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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:
Irishmama100 · 28/10/2023 14:29

Good for you!! And don’t be worrying about it, the kids will be delighted. Sure the box just goes in the bin. On that note, we always keep the boxes of expensive things so that they can be packaged up again and sold/given away😊

Sdpbody · 28/10/2023 17:08

My DD received over 100 LOL dolls for her 6th birthday and didn't bat an eye lid that they were second hand.

Kezzy16 · 28/10/2023 18:44

Could do it as a little hamper

Mostlyoblivious · 28/10/2023 19:18

You can get lovely gift boxes to give them in! They won’t know at all if they’re new or not - well done!

Jelybabay · 28/10/2023 22:08

Say you’ve taken them out of the boxes before wrapping so your recycling box isn’t over flowing and it’s easier for them to play with immediately

TheLeavesAreTurningBrown · 28/10/2023 22:54

Mine wouldn't have even thought about the box? Or that they may be second hand?

xmaswiththeinlaws · 29/10/2023 01:06

I wouldn't have a problem with it, you can always either set them up in a scene or put them in an "easy to open" gift box with a bow, If need be with a note from Santa/elves saying they couldn't stand being in the boxes a minute longer. With anything with batteries or complicated set up, it makes sense to have it ready to play when they open it. If you start buying better second hand things when your kids are young, they don't feel bad about it as they get older, especially if they know that they are saying the planet. Some of my kids favourite presents were second hand. When they were tiny, the NCT sale was a winner for great second hand toys and clothes. My DS is now 14 and loves vintage and antiques, my 16 DD loves shopping on Vinted, it's not a stigma to them, they realise it's good value and they get more for their money.

maddening · 29/10/2023 01:27

You can buy lovely gift boxes these days - set in lovely tissue paper they won't notice at that age imo

maddening · 29/10/2023 01:29

and you can resuse present boxes just like gift bags

blackoverbillsmothers · 29/10/2023 01:46

I’ve often thought back to when my DC were small and thought if I had my time again I’d buy second hand toys as long as they were in great condition.

As a child I have a clear memory of Santa leaving me a doll. She was sitting up in a cot with a large chocolate coin dangling from her wrist. So I’d agree with previous posters that it’s all in the presentation. I was very young at the time. It’s never occurred to me before that she might have been second hand. Don’t think she was but who knows?

MaryShelley1818 · 29/10/2023 02:39

It is not easier to just be honest? My DS5 knows he gets loads of things second hand and doesn't bat an eyelid. Strangely enough everything is new this year for Birthday/Christmas but last year was a huge Ghostbusters Firehouse and Figures, plus car which he still loves and lots of second hand clothes.

Lonejohny · 29/10/2023 03:23

My kids prefer non boxed toys.
They don't have to wait for them to be unboxed ( some toys even need a screwdriver) or batteries putting in. The toys are ready to be played with.

Bigmama84 · 29/10/2023 08:24

My child is autistic so we set all their toys out ready to play with or they would never get opened. Wouldn’t know if they are brand new or not!

mauveiscurious · 29/10/2023 08:32

My DCs are in their 20s we did this throughout their childhood. Children are interested in the gift not the box

Christmascrazymum · 29/10/2023 08:48

Depending what you have bought.

Could you buy a second hand children’s clothes rail, and some small hangers and hang any clothing for the dolls up. Where I live you can pick these up on Marketplace for around £10. Then have any dolls sat near it like they’re in a dressing room.

A matching coloured ‘accessory’ basket would be a great touch as well.

For a more personal and festive touch add some Christmas decor (some tinsel or foliage) or even some bunting or something to match their bedrooms.

Like many others have said, make it an experience, when they see the gifts and want to play. It really isn’t all about boxes and wrapping paper x

RocketIceLollie · 29/10/2023 08:50

Kids won't notice the boxes missing. If they ask just say you Santa/you took them out of the boxes so to wrap them.

Donttellhim · 29/10/2023 10:03

You’re definitely not being tight! Sensible, not tight. I would go as far to say we all have a responsibility to buy at least some secondhand Xmas gifts! Your kids might be the perfect age to talk about why it’s important to buy second hand where we can, so I wouldn’t even try to say they are brand new.

Mine are older, 31, 30 and 17. For a few years now they’ve had a second hand clothes, most of the time they are new with tags still on but bought from Vinted. My 30 year old is very clear she wants second hand. It is becoming the norm.

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/10/2023 11:34

Awcw1234 · 08/10/2023 20:14

6 and 8! They know toys come in boxes”

And? Any 6 and 8 year olds demanding new in boxes need a serious talking to.
Most 8 year olds are clued up about the damage being done to the planet, anyway. Expect most would prefer second hand.

Stormyweathr · 29/10/2023 11:46

You would be surprised that people actually sell boxes for things on eBay have a look for some of them

Coop21 · 29/10/2023 11:57

I done this when my kids were young as I have 5 and it’s so expensive 🙈 I just either wrapped them in Christmas paper or got gift boxes for them, when my kids want any devices I never buy new I also go to cash generators or something like that as they are cheaper and you get a guarantee with them so they don’t come in the box so I put them in gift boxes

ImNotARegularMumImACoolMum · 29/10/2023 12:20

What I would do is buy a smallish box and a few fake flowers (assuming they are age appropriate) and make like a Barbie bouquet so their feet are placed in the box but they are vertical.

With a bit of cellophane over the top your kids could end up thinking it’s quite unique and be glad they didn’t come in boxes.

Lazyoradhd · 29/10/2023 16:18

I get stressed at Christmas and forget that actually I can buy second hand. I'm always buying second hand books. Do people just go on facebook market place for the toys?

I would say that if kids have a problem with second hand it's because the adults in their life do too.

Elvis1956 · 29/10/2023 16:39

As a kid I often had 2nd hand stuff. My bike one year belonged previously to a friend who had outgrown it. I obviously knew what was new and what was 2nd hand. It didn't bother me, I knew a brand new bike was too expensive. I was just happy to have one

luw7797 · 29/10/2023 18:55

Nothing wrong with second hand toys!! Saves a fortune. Not sure what sort of dolls you’ve bought but could you set them up in a dolls house with a big bow around it? Something that makes it look like you intentionally took them out of the boxes rather than they never had boxes. Or even just say we took these ones out of the box so you could play as soon as you unwrapped them. I don’t think 6 or 8 year olds would question that too much xx

ALittleDropOfRain · 29/10/2023 19:39

Boxes get broken and lost, the dolls remain.

If you can get stickers/ a decal of the dolls, you could put that on an IKEA box, maybe daughters‘ names, and wrap each doll individually and place in box.

If they‘re small dolls, ‚wrap‘ in an IKEA dolls‘ house unit?

Buy a doll branded gym bag and ‚wrap‘ them in that?

In short, you can make the lack of packaging a feature :-)

My son knows I buy things second hand, and will look second hand himself if hankering after a particular toy. We‘ve had the discussions of how you get more for less that way.

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