Turning down hand-me-downs

Re: Turning down hand-me-downs

• SullyN member

  June 2015

  Oh my goodness we ran into this when we bought our house! We would be out and come home to stuff by our front door that family and friends thought we could use! We have a basement full of stuff that we've been working on giving to Savers! I'm super passive and terrible at telling people that we don't want something. Best I've found to tell people is that right now you just don't have the space. Then maybe tell the people who have things that you're interested in you don't have the space but you just love it and it would be great if they wouldn't mind checking with you again in a few months?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• sck601 member

  June 2015

  I would be polite and honest and just say that since it's early in your pregnancy, you're not sure what direction you're going in with the nursery. As far as the changing table, you could say that you wanted to get a matching set/wanted all of the furniture to match

  

  

  Report0 Reply
• BabyRut2015 member

  June 2015

  You could also tell people you already have more than enough of whatever it is they are trying to give you....
  
  Oh I already have been given 3 crib sets.... I even have spares.... oh I already have another friend giving me their changing table but thank you...
  
  That may spare some feelings, and they won't know if you bought a new matching set or someone gave it to you.
  
  I have been offered a ton of stuff too lol probably more than I will need...I'm going to have doubles of some things to keep at my moms....
  

  Report0 Reply
• claireloSC member

  June 2015

  Honestly I usually just take it and then drop it at Goodwill. But yeah I agree this is super annoying. In terms of the furniture, I understand someone not wanting it taking up room in their house until you are ready. So I think they can either take it to Goodwill or hold onto it until you are ready, and there's nothing wrong with you saying you aren't ready to take it yet. I just wouldn't expect them to hold on to it for you necessarily either.

  Married DW 08.2013; AI 2x; IUI 6x; IUI #7 05.2015; DD born 2.2016 ; Reciprocal IVF FET #1 on 11.18.2020 

  Report7 Reply
• JoJoMama730 member

  June 2015 edited June 2015

  When possible, I politely but firmly turn down what I don't want. Sometimes it's a bulk deal, though, or you're caught unawares and miss the chance to say no thank you, and in those instances, I just donate the extras. There is a school for young mothers in Detriot that I've taken stuff to and they are so grateful. And on the plus side, I've received a lot of nice hand-me-downs from people!!

   

  Report0 Reply
• sck601 member

  June 2015

  claireloSC said:

  Honestly I usually just take it and then drop it at Goodwill. But yeah I agree this is super annoying. In terms of the furniture, I understand someone not wanting it taking up room in their house until you are ready. So I think they can either take it to Goodwill or hold onto it until you are ready, and there's nothing wrong with you saying you aren't ready to take it yet. I just wouldn't expect them to hold on to it for you necessarily either.

  The problem with goodwill and furniture is that chance that they'll come by and notice you don't have it in the house. Then you have to have that awkward conversation about where it is.

  

  

  Report0 Reply
• cjd&k member

  June 2015

  My mom was giving me maternity and baby stuff before I even got pregnant. She knew I was trying, but oh my, I already know I'll have way too much. My family likes to give and help and considering I have 4 sister and they all have kids, their going to drop everything on me. I'm planning on politely telling a lot of people no.

  Report0 Reply