Friend asking for toys she gave my baby 6 years ago back

[daniellegreg1]

Just that really.
A friend kindly gave me lots of baby toys, clothes and equipment when I had my first DC 6 years ago. I as really grateful as it saved me a lot of money at the time.
Recently, the friend has been asking for one particular toy set back - said it's of sentimental value as it was a gift from a relative of hers who died when she was young.
At no time when "giving" me the items did the friend say she wanted/needed them back. She gave them without any conditions etc.
As you can imagine, 6 years is a long time and I have periodic clearouts where I donate outgrown things to charity shops.
I honestly have no clue which charity shop I donated said toy set to. I've tried explaining to friend that had she wanted things back, then this should have been made clear at the time of giving them to me.

Memories are more valuable than material things

Oh comeback OP don't leave us on such a cliffhanger. How has it been left now?

Tbh whenever I've been donated anything and I want to donate it on, I always ask first. Incase they want it back or want to donate it to someone else.

Unless stated otherwise when given the items that I can do what I want with them after!

But after 6 years, I'm not sure what she wants you to do now.

Yes she should havd made it clear. But you say she saved you a lot of money. I think you should replace the toy she wants back. It's all you can do.

Has your friend seen one on Antiques Road show and it was worth a lot of money?

I am being cynical , but could it be the toy is worth something now ?
I don't know what the kids had from whom over the years and other than some books, lego and some sentimental soft toys I havn't kept anything after deciding not to have any more children

Of course you’re not being unreasonable!!

if it was a dear friend and it was for example her mum or nan etc who had passed away; I would maybe try and find a set on ebay and gift it to her saying you didn’t realise she wanted it back and were sorry you no longer have it. I’d draw a line after that and probably not accept any kids stuff from them in future!

Just say 'I am really sorry but it was so long ago I really can't remember. You should have advised at the time that they were precious to you and for me to return them.'

My thoughts exactly. The friend should not have given away a sentimental toy. But I would have still checked before passing/donating even if I wasn’t told beforehand.

Exactly what l was thinking

This, definitely

But if original owner had passed it on, second owner was fine to also move it on when no longer needed? People are funny, aren't they

Totally agree

Yes the crucial part of this story is missing, what did she say when told toy is long gone??

More to this I think. What toy was it? Is it now worth a bit of money? Seems very strange to suddenly ask for just one item back. Do not understand the explains bit - you gave it to a charity shop end of. No other explanation needed.

I wonder whether she's suddenly discovered it's 'collectable' and worth a few quid? Seems odd that she all of a sudden wants it back after all this time, she might be making the bit up about having sentimental value.

What toy is it?

Or she just doesn't hang off MN all day?

Posted and ran on November 14th not just 'all day's.

It's so odd when someone posts one thing then doesn't engage at all thereafter

I always give people the benefit of the doubt but when it's been days and days I assume they've totally forgotten about their thread.