Is It OK to Gift Your Baby's Hand-Me-Downs to a New Parent? Here's What the Experts Say
When you become a parent, you also become very aware of the seemingly endless number of baby and parenting products that come with the territory. So, once your kids have grown out of all their baby clothes and toys, you might assume that hand-me-down gifting to new and expecting parents is a no-brainer. After all, if sustainable gifting is important to you, giving what you already have may be more aligned with your values than buying something new off of their baby registry.
However, the issue of hand-me-down gifting to new parents is a tricky one. While you may have the best of intentions by giving someone your child's old things, the truth is, it's just not a good idea to drop off an unsolicited box of baby products to an expecting parent — doing this will likely be more of a headache than a help to them.
"To make sure the items are welcome, ask the new parents if they would be interested in some items that you no longer have use for," says Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert at the Protocol School of Texas. "Different parents have a need for different items, so there is not a one-size-fits-all answer."
If you want to hand down your child's old baby clothes, books, and toys to someone you know before dropping them in the donation bin, here's what the experts say about hand-me-down gifting.
Ask first and choose items accordingly
When it comes to hand-me-down gifting, the cardinal rule is to first ask the new or expecting parents if they want the items that you have on hand.
“It’s important to have open communication with the person. You are giving the items to ensure they are able to use and will appreciate the gifted items,” says Gottsman.
If the parents-to-be are open to receiving your child's hand-me-downs, you can ask if they have any specific preferences when it comes to clothing styles or types of toys. Gottsman also says that baby clothes and toys should always be in good or very good condition.
Safety is also of utmost importance. When regifting used toys specifically, Gottsman says to check for any recalls and make sure that the toys are age-appropriate. Ensure that every item you give is as clean as possible by washing and sanitizing them thoroughly.
Refresh the presentation
Even when it's a hand-me-down, a gift's appearance plays a significant role in creating excitement and anticipation.
Ensure that all of the gifted items are clean, neatly folded, or arranged in an organized manner. And even if you're giving baby products that are still in their original packaging or have their tags, etiquette expert Liza Mirza Grotts says to always use new wrapping paper "to make it feel like a real gift."
If the gift is for a baby shower or a newborn meet-and-greet, consider assembling the items in a basket. Arrange the clothes and toys creatively, adding some soft fabric or decorative filler for a polished and attractive look. Finishing with a personal touch, such as a handwritten note, can elevate the regifting experience and make it feel truly special.
Honesty is the best policy
There shouldn't be any shame in hand-me-down gifting, but when it comes to baby products, being honest and asking before you give is the right thing to do. Transparency fosters genuine connections and eliminates any potential discomfort, says Grotts. Some parents may welcome all of the booties and bibs you have, while others may want to you stick to their registry items only.
When done with care and clear communication, hand-me-down gifting can be a heartwarming act of generosity and community support. It provides a wonderful opportunity to ease the financial burden on new parents while transforming beloved old items into delightful surprises for another child to enjoy.
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