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Christmas

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Original poster

Buying DS2 a 2nd hand bike for his Christmas - is this really bad?

22 replies

SirChenjin · 13/11/2013 13:08

DS2 is almost 7. Has been going on about a BMX for a while now, but a)he already has a good bike with gears etc which is more suited to the kind of cycling we do as a family, b)we don't have the money for a new bike and c)there are other things he's been talking about too. He plays outside a lot with next door neighbours boys and love cycling over a small ramp we have.

Next door neighbour's boys want for nothing - literally. Their house is one big expensive toybox - DS2 loves it . Despite having got a new bike last Christmas their DS1 is now getting a BMX for Christmas. I know DS2 will be gutted when he sees it - so I've bought him a cheapie but good condition, second hand one from Gumtree that will be one of his presents on Christmas Day.

I am Mrs Gumtree Charity-Shop, and am firmly in the kids-get-too-much-these-days camp - but have mentioned it to a couple of people and they've been a bit weird about it. It is OK, isn't it??

OP posts:

crazykat · 13/11/2013 13:14

Personally I think it's fine, as long as its not obvious that its second hand (covered in scratches or rust, battered seat). I don't know anything about bmx bikes but could you get a new seat or accessories for it to make it more his IYSWIM.

CloserLook · 13/11/2013 13:14

That's fine! I have no problem with buying the odd second hand item for christmas. Especially if it's something that's going to get bashed about a bit anyway. New is very nice if you have the money to spare but not essential for everything. Not weird at all.

bundaberg · 13/11/2013 13:14

it's fine! mine are getting the same!

MumOfTheMoos · 13/11/2013 13:17

It's fine. I got a second hand Vic20 computer for Christmas once (30 years ago) and I loved it!

Original poster

SirChenjin · 13/11/2013 13:25

Thanks all! Good idea about a new saddle to make it more 'him'

A vic computer?!! Our first computer was a Dragon which I suspect went the same way as the vic!!

OP posts:

wfrances · 13/11/2013 13:30

i think its fine too
anything my 10 yr old ds gets his hands on isnt shiny and new by the end of the day.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 13/11/2013 13:32

Second hand absolutely fine - as long as it's in good nick. A seven year old probably wouldn't notice the odd little scratch. you can give it a nice polish when you get it so it has shiny handlebars etc. My DDs had loads of second hand stuff, and it never bothered them - not sure they even realised actually!

Jinty64 · 13/11/2013 13:33

It's fine. Mine get lots of things second hand. I'm just re-discovering e-bay at the moment.

DisneyAddict88 · 13/11/2013 13:34

its fine! the majority of my childrens Christmas presents are second hand.
my eldest daughter's main gift is a sylvannian families house which I bought off ebay for £5.50!

and the best bit about second hand is no putting it together

Maryann1975 · 13/11/2013 13:36

Not weird at all. We have just had a clear out of toy stuff. I told the children I wil take them to the charity shop so father Christmas will be able to have a look to see if anything will be suitable for other children. Last year I got loads of Peppa pig stuff of ebay, the children could tell it was second hand, but I said Father Christmas still thought it was fine to be played with so gave it our dd rather than getting something new for her. They just accepted it. There is no need for everything to be new, as long as it still works and is in good condition our children don't need massive amounts of brand new stuff. I assume if he had a new bike there would be less other stuff? There is the compromise, a second hand bike and other stuff or just a brand new bike. It's fine, honestly.

Knittingnovice · 13/11/2013 13:37

DD had a second hand bike for her 3rd birthday and loves it. I know she is younger, but to me it is about instilling the same values I have. My kids are loved and not spoilt and appreciate what they have.
And think in a couple of years time you can pass it on to someone else and spread the love, but the family that always buys new probably doesn't freecycle/gumtree/ebay and will just add it to landfill

CelticPromise · 13/11/2013 13:39

Totally fine. My DS will be getting a secondhand bike too.

Elizadoesdolittle · 13/11/2013 13:40

Not weird in the slightest. I got given a second hand bike when I was a child. Of course at the time I didn't realise it was 2nd hand. I just thought it was the best thing ever. There was no way my parents back then could have afforded to get me a brand new one. It's fine.

Floggingmolly · 13/11/2013 13:44

Of course it's ok.

TwoStepsBeyond · 13/11/2013 13:44

We gave DSD a 2nd hand bike for her birthday and she loves it. We cleaned it all up, new tyres & grips, saddle (they were all showing wear) and new stickers (put her name on it!)

I also sprayed the handle bars as they were a little worn/rusty so it looked like new when she got it. Added a nice bell and some matching gloves.

Cost £20 for the bike and another £40 by the time we'd finished smartening it up, so it may have been possible to get a better condition one for a similar price, but it was lovely to work on it and put thought/effort into it, not just money.

My DCs are getting a few 2nd hand bits this year, books, games etc, most of which look as new. DS1 is just discovering the joy of ebay and is looking at used guitars, amps etc so he can get a better quality item for the same money as a more basic new one.

Anyone who can sneer at 2nd hand presents is lucky that its not an issue for them. Our DCs are the lucky ones as they have parents who know the value of things as well as the cost!

ErrolTheDragon · 13/11/2013 13:56

Of course it's fine. My first bike was secondhand, I loved it - and so did the next child to have it after us.

Its particularly appropriate for something like bikes which are outgrown and for a BMX which is meant to be really used, not kept nice and shiny.

DS1 is just discovering the joy of ebay and is looking at used guitars, amps etc so he can get a better quality item for the same money as a more basic new one.

second hand is also the way to go where older kids develop some potentially expensive passion - my DD is wanting windsurfing kit, no-one buys that new (well, someone must but darned if I know who!)

The people who've been weird about it are the weird ones!

SunshineAndPeardrops · 13/11/2013 14:11

No, it's not a bad thing at all.

Just take a look at the link below if you want reassurance. Some of the most treasured Christmas presents include a huge box of Secondhand Barbies and clothes, and a watch that one mumsnetter's dad found in his work's lost property!

If your son gets a bike he loves, he's not going to care if someone owned it before him.

What was your best childhood christmas present ever

PrammyMammy · 13/11/2013 14:23

It's totally normal in my house.
I bought my daughter a 2nd hand Flickr scooter for her birthday in September. No one had a clue.
We always look for good quality second hand gifts for ours, I simply couldn't imagine any other way.

Original poster

SirChenjin · 13/11/2013 14:57

Thank you all so much - you are all saying what I believe, and have restored my faith in my own judgement

We could afford a new bike providing it wasnt too expensive, but he wouldn't get any of the other things he has asked for and so this way he gets a bike that is new to him plus other things to the value of what we had planned to spend. DD is also getting a nearly new guitar to learn on - she is perfectly happy with that as again it means more to spend on other things.

OP posts:

2kidsintow · 13/11/2013 20:27

DD1 had a second hand bike for Christmas a few years ago. She had no idea that it was pre-owned as it was immaculate. :) I thought I'd do well to find her a bike that size under £100 and then my childminder's friend told her she was selling her one, inc helmet, for £35. Bargain.

This year I thought I'd have the same problem re budget for DD2. She picked the £79.99 one from Toysrus in the end though and I used last weekend's code to get 20% off. A new bike for a 9 year old for £64 isn't bad. :)

ShoeWhore · 13/11/2013 22:40

I only found out last year that my first proper bike was secondhand I am 41.

Assuming it's in good nick then that's a brilliant idea.

Original poster

SirChenjin · 14/11/2013 11:54

Thanks

OP posts:

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