I'm dreaming of a cheap xmas...

markey77 · 29 October 2008 at 6:13PM

it's coming ever closer and I'm just not getting any further on! So far, I have told all friends with kids that instead of spending the usual £10-£15 per child (for about 10 of them!), they'll be getting a selection box. The 'kids' over 16 in the family are no longer kids so will not be getting pressies anymore and the rest of the grown ups will not be getting bought for either, they won't have to buy for us too.

My lot will be getting as much from ebay as possible and I think I feel a bit guilty about this as I usually spend loads, most of it on credit. They're quite little still, 7, 4 and 2, so I've said to the oldest that Santa doesn't have lots of money for pressies this year, which he seemed to accept. I've bought a few wee bits and bobs from Amazon with vouchers that I had and am just trying to get other things now.

Would any of you buy 2nd hand stuff for your kids, if you knew they wouldn't notice? Please someone tell me I'm not a horrible parent and ease my guilt a bit lol!!

benbenandme · 29 October 2008 at 6:24PM

Yes I have done !! I could have afforded brand new,let me explain ....
ds is mad about Thomas :rolleyes: On ebay someone was selling his sons collection of Thomas engines and track. It included about 60 engines / trucks / people plus all the track / tunnels / bridhes etc.It was clearly used but ds was small and didn't notice

If I had spent the money (60.00) on brand new engines he would only have got about 10 of them and no track either. After he was in bed on xmas eve I set it all up by the xmas tree (it covered 2/3rds of the lounge), and his face was priceless on xmas morning, he thought santa must think he's really special as he had time to set it all up for him

When he's finally outgrown it (still plays with it nearly every day, 2 years later), I will stick it back on ebay and any money I get for it will go in his bank account

Its only adults that get hung up on material stuff, not little 'uns, and if it means your children grow up without turning into a materialistic monster who wants every latest gadget then well done you

discodiva123 · 29 October 2008 at 6:28PM

Im not a parent myself but you shouldnt feel guilty. When i was growing up, Im 24 now, i used to get loads of presents could i tell you what they were now. I wouldnt have a clue. I just enjoyed spending time with the family and even know thats what il love.

I'll be cutting down on the amount i spend but i'll still be hunting the bargains for gifts in primark, homebargains, pundland and entering the comps on the competitions board in the hope i win a few pressents i think everyone willbe doing the same this year.

besides who wants to feel ill come january that theve overspend and in the red!

mbaz · 29 October 2008 at 6:33PM

Yes I've got my boys second hand things for xmas 1. because its cheaper and 2. because if I buy them brand new they trash them within 30 mins anyway so I may as well have bought second hand! :rotfl:

Don't feel bad.

hermanmunster_3 · 29 October 2008 at 6:35PM

reckon the only kids you should give presents to (other than your own) are those who won't get many pressies from elsewhere, Likelihood is that the kids that OPused to give to will not notice the reduction in present value

cuddlymarm · 29 October 2008 at 6:42PM

Hi

My 2 are grown up now and I must admit we spent loads on them at Xmas when they were younger. But we spent on credit EVERY YEAR and usually managed to pay off by the time it was time to pay for a big chunk of the holiday and then so on and so on.

But now we've got great nephews and nieces who are happy with a colouring book and crayons, books, dominoes, card games and all sorts of cheap bits and bobs. I work at our local charity shop and there are some lovely books and toys that are like new. Also ours like unwrapping things (even socks are nice in pretty paper)

Have fun
Cuddles:rotfl:

jenjade · 29 October 2008 at 6:49PM

i would go for second hand stuff to as long as it was good condition. i have explained to dd aged 6 if she wants all those things some will have to be second hand or she will only get a few items new. she can see the logic and doesn't seem bothered

debbiemc_2 · 29 October 2008 at 6:59PM

Hi :wave:

I've bought a few second hand books for my daughter's Christmas from charity shops. I've also collected a few bits and pieces obtained from Freecycle, including a mamas and papas doll's high chair and bouncer, brand new and unused in the original box. The things I've bought for her, I've bought when on special offer - e.g. BOGOF on Disney DVDs. She's three, and will just be thrilled to have these gifts at Christmas, and won't notice if they are in the original packaging or not. I'm really pleased to be able to spoil her with lovely things, but have spent less than £50 on her presents.

I also sell her toys on eBay once she's grown out of them and make some cash back.

Don't feel guilty at all!

Debbie. x

halight · 29 October 2008 at 6:59PM

Hi
When i was a child my mom and dad did not have much money so we use to get second hand stuff e.g. bikes.
I dont think that your kids will mind just so long as your there and thay have a good and happy time..
Godd luck and have a nice and cheep christmas

gairlochgal · 29 October 2008 at 7:24PM

Definitely. My DD1 learned the hard way a couple of years ago when her lovely shiny new bike was stolen after about a week and a brand new DS game was stolen at school (fortunately only the game not the console) - secondhand and bashed up stuff all the way for us now.

Plus as they get older and their interests expand, secondhand might be the only way to get interesting gifts. eg DD1 turns 11 next week and loves old fashioned school stories so I've been collecting a series secondhand for her from the cheap dealers on Amazon. Have about 15 of them and will help her carry on collecting them if she's keen. (Wrapped up and recycled for DD2 if she's not keen!!)

I agree about what kids remember too - one of the few childhood gifts I remember is being taken to Foyles with a budget to choose my own present.

Birdy12 · 29 October 2008 at 7:37PM

I did exactly what Benbenandme did. I bought a Snow White cottage with all the bits to go with it, including Snow White and all the dwarves, off of my friend's sister. Her daughter always treats her toys well so it was immaculate. Anyway, Christmas Eve when DD and DS had gone to bed, I set it up under the Christmas tree. She was thrilled with it the next morning and didn't care that it wasn't 'boxed'.

I think when children are younger, they don't notice if it's new or not and don't care either as long as they get enjoyment out of it!

I'm dreaming of a cheap xmas...

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