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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
caringcarer · 08/10/2023 21:31

I've often bought Lego, Play Mobile and Brio traintrack pre loved. They have lasted my 3 DC, Foster Children and now my DD has Brio traintrack for my DGS's. Set it up or put it in a few gift bags. I put Lego in the dishwasher to make sure it's clean, same with Play Mobile in a laundry bag. Then I put Lego in a large storage Box and you can download instructions and get any missing bits from the Lego website. It's must better for the environment and also their friends often had pre loved toys and clothes so it stopped them from standing out as the kids who always had new.

JustLookingThanks · 08/10/2023 21:38

I agree with Kelzbellz27, I was going to say Elf on a Shelf could hold a Christmas morning party and the toys could be opening their own presents which could be any clothes or accessories that you got. It would be such a fun thing to see for a child.

Feelinglow27 · 08/10/2023 21:48

My 9 year old asked for £40 doll for her birthday. No way was I paying that especially as I know she'll play with it once and then it'll get dumped. Ebay all the way. She didn't care.

iamenougheveryday · 08/10/2023 21:50

Great for the wallet and planet. Win win!

KeyWorker · 08/10/2023 21:58

It’s absolutely fine. My DD loves Designer Friend dolls, this week Ive got a bargain bundle of clothes and accessories for her for Christmas. Often even with new sets such as Playmobil, I’ll take the out the the original package anyway and build the set so it’s ready to play with.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 08/10/2023 22:01

My kids had plenty of second hand Christmas presents. They really won't care.

Original poster
Awcw1234 · 09/10/2023 09:44

Thank you for all of the responses, I feel a little less mean now! Looks like I’m not the only one who looks for bargains ☺️

OP posts:
RoseWrites · 09/10/2023 09:55

Same as everyone else. I buy second hand for my DD. My stepchildren are horrified but I see no harm in it for my DD and its better for the planet. I grew up with no money so I am very used to hand me downs (or "preloved" things to make it sound trendier!). We arr thankfully better off then my mum was but i find it a bit gross to spend hundreds on new plastic toys every year. This Christmas my DD wants a barbie dream house which is £250. I got one off fb at the weekend for £50. It needs a quick dust and then on Christmas eve I'll set it up with a load of second hand barbies and put a sheet of paper over it and a bow. The bloody thing is as tall as me so my DD will love it. And it'll look much better than if it was in the box!

bigageap · 09/10/2023 09:57

absolutely no issue. I've bought 2 huge boxes of Lego, loads of Schleich figures & and a microscooter from market place so far for xmas. It reduces waste and as these are for my youngest they will not be handed down so makes sense to me.

SleepingStandingUp · 09/10/2023 09:57

DH is 8now, he knows sometimes presents come second hand because he gets more then, and it's good to not just bin stuff. He knows we take our. Stuff to the charity shop or sell it on Vinted. If he wants something he'll ask me to look on Vinted just like he does Amazon. All three kids love a trip to the charity shop.

Thewizardbinbag · 09/10/2023 09:58

They’re the perfect age or start teaching them about second hand! It’s a good thing that they know and learn that we reuse and recycle, we don’t have to buy new. It’s better for the environment, it’s better for your purse and it gives the money to another person who can use it for their household.

It’s great all round. Teach them about it. I did with my kids and they use their pocket money the same way sometimes too, coz they know they can get the stuff they want for a lot less.

pinkfondu · 09/10/2023 10:00

Nothing wrong with that, kids would rather have more than boxes!

Depends what it is really, you can wrap each one in tissue and then in gift bags that way they still unwrap.

pacificoceanwhale · 09/10/2023 10:45

Absolutely go for it. I am doing the exact same for my DD (also for a top brand doll!) and saving a fortune.

I am going to try fashion some sort of box to put them in (no joy so far) but if that doesn't work out I think I'll take all of their gifts out of boxes & wrapping and just lay them out as DS is getting something second hand also.

I'll them I asked if Santa didn't put boxes on this year as it's better for the environment ✌🏻

StrawberrySquash · 09/10/2023 10:49

I remember getting an expensive toy one Christmas. Mum told me all about how she'd found it second hand. I was aware that's how we could afford it and didn't think it at all bad. I was just happy with the toy!

EmmaM84 · 25/10/2023 11:09

Kids don't care if toys are preloved, I certainly didn't when I was young. Home bargains etc do Xmas boxes for cheap, just get a batch of them and tie with ribbons. Job done 😊

rainbowsparkle28 · 25/10/2023 11:12

No yanbu or a bad mum. They will be too interested in the toy rather than where it has come from!

PorkDork · 25/10/2023 11:35

Nothing wrong with second hand.

My DS was after a particular comic book magazine that you can only get a subscription to, it’s not sold in shops. Rather than getting him the subscription, which is £30 and ties you in for ‘x’ amount of weeks (and no doubt I’ll forget to cancel!) I found bundles on eBay… 10 for £6.50… DS is only 8 and won’t know any different! Nor would he care, he loves getting new books and toys from the local charity shops x

Paynefully · 25/10/2023 11:39

Second had bits are great, who need a shiny new toy when it’s going to get played with immediately? You’ve saved money and brought more than you would have been able to. You’ve also saved a bit of plastic going into landfill!

I brought a load of second hand Barbie clothes for my niece one year. I wrapped the outfits together and ground the individual bits and brought a nice storage box for them, so it almost looks like you’ve intentionally unpackaged them to wrap and store.

but also, you should need to disguise that it’s preloved, they should ultimately be grateful for the gifts whether they’re new in the box or loved by someone else.

KAMi3240 · 25/10/2023 19:31

My daughter does a lot of activities so I involve her in looking for new football boots etc on vinted. She now loves looking on there for everything and isn't remotely bothered about stuff being secondhand. She is 7 so similar ages to yours. She also loves a good root around a charity shop!

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 25/10/2023 19:44

Hide them as part of a Christmas Treasure Hunt. Give the children festive clues to where the dolls are hiding, making the search part of the fun and you can't hide a doll well if still in a box, so a perfect excuse for no packaging!

HomeatRoseCottage · 25/10/2023 19:57

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?! 🙈

Think of the money you’ve saved and the benefit to the environment - I think it’s brilliant! I don’t really think the kids will care either. You could buy some nice present boxes to put them in with a bit of tissue paper etc so they are still packaged nicely.

HappiDaze · 25/10/2023 20:02

My DD had loads of secondhand Sylvanians for her birthday and Christmas

We would often have a lovely afternoon driving to some unknown village to collect some items for sale that were on longer in production so couldn't be bought new even if we wanted to

I bought loads of second hand stuff actually

HappiDaze · 25/10/2023 20:03

They don't give a crap about the boxes

Wrap them up in tissue paper in a painted shoe box

NewUsernameJT · 25/10/2023 20:30

Put them in a nice Christmas bag/box and lots of filling. At this age kids dont care x

pollymere · 27/10/2023 09:13

Mine never had any issue with Santa stuff not being in original boxes as they never are in the movies. Maybe buy a big gift box and put it in there, then wrap that?