My son is still very young (13 mos old) and our daughter will be less than 2 mos old when Christmas comes along (I think she'll be fine with just getting some hand-me-down toys from Jack , so I'm trying to just get his Christmas gifts at yard sales. But my problem is that they just sit there in the garage, and when he and I are bored with his toys, I am SO tempted to go in there and grab one of his gifts.

So, I wanted to see if anyone is as cheap as me, and if so, at what age do you think the kids start "needing" (for lack of a better word) new toys?

We buy garage sale items for many family members for Christmas. I get books, toys, and video games. Sometimes, I'll find nice Christmas ornaments or other things specific to a certain person's interests.

I know that I am in the minority, but I just can't understand why something has to be brand-new from the store and in store packaging to be appreciated! Luckily, most of my family agrees.

My DS doesn't care where a toy comes from -- and he's 10!

Marlene

Yup. I've bought some stuff from garage sales for Christmas. I did today in fact! DS will be 20 mo or so at Christmas and he won't know. I hear you though about wanting to give the toys ealier. I do try to rotate toys so that he doesn't get too bored.

Earlier this summer I bought a brand new blanket still in the matching gift bag. I figured I'd use that for an exchange gift. There's no way anyone would know where it came from. I also bought an unopened package of Spongebob non skid things for the bathtub for a stocking stuffer for my BIL who loves Sponge Bob.

I'm also one of "those" people who regift things. As long as both parties won't know, the recieving party will actually like it, and it's new, I regift away.

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Blessed beyond measure

Yup, we have bought gifts for our kids at garage sales too. We first started doing it when we couldnt afford to get anything else and ever since then we just continued. We also do it for my in laws as well but not for my parents. I am all about saving money so I am glad that it doesnt matter to my kids.

For my own it does not matter if it is a box used or what have you. But if I am planning to give it to someone as a gift I perfer it to be new looking. I have bought books, movies (still in plastic wrapper for a family member) tools for my hubby and camping gear (it was at the end of the camping season for us when I bought it!).

it depends my dh family owuld go off on me if I did that!! my mt family it depends if its omething they are into than its not really abig deal!! my kids could care less if its new or not! as long as its a something they have wanted!!
If i giving a gift to a freind I do prefer to buy a new item so I can get a gift reciept in case it doesnt fit etc!! It all just depends on hwo is for!!

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

As long as someone gives me a gift that shows they put some thought into it, I couldn't care less if it is used or not. I would much rather receive a yard sale gift of something the giver knew I would love and enjoy than something they just ran in and grabbed at the mall without anykind of thought. Does that make sense?

I soo agree!!

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

I get tuff for my DH and I know I will when my DS is born. Example: The other week, for $1, I found a Star Wars 8x10 lithogaph with the certificate ofauthencity, shrink wrapped, with a price tag for $17.99 for $1. My DH is a huge StarWar freak. That will be a super Christmas gift. I've gotten him other things too, and he's found stuff for me on ocasion. One year I got a moving Godzilla bak for $1 that my youngest BIL loved, since he's a huge Godzilla fan, so as long as it looks new, or is in darn good condition, and it's something someone would love, I don't see why not to get it. Better to buy it than it be stuck in a landfill forever. That's more money I can use on the harder to buy for people!

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"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

I know its probably mean, but ds was only just over a year old last xmas, so I didnt get him more than a few used toys from a garage sale or thrift store. I don't plan on buying much this christmas either, but my parents are going to be visiting from new zeland for this christmas, so he will definatly be spoiled enough

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues