"Recycling" Christmas

[limewave]

Thanks everybody. I'm starting to feel a lot better about it. Even good about it.

[Trek420]

I think it's a wonderful idea. And then DD grows out of the toy you could start a tradition of cleaning and bundling up toys to give to a charity such as local shelter, day care, etc or even a younger friend. I think it's so in the true spirit of the holiday.

[bmccasland]

Talked to my DS last night because I was bummed about Herald the Cat.

Anyway, she mentioned that she got her confirmation letter that her two younger ones will be receiving gifts from Toys for Tots. She's trying to grin and bear it, but these economic times and them being under employed is really draining.

I'm all for regifting, reusing. And since the toys have been hidden in the attic for a couple of years, little ones will be none-the-wiser. Any adults can keep their lips zipped, or go have that second cup of eggnog that Tulip suggested.

[mudmucker]

Darn it you should feel good about it. The intent of the gift is just as warm and meaningful. Your child will likely feel no less joy in receiving it. And as others said earlier - brilliant. Not only is it a utiliarian move in a world of overabundance, you have resolved a problem in a particularly difficult economic time for you. You have maintained the Christmas feeling for your children without hardship on your budget. Now that is something to feel good about. And yes, for those adults who might be offended. Shame on them. I like the idea of shoving eggnog their way.

[Tri Girl]

You *absolutely* should feel good about it (in fact, you should feel GREAT)!

Christmas is not supposed to be about who gets the newest/most expensive toys- it's about the joy of giving and receiving. Your kids will absolutely LOVE getting their gifts- and that's what it's all about!!!!

[jelee1311]

I think this is a fantastic idea. We have regifted a few gently used toys to cousins and just recently those same toys were regifted to a new grandma so she had a toy stash at her house. My 9yr old recognized the toys and was happy to know her future cousin was going to enjoy them

[shootingstar]

In reading this, it nearly breaks my heart....in ways I can't quite divulge now, but my 3 sisters each with children, having passed along toys amongst each other with each sister with successively younger children as the years go by. Last 25 yrs. since there is a wide age spread in our family.

Some sister's family had a ton of toys. So they didn't bother wrapping up the toys, just given to next set of nieces/nephews/cousins, etc.

So right now the sister with the youngest children has not had to buy hardly any toys. They are over-run with abit too many toys.