AIBU to get 18m old DC second hand toys for Christmas?

[NC4THISS]

For the price of one new item, we can totally overhaul the play area with many many new things that are in great condition, already put together and have a lesser impact on the environment.

DH seems to think it’s a bit off since we could afford to get all these items new, but I don’t think spending hundreds on a bloody toddler is a great idea when things can be found for a fraction of the price. My thoughts are they’ll never know it’s second hand, just play with it and then I’ll sell it on/give it away in the future.

For context I also buy myself second hand things if they’re in great condition too, shoes/bags/clothes/phone/car.

Totally agree. I had loads of second hand toys when my kids were younger.

Sounds like a great idea. Maybe try and stagger the new things, though, otherwise they can get overwhelmed at that age.

If the stuff is in good condition it's not like he's going to care. He'll be happy with all the new toys you will have saved money and it's better for the environment. It's a win win.

DC will have no idea. Definitely go secondhand.

Best thing you could do.

LO will not know or care

I’ve done all my kids stockings from charity shops, got loads of amazing stuff for 1/3 of the price and helped out a charity. Some of the stuff was new, others needed a wipe other, a bit damaged- will say happened whilst travelling the world in a sleigh if asked!

I wouldn't have a problem with second hand at all, but does it have to be all or nothing? Could you do mostly second hand and a couple of new things? Assume your families will get your DC new things too?

I’ve always done this!

At least half of all my kids toys and books are second hand - I started looking a couple of months ago for Christmas. Better for the environment and better for your pocket.

@RedwineforSantaplease

I love second hand books!! 50p or free for something that costs £6-10!!

We’ve got a local Facebook group of book swap/free books- it’s fabulous!

I got books the other day which new would have cost me about £70 for free! And then I put on lots of books we’ve read loads

Yanbu.
Although we tell our children that things are second hand now they are old enough to understand - they still don't care

Not at all. Better all round, cost, environment, helps out whoever is selling second hand toys.

I would never buy my child secondhand. You don’t know whose had it, where it’s been, how it was looked after.

I understand people buying secondhand if they can’t afford new, but if you have the money I think you should buy new. Not least because it leaves these secondhand items available for poorer families.

Nope, I got my DD a second hand play kitchen 2 years ago for Christmas and it's still one of her favourite toys.

This is the first year I haven't bought second hand for her, mainly because the stuff she wanted was more expensive on the selling pages and we got a few good deals.

Seems silly to waste money on new when you don't need to

I loved doing this when mine were little. It also worked great as didnt have to spend an hour or so wrestling packaging and putting stuff together on Christmas day, the elves had already done it! Great idea, go for it and enjoy the bargains.

Do it. The mounds of toys they acquire and amount of plastic is horrifying. We need to reuse where we can - there is absolutely no need to buy new, financially or environmentally. I’ve just been perusing eBay for equivalents to the thing my DD has asked for for her birthday to avoid buying mounds of new plastic (it’s going to work out being more plastic, because I can get more toys for the same money, so she is happy and although it’s more plastic I’m happy that it’s reused!)

we get our toddler almost everything 2nd hand. only things we don't (other than car seats and mattresses) are things that we can't find 2nd hand or can't find in decent quality 2nd hand. for Christmas we will get him a few 2nd hand things spread over a few weeks up to Christmas and he will open family stuff on Christmas day which will be mostly new.

So much better for the environment too.

Do it!! Why is it off! As long as they are all clean!
I did this when dc were little out of neccesity, from charity shops, feexyle etc.
It meant once we were fine with them they could be passed back into the system!
Put the money you save into a junior isa for him or a sipp even!!

Go for it

More fool people who buy everything new

Better for you financially, better for the environment, no difference whatsoever to your kid.

I fail to see a downside.

Completely agree with you.
Good condition second hand makes so much more sense, especially when they are at the age that they don’t know it’s second hand

Ds had loads of second hand toys, most of them were in good enough condition to donate after too. Much better for the environment as well as being better financially.

no downside to this at all. We still do this with teenagers and phones/ bicycles/ gym equipment etc. It is better for the planet and better for your wallet and makes absolutely no difference to your child.

I would,
I understand where your DH might be coming from though so perhaps you guys could pop some of the money you would’ve spent on new into a savings account for DC?
It’ll come in handy when they’re older and want a bike or something.
Or use it for days out and such?