Bought clothes for toddler niece but she never wore them

bestpud

I think it was a lovely gesture and I'd have been over the moon!

That said though, as a parent who has always needed to count the pennies, I didnt like dressing them in expensive clothes in case they ripped or stained them.

It's very difficult to stay calm when you have so little money and you can see an expensive outfit is about to have something tipped over it!

I would rather dress mine in cheaper clothes and not have that anxiety, if that makes sense?

Maybe that's just me though!

shirlgirl2004

I think however well meaning the gesture, buying clothes is fraught with all the difficulties previously mentioned. I also don't think clothes are a present to the child for young children more to the parents. In the same way the buying of toys is fraught with difficulty. I don't like plastic toys, any reference to Barbie types looks, branding etc. Toys that do not fit my liking or are duplicates either go back to the shop or to the charity shop. Even books although great gifts can be duplicated, my DD ended up with 3 copies of "We're going on a bear hunt".

If you'd like to spend a decent amount of money then maybe you could suggest to your SIL that you pay for a course of swimming, music, dance etc lessons but obviously ask first! Most of us would like to do these things with our children but obviously if money is tight then they can be a luxury that can be ill-afforded.

Ravenlady_2

If the child had worn and out grew the clothes I think it is a bit silly to expect them still to be kept.

I would like to ask the OP what exactly is wrong with primark, charity shops and a bit of WAHM clothes though?

lizzielondon

Ravenlady wrote: »

If the child had worn and out grew the clothes I think it is a bit silly to expect them still to be kept.

I would like to ask the OP what exactly is wrong with primark, charity shops and a bit of WAHM clothes though?

i don't think the OP has slagged off those brands at all?!

jenjade

nancypearl wrote: »

I never thought of that. They were current season and had tags.
I hope not.

it may be that they need the money more than the clothes. If she is struggling to pay rent food etc then in her position i would sell them as i would rather my kid eat and be warm and have somewhere to live then have labels.

there is nothing wrong with primark and charity shops

mildred1978

A friend's daughter is the same age as my son (14 months) and received lots of clothes as gifts when she was born. One was a lovely party dress with furry shrug cardigan thing from Mothercare. Probably about £25 worth I expect. In size 0-3 months. As far as I know it's still hanging in the wardrobe with the tags on, because what tiny baby needs a party dress? My friend is too nice to say anything to the relative that bought it, and now it's just wasted money.

She had lots of people buy dresses for her daughter, which she finds hideously impractical. Her daughter is always in dungarees and legging type outfits - very cute but more practical than frilly dresses.

I had lots of gifts of clothing for my son, and they were usually in the wrong size. He's very tall (90th centile) and slim (barely 50th centile). He didn't go into 9-12 month clothes until he was a year old! I don't like things with cartoon characters on them, Disney or Winnie the Pooh or whatever. I've lost count of the treks to and from different shops to change outfits for others or credit notes etc. I get his clothes from ebay, sales, charity shops or full price depending on what he needs and whether I think it's worth it or not.

As for getting toys instead, well, I wouldn't advise that either. I have a big house, have been strict about not having toys for the sake of it, and still have a house full.

How about a day trip somewhere instead? Take your camera and you can make sure you've a memento of the day.

delain

I would say maybe the SiL didn't like them, how old is she, and how old are you? Age gaps make a huge difference... I am 26 and find a lot of the children's clothes in Boden/Pumkin Patch/Vertbaudet frumpy, fussy and not to my liking at all. I know, however, that my mum and my friends who are 35+ would think it was all wonderful.

Are the clothes her DD wears very different in style to what you bought?

Maybe the comment 'I wish I could afford to shop in Boden' was more a reference to their financial state and because she knows it's expensive, rather than because she likes their clothes.

If you'd like to see gifts of clothing being worn, take note of what she usually wears (is it leggings, skirts, jeans etc) and one thing I have always been happy to recieve for my lot is winter gear, it's always needed and will always get worn.

Teenie_D

delain wrote: »

I would say maybe the SiL didn't like them, how old is she, and how old are you? Age gaps make a huge difference... I am 26 and find a lot of the children's clothes in Boden/Pumkin Patch/Vertbaudet frumpy, fussy and not to my liking at all. I know, however, that my mum and my friends who are 35+ would think it was all wonderful.

.

OMG you have just made me feel so old :eek: Thanks for that delain

nikki2804

When my LO was younger (hes only 2.5) friends and family bought him clothes/night wear for Christmas and Birthdays. I was over the moon with this, even although I have a good income (i am by no means well off) it meant that it was one less thing for me too buy.

I remember shopping with friends and I was buying a birthday gift for my nephew. They commented that I wasn't buying toys, I laughed and commented that when she was a mother she would understand and appreciate it more. Sure enough she did.

Even although my LO is now old enough for all sorts of toys, when I asked I normally ask for clothes or vouchers for clothes as he has so many toys its unbeleivable. Saying that, he is at the age that he will wear most of the clothes without outgrowing them, plus he is potty training which means we are going through umpteen pairs of trousers atm!

I must say that although I like places like Primark for jeans etc I do normally buy his tops a hoodies from Next, sometimes Matalan. They was up very well and I normally save up for 6 months at a time then hit the half price sales .

gratefulforhelp_2

Teenie_D wrote: »

OMG you have just made me feel so old :eek: Thanks for that delain

LOL me too:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: