Sons birthday present.....have I done the right thing please?

ailuro2

Reduce, re-use and recycle is for the benefit of the next generation - your son will one day thank you for not buying new when something was available that was 'pre-loved';)

Stick the money you saved in a savings account for him for when he's older and needing the money.

greenpixey

Up to the age of 3 I used to give my boys second hand toys and sometimes clothes (handed down) They were non the wiser and happy with what they got. Now the oldest are 6 and 5 and still occasionally get secondhand toys. They know we cant always afford to buy new. I got my 6yr old a second hand DS from Ebay for his BD this year and he was over the moon. And for Christmas last yr my 5yr old had a second hand Dr Who cyberman helmet (without box) and he was chuffed to bits.

sethsgran

You don't need to justify your actions to us or anyone else. You are right to be wise with your money, many parents give in to the peer pressure of fancy gifts and amazing parties for a tiny tot. Well done for loving him so much that you want to raise him to be level headed, starting now is the way to go.
Good on You!!

esmf73

My kids are 5 and 3 and I get them second hand stuff ALL THE TIME!! In fact for Christmas stockings this year I've been through their colouring books and anything they've not used has been wrapped and put in their stockings.

My kids are quite heavy handed with their toys - and for the length of time that they play with their toys / wear their clothes I would rather save my money. I love that I have friends who will hand me down their Next boys clothes (when my kids are usually in Tescos Extra Value jeans and tshirts!).

And just so as you know - for me it's not a question of cash - we could afford it if I wanted to - but I just don't see the point and see the whole Money Saving idea as some practical fun.

When I do save money it invariably goes on a day out with the kids anyway!!! Plus if you start as you mean to go on, maybe they won't ask for expensive trainers! My DS (5) has asked for a DS for Xmas - luckily he thinks they are the size of a laptop - so I'm safe. Instead I got him a Leapster Max from Ebay - I LOVE ebay!!!

Rachel85

It sounds like a great idea. He'll love it. You're helping to ensure less goes into landfill and helping a charity. Nevermind feeling guilty, I'd see that as a job well done!

foxy219

Hey Ladyrider, with my son (who is now 5) he started off with everything brand new, and you find it gets wrecked quickly - my darling daughter is 2 and she had all his HMD toys - and also a lot of HMD clothes - some given to me, others bought from ebay etc, I don't feel guilty because she gets pleasure out of all of it, and I get pleasure from the mum who gave me the clothes telling me how beautiful my DS looks in them! I have bought her for Christmas a Baby Annabel with bed and lots of clothes that cost me £4 - do I feel guilty? No, because I know she will love them and won't understand whether they are new or not. Just wrap it up and get the camera ready, and you will be overwhelmed with love at the look on his face when he opens it xxx

SUESMITH_2

ii used to to do this but they get to an age when they know and start to want new - make the most of it while it lasts

im sure he will love it

lillylei

def dont feel guilty, will he know any difference? - no, will he love playing with them? - yes therefore why spend tonnes? I did that for my DS 1st crimbo and he hardley looked at most of it, so I saved it and 7 years later Dd got his stuff for her first christmas (she had just turned 1) and this year for her crimbo she has once again got her brothers cast off plus some bits i got on ebay for £10! they dont know, they only people who get hung up on it is us.

hope he has a great b/day

shiningdove

Personally i'm the child of my parents who have always brought from charity shops and i'm pretty sure that round about 80% of my belongings when i was growing up was brought from that. That was fine, it didn't bother me and for most of the time i didn't know.

Once i got to the secondry school age i grew to resent them a little for having charity shop belongings, thought it was because we were poor and was a bit worried that everyone would hate me if they found out. Of course no-one even knew, and we wasn't poor - my parents enjoyed helping the envriment by re-suing, helping charities and didn't see the need to buy new when there was perfectly fine things in the charity shops. At secondry school i ended up getting a job so i could buy my own clothes - i didn't want to hurt my parents feelings by saying no to charity shops, so i guess i sort of went behind their backs and brought my new clothes etc.

Now-a days all grown up, i'll go into a charity shop off my own back now, you can pick up some really nice peices of clothing and stuff in there.

cyclingyorkie

relax - and be glad you helped Oxfam!

It won't be long before your son is requesting more expensive things...so just enjoy your bargain!

How many of us have spent a fortune...to see little one playing with .....the box the present came in?