19/09/2013 17:29

YANBU, my 2 year old got a large happyland playset with loads of figures for christmas last year and plays with it all the time, makes no difference to her that it cost £5 on a facebook selling page and not £40 from early learning centre.

bearleftmonkeyright · 19/09/2013 17:29

My Nan used to give me all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff that was second hand for presents and a lot of it I still have. Funny bits of jewellery, a book on wild flowers, ornaments. I loved it Grin

fuzzpig · 19/09/2013 17:34

I think it's great as long as it is in decent condition (eg a board game needs all its pieces). DH made an expensive mistake getting laptops on ebay for DSDs, they were awful and I was annoyed (he was embarrassed too, though DSDs were lovely about it)

Normally DH gets great stuff on ebay though, like thunderbirds/captain scarlet etc which DS adores - his old captain scarlet outfit cost 3 quid and went down much better than any new superhero/disney outfit would!

We often get books second hand too, it is necessary if they are out of print!

fuzzpig · 19/09/2013 17:35

Ah but bearleft, did he clean it with a second hand toothbrush :o

bearleftmonkeyright · 19/09/2013 17:37

Failed there fuzzpig Grin

DaleyBump · 19/09/2013 17:38

For your own kids and very close family - fine! For others, I wouldn't personally.

expatinscotland · 19/09/2013 17:39

Of course it is! Anyone have any Power Rangers figures to flog?

Lilicat1013 · 19/09/2013 17:54

I do a mixture of second hand and new for Christmas, depends what I am looking for and what my budget is.

I don't tend to do secondhand for other people unless I know they are ok with it but I am happy to receive secondhand gifts. My family and I all do Amazon Wishlists and a lot of them items on mine and my husbands are only available secondhand. On the kids wishlists I add notes to the toy would be equally loved new or secondhand so people know they can go for the secondhand option if they prefer.

Beechview · 19/09/2013 18:11

I regularly buy 'pre-owned' books and xbox and ds games.
I have bought for my niece and nephew too but wouldn't for anyone else.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 19/09/2013 18:14

I think it's fine. However if you were my friend I would say to you, if you can't afford much then you don't have to buy anything :)

specialsubject · 19/09/2013 18:15

yes of course, Children won't notice anyway.

more fun to buy second-hand, as long as it is working and clean. Less wasteful too.

FadBook · 19/09/2013 18:17

Not only is it OK it is very savvy of you Grin

ENormaSnob · 19/09/2013 19:05

I love second hand stuff.

Got a right haul at an nct sale last week!

SimplyRedHead · 19/09/2013 19:33

I think I've only bought about 3 things new for my kids in the last 7 years!

Last year DD1 and 2 got huge sack fulls of toys and clothes for about £30 each. All 3 of them are getting everything off eBay again this year!

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