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AIBU?

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Original poster

Second hand toys for Xmas?

170 replies

Awcw1234 · 08/10/2023 20:11

Kids are massively into a particular doll brand and their items are at the top of their Xmas list. Problem is, everything is so so expensive!

I have picked up a fantastic bundle this weekend on Facebook marketplace… all in great condition but not new in boxes obviously!

I’ve got more than I’d be be able to buy them new but am I being a tight Mummy?

Tips on disguising the lack of boxes?! 🙈

OP posts:
Blessedbethefruitz · 08/10/2023 20:13

How old are they? Mine are young so this is not a problem! You can set it all up ready for play with a big bow on, that's always good for wow factor!

Definitely don't buy new for the sake of it with col/environment.

ellesbellesxxx · 08/10/2023 20:13

absolutely go for it! Better for the environment as well as your pocket!

Original poster
Awcw1234 · 08/10/2023 20:14

6 and 8! They know toys come in boxes!

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 08/10/2023 20:15

We did. A huge pile of Brio for almost nothing. Have done with Lego too. Could the doll and accessories be posed and covered with a piece of material and then unveiled?

Justtochat · 08/10/2023 20:15

I buy almost everything second hand as it’s kinder to the planet 💚 There’s no shame in it, plus kids are excited about what they’re getting, not what it’s in! Recently I’ve taken to wrapping gifts in cloth bags I sew using playfully patterned and coloured cotton (I recycle bed sheets).

JobMatch3000 · 08/10/2023 20:15

Last year "Santa" brought DD7 some t-shirts with her favourite character on them. She has no idea they were pre-loved, and as PP, it's all in the presentation.

The6thQueen · 08/10/2023 20:17

I’ve always been honest with mine about buying second hand. They’re now 13 and 10 and know most of their clothes are second hand - they’re often designer or very desirable, so this is the only way I can afford them.
I bought most of their toys second hand for as long as I could. Playmobil and Lego last several lifetimes.
They know it’s better for the environment to do this and mostly really like it. They also more appreciate the new things they do get.

MidnightOnceMore · 08/10/2023 20:17

Yes this is great.

I have often bought secondhand for mine, as it is better value and better for the environment.

Photio · 08/10/2023 20:18

Absolutely fine, I've done that before.
Can you set the dolls up in some scene under the Christmas tree? Or peeping out the top of the stocking?

Honestly they'll be so excited to see the toys they wont even notice they're not in a box. Kids hate the fact they have to wait a while to play with the toy while all the packaging is opened anyway

Giggorata · 08/10/2023 20:18

I used to, in the days when they wanted certain toys and we were skint.
Sometimes I used nice gift bags, covered or painted suitably sized boxes… as long as it looked nice under the tree, they were happy enough when they opened their gifts.
And nowadays we have the extra incentive of being eco and waste conscious. 😉

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 08/10/2023 20:18

just buy a Christmas themed box if you want a box and put them in there!

Dramatic · 08/10/2023 20:20

Oh yes absolutely fine! Slightly harder the older they get but definitely do it while they're young.

I got a Barbie ambulance for a fiver off marketplace and I know my DD is going to love it

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 08/10/2023 20:21

I've bought loads of presents second hand for my two. Kids are perfectly capable of understanding that second hand means more for your money so more presents for them. I buy most of my clothes second hand too so they're familiar with the idea. Just bought my DH some new roller skates for her birthday because they were on a ridiculously good offer, she knew she was getting them but was expecting them to be second hand.

neonleopard · 08/10/2023 20:21

I often buy secondhand things for Christmas / birthdays - Playmobil, that type of thing. Wrapping wise, you can sometimes find gift bags / wrapping paper of the same brand (lots of bits wrapped in tissue paper in a bigger box / bag is fun!) Or sometimes I put a few things out set up / unwrapped on Xmas morning (e.g. train set / dolls house kind of things - set up a doll's tea party type thing?!) and the missing packaging wouldn't be questioned! Once I got a refurbished iPad which came in a generic box, and asked on our local buy/sell site if anyone had an unwanted box for the same size model, which they did!

ballsdeep · 08/10/2023 20:21

Boxes her ripped open in seconds and who wants to be fiddling with those plastic ties Xmas morning when the kids are desperate to use them

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 08/10/2023 20:22

Just bought my DD roller skates I meant to say. I did not buy my DH roller skates, though it would be funny!

ThinWomansBrain · 08/10/2023 20:23

Awcw1234 · 08/10/2023 20:14

6 and 8! They know toys come in boxes!

they should also have some understanding of reuse, reduce, recycle

Inyourwildestdreams · 08/10/2023 20:23

Absolutely perfect to go second hand 😊👍🏻 They won’t be fussed about the lack of packaging when they see the toys 😊 Do they have somewhere specific to store all the doll stuff? What about putting it all in a nice storage box that they can use to keep everything together in?

I’ve bought a huge bundle of BRIO train set secondhand for DSs birthday. He’ll never know the difference when it’s set up, and he’s got about 3x what I’d have been able to get him brand new, and for a fraction of the price 😊 win win as far as I’m concerned!

NnarcissaMalfoy · 08/10/2023 20:23

As pp have said, this is the responsible thing to do and we should all do it for the sake of the environment even if we're rich. Not about being tight at all. So I wouldn't try to disguise it at all, use it as a teachable moment for them ie we do this as its much better for the planet to give things a second life. Instill the right values in them young! And the big bonus that you can get more for your money

Shinytaps · 08/10/2023 20:24

I’ve bought my kids second hand stuff in the past. If it’s what they want then why not - doesn’t matter where it comes from. My friend always takes the stuff out of boxes before she wraps it as it’s ready to play with. You could always buy some nice Christmassy boxes if you wanted to.

Jericha · 08/10/2023 20:24

I love a second hand bargain and often buy my children second hand stuff. Equally I give away a lot of stuff for free or for a small price. We're not skint, don't need to buy second hand, but just don't see the point in paying full whack. That applies to me as well as my children.

Guessguess · 08/10/2023 20:25

I get everything second hand for my little ones, they don't realise toys are meant to come in boxes 🤣🤣 but I'm very proud of buying so much 2nd hand and when they're old enough to understand I'll tell them that

Twentypastfour · 08/10/2023 20:26

I have always tried to do about 80% of Christmas second hand. It’s much more ethical and you can get fantastic bargains of course.

Twentypastfour · 08/10/2023 20:29

Btw mine are similar ages.

They both still believe in Father Christmas so it seems much more believable for toys to come without boxes anyway. But even if they didn’t believe .. so what? Would a child really ask for the box on Christmas Day? Mine never have.

Beaverbridge · 08/10/2023 20:31

Absolutely not. Kids don't know any different. Get some Christmas boxes and stick them in there.