Every single toy that DS got for his birthday is a V-tech or other tech-y push button toy and I am so tired of the ones he already has, I'm really dreading more of them. He also doesn't play with the ones he has very much unless he's captive in the PnP or something.
I'd really like to exchange them for some toys he can play with on his own (like musical instruments, blocks, push behind toys, a shape sorter that doesn't make noise, etc.) and some outside toys since he has none.
I feel a little guilty exchanging his gifts though and I sort of worry that friends or family will come over and not see the gift they gave.
Do you exchange LOs gifts? Do you say anything to the gift-giver?
Re: Is it bad to exchange/return LOs gifts?
Definitely exchange it. If someone gives me (or my kids) something that doesn't work for me or that we don't need, I either exchange it, re-gift it, sell it, or give it to the thrift store. I find that it's really hard to constantly manage clutter so if something isn't serving me, then I don't want it laying around.
I've never had someone ask me about something they've given me but if they ever did, I would just say "Oh, I must've put it away somewhere because we have so many toys that I rotate them periodically." Technically it's not a lie because maybe I "put it away" at the store you bought it from and exchanged it for something else. LOL.
nope, not bad at all. If you end up returning it, you can put the $$ in LO's college fund or savings account.
When DS was small, I exchanged all kinds of his gifts. Now it's hard because he'll open them and play with them immediately. I have put a few on the donate pile when he wasn't looking.
I never had a problem. I don't think people remember or notice. DS has toys in his room, in our playroom, in our family room. I think people assume if they don't see a gift, it's in another room. I exchanged a lot of clothes too. People bought him the wrong size or season. All the stuff I exchanged I used the money to buy stuff for him. Usually something comparable. When he was about a year and got a bunch of giant electronic toys, I took them back and bought diapers and wipes at Toys R US.
Thanks everyone! I didn't feel so bad about the clothes, because they were usually the wrong size or season, but for some reason the toys felt different.
I'm glad I can exchange the loud obnoxious toys guilt free now
this