2nd hand presents at Christmas?

[Peachops]

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?😳

I’ve had second hand toys growing up, back then they were advertised in a book which the name escapes me. I was just happy to find something my parents could afford that I wanted.

Yes lots of times over the years. They didn’t care, it gave them much better presents than they’d have had new.

I've always got some of my DCs presents second hand for environmental reasons - especially if they are big plastic things like small world sets. They've never noticed the lack of a box or if the toy isn't 100% perfect.

It gets harder though as they get older and want more specific and/or more complicated toys where you need all the bits.

Yes, often. But only if they are very carefully chosen and I know the recipient wouldn't be offended.

I've just been served an ad right in the middle of this thread for sex toys. For a moment I thought it was an actual post from someone recommending second-hand sex toys 😂No thank you.

My 13-year-old mentioned at some point that the 90’s fashion is back and asked whether I had any 90’s clothes left 😂 (I don’t but also I wasn’t particularly fashionable even in the 90’s). Does anyone much wiser and more fashion-conscious know what type of 90’s clothes are back in? Is there a way to get her some kind of gift card for Vinted or a vintage shop on London (any recommendations welcome)?

(Poster this on another thread as well for more replies 🫣)

God forbid your child uses their own intellect rather than given instructions.

Yes secondhand is fine. I buy secondhand by choice where I can, there's good environmental reasons to do it.

I applaud anyone who is saving stuff from landfill and not buying new stuff unnecessarily!

Definitely the way to go for the future.

When I look back at the amount of money I've spent on new stuff I could cry. None of it was any better than second hand and my DS and my family do not care whether it's new or not. Neither do I.

I've bought patchwork quilts, jewellery, computers, toys, ps games second hand and they've been loved! When I was a young woman (and now) I loved second hand and my DF would get me vintage Levi's!

Yes often and going back decades. My children have often had second hand toys for Christmas and I have often chosen second hand gifts for the adults in my life. All and only if in great quality and good play value / items they want and will enjoy. We can afford new. But increasingly my family (adults) appreciate far more a thoughtful vintage item for the eco/recycling and unique (can’t buy it in the shops) qualities.

Buying new (made cheap as chips in China) when you could get vintage (including British / Europe made toys) is starting to be a thing of the past.

I do buy some new toys and gifts for teens of course - eg Nintendo games, new Lego set. But saying that I’ve had great success buying Lego on eBay. Sets that would be £££ for ££.

This approach is difficult at the last minute though! I need to spot things year round.

I bought lots of second hand Duplo, I put it in the dishwasher to give it a good wash and it's perfect. DGC played with it a lot. I got a zoo set and several separate extra animals and a farmyard set.

Also if a few bits are missing if you write to Lego they will sell you spares for a few pennies.

If you are needing to buy 2nd hand, then I would go straight to no adult presents for anyone, family or otherwise. I don't buy adults things. It's exhausting and expensive. And completely pointless generally.