Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give small children (somewhat) valuable old Steiff teddies?

66 replies

wackyracer123 · 17/12/2020 08:33

I have a relative who died not long ago, we hadn’t been close since I was a child, and so she left me her collection of Steiff animals since I’d liked them when I was little.

They’re very sweet, and I’d like to give three of them to my DC but from googling, it seems like the ones I like are selling for £60-£80, which seems excessive to give to children that will potentially break them.

What concerns me more though is whether it’s right to give children something 60/70 years old. I always admire vintage and antique things but never buy them because I couldn’t imagine myself using them. Until now I’ve thought it should all be well preserved in a museum to look at.

OP posts:
LawnFever · 17/12/2020 08:35

No I wouldn’t give them to kids to play with no

Backtoreality1 · 17/12/2020 08:35

Teddies are to be loved by children. Give them to your children, by all means.

Backtoreality1 · 17/12/2020 08:36

@lawnfever why on earth not? Its a teddy! Unless you plan to sell it, then its primary purpose is to make children happy!

Laureline · 17/12/2020 08:36

Or sell them and use the money? That way a collector can appreciate them, and you don’t have to worry about the potential breakage (and if 70 year old toys are safe for young children). You could keep one as a souvenir.

BiscuitDrama · 17/12/2020 08:37

IME your children won’t like them much because they’re not very soft.

SantasYumnuts · 17/12/2020 08:37

I wouldn’t, but I like to be able to regularly machine wash my DC’s soft toys which would probably damage such old toys. Unless you’re particularly attached to them, I would probably sell them and then use the money to buy your DC something they will love and can use without you worrying about it being damaged.

TheSandman · 17/12/2020 08:38

I have a pile (literally) of old teddies. Some Steiff bought 30 years ago from jumble sales and charity shops before people realised that they could make money from them. I'd kill my kids if they touched the without asking.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 17/12/2020 08:39

As decorative items? Yes. But not to play with... (Glass eyes, loose bits, non washable)

Aroundtheroom · 17/12/2020 08:41

How old are your DC? Old toys don’t have the same safety standards, and button eyes etc could be choking hazards. I would let my DC look at them under supervision, but I would never just leave them in their beds/toy basket.

RainbowRaine · 17/12/2020 08:42

Check with the parents first

Enough4me · 17/12/2020 08:43

Put them back for when they are older and they can sell or choose to keep?

ProudAuntie76 · 17/12/2020 08:44

I’d probably find some way to display them in a decorative way in their room. From being quite little, I was into antique type toys (we visited a lot of toy museums) and I had a shelf of porcelain dolls and certain teddies that were for looking at not playing with. I loved them and it didn’t scar me for life lol.

These days I’d probably do some IKEA corner shelving with the bears in plastic display boxes to keep them clean.

RainbowRaine · 17/12/2020 08:44

Sorry just re read they are yours DC.

Do you think they could look after them?

You could donate to a teddy bear/toy museum instead.

iMatter · 17/12/2020 08:45

My kids were given them when they were babies. They never played with them. They much preferred softer teddies.

ProudAuntie76 · 17/12/2020 08:45

@RainbowRaine

Check with the parents first
Confused Did you read the post?! They are for her children.
ProudAuntie76 · 17/12/2020 08:45

Sorry Raine cross posted!

FortunesFave · 17/12/2020 08:53

Put them on a high shelf in the children's room and explain that they're very old and only for looking at. Or are your children not the type that could resist? Some can and some can't I know.

Wherehavetheteletubbiesgone · 17/12/2020 08:56

Personally I wouldn't the safety aspects for one and secondly they are a collector's item. Those bears quite often are not designed to be played with. I wouldn't give my child an inherited expensive plate for his Fischer price kitchen some things it just seems wrong to damage.

SunscreenCentral · 17/12/2020 08:58

Absolutely not. Wrap the teddies on appropriate non acidic paper and store them.

eddiemairswife · 17/12/2020 08:58

In my mind Teddies are made to be cuddled and loved. Mine has been to Singapore and back on a P and O liner, to University, with me through out marriage and divorce, and now sits on a chest of drawers. He has no eyes, the stuffing came out of his arms decades ago, but he is still the same Teddy I loved as a child.

KarmaNoMore · 17/12/2020 09:00

Why on Earth would you give antique toys to small children to play with?

Being so old, they are not really toys but antiques/collectors items and they may not fit today’s safety standards for toys.

If you have no better use for them, sell them and get your kids a fancy climbing frame, a weekend away, new bedrooms or anything you think they may enjoy more.

Did your relative give you 2-3 of her favourite Steiff tedies when you were that young? I bet she didn’t, instead she waited until you could take care of her valuable collection.

Herja · 17/12/2020 09:01

I loved teddies when I was wee. My grandad gave me his beloved brother's teddy (brother dead for over 35 years at the time), along with his own. I cherished them and looked after them with care, as they were around 60 years old when I was given them. They were lost in a house move as an adult and, to this day, I am upset by their loss.

So, for me, it depends completely on the children in question. I would give them to some children, but not just anyone; I'd not want them damaged.

emilyfrost · 17/12/2020 09:01

Of course not. They’re too valuable for children; they’re a collectors item, not a toy.

SunscreenCentral · 17/12/2020 09:02

Eddie mine is here too beside me. He’s 50 and had undergone many traumas. He’s bald as a bean through love.

These are Steiff teds though and I’d preserve them if they are in good condition

JonHammIsMyJamm · 17/12/2020 09:02

I have an old Steiff, he is boxed and kept in the dark. A shame really but he’s not for playing with. As PP have said, he isn’t ‘cuddly’ and he doesn’t meet current toy safety regulations. Plus, he’s quite valuable, small children can play with any number of other safe, cuddly, widely available soft toys.