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Christmas

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Original poster

Would it be really mean to regift ds Christmas presents back to him?

104 replies

Candlesandfluffythrows · 17/11/2023 09:31

I was looking for something in ds toy cupboard today and I realised it's absolutely full of stuff I'd forgotten he had. Some of it brand new unopened.

Things like unopened Lego sets and science kits, brand new felt pens.

He's got the memory of a goldfish and as we are already stuck for ideas I'm considering wrapping a couple of things back up for this year.

Of course he will still have other presents that he's asked for.

OP posts:
Dowhadiddydiddydum · 17/11/2023 09:33

My son has way to good a memory to be able to do this, also it seems unfair to take his stuff to give back. Surely it’s a sign that maybe he needs less if he has lots of stuff he doesn’t use?

id maybe gift to other people, but not to son.

jocktamsonsbairn · 17/11/2023 09:33

I've done this before and they were so excited to see the new presents! Go for it! He might say "oh I used to have something like that" but it will soon be forgotten in the excitement of the day!

No point in getting into debt or anything when you can still create the magic this way!

GettingStuffed · 17/11/2023 09:33

Is there a reason they're unopened? Has he so much stuff he forgets in which case regift or because he has no interest in them, in which case don't.

Hopingforno2in2023 · 17/11/2023 09:34

Personally I would donate them and realise that clearly they are not the type of gift he is interested in.

HellonHeels · 17/11/2023 09:34

He's clearly got way too much stuff. Donate it to one of those charities that give gifts to kids who dont get any.

erikbloodaxe · 17/11/2023 09:36

If he hasn't bothered with them in the 12 months he's had them he didn't like them in the first place.

Original poster
Candlesandfluffythrows · 17/11/2023 09:38

I think what's happened is that he's got to that age where over the years we've had Christmas, birthdays, over bought. He definitely doesn't need anything.

I don't think it's that he's completely not interested in the toys it's just he's been so busy with extra curricular activities we've all forgotten that they are there.

OP posts:
HJ40 · 17/11/2023 09:39

That's not great. Most likely I would give them to other people for whom I need to get presents. You could then spend the money you're saving to get presents for DC to replace them.

Hopingforno2in2023 · 17/11/2023 09:40

it sounds like experiences may be a better gift then OP? If he has too much stuff could you do a membership to somewhere or something like that instead?

Letsrunabath · 17/11/2023 09:41

I did this with my son, could never have got away with it for our daughter she would have an inventory of all toys. You know your own kid and I think it’s really sensible thing to do.

ElleLeopine · 17/11/2023 09:41

How old is he?

PosterBoy · 17/11/2023 09:42

Encourage him to look through the cupboard for toys to donate to charity - anything unopened could even go as a xmas gift to a charity that collects for disadvantaged children

Original poster
Candlesandfluffythrows · 17/11/2023 09:43

For example one birthday he was given several Lego sets between us, extended family and so on. He has never been great at building them on his own so we'd do a couple with him but then once the initial excitement was over we'd all forget the rest were there.

He'll be getting other things for Christmas, switch games, football stuff. But what's the point in buying any more toys?

He's 8.

OP posts:
JumpingDizzy · 17/11/2023 09:43

Hopingforno2in2023 · 17/11/2023 09:34

Personally I would donate them and realise that clearly they are not the type of gift he is interested in.

This. Had he written a list? He sounds like he has too much.

dutysuite · 17/11/2023 09:45

My SIL used to do this, her DD never noticed.

zurala · 17/11/2023 09:45

He obviously isn't interested in them, I'd sell them and use them money to get something else, or keep them to be gifts for his friends for birthdays. I wouldn't regift them to him, that's rubbish.

pinkspeakers · 17/11/2023 09:49

I agree with the others. Seems pointless to keep giving him gifts that he clearly doesn't need or particularly want. Yes, it is better than just buying him even more such gifts, but still better to rehome them. I would either sell them (un-opened lego sets will get a good price) or re-gift them elsewhere (if in as new condition), or donate.

Also, I would be a bit worried about an 8 year old remembering that they are recycled presents and that does feel bit unkind and unmagical. It's not his fault! A few felt tip pens put back into the stocking seems fine as that is the kind of gift that is often repeated each year anyway, but not larger presents.

I'd reduce the number of presents (and/or change the type of presents) rather than keep giving him more of the same.

Slitheringheights · 17/11/2023 10:07

I do usually have a good rummage around my kids cupboards for unopened gifts still in polythene to give to there cousins or others. Obviously I need to watch it wasn’t a gift from them lol 😂

Slitheringheights · 17/11/2023 10:08

Or hand into the toy appeal

RoseAndRose · 17/11/2023 10:11

I would donate all the stuff he hasn't used

Completely unopened stuff could go to one of the several Christmas schemes - try your local police force, as they often run that sort of thing)
Things in good condition can go to a charity shop (sooner the better, in time for someone else's Christmas)

rainbowstardrops · 17/11/2023 10:14

I mean, you could regift them to him but would they just sit in the cupboard again? If you think they would then I'd have a clear out now and either sell them or give them to charity and make room for things he'll receive this year.

Fleetingname · 17/11/2023 10:14

Candlesandfluffythrows · 17/11/2023 09:43

For example one birthday he was given several Lego sets between us, extended family and so on. He has never been great at building them on his own so we'd do a couple with him but then once the initial excitement was over we'd all forget the rest were there.

He'll be getting other things for Christmas, switch games, football stuff. But what's the point in buying any more toys?

He's 8.

If you've already got Switch, football stuff etc, why on earth would you need to get him anything else?

Lds1 · 17/11/2023 10:16

Lego sells well, you could sell this with his agreement and put the money away for when he would like something else.

smilesup · 17/11/2023 10:19

Candlesandfluffythrows · 17/11/2023 09:31

I was looking for something in ds toy cupboard today and I realised it's absolutely full of stuff I'd forgotten he had. Some of it brand new unopened.

Things like unopened Lego sets and science kits, brand new felt pens.

He's got the memory of a goldfish and as we are already stuck for ideas I'm considering wrapping a couple of things back up for this year.

Of course he will still have other presents that he's asked for.

He obviously has too much stuff. Firstly I would stop buying him so much. Secondly absolutely give him it again or sell it.
Children have a ridiculous amount of things nowadays and it does no one any favours.

Parentofeanda · 17/11/2023 10:21

I would just have a clear out, pop it all on Facebook and use the money for either more gifts at Xmas or to go into a savings pot for him.