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Christmas

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

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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:

sheshootssheimplores · 03/10/2019 12:39

I buy so much second hand stuff including kids presents. I do worry about retailers because I know it’s becoming so much more common. All my clothes are second hand including shoes and coats. Probably the only thing I buy new is underwear!!

GhostOfChristmasPudding · 03/10/2019 13:07

I’ve made sure any books or DVDs I’ve bought as gifts are secondhand where possible. Sometimes I reuse something secondhand where I can too - I’m currently knitting a Thomas the Tank Engine jumper for DS using wool from an old jumper of mine and a pattern off eBay.

Having said that, I’ve also bought some of my gifts new where they were cheaper, but I’ve limited plastic tat and stuff that won’t be used.

Bluewavescrashing · 03/10/2019 13:09

I'm already on it OP! Great work.

reluctantbrit · 03/10/2019 13:45

I do it but it depends a bit on what it is and how it looks.

If I gift something it has to look good and be in a very good condition, so books without ears, games/jigsaws in a decent box etc.

I find it easier with things like china/glasses or ornaments.

Whitecandle · 03/10/2019 14:55

Bought my DS a second hand toot toot bundle 😊 Saved over £100!

Balula · 03/10/2019 14:58

My kids 'big ticket' pressures for Christmas now birthdays are usually technology based (teens) and are alway refurbished/second hand. They're not bothered at all.

PhantomErik · 03/10/2019 15:04

I've bought loads of secondhand christmas presents for my dc over the years.

Part or full sets of playmobil, interesting bits to add to a wooden train track, lego bionicle sets that are no longer made. Dolls house & furniture, bundle of dressing up outfits, loads of books & dvds. Build a bear & outfits, designafriend doll & outfits & probably loads more!

There's a few dvd boxsets I'd like for Christmas so have told family I'm more than happy with secondhand.

SuzieBishop · 03/10/2019 17:10

I’ve bought my DD a Mamas & Papas caterpillar ride on worth £39 for a fiver off of Marketplace and he’s in brilliant condition!! Plus DS is getting a couple of toys that he got for his birthday in February but just never got around to actually opening!

BarkandCheese · 03/10/2019 17:21

I’ve bought DD a Japanese Bodyline skirt from eBay. She’s into that poofy frilly Japanese style and the real things cost a fortune new, but I got one for under £10. In the past I’ve bought her second hand books and toys as gifts as well.

Unfortunately I don’t think anyone else I have to buy for would be happy with second hand items. I would though, I’d honestly be delighted if all my presents were second hand.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 03/10/2019 17:22

I got a big box of playmobil for dc1's christmas including 2 of the micro sets (castle and noah's ark) and a nativity from the charity shop last month.

My favourite charity shop does 5 books for £2.50 so I tend to buy myself (on dh's behalf) quite a few.

Original poster

tinselvestsparklepants · 03/10/2019 18:05

I think knowing who is happy with second hand is really useful, isn't it? I've made it clear I am, I know my mum is and many of my friends welcome it too. We do charity shop secret Santa at work, too, but it's clear that some people really aren't keen on the idea, (and I respect that) so it usually ends up a bit mixed.

OP posts:

Equimum · 03/10/2019 19:23

I’ve never really made a pact as such, but there is usually a charity shop or second hand gift here. When my boys were small, they nearly always had second hand but for the Brio train set. Funnily enough, I have just sold some bits on, which are going to be Christmas gifts for other children.

This year, my sons are having bikes and they will be second-hand, so that’s our thing for this year.

Walkingthedog46 · 03/10/2019 19:32

At a friend’s place of work they have a brilliant scheme for Christmas gifts. It has been agreed that all gifts which must come from a charity shop and cost no more than £10. They have a lot of fun seeking things out and find some really lovely stuff.

Allthepinkunicorns · 03/10/2019 20:43

I often buy second hand gifts for ds. This year I've found a load of playmobil. Christmas dvds and a horrible history Christmas book which he will be thrilled to receive. I often buy puzzles and games from charity shops which have never been used.

WellTidy · 03/10/2019 21:23

I do this every year. DS has autism and is obsessed with wooden Thomas the tank engine trains. The obscure ones he likes aren’t being made anymore, so I pay obscene amounts of money sometimes on eBay or through Facebook selling groups for a well loved random train that I can’t buy anywhere else. DS doesn’t care whether something is new or not and I just want him to be happy.

Sn0tnose · 04/10/2019 13:07

I’ve just discovered Turtle Doves and I’m recommending them every chance I get! They recycle cashmere and make gloves, hats, etc out of them, so you get something lovely, cheaper and eco friendly, but it feels like they’re brand new.

Shufflebumnessie · 04/10/2019 15:19

I love buying second hand. I've already bought several things ready for DS & DD for Christmas (including books, dvds, Happyland figures etc for stocking fillers). DS has requested the Imaginext expanding batcave for Christmas. I picked one up yesterday that I found on a FB selling site. Immaculate condition and about 1/3 of the brand new price.
I've also got a Scooby Doo play set, with loads of extras, as a joint present. Was £20, would have cost over £100 to buy it all new.

Last week we picked up a nearly new dining table so we can fit everyone in for Christmas lunch. Absolute bargain for £65. Tomorrow I'm collecting a filing cabinet that looks brand new.
It's almost become a challenge to find what I want second hand

HearMeSnore · 04/10/2019 15:27

Great idea. I've never done this but have just arranged to pick up a second hand toy for DD. It's something she asked for ages ago and I've held off getting it because it's a great load of plastic that she'll use once or twice and then forget about. Now she can have it without the guilt or unnecessary expense.

Lilicat1013 · 04/10/2019 21:32

I haven't got as much as usual second hand this year, I have some second hand books for my mum and a Build a Bear Skye for my younger son (he wouldn't want to build it himself as he is autistic and the shop stresses him out).

My older son is also autistic and obsessed with Leapfrog and vTech, I am constantly looking on eBay for old versions of their toys. He has every toy laptop Leapfrog have ever made and now we are working on the vTech ones. My mum has a secondhand vTech Little Einsteins one for Christmas and I have a secondhand Dora the Explorer one that is probably older than he is put away for his birthday. He is going to go nuts, he gets so obsessed with them.

My whole family do Amazon wishlists for Christmas and birthdays and I always put in notes for mine and the kids that secondhand is great. My mum does the same hence the secondhand books.

bellinisurge · 04/10/2019 21:33

I always get DD's Christmas clothes off eBay.

katycb · 04/10/2019 21:35

I've just won an eBay auction for a big bag of second hand build a bear clothes for santa to put in my twins stocking..

Bluewavescrashing · 05/10/2019 04:49

The other great thing is you avoid all the unnecessary packaging that comes with new toys. I hate those plastic cable ties that strangle the figure or whatever and are a pain to cut!

SilverChime · 05/10/2019 05:03

I don’t buy second hand as such but I do buy vintage. If I could get second hand stuff cheap I probably would, but in many cases the good stuff is sold for like 80-90% of its original retail.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 05/10/2019 05:35

I've bought second hand forever and love it.

We've done second hand secret Santa at work and it's been great.

I find eBay postage pricey and wasteful though unless it's for clothes. Some stuff has cost a fortune to send and come in SO much packaging- way more than new. Luckily we've got tons of good charity shops near here so I don't need to use eBay much.

For the people who AREN'T boycotting Oxfam, I've had good stuff from their online store and mostly it's been much more sensibly packaged

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 05/10/2019 05:37

Oh I love Turtle Gloves. I have loads of stuff from their range (including the "free" gloves ) about 5 years ago and it's still very much being worn and going strong

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