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Message edited 1/3/2009 9:02:20 PM.

Re: only wanting new items??

I don't think there's anything wrong if you want all new stuff. Is family nearby and will they be watching them? Maybe you could take the used items for their home?

Re: only wanting new items??

I was originally of a similar thought to you... but then my first offer was extended:

At the shower, virtually everything was purchased for us! A true blessing.

we only lacked a travel pack-n-play and a more durable permanent one for mom's house.

well, SIL offered to give us a pack-n-play... we said 'sure'. it's a mid-priced graco... not a pattern that I would pick, but pretty cute nonetheless, and actually it is PERFECT for going to thanksgiving day dinner.

it was only used a couple times and was in perfect condition! It saved us $150.... not to mention it was something that I wouldn't have bought myself, but now I see how useful it is!

so, you might want to reconsider your thought... your babies will have plenty of new stuff.. but hand-me-downs are not all super-used. many items are pretty much new and useful.

HTH!

Re: only wanting new items??

Re: only wanting new items??

I think taking gently used baby furniture, toys etc is a great way to save $$ and go green at the same time.

I have no shame in accepting hand-me-downs however I grew up with thrift store clothes and toys b/c we were poor oftentimes so I see nothing wrong with it.

Re: only wanting new items??

I totally get that-- but, there are some things that I don't mind taking.

Also, my best friend has twins-- they don't necessarily have two of everything-- but they took whatever people would give them. Two is a lot-- and buying everything can really add up.

In fact, my friends are giving me a few things-- and I don't mind taking things that are going to be used for such a short amount of time.

Re: only wanting new items??

I totally know how you feel.. My sister keeps being nice and offered me her stuff she had from her kids... but i wanted my dd to have new.. Even now at 1 years old she tells me to return things and take hers.. I dont want too. I know shes being nice and generous but Im pickie about things and want the set to be really clean and also have all the pieces.. Even with baby #2 coming.. i only want him/her to use what i got new for my first child.. b/c i know i kept it super clean and all the parts.

Re: only wanting new items??

There is some stuff that I want brand new such as the crib, bedding, stroller, bouncer and swing and high chair.

Other stuff I am willing to take gently used like the Medela Pump in Style that my sister gave to me after she couldn't produce breast milk. It saved me almost 300 dollars! My SIL gave me a bag of hand-me-down clothes and I kind of grimaced at first, but when I looked through it, I saw that it was all practically brand new--you would never even know it was hand me down items!

I would also like to get a new pack n play, but if someone offers me an unused one like wannabemom got, I would definitely take it. I would also take an exersaucer and things like that.

Re: only wanting new items??

I think its totally normal fo you to only want new things for your DC'ren.

But honestly when you consider ALL the things a baby needs just in the first year and then multiply it by 2 it gets to be alot.
I felt the same way before having DS when everyone was offering...I got most of my big stuff at my shower, but I did take a few hand me downs and it was great, for alot of reason, some "infant" items teh baby uses for such a short time and you spend $150 or some babies dont like certain items or grow faster, etc.

Now we mostly get clothes (DS is 9 months and almost in 18 month clothing so taht has helped easy the pain of constantly buying new clothes) and toys.

Re: only wanting new items??

Since my DC's will only be 13 months apart, I am going to have to buy all new for this baby since DS will still be using all of his stuff. So, if I had the opprotunity to get some good quality and well taken care of second hand stuff, I would probably jump on it. But since the twins are your first children, I can see where you are coming from--that may change when you have the babies though. After awhile, you will be more than happy to take hand me downs!

Re: only wanting new items??

I am taking all that is offered to me with much appreciation. I have no problem with hand-me-downs. The only thing I am unsure about is an infant carrier someone gave me. I know they wouldn't give me one that was in an accident or damaged, but I am still wary about it.
Otherwise I have accepted a pack-n-play, a swing, a snap-n-go, clothes, high chairs... and I may be getting a stroller as well.

Re: only wanting new items??

I don't think there really is a right or wrong here, just a matter of what you feel comfortable with.

This is my first and I have no problem with hand me downs, I look at it as a way to save some money and also to reduce waste. There are some items I don't want to take hand me downs, like our main carseat and the nursery furniture, but so far we have been given a swing, pack 'n play, exersaucer and some standing toys.

Re: only wanting new items??

I want new things for my house - mainly b/c I want to pick everything out and have all of that fun -

My cousin had twins in March and offered me anything I need 'baby wise' for an extra for my Mom's or MIL's house which I will gladly accept and appreciate -

Re: only wanting new items??

I can understand where you are coming from. This is my first child and I want him to have the best of everything.

We were so blessed and received everything we need at our shower. However, my nephew will be 10 months older than my son so my sister has given me a ton of clothing. I have no problem taking the clothing as babies grow so fast! I would rather put that money away for baby P*star then spend it on an outfit that he'll wear once or twice.