Is this tacky?

[petitchou]

I really want to get my nephew (20 months) some play animals and a Noah's ark for Christmas.  He is about the same age as my ds2 who loves to play with our animals as well as fill up the ark, dump it and start all over again.   They don't have anything like that at their house and I think he'd really enjoy it.

I found a Little People ark similar to ours on craigslist.  It comes with more than double the animals that I could get from the store if I bought a new one for the same price.   I'm trying to cut back and buy used this year as much as possible - both for monetary and environmental reasons.  I've cleaned everything up and it looks great - only way to tell it isn't new is that there is no packaging.  I also bought a new book about zoo animals to go with it.

So is this a tacky gift because it's second hand?  My brother and I aren't that close and besides the fact that I know he is very mainstream, I don't know how he feels about used items.  I don't even know if he'd even notice if I just fixed it up in a pretty package - he doesn't seem to pay much attention to detail like that.  Although my SIL might.

WDYT?

[lonegirl]

I think it is a great idea.  How about get or make a fun animal print bag for  the bits?

[dauphinette]

Oh, it's the thought that counts and you can't really control if they like it or not, if you really think your nephew would like it I would totally buy it, but I would casually mention it so you can avoid any possibility that they think you were trying to get one over on em....or send out a casual FB status about wanting to buy used this year because of the environment/economy and see where that gets you....

[CherryBombMama]

i got a used item once that the family tried to "pass off" as new. i much rather would have preferred if they just said, maybe as i was opening it, "we really hope you like, i saw it on craigslist and knew it was for you..." etc instead of acting like there was imaginary packaging or something.

just a thought. :)

[lifeguard]

I'm tell them exactly what you told us.

[Toolip]

I would love it!  I think it's way more thoughtful then just getting some new thing off a store shelf!!!

[ElliesMomma]

the two year old won't care at all that it isn't new. he won't know what "new" means! hey, it's "new" to him!! sounds like you already bought it and cleaned it up. definitely tell one of the parents-- probably should make it the mom -- that you found it on craigslist, it's used, but in perfect shape, and you also got him a new book to go along with it... "OK with you?" you ask her? of course, she'll say yes, what else can she say? as soon as the child starts playing with it, it's a "hit". my personal theory on "used" versus "new" is that it becomes "used" the moment you open it, anyway. what's the difference?

[onlyzombiecat]

I wouldn't care if it was used. One advantage is not having to fight with all the packaging!

[Stephenie]

I would be thrilled to get a second hand gift. I give secondhand gifts and if it's bothered anyone, they have never voiced it. 

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by onlyzombiecat 

I wouldn't care if it was used. One advantage is not having to fight with all the packaging!

No joke.  Kids packaging is ridiculous! 

If you cleaned up nicely, and it looks great, I would do like a pp suggested - get a cute animal print bag for the parts so they won't get lost.  And, mention it to the mom either before or after - I doubt she would mind.