Considering a second-hand toy as xmas present - feel guilty

kyh

Don't feel guilty - last year my 2 year old had a "hand me down" dolls house plus all the bits that went in it from her cousins -she didn't know the difference. When I was later lookingafter my friends 9 year old daughter she asked
"Why did Father Christmas bring C a dolls house with bits that don't match - did he get some of it wrong?"

Well that stumped me for a couple of seconds (partly because I was amazed at 9 that her belief in FC was as strong as it was)

My response

"You know I do lots of recycling and grow my own veg?"
Answer "Yes"
Me "Well I wrote to FC for C and said that as she wanted a Dolls House and they were made of plastic which doesn't break down very well could he find her one that had already been loved by somebody else"

She responded with "Wow I didn't know he would do that" - I said "only on special request"

Obviously had to rebrief her Mum when she came to get her!!

Worth a try if your son sees you doing things like reuse, recycle, reduce in your normally daily life!

elainew

Defo do it. My daughter wants a puppet theatre for christmas. Looked online and they are quite dear. Got one of ebay for £3 collection only so was a bloody bargain. Picked up puppets for her at car boot sales--a quick wash and she will be none the wiser.
We set up all the toys in the living room anyway so theres never any boxes

davetrousers

sooz wrote: »

Depending on how old he is, if he asks about the box, say [strike]you[/strike] Santa set it up for him.

Or you could walk it into the room carrying another smaller present

ginvzt

You are giving the toy a second lease of life and your son will enjoy it non the less for it being loved by another child!!!!!

easy

davetrousers wrote: »

Or you could walk it into the room carrying another smaller present

At whatever god-forsaken time we start Christmas day, I do well to walk myself into the room !!

oliver2008

DD wanted a laptop for xmas and there was no way I could afford one, but she has one second hand from eBay and I have no doubt that regardless it is second hand she will be delighted. Last year DS got an xbox for xmas, preowned from the game store but he was none the wiser either.

Easy I have a robotraptor I think its called upstairs that never gets used, and your welcome to it as Im moving house soon and need to declutter anyway. I will have to check that its working and work out postage but otherwise its yours

brightonman123

check again at the sales, if you feel you really need to buy it..?

i am sure there are much cheaper alternatives.

morganb

I don't think it's a problem at all.
In fact, I have more of an issue spending full-price money on a toy from a shop that's likely to not be played with that much.
DSs favourite toy is the circus train that their dad had as a little boy ...

MrsTinks

I don't think there is anything wrong with pre-loved gifts I've seen the boxes these things come in so I can well believe they are a nightmare to release from the box
I don't think he'll notice the difference and so long as you buy from a seller with a good feedback (read the actual feedback tho - don't just rely on the numbers ) you'll be fine

sooz

davetrousers wrote: »

Or you could walk it into the room carrying another smaller present

:T

Can it make breakfast & wash up first though?