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Christmas

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Original poster

Do You Buy Second Hand Gifts for Christmas?

52 replies

dustybinlydia · 30/09/2014 15:39

Ds will be 10 months old at Christmas. Just going through my list of gifts and have realised that, due to my great love of Ebay, quite a bit of it will be second hand. I am happy with his gifts they look new, some of these toys have been discontinued in the shops , and he will be 10 months old so clearly won't care.

Just wondered if others did this

OP posts:
FeelingTwitchery · 30/09/2014 15:41

Yes, I often have. Only for my own children though, not for others.

youmakemydreams · 30/09/2014 15:44

I do and know at least one other mum that does so there are probably more that don't admit it or I've never asked.

I have 3 dc and often get bits second hand. Including iPods and hand held games consoles.
They are always in great condition and so much cheaper than brand new. Th dc have never noticed and in the case of ds1's xbox he knew I could only buy one if it was 2nd hand and he couldn't care less he was just delighted he got one.

Drania · 30/09/2014 15:51

I've always done this, my husband had a second hand Xbox for his birthday this year. It saves us money whilst allowing us to splurge and treat our family a little!

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 30/09/2014 15:55

I've often done it for children. Various toys, PlayStation games, clothes sometimes. They neither noticed nor cared.

Take advantage now, whilst they're young - you won't get away with it so easily in future years! Grin

IssyStark · 30/09/2014 16:00

Yep, have done it for my immediate family and last year even wrapped up some of ds1's old presents which had been in the loft for ds2. There's 5 years between them and at just turned 2, ds2 didn't care as long as he got to pull off the paper.

I have sometimes also bought secondhand for friends when it has been something they've been hankering after, but I suppose that fitts under 'vintage' to make to sound posher Wink

LikeSilver · 30/09/2014 16:02

Yes definitely. Often things I would like dd to have but don't think are necessarily worth their full cost/can't afford their full cost - her Wheelybug, Little Tikes garden stuff, doll's pram. I scour charity shops for books too, would much rather pay 99p than £4.99 Smile

ChickenFajitaAndNachos · 30/09/2014 16:07

I haven't but often in September/October I put stuff on ebay that is in really good condition and it always sells.

Allisgood1 · 30/09/2014 16:12

I will be for DS as he's going to be 3 months at Christmas. Really cannot be spending loads on tat baby toys with two older ones who have very specific requests.

Original poster
dustybinlydia · 30/09/2014 16:20

One of his presents is a set of Postman Pat bookends. They are immaculate. I bought them coz they looked cute....They have "Made in 1986" stamped on the bottom Grin

OP posts:
DaisyFlowerChain · 30/09/2014 16:23

I would do with computer games but nothing else. I do pass thing on though so recycle that way.

dashoflime · 30/09/2014 16:26

I have done.
I got my Mum some Portmerion china from the Red Cross shop because I knew she liked it. I thought it was an impressive find.
I also plead "vintage"

SirChenjin · 30/09/2014 16:27

I did last year...bought DC3 a second hand bike in addition to his main present. It was v reasonably priced in great condition, he was pleased with it - why not??

The older 2 are teens now, and they ask for money and other stuff that I can't get second hand sadly, or I would. I'm a huge fan of ebay, gumtree and charity shops - anything that saves me money and reduces landfill is a good thing imo.

LeftRightCentre · 30/09/2014 16:28

Sure. Why not?

MehsMum · 30/09/2014 16:29

Yes, I have in the past and I would again.
All sorts of stuff in their stockings has come from charity shops, jumble sales and school fetes. They've had secondhand bikes.

I'm with SirChenjin about landfill.

BeyondRepair · 30/09/2014 16:32

gosh yes!!

of course! done this loads of times through out year if see stuff on freecyle, car boot/charity...a huge hit one year was a second hand £1 angel costume Grin.

getting harder, i must admit now 7...but yes buy second esp for that age, save the ££ you will need it, classes when older, bikes and so on, so ££ now.

MizLizLemon · 30/09/2014 16:34

Yes, have always picked up a few second hand stocking bits for DD. So far this year from charity shops I've got two books which I doubt have ever been read and a craft kit and some magic snow both still In their orginal packaging.

Jux · 30/09/2014 16:34

Absolutely! If it's the right thing then yes yes yes.

Amongst other things, I have got the following for either dh or dd:

A pair of beautifully carved wooden elephants standing about 18 inches high
An ancient, but fantastic with intricate marquetry decoration, example of her musical instrument (unplayable but beautiful)
A carved jade hare
A bronze occasional table
Ancient china dishes
Garden tools which are exactly right and not like modern ones ('proper' hoe, for example - dh has a bee in his bonnet about garden tools! - but also a sickle which is stronger than modern ones too, apparently Hmm)

When dd was little, I used to get the original sized Polly Pockets from boot sales for her. She has a rocking horse from a boot fair.

None of these are valuable antiques, btw, just interesting or beguiling things from junk shops.

I have received a ship's bell, and a Victorian preserving pan amongst other things.

MrsLindor · 30/09/2014 16:51

Lots this year as dd wants things they don't make anymore.

cindydog · 30/09/2014 16:52

yes I have bought in the past for gifts : antique bear, hallmarked silver items hate the 925 stamp so much of it is fake. Vintage blank birthday cards , old comics from childhood and currently considering buying a boxed dinky car (not cheap)

fuzzpig · 30/09/2014 16:57

This year I've got second hand top trumps for both DCs - the Roald Dahl set and the Pixar Incredibles set were not available new and they are sooo much nicer (and mainly more suited to DCs' interests) than any of the current sets. I'm very particular though about making sure they are complete and in good nick etc

WaitingForMe · 30/09/2014 17:11

I do. One of last Christmases biggest successes was a handmade wooden theatre. I was driving past, pulled over and ran in as the bloke was putting it in the window of the charity shop. Cost me £6.

I loved it not so much for the bargain as it'd take DH all day to make one like it for £15 of materials. Perfect joint present for an 8yr old, 5yr old and 1yr old Grin

DS gets loads of charity shop stuff and I donate plenty in good condition. DSSs not so much as they're into specific things.

usualsuspect333 · 30/09/2014 17:14

No.

HappyAsASandboy · 30/09/2014 17:21

For my kids and DH - yes! We have a lot of second hand stuff, so why not presents too?! Means they can have more/better brand with the money I have to spend, or that there'll be money left for something another day :)

For other people - no. Except jewellery, because some second hand pieces are lovely :)

Ladymoods · 30/09/2014 17:21

Yes always! I found Twister for £2 the other day, it normally retails at about £15. The kids don't care/notice so why the hell not?

I8toys · 30/09/2014 17:28

Most definitely - its a form of recycling as far as I'm concerned. When my children were babies I found that the second-hand old fashioned Fisher Price toys were more loved and played with than any of the new items I bought.

I've also bought top trumps secondhand that you cannot get now - my children are not concerned about such things.

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