Second hand xmas present

[Mamazita]

Hi, my DS2 is obsessed with garbage trucks and bins. He already has 5 trucks and really enjoys playing with them. I've just bought a Bruder type truck on eBay for £15 second hand as part of his xmas presents. They sell for £50 in the shops with £15 delivery as they are from Germany.

I discussed this today with my sister who said she is disgusted that I've bought second hand for xmas. AIBU or is she? The way I see it, is that's he's only 2 and won't know any difference but after our conversation I'm now doubting myself.

I find the attitude to good quality second hand presents strange.

In many ways it’s no different to getting an antique piece of furniture, a vintage handbag, a original Star Wars collectible or a first edition Jane Austen. They have all been used and loved before, the difference is people place a value on them.
We throw away far too many things. Second hand toys may not have a fancy box but only that gets thrown away too.

Also, Toy Story has shown us that old toys need love too - I’m a sentimental old fool!

Ds 5 is getting playmobil second hand this Christmas. He is so phasic with his toys right now I can’t bring myself to spend £50-£100 on plastic tat that might be discarded in a few weeks. Would much rather save the money for him or spend on fun days out.

Your sister is silly. She sounds like she's either a snob or she spoils her children. You, on the other hand, sound like you're sensible and have good values. There's nothing wrong with second hand.

Take no notice OP. There's nothing wrong with it. I saved ££££ by doing this and like you say they don't notice these things until they're older anyway.

@TimberTot even when we get a new toy we usually rip it out of the box and put a battery in it before wrapping it, to avoid just this type of saga on birthday/Christmas. So it may as well be second hand!

I think you've done absolutely the right thing. Save the money!

I've bought loads second hand for mine. Iy gets put in a big box with a bow or in a gift bag. Things like Happyland, Playmobil, tv character playsets etc.

We have bought two second hand items for Christmas so far and I see nothing wrong with that. The first is a retired Disney Animator doll that my youngest doesn't know exists but will LOVE. It was expensive and still boxed, but shows signs of wear from display. If she spots any of that before the box is ripped off and thrown to one side I will be shocked.
The second item was a Sylvanian Beechwood Hall set. Retails around £60+ and we got it for £30 (including the family and furniture). When I picked it up I thanked the woman and told her she'd saved Santa a lot of money this Christmas! The house itself is clean and the lights work. We have bought new furniture to go with it too. The reality is we would have unboxed this and set it up for her on Christmas Eve night anyway. So I don't see the difference.

My daughter will never know these things belonged to someone else (she's 3). Even if she did I don't see the issue so long as they are clean and still work.

Sister is definitely being unreasonable then! She totally spoils her kids so think that's why she's disgusted. Seems so many of us have gotten a bargain. I'm going to keep a look out for more quality second hand toys. Feel much better now.

For DS' first and second Christmas (4 months/16 months old) I put some of his existing toys into his stocking. I didn't think there was much point in buying more stuff when he had everything he needed. He was quite overwhelmed with new stuff at birthdays, but LOVED seeing his toys inside a big shock!

We often get second hand stuff (in good condition) and he's never noticed. I'm sure as he gets older he'll be more aware, but currently he hasn't a clue!

I think it's different if you're buying something for £2 and then exchanging gifts with someone who's spent £20 on you, but otherwise second hand makes sense!

Very wise decision. We do second hand books and toys occasionally, nothing wrong with it. I bought second hand gadget for my daughter a few years ago, was very glad about this afterwards as she turned out not keen on it at all, at least I saved some money.

We are comfortable financially. Dd has gotten many second hand Xmas gifts over the years. Why would I waste money when a toy from a resale shop looks brand new?

Pretty much all of my 3DCs clothes and toys are second (or third or even fourth hand). They get to wear great quality stuff I can't afford new (Frugi, Boden, monsoon etc) and have lovely toys that gets loads of play. DD loves Build a Bear and their clothes new are so pricey, she's got a whole wardrobe for her bears at a tiny fraction of the new cost. It's also much much better environmentally than buying new.

As long as it's clean, in working order and has no missing bits, it makes perfect sense. Particularly for a child so young. Well done you for being thoughtful and searching out a good deal. Your sister sounds like a bit of a twit with money to burn. Hope your DS has hours of fun with his new toy.

@KC225 i love that

I sometimes find genuinely minted people care less about the stigma, for want of a better word, of 2nd hand. My mum has a v well off friend who always buys lovey thoughtful gifts from car boots and charity shops and doesn't make it a secret.

Definitely not unreasonable! When our son was a toddler, he was OBSESSED with all things 'Thomas' & we regularly found great quality 2nd hand stuff on eBay etc - he was thrilled & oblivious! Result!! Even ended up selling some of it on after he'd grown out of it - it was clean & in great condition, so why not??

I regularly buy 2nd hand stuff for the kids Xmas or birthdays (in fact I just ordered an xbox game for one for Xmas 5 mins ago!)
They dont care as long as its something they wanted. And they are regular charity shop goers to get toys, games and dvds. We have got some great bargains over the years.

Tell her to mind her own business.

We buy as much as we can second hand. Clothes and toys. We found a woody toy with the pull strap. Brand new with tags on in a charity shop for £3 when they retail for £25 and the tag said it came from Disneyland Paris!

It's new to me, saves money and stops a waste of things.

Meant to say my 2 are now teens and still dont care

We buy second hand presents for DD all the time. So do our relatives as they know we don't mind.

I buy close friends second hand stuff if I know they'll like it.

Most of my clothes and DD clothes are second hand too.

Very sensible and I’ve given some toys like this away as presents too.

Actually there are still things I buy second hands my my two dcs, who are teens now.
Things like a new xbox, Xbox games were all second hand. They couldn’t have care less!
My own hone is second hand and is Dc1 (who CHOOSE to buy it refurbished rather than new).
Other things have been new.

Buying new is mad if it's just for the sake of it.

When my kids were really little we brought in the idea that not only does Santa bring presents but he also sometimes finds stuff you've lost or forgotten about and fixes things that were broken.

One year they got their own toys they were bored of, but spruced up a bit. Winner.

I bought a 2nd hand Islabike balance bike a few years ago for £90. It ended up being used by two of my children for 3 1/2 years and then sold it for £70.

The only way to get the really good wooden Thomas tracks and engines these day is 2nd hand. The new range is rubbish.