I know I’m early with the Christmas post but it’s because I have to start my Christmas planning earlier than usual. You see, Christmas used to be paid for using my quarterly bonus from work which I got in November every year but this year (due to a promotion at work) my bonus is now paid half yearly which means no Christmas bonus ;-(
So far I’ve been getting a few bits and bobs here and there when I’ve been out and about shopping but today I remembered I had a bit of money in my Paypal account so I thought I’d pop on to Ebay and see if there were any bargains to be had. Able to steer clear of the fab clothing just begging for a quick bid, I did have some success regarding the children's presents. What did people do for bargain buying in the days before Ebay? I always get a thrill from winning a bid, although, apparently, fewer people are bidding in auctions than buying the fixed-price items these days. This seems crazy to me. I managed to get a new DS game that Miss Frugal is after, along with a Password Journal that I know she wants. Both of these items are brand new so to me, it’s just like buying them from a shop but cheaper.
Then, I found this:
Mr Potato Head, Mrs Potato Head, Spud Trooper, C3PO and a Transformers Mr Potato Head.
Master Frugal loves Mr Potato Head and I’ve bought him the Buzz Lightyear one for Christmas already, I knew he would love this little lot so I bid on it and managed to get it for about a tenner, including postage.
I was really pleased with my little bargain but then I started to wonder about giving him a second hand toy for Christmas, I’ve no problem with buying things from the car boot sale but shouldn’t Christmas presents be new….
Would you buy your children Christmas presents that were second hand?
100% Yes
We've always bought second hand gifts for the kids, as well as new. It's not unsual for us to buy something mid year and put it aside for months, tripping over them in the garage. Doctor Who figures or barbie playsets. All in great condition; our kids don't mind and who cares anyway.
It's the fun they have with them is all that matters to us.
Great article FF.
Definately yes..i have had to be very frugal with money since my hubby got made redundant..so if i an get them a lovely pre-loved pressie off ebay then i will….
sara
Almost all my children's presents are second-hand. If they are good quality I don't see any problem with encouraging the message the reusing is good. The Mr Potato Head set you got there was fab value!
I know I'm late to the party, but I wanted to comment anyway
For other people's children, I wouldn't buy second hand unless I was SURE the parents would be OK with it. But for our children (and each other!) Hubby & I buy second hand ALL the time. First, our children HATE waiting while we take the toys out of all the packaging, so buying already-opened toys saves all of us the frustration. Second, buying toys that another child is finished with keeps it out of the landfill, which is a great way to help teach our boys about recycling. And Third, like a few others have mentioned, it REALLY stretches our budget to buy second hand!! Just tonight, I bought my sons a remote control dinosaur they saw in the store for $40. I paid $4, and now I have $36 left in the budget for other things. Even better, the mom who was selling it just put new batteries in!!
In my opinion, buying (good quality) second hand toys is a win for everyone involved.
hi there, just stumbled across your blog and it looks great. I too have been trying to live more frugally, not just to save money (although, thats probably how it started) but also cos I have become sickened with over consumption and how much we in the West consume and buy so much crap!!! Anyways, I would absolutely buy pressies second hand. If they are in good condition and work then why not? We buy far too much new stuff in general and its such a waste of energy, resources and completely unecessary. Recycle !!!!
Me too! seems like that's a big thumbs up. I love selling stuff, this year I have turned over the whole house and if its not being used it's recycled, ebay or charity shop. My son doesn't care if it comes in a box or not (I hope this doesn't change but suspect it might!) I got him a load of Bob Builder stuff last year for a tenner. My experience is, if your shopping for Xmas shop early as it get more competitive/expensive.
Great blog. So much to read.
I have done, sometimes it is the only way to get the exact item requested from Santa!
Yes I would Baba is not old enough to know the difference and I would buy other peoples presents from ebay as well. As long as they are in a good condition I don't think it matters! xx
I buy presents for all sorts of people from ebay. Not just kids. I always trust people to sell stuff in the same condition that I would and one or two times I have realised that perhaps others aren't as honest or as me, or as caring so I've received some things that are trash and simply couldn't be given as gifts. Theres lots of new stuff on ebay too.
God yes – kids really don't care where it comes from as long as it works and has all the bits. Do it now before they are horrid teenagers who have to have everything brand new with the right logo on LOL
I'm dreading teenage Christmas! ALthough I feel like my 8 year old has suddenly turned into a teen!
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Thanks very much – I'm going to pop over to yours now x
When they're under five you can easily get away with second-hand stuff. And to be honest, once they get older they'd usually rather have it second-hand than not at all. It's just a question of how it's presented. My daughter got LOADS of fun out of the pram we bought her when she was 3. Anyway I mostly came to the comments to say that the stormtrooper potato head is the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life, and our civilisation can now die happily because it has reached its zenith. Thank you.
Lol – my husband is trying to steal the storm trooper too – it has a potato masher storm trooper weapon that he is eyeing up.
@frugalfamily there is definitely a a place for it. Got some deals in the past but probably buy early enough 2 give yourself 4 a plan b. I am definitely into changing the way we buy presents full stop,as there is far too much money wasted which could be combined to buy more memorable things? what do you think?
I agree that we should spend more on more memorable presents rather than some of the 'tat' that kids usually get for Christmas…. Some of the things they get given never see the light of day and there must be toys like that in everyones house.
We always donate one present each to the local childrens charity aswell and I let the kids take it themself so they feel that they ar edoing something good themselves rather than me just telling them about it.
Re-used and recycled = re-loved and responsible
I love this
I know what you mean, some things are really expensive new so you can buy so much more on e bay.
Thanks very much x
you have all reassured me, my instinct was to say yes, and as a new mum i’ll need to know present protocol. ive actually just bought him a 9 month present off ebay, it was on as used but its pristine.
I feel reassured too – just off to Ebay to buy more lol
Definitely, why not buy second hand even if they are gifts. I think children have far too much spent on them these days. I doubt they'll even notice they are second hand and will have just as much fun with them and you have paid less saving yourself money which means you can buy more.
Thats what I'm thinking – spend less, buy more x
Yes, I have purchased presents off of Ebay, I bought my son one of the Disney Cars characters that could not be found in England, I found it on Ebay.com, paid for it and got it in 5 days, my son was over the moon.
Graham
Funny you should say that, I just missed out on a Herbie Custom painted Lighning McQueen – Gutted
I have, when L was little she adored Blue's Clues to the point of obsession and of course I couldn't find anything in the shops so I bought loads of ebay – cheapest christmas I ever had and she loved it
In our family we have no problems whatsoever in giving each other pre-loved presents – be they from ebay, car boot sales or charity shops. My sister has already declared that she'll be buying most of her presents from charity shops this year and I'm doing my best to make as many pressies as possible. My nephew (who is 7) frequently gets given second hand presents from me and he's absolutely fine with it – although sometimes asks where the box is!!
I'm going to try and make a lot this year as well. I'll be on the hunt for ideas soon x
Bel (6) got a pre used DS last year because of the price difference. It came all boxed up and tbh she didn't realise. I will have a look at ebay this year and I know a friend of mine who having done some selling on ebay has now finished her christmas shoppping by buiyng majority of things on ebay!!
We spend so much on our children and then they prefer the box that I don't see the problem!!
lol how annoying is it when they prefer the box – that's happened to us loads!
All of Oli's Christmas presents last year came from either ebay or a NCT sale I went to the month before!! He didnt know any different and meant we could put money in his trust fund for later on in life when he'll need that money more!
I wish I was that organised to put money away – well done you x x
I have no problem with it at all! Chick isn't old enough to be bothered either as long as she gets something she likes. Kids these days get way too much stuff anyway xx
They do get way too much don't they. I do love to spoil them at Christmas though, just seeing their faces when they see their pile of pressies is the best feeling x
no problem with it, here, charity shops, ebay , feeebies
You're definitely not alone judging by the rest of the comments lol
What a bargain! I don't have a problem buying second hand and because of the age of my kids they don't even notice! I like to buy some new things because sometimes you'll get a better deal but eBay is great for some bargain hunting!
Its greta isn't it? I think you're right – he prob won't even notice the fact its not new x
I have no problem with this at all. A good few years back I managed to get Tracy Island (Thunderbirds) for my son along with Buzz & Woody, none of which were avaliable new as they weren't current. So, they had a good scrub up and were put in a box and he was well chuffed!
oooh I wish I could find a second hand Buzz now – have you seen the fifty pound ones at the minute – ridiculous!
I bought K a secondhand wheelybug from ebay. She's too young to notice that it wasn't brand new and I couldn't afford a new one. Its great! I'm loving your spud trooper, how funny!
He loves Stormtrooper so he's going to love the Spud trooper…. I dodn't think they care if it's not brand new, they just doent seem to notice.
Brill post and FAB present! She will be thrilled and If I may say, even more special I think. Xxx
Thank you very much x x
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Yes I would, have done and probably will again. Too much money is spent on buying all brand new, only for it to be discarded quickly or broken. It makes sense to buy some gifts second hand
Most younger children wouldn't even notice. I already buy most of our board games from charity shops. 
We buy most of our books and board games from charity shops and boot sales…. It does make sense doesn't it x
Yep.
I did last year and am this year. J is obsessed with brio trains and so this year I am watching numerous bridges/tunnels/stations etc and gradually building up a whole selection which I'll package up for him
xx
I was planning on building up a collection of potato heads seeing as he loves them – then I found this and it save me the trouble lol x
Yes I have, in fact one of my three year old daughters presents I have already bought of there. it is as good as new, without a box. I doubt she will even notice, it is something she really wants!!
We tend to take things out of the box eben when new because it's so much hassle doing it on Christmas morning when they're so excited to just play