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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Just one second hand thing...

76 replies

tinselvestsparklepants · 02/10/2019 22:45

Just bought my first Christmas present today, 2nd hand on Ebay. I idly wondered if it would be possible for as many people as possible to commit to buying even just ONE second hand Christmas present. I'm not trying to be preachy or holier than thou, but just one second hand gift each could start to make an environmental difference without anyone missing out.

I know some people will bash this idea and that's fine, but for those of you who might consider it please be emboldened by the growing number of people who'd actively appreciate being given something that isn't brand new. And if it's charity shop it's double win, right?

OP posts:
Milkfreemoomum · 02/10/2019 22:57

I did get a second hand Knex set in the orginal plastic box at my local carboot. £5! Such a bargin and my DS will love it

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 02/10/2019 22:59

Already do it. Picked up some lovely toys.

Ihatesandwiches · 02/10/2019 23:01

Santa brought DD a second hand doll's house and she played with it for years :-) if a charity shop, var boot or Ebay could find me a cheap barbie house now I would be delighted!

RainbowMum11 · 02/10/2019 23:05

I do it every year - toys, clothes, games etc, no need to buy everything new. Also sell on or charity shop things that still have some use or wear in them that DD has grown out of.
All clothes are sent down to younger cousins, and most were hand-me-downs from her older cousins too.

Owlsintowels · 02/10/2019 23:05

I just bought a barbie house with loads Of furniture for £40 second hand from Facebook marketplace, there are bargains out there!
I buy at least half my DC presents second hand, plus some of my family too. I can spend £30pp and get some really good stuff. And less guilt if they don't really play with the all the toys. Which they never do...

CaptainCarp · 02/10/2019 23:05

DC is getting a 2nd video game & figures.
A lot of their toys are 2nd hand anyway.

I also gave my cousin a 2nd hand Xmas present a few years ago when I was a skint student. They loved it & didn't even realise!

Original poster
tinselvestsparklepants · 02/10/2019 23:10

This is so lovely to hear. I hope all these good buys will encourage others who've been thinking about doing similar.

I've just put a bid in for some 1980s Lego for my DH. He will be unreasonably thrilled...

OP posts:
katmarie · 02/10/2019 23:11

All my DC's christmas clothes are second hand from ebay, I see no point in spending a fortune on clothes which will literally be worn for one day. I'm currently scouring facebook and ebay for wooden toys and stocking fillers for DS who will be 23 months, and dc number 2 who will be 6 weeks. I try to get as much stuff for the kids as possible second hand, mainly tosave money, but also to avoid waste.

mrsed1987 · 02/10/2019 23:13

Our local nct sale is on in a few weeks. I will be looking out for bargains there!

EvilHerbivore · 02/10/2019 23:15

More than half of DSs are second hand every year - picked up some Harry Potter Lego already that I'd have never had afforded new

SunshineAngel · 02/10/2019 23:17

I do this all the time anyway. I love to walk round charity shops and see what I can find. In fact, some of the clothes still have original tags on, and the books don't look touched!

Things don't have to be new for them to be enjoyed.

pumkinspicetime · 03/10/2019 00:37

I remember getting a very large number of Thomas the tank engines trains and a track from eBay. Putting the track together with no instructions after a few glasses of wine on Xmas eve is something DH and I will never forget. But we laugh now.
Dc loved them and then we passed them on to a younger dc.
Personally I love being given antique jewelry 😉

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 03/10/2019 01:13

I buy second hand every year for dds. however they do end up with a massive pile as I'm not good at saying no to a bargain 🤣

dd2 wanted the big lol surprise £129, instead I've scoured the Facebook pages and collected lots of dolls, pets for £60ish. even got her a couple of bratz dolls which are really similar to the new big dolls theyve released. she will have more, all the ones she's seen and loved and I will wrap it all individually for her own amazing surprise.

oh and Santa's elves wouldn't bother with packaging if they are making the toys right??

Velveteenfruitbowl · 03/10/2019 01:18

I like to go for antiques when it come to jewellery or vases etc. Much better quality and much more interesting. I also prefer to receive antique over brand new. Much more meaningful.

Barbarara · 03/10/2019 06:32

If helps to know your recipients! I have gifted my dm second hand clothes that she has loved. This year, she’s getting a beautiful cashmere sweater. She would disapprove if I bought her something like this new.

My mil would be horrified to receive that but she has a niche interest and I’ve tracked down an out-of-print book that I know she will appreciate.

I picked up a nearly-new board game that I’ll give to the dc. Over the years I’ve amassed a lovely collection of Christmas books that I take out in December.

Dniece is getting a 1980s Pretty Cut ‘n Grow doll. There’s nothing comparable now.

Dsis is getting an old cast iron scales with weights. She’s doing up her kitchen and it’s the sort of thing she loves.

I found Beleek Christmas ornaments in a charity shop in perfect unopened condition.

I don’t pretend that any of these things are brand new, and I don’t gift them to people who are uncomfortable about it. They’re also not always cheaper than buying new.

GingersAreLush · 03/10/2019 06:40

I’ve been doing that for years- toys, books, dvds.

TryingtobePrepared · 03/10/2019 08:56

I do this but it tends to be advent or stocking bits. Advent might be a Xmas movie night with 2nd hand DVD. Also I've upcycled things so kids have made frames with old jigsaw pieces & I'm currently doing a book safe. Think it can be a really thoughtful way to give

Looking4wards · 03/10/2019 10:26

I'm trying, having just discovered what a treasure trove FB market place is. But I've asked about 4 different things in the last 2 weeks, and they've all been sold before I could get there.

Goldenphoenix · 03/10/2019 12:02

Love your thread! I already buy second hand, i love how much money it saves and how environmentally it is so much better. I buy brilliant toys, clothes and books from charity shops, ebay and NCT sales throughout the year. There are usually NCT sales around October, would recommend them to everyone, such bargains to be had.

SnugglySnerd · 03/10/2019 12:07

I have already got a second hand toy for ds for xmas and I'm looking put for decent Barbie clothes and accessory bundles next.

keepingbees · 03/10/2019 12:13

You can get Barbie houses on Facebook marketplace and Shpock.
I often give second hand presents to my children. If I see something in a charity shop near Christmas I keep it back as a stocking filler. Some of the second hand gifts have ended up as favourites.

mogtheexcellent · 03/10/2019 12:22

DDs amazon gift list includes second hand books and DVDs. I always say buy these second hand.

lilsquish · 03/10/2019 12:29

both Christmas gifts iv got so far for the kids are second hand from fb market place.

They will only be played with for a few months and then il sell on or pass to charity

Ineedtochillthehellout · 03/10/2019 12:36

I’ve bought my mum a lovely Ralph Lauren handbag from eBay. It’s brand new and half the cost I’d seen it for in store. I’m also going to try and get her the matching purse from eBay too.
I quite often buy second hand/preloved gifts for my dc.

My favourite gift I ever received is a beautiful vintage jewellery box my mil found in a local charity shop !

Jammiebammie · 03/10/2019 12:37

I love giving and receiving second hand gifts, have done for years. Love getting vintage and nostalgic toys too. There are certain recipients who look down at regifting, so I usually make something for them, I am definitely trying to be more environmentally conscious, it’s hard with my daughter who has asd though and asks for all the plastic crap and would notice if something wasn’t exactly as packaged, even shes beginning to understand the impact though.

@nocutsnobuttsnococonuts your own lol surprise sounds brilliant, I’m sure your dd will love it. I saw online last year a lot of people were making their own with the giant empty surprise eggs you can buy and posting pictures, I’m sure you could google and find some. My dd3 has been obsessed with lol’s since they came out, we have some packaging/spare balls if it would help with your gift, id be happy to send some out. You can also get a really cool glittery caboodle from hobbycraft for a good price that stores them well, although it’s still plastic.