...gotten christmas gifts for their kids at a yard sale or Goodwill?

When they are very young the toys you get are like new anyway and they don't know if they are "brand new" or not. When they get a little older "Santa" can bring them (good excuse for why they aren't in the box).

I have also found new toys at yard sales that have never been opened and bought them as well.

Am I the only one?

Nope ~ I have too, more often off Ebay though. Clothes & toys ~ my kids don't care (or rather they don't know), they are in good shape, and it's new to them.

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I've bought their gifts at garage sales, goodwill, ebay, consignment stores, etc. Doesn't bother me in the least.

Yes! One year I bought all sorts of Rescue Hero stuff from a family... all the huge pieces like the aircraft carrier, rescue command center, all the big vehicles, all the guys... for about $25. I cleaned it all up (they all had batteries already in them! BONUS!) and DH and I set them all out together in the living room. My two boys (at the time) went bananas! It all looked so cool, who would think of asking where the boxes were?

I buy things for birthdays and Christmas(if in perfect or near-perfect condition, and preferably if still in the box...).

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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

I have! I bought a Wii on craigslist this year already. Last year I bought gameboys on e-bay and on here from people. I also bought my dd's Dora House from a friend.

Just think if they are not in the boxes they can be played with faster!!

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

I have found many toys in the original packing in Salvation Army and Stuff Etc that I have given as presents. Many times you can find books that look brand new in these stores as well.

I have also! Santa puts them out if they aren't in a box.

I got my son a Little Tykes workshop complete with tools at a yardsale and put a big bow on it at Chirstmas for him! Just like an earlier poster, I also got a TON of Rescue Heroes and the Aquatic Command Center from Children's Orchard (a consignment shop) for around $25. It was probably $100 worth of toys. It was great because they were all set up for him on Christmas morning.

My kids are getting about 70% of their Christmas gifts from garage sales. I know that once they are older it will be much harder to do this and they will want much more expensive items - so might as well save now.