To give second hand Christmas presents?

[ashley444]

My friends little boy is 7.
I asked my friend what he would like from me for Christmas.
She said she was buying him a Nintendo DS and I could buy him a game.
I sent a few over from Argos and asked which he would prefer.
She said I should go to a second hand games shop and I could get him them for half the price.
Here is the thing ...I'm not sure how I feel as it will be second hand,now I buy lots of DVD's for myself out of there but because it's for a Xmas prezzie I'm unsure.
What do you guys think?

gosh, if she's suggested it then I wouldn't think twice!

As she's suggested it, definitely.

Not quite the same, but I've given second hand books as presents before because I knew how good the books were and they were out of print.

I've bought second hand k'nex and playmobil for my own DS for Christmas.
Result is that he has a much bigger set with more scope for play than he would have had bought new.

We normally give second hand presents - eBay buys of retro things can give the most unique personal gifts.

Anything but bland prepackaged 'gift set's from chain stores.

Good grief yes. She sounds like a sensible intelligent lady!

I think as long as there's thought in the second hand present it's fine. Make sure you don't buy it because it's a bargain and it's one they would like.

For DD's birthday I got her 3 second hand DS games she will love, 3 books and a DVD all for £16. New in shops would have cost 3x the price.

As your friend suggested it, it's not a problem. If they are half price, you could get her son 2 games, or maybe 1 game and then something else that is 'new'.

I think a lot of people see second hand games as different from other second hand things. If they work, they work. Lots of teens use places like CEX to trade in old games and buy other used games. Certainly at 7, the child won't care.

I have bought second hand toys for my daughter for Christmas but not for other people.
However, if a friend suggested it, then I would be happy to go where she suggested and buy 2 second hand ones instead.

I think I will do that then.
He is into the Lego games so hopefully they have some good ones.
Thinking about getting a selection box top or some crafty bits as he loves to draw/colour in etc

It’s fine second hand games from somewhere like GAME will have been tested and the only thing missing will be the outside wrapper. I’m buying DD a Nintendo Switch for Xmas and will be picking up some games second hand as part of her present because given the choice between having one brand new game or 2 second hand ones I know which one she would choose. I’ve also bought her a secondhand laptop and dolls toys for presents before. They are always in great condition and they are new to her. She’s not bothered about the box for most stuff.

You're being ridiculous, I'd ask a friend to return a new game if I'd specifically asked for a 2nd hand one

Go buy it secondhand and half the price. It's the same game, plays the same, is a gift, costs half the price of a new one, mum even said do it. Win win win win win!

Second hand is totally fine, I actually wish people did this for kids birthday presents as it teaches them about recycling and newer isn't always better, but I'm not really keen on excessive consumption generally and am married to the king of thrift.

I dislike second hand but would buy a computer game second hand if it was a good saving. I'd not gift though, it would only be for home use. Giving a used item a small a gift just feels wrong for me but if the mum has suggested it then it's not as bad.

I mostly buy game mad DS second hand games because, as he says, 'I can get two or three instead of one new one!'
Straight from the mouth of an 11 year old.
I'd advise others to do the same. He gets new things, he doesn't feel hard done by.

Definitely second hand. The child won't even know it's second hand