A very second hand Christmas

[XmasShoppingOnMyMind]

Is anyone else planning to do a basically fully second hand Christmas? All of the children in my family are super spoilt. They get hundreds of toys a year (or it feels like that) and the vast majority don’t get used. I’ve spent hundreds in the past and none of it is used or appreciated. So if they’re not going to appreciate what they get, they’re getting second hand! Anyone else?

Why is your answer to get second hand? It doesn’t sound like they need any toys.

You should definitely scale down on what you spend but surely kids like this are the product of the adults in their lives.

How old are the kids? Would something practical like character pjs or a duvet set be better received?

Second hand toys isnt a punishment. We get fewer, good quality things which will last and can be resold when no longer wanted. Buying second hand good quality stuff means they keep their value.

I’ve bought second hand and refurbished gifts for mine this year as a way to afford things they’ll love.
I’m a bit sad you see it as something to only do if they don’t “deserve” new.

Because a three or four year old wouldn’t understand not getting gifts and I still want to get them things

I plan to get my daughter some second hand books and maybe some second hand clothes along with a new dress. I think scaling back might be a good thing if you buy stuff that isn’t used and will just end in landfill. But I would view it more as a lifestyle change. Maybe talk about what you plan to do and why without framing it as a punishment.

Yes all of my presents will be second hand but still look reasonably new. Not sure if that counts

Mine will be looking like new

I'm getting 2nd hand lego for one of mine. The boxes are not important, and it will all get mixed up anyway. I sometimes touch lucky on PS/switch games too

I think that is good. Better for the environment. Someone has to care about it

I’m sick of buying toys just for them to sit in the corner of the playroom!

I've always done a mix of new and preloved for my dd. More for cost and environment reasons. I have resold some preloaded toys on at the end of their interest. Imo children that age will not be looking at how much they get, you are the one in control of this. If you limit the number of presents now it will put you in a good place in years to come.

It comes across as if you think second hand isn't a good enough present in the if they don't appreciated it they get second hand.

My DC get alot of second hand items as there is no way I could afford anything otherwise. Its also better for the environment. Last few years their stockings and half their presents have been second hand with only one or two main presents brand new.

Will you give away or sell your surplus of toys?

Have you tried rotating them, putting some away and then getting them out a few months later or on a rainy day?

Not my kids so not my job to do that. I’m an aunt

Kids just don’t actually need that many toys. As long as they have a couple of outdoors toys, books, some pens and paper, and dolls/soft toys there’s no need to keep adding to the pile.

Oh I see, a membership to somewhere is a good alternative to more toys.

The kids won’t understand that though. So far I’ve got some art sets and then I’m going to pick up some books but it’s just silly amounts of toys

Things that look new are fine for them. Or buy them a big-to-unwrap Poundland toy and pay for an experience like a visit to the Panto instead, if they already have too many things.

A 3 or 4 year old won't be checking off who got them a present! Take them to do something fun and give them a souvenir photo afterwards. Or even make them a photo book of the fun things they have done this year

Or a lovely day out with Aunty Dreamer? Depends on the age of the kids, but mine would have loved that from about 6 onwards. Sadly my sister has very little to do with them, but SIL has taken them for days out and they love it.

"they get hundreds of toys a year" This is the problem. Parents over indulging children. It means they don't appreciate anything. If you had given them toys when it was a special day...like their birthday or xmas it would have been different.

You have spoiled your children.

I’m buying some secondhand and some new as I’ve done each year. My children are still very little so don’t understand if something is new or not. I prefer to buy them secondhand if it means I can afford something they will love that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to buy them.

Toy rotation is the awnser here. Less is more. It's not their fault they are interested in novelty only. It's how we are programmed.

I still remember my days out with my two aunts, they were amazing.