Labeling Clothes for hand me down loan

[GAjenn]

What is the best way to label baby/kid's clothes to loan to a friend? I want for her to be able to use them and give them back in case I have another girl in the future.

[TiredX2]

You can always just put your last name in the tag.

That said, don't loan *anything* you would be upset to not get back.

[ASusan]

I'd put your last name on the tag.

But, the best advice about hand-me-downs/loans was given to me by my best friend when she sent me a box of maternity clothing. I asked her what she wanted back, and she replied that she never expects anything back. She doesn't loan out what she hopes to keep for the future. It's just a set-up for someone to be disappointed (for not getting a particular item - or any of them - back) or to feel guilty (for ruining a piece of clothing).

IMO, it's best if you can give the clothing freely and say something about perhaps she could save some items in case you have a girl in the future. The items you really love, put in a box in your closet.

[JL83]

I loaned out alot of stuff after having DD. I did NOT loan out the "special" stuff. Even though I wanted to get the other stuff back, I know that sometimes things get lost/stained/forgotten.

I put my initials on the tag.

My stuff went through 2 people before I got it back (with my permission) and a couple things didn't make it each time. Some stuff got stained.

[philomom]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

You can always just put your last name in the tag.

That said, don't loan *anything* you would be upset to not get back.

Exactly... this can ruin a friendship. Be careful.

[*Erin*]

clothing is not something i would loan. i would give it away if my friend needed it, or if i felt i couldnt and needed to keep it, i'd tell her i couldnt do it. clothing gets so worn out so easily by kids, even nicer clothing. it's not worth the hassle or the risk of damaging a friendship over, IMO.

[mamadebug]

I put the first letter of our last name on all the tags with a permanent marker. I found a lot of the tags way too small to try and write our last name on them. I didn't loan out the really special things, but I was happy to loan out the kind of everyday stuff. Some of it gets stained and a few things probably didn't make it back. But, it felt to me like such a waste to have all of these clothes siting in our garage when someone else could use them. I have lent DS's baby clothes to 3 friends, and I feel like most of them would still be fine to dress a baby in if I had another boy. Once they hit the toddler stage, it's a different story, though. My experience is that then most of it doesn't come back in useable condition.

[Tjej]

I loaned stuff to my SIL and made an itemized list. I didn't write on the tags. She did on the first batch, but I asked her not to in the future. I just don't like that, for whatever reason.

It worked well, and I was able to ask for a snowsuit back when I saw it on the list and hadn't received it back yet (I think she'd forgotten it was mine).

Anyway, don't loan anything that is really important to you. Things will get stained or worn out. And give stuff away when you can. I gave away a couple of boxes of baby clothes today and I just feel lighter because of it!

Tjej

[GAjenn]

#1. most of the baby stuff is tagless, they just have the info stamped at the neck
#2. I feel so selfish about not loaning her the stuff. She is my best friend, but I am worried about it not coming back in good condition. I also don't know how not to give it to her. So many people have brought it up. Oh, your friend won't need clothes. I have to admit that I get a little emotional every time I pack up some of my favorite little outfits. I am expecting baby #2 right now and every one acts like there is just no way we're considering a #3. Why is that? We might want another child and it would be a shame for the clothes not to be there. That being said, this is my BEST friend and the clothes are just sitting in the attic. AND we didn't buy most of them, my MOM did and she does not want me to loan them out. I hate to admit I thought about just not getting around to it for a while and seeing if she really needs them. Our nursery is not even started, my bags are not packed, my baby does not even have a coming home outfit/picture outfit....so it would be true that I have a ton to do right now.

[mama1803]

[QUOTE=GAjenn;15070685 AND we didn't buy most of them, my MOM did and she does not want me to loan them out.[/QUOTE]


But once your mom gave them to you, they became yours to do with whatever you please.

Personally, I loathe gifts that come with conditions or any kind of strings attached.

[Friday13th]

I would set yourself some limits (one tote for 0-6 and one for 6-12 or something) and fill those totes with stuff you adore, fondly remember your kids wearing or have some other attachment too. Keep that and give your friend the rest without worrying about whether or not it comes back.

I found I got a ton of stuff back, some of which wasn't mine to begin with and my mother is completely unable to NOT buy baby clothes regardless of whether number 2 or 3 is the same gender as previous babies.