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Original poster

second hand presents

27 replies

superbagpuss · 16/11/2013 14:32

how do people feel about giving second hand stuff as presents?

we have been given a lot of toys - think star wars, Lego etc for our DC as gifts

would you feel uncomfortable giving your DC a toy that is obviously second hand?

they have lots of shiney new things from us as well

OP posts:
lljkk · 16/11/2013 14:36

giving my own DC? Absolutely fine, why the fig not? Trickier outside the family.

Patchouli · 16/11/2013 14:38

I've often given my DC gifts that I've got from charity shops/ebay etc
It may be silly, but I feel uncomfortable doing it with nieces and nephews. I gave my nephew a 2nd hand gift last xmas and think I got away with it (but that 'will I get away with it' feeling has put me off doing it again, even though I've seen a couple of great secondhand things I could get for this year).
I guess it's the other adults' attitudes I'm unsure of.

tracypenisbeaker · 16/11/2013 14:39

As long as it is in clean, safe condition I don't see the problem really. I'm sure you can wash/ sterilise most plastic toys such as Lego.

I would avoid things that have potentially been in another child's mouth with no way to clean it. I was at a car boot sale last week and a lady bought her child a really scruffy old battered smelly plush toy, which he then put straight into his mouth to suck. Boak.

Thiscoukdbeme · 16/11/2013 14:39

We do, DS was 18 months last Xmas & hardly got anything new. TBH most of it was hand downs, he was delighted with it. I'm planning on doinsilsr this year.

noblegiraffe · 16/11/2013 14:39

My DS is getting a second hand present from us, it was an absolute bargain at a nearly new sale. He's four, he won't even know.

Thiscoukdbeme · 16/11/2013 14:40

Doing similar, nod donsilar!

tracypenisbeaker · 16/11/2013 14:42

Btw, I wasn't implying you would give your child a rotten old smelly plush toy, it's just I was reminded of the lady at the car boot. It's amazing the tat people will buy.

Original poster
superbagpuss · 16/11/2013 15:33

my DC are 4 and its plastic stuff, proper star wars 70's era

OP posts:
sweetkitty · 16/11/2013 15:36

Wouldn't bother me in fact one of DD2s main presents is second hand from the US as it was only ever available there and was discontinued in 2010. New it was $600, I got it for £100 so very happy as she's wanted it for ages.

Splatt34 · 16/11/2013 16:27

My DD had all second hand stuff for her birthday and largely same for Christmas. I've been collecting stuff atom charity shops and car boots all year for a dressing up box. I agree with others though, for whatever reason would feel less comfortable giving second hand to other people.

LELoupee · 16/11/2013 16:43

I would and do buy second hand for my DC and my DH. A lot of DS toys and clothes have some from Facebook selling pages.
And DH would always rather I save a few quid by buying a pre-owned playstation game or the likes.
As a rule I wouldn't for anyone else. Although for a good friends daughter I bought a second hand toy baby change table, but I had discussed it with my friend before hand. And the bonus there is that it came ready built!

SteamWisher · 16/11/2013 16:44

I would but only for my children. Not anyone else!

monicalewinski · 16/11/2013 16:52

I would and have for my own children - ebay is a xmas staple for me!

I would to for my sister's children (and she and my mum have for my boys), but we let the other know and let them decide ultimately yes/no.

Other people - probably not.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 16/11/2013 16:54

I do for my children
I have done for my brother's kids but I ran it past him first.
As all the nephews and nieces get older I might but it depends what it is. Pink Floyd on second hand vinyl is much cooler than a brand new cd for example.

Lilicat1013 · 16/11/2013 16:59

I do for my own children and I am happy to receive second hand gifts for them.

I don't tend to buy second hand gifts for other people's children as I am not sure how their parents feel about it.

Luggage16 · 16/11/2013 18:06

for my own yes, for others no (except a friend who has asked for hand me down clothes for her 2 girls for xmas)

2lilgirls · 16/11/2013 18:10

I would give second hand to my own kids no problem but not as a gift to anybody else.

Marne · 16/11/2013 18:17

Dd1 is getting a 2nd hand Gameboy for Christmas, she asked for one so I had to explain they are no longer made so it will have to be 2nd hand and she's happy with that.

My nan always used to give us 2nd hand gifts, mainly tat she had picked up from jumble sales, we used to look forward to opening her presents (still do).

soundevenfruity · 16/11/2013 18:30

We do with expensive items like bikes. I would not give second hand clothes as presents. But then DS is quite young and hasn't expressed any opinions about it. If he did I would take it into account while explaining that buying new means cheaper or older model.

DTisMYdoctor · 16/11/2013 18:30

I'd love to give some of DS's old toys as presents - stuff in great condition and cost more than I would spend on a present for those children, but I'd feel a bit funny about it. I suppose we could just give them away anyway, but have decided to put anything with a decent resale value on eBay and put the proceeds in DS's bank account (as it's his stuff). I have and would give 2nd hand stuff to DS though - particularly things like playmobil etc that has been discontinued.

CorrieDale · 16/11/2013 18:37

I do it all the time for my own. Wouldn't do it with anyone else tempting though it may be.

moldingsunbeams · 16/11/2013 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mercibucket · 16/11/2013 18:46

i would ebay second hand star wars lego from the 70s, bet its worth a bomb Grin

honeybunny14 · 16/11/2013 18:51

Yes for dc mabey but i do not like to recieve second hand gifts i got a few a few years ago from the same person and i knew straight away they belonged to that person they smelt like cigarette smoke

Kyrptonite · 16/11/2013 18:53

So far for Xmas I've bought a bike for DS, dolls house with furniture and people for DSD and sylvanian boat, caravan and car for DD. All second hand and £50 in total.

I would feel a bit off giving someone else a second hand gift though in case they thought I was cheap!