Is there a stigma about buying secondhand toys for Christmas?
My favorite Christmas present as a child was the huge Sindy house I received when I was seven, complete with furniture, car and horse. It was secondhand – or pre-loved, as I like to call it – and I had no idea.
When it comes to Christmas presents for my two boys aged five and six, I have always been open to buying secondhand toys. Until recently, I thought I was in the minority, but a quick poll on Twitter reveals that this is no longer the case. In these frugal times we parents are both careful and caring. We do our best to protect our resources, recycle, up-cycle and make do... and Christmas is no exception.
Secondhand is not second best
Victoria Wallop is considering buying secondhand for the first time this year. Not due to financial constraints, but due to the fact that she is not sure how much longer her daughter is going to be playing with these toys.
Many parents choose to buy electronics and video games secondhand as the prices are vastly reduced. One mum I know named Michelle gave her twin girls secondhand Nintendo DSi's last Christmas, and cost was a big driver in that decision. The girls were so excited about their presents they didn't even guess they were secondhand.
Another mum I spoke with, Dawn Brown, admits that all her children's toys (Zara is two and Oscar is nine months) this Christmas are pre-owned.
Does it matter to the child?
It seems that younger children have no awareness or issues when it comes to secondhand presents, but what about teens?
Notsupermum said that when it came to her children there wasn't an issue with secondhand gifts: she bought her teen a used laptop last Christmas. Christine Mosler who has four children ranging from five to 15 confirmed that her children also don't have an issue with it. One mum commented that at times in her house, it was "secondhand or nothing".
Tips for buying secondhand toys
- Preloved is a great site to find all sorts of high-quality secondhand toys and gifts
- I take a tip out of my parents' book and have always unboxed any toys we give the boys, so they can't tell what's new and what's just new to them
- Use a sterilising fluid mix to clean baby toys or LEGO and LEGO Duplo and then pop in a storage box before wrapping them up
- Car boot sales, charity shops and ebay are a great source for buying 'new to you' toys
- Becky from Baby Budgeting suggests getting together with other mums for an evening of toy swapping, where you can have a good old chat and a glass of wine at the same time
Would you give your children secondhand toys for Christmas?
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14 December, 2011
What a great post Jen! I don't know why there is such a stigma attached to buying second hand toys for your kids - I do it all the time! My kids LOVE our local charity shop - they think it's toy heaven - and they can fill their little baskets up for about £2.00. Three months later when they are finished playing their the toys, we wash them, and take them back, and choose something else :-)
For me the reason I'm a big fan is twofold - firstly that I have three children and new toys cost a fortune, and secondly, I hate to see toys in landfill so would rather recycle something that has already been used ... it's also a great way to see which toys last longer than others.
Have a great Christmas and happy shopping!
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
18 December, 2011
It's a question we were talking about on the playground the other day, with a few mums. The debate centered more on can you give gifts to adults that are preloved and what held us all up was what did the parent think of you giving their child a preloved gift. Since we all felt each other out none of us had a problem with it but it was interesting to talk about this taboo of how we get our toys/clothes and gifts.
I would buy preowned and have done in the past. Haven't this year, but we took a different approach. Planned saved and we're able to buy. We've not always been able to do it and I know many can't.
Merry Christmas!
20 December, 2011
Great post and tips, especially on sterilising Lego! As a mum-to-be, I have no problem with buying toys and clothes second-hand - and let's be honest, a newborn is hardly going to care! I can see how older children might be bothered, but I like the tip about taking toys out of the boxes so they can't tell either way.
Charity shops and sites like Freegle, Netmums, etc. are full of barely-used clothes, toys and other equipment so why not save money by buying second-hand?