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Original poster

2nd hand presents at Christmas?

64 replies

Peachops · 27/10/2023 01:14

Money is tight this year, all the bills have gone up and well paid jobs are thin on the ground. Given christmas gifts are quickly forgotten, I was wondering if you've bought second hand for christmas before and how it went down with your family?😳

OP posts:
MikeRafone · 27/10/2023 01:25

I’ve brought a selection of second hand toys for my grandchildren. They are beautiful toys and age appropriate etc

its truest the thought that counts

i have a couple of new toys I can’t get second hand.

if I’d brought new id have spent £200 but second hand all together spent £35

who cares if there is a box if the toys are what they’d like?

FreyafromLondon · 27/10/2023 01:32

I have so many toys to sell before Christmas that have either not been played with at all or only once or twice. Still in the boxes near enough brand new. My son has special needs and is not interested in toys at all.
I think I'll sell them very quickly because so many people look for second hand toys this time of year.
If the toys/gifts are in good condition and your child/family will like them, then there's no shame in buying second hand OP

mathanxiety · 27/10/2023 01:36

Not for children but I have bought presents from Etsy for my adult DCs.

I would very happily buy second hand for children if the condition was excellent and if it was something they specifically wanted. I'd feel a bit sad to give a child something that was in poor condition or something random just because it was cheaper than new.

LaurieStrode · 27/10/2023 01:50

Yep. I find that carefully selected vintage gifts are the most happily received, from old garden ornaments to retro T-shirts to books. And so eco-friendly.

CherryMaple · 27/10/2023 06:52

We gave DS a second hand scooter (boxed) a couple of years ago. It was in great condition. No one ever knew.

MyCircumference · 27/10/2023 06:55

for my dc i have
and for my dm
it is the gift that counts

CornedBeef451 · 27/10/2023 07:00

I think it's fine. I've bought second hand toys before like wooden train tracks, I just gave them a scrub and wrapped them nicely. Also massive farm toys, DS went through a John Deere phase and I bought two black bags of immaculate toys that he's still attached to a decade later.

My DNiece is amazing at finding good quality things in charity shops so she and her DD mostly wear second hand and she mostly gets second hand toys and furniture.

Obviously don't buy tat for the sake of it but otherwise it's perfectly fine.

Itsrainingshessnoring · 27/10/2023 07:08

I've bought the kids second hand. Normally something they really really want and can't live without, yet I know will be played with once.

SharonEllis · 27/10/2023 07:09

Yes, often. Toys, books, clothes, china all sorts of things.

toads912 · 27/10/2023 07:10

Yep, big fan of second hand gifts!
It means we can buy something that is better quality than we could have afforded new.
My DB (7) receives a second hand bike nearly every Christmas or birthday to account for how much he grows!
I also bought DH a lovely vintage bike from eBay

Wrongsideofpennines · 27/10/2023 07:11

Kids I definitely would buy second hand toys and books. And we happily received them the last couple of years.

For adults it's harder but I would with books, maybe a nice scarf, throw etc. A couple of years ago my SIL wanted a dvd and I could only find it second hand, not new.

notanotherclairebear · 27/10/2023 07:37

I've not bought second hand for adult family, but I try and buy as much as I can second hand for the children - clothes, books, toys. As pp have said some things look like they've never been played with. I bought a bundle of Orchard Toys games for the kids, 10 different ones, for £10. A couple have come out this half term, one had a card missing, another a token. The kids didn't bat an eyelid, and have played with them a lot! One of the games is currently £15.91 on Amazon, so I'd never have bought 10 of them at once. I don't know how old the children are that you're buying for, maybe pre-teen/teenagers would be more aware, but my 6 and 4 year old honestly don't differentiate between new and second hand because it's all new to them

AfterWeights · 27/10/2023 12:09

I'm time poor.

I tried to look for more second hand last year but found it was taking hours to hunt down what my kids would like and find it in good nick etc. Often i could find it but hours away, and factoring in cost of fuel etc to go and collect it wasnt worth it.

I found that there are lots of "bargains" but lots aren't what I'd call "giftable" in terms of condition. Eg cheap boxes/bags of mixed lego bricks, but no sets of lego or playmobil with instructions & no missing bits. The ones there are are often barely cheaper than the new price. Lots of argos type plastic character toy sets - paw patrol vehicles and endless amounts of happyland, but few recent vtech toys like marble rush sets or cameras.

Scooters always seemed to look bashed all over.

My main win was a huge set of build it. You can only get small sets of it now and the stash i got for about 30 quid was fabulous.

leccybill · 27/10/2023 12:11

My teenager wants clothes from Vinted for Christmas.
I have sold lots of nearly new books, toys, games, Sylvanians and a scooter locally.
Better for your pocket and the environment!

Binfire · 27/10/2023 12:19

This is almost encouraged in my family, they’d rather I gave my nieces and nephews books or toys that my children have enjoyed and grown out of for example, rather than new ones. It makes it more special rather than less. It makes it easier that they’re all younger than my children.

I also pick up the odd toy or book from the car boot sale if they’re in good condition and perfect for one of the little ones in our family. As long as they’re clean and don’t have any pieces missing then the kids are happy! I’m not sure it’s work with older ones, maybe some money to choose their own items on Vinted might be more appreciated.

This wouldn’t work in some families, I know people who would be horrified by this but it’s good for the environment and for the budget so why not in my view.

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 28/10/2023 13:10

You can get free replacement bits sent to you on their website.

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 28/10/2023 13:10

From orchard games.

TwigTheWonderKid · 28/10/2023 13:21

Absolutely fine but what do you mean by "Given christmas gifts are quickly forgotten"? Regardless of where it comes from perhaps you need to think more about what you are giving, if it's not appreciated?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 28/10/2023 13:23

I would for my family- I would rather say to friends no presents than to buy their child second hand tbh

Sjh15 · 28/10/2023 21:06

For my DS birthday, most of his little presents (he’s 2) are second hand from Vinted. I have no shame. He’s 2. He has no idea and especially one of the toy sets are in such amazing condition youd have no idea. I spent £25 and it would have been £100 brand new. When he’s old enough to understand I’ll explain, second hand=cheaper=more presents lol

tuppencenonethericher · 28/10/2023 21:11

Nearly all gifts (and stuff through the year) for my kids is second hand.

Not so much for the adults but they mainly get/want gift cards, alcohol, beauty products, so it's not as easy to do second hand for them.

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 28/10/2023 22:15

It depends on what it is, but I’ve done it before and probably will again.

Leicestershiremum · 28/10/2023 22:25

You can contact orchard toys for any replacement pieces for their games if that is a help.

Rainbowqueeen · 28/10/2023 22:25

Yes. As long as it’s carefully chosen and in good condition it’s fine.

If you’re talking about extended family, can you have a discussion with them about just doing secret Santa rather than buying for all the adults.

BerryDelicious · 28/10/2023 22:36

We have opted as a family to do this before - so everyone agrees to do the same and no one feels awkward. It worked really well and we all found lovely things at a fraction of the cost.

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