https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:25:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913332 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:28:33 +0000 BadgerMom 1913332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your DH thinks a formal thank you note is too much, what about an email with a picture of LO enjoying one of the recent hand me downs and a simple note like, "Thanks again! We sure are loving XYZ!"? That way you could easily keep up with it when she gives you more things, and I would love to know (and see) that what I passed down when to good use :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913328 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:25:49 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1913328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: this is what I would do. That way it ties the gift to a specific event and you don't have to go back and forth with the endless thank you notes, as I'm sure your DH is telling her thank you in person each time. I really like the note of "Thank you for thinking of our family all year long" it has a good feeling to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913326 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:24:57 +0000 jetsa 1913326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I love this suggestion! Treats are always appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913325 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:24:20 +0000 BSB 1913325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kind of feel like this woman is really generous (double stroller! wow!), so I would probably ask your DH for her number or email, so you can send her a text or email to thank her in the future if these hand me downs continue. That's probably what I would do.</p> <p>I'm an introvert, so calling her might be a bit much for me to handle, but I can certainly text or email to show my gratitude for things. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913314 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:17:04 +0000 honeybear 1913314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd send a thank you card and ask your husband to put it on her desk/inbox. A handwritten note is always appropriate! I'd say if she gives you more, it's worthy of a note then, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913311 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:15:44 +0000 raspberries 1913311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably write a thank you note and have DH give it to her - just to let her know how much you appreciate her generous nature, which will kind of cover your bases, even if she keeps giving things to your family sporadically. I think once is enough, but if you ever happen to meet her in person, I'd express it again directly to her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913309 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:14:50 +0000 HabesBabe 1913309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your husband feels that a simple "thank you" is appropriate, then I'd leave it at that. She obviously isn't miffed because she's given you stuff on more than one occasion. Don't sweat it and just enjoy the goods! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913307 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:14:08 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1913307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would it be weird for your husband to give her a small gift at Christmas? Something edible &amp; store bought her family will enjoy. You can hand write the note thanking her for thinking of your family all year long. If she continues to gift you hand me downs just wait until next year for the holidays to come up again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/etiquette-for-hand-me-downs#post-1913296 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:07:17 +0000 mauxie 1913296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has a coworker who has given us quite a few hand me downs (toys, clothes, books, even a double stroller). Lots of stuff! The clothes are maybe half usable (off season, too big, too ragged :P) but the rest we do keep/appreciate. </p> <p>DH just randomly comes home with these items from time to time. He says other coworkers get things, too. She just bags things up and distributes them, lol.</p> <p>How am I supposed to thank her for all of it? I have never met/spoken to her. DH's general attitude is it's no big deal-- "she doesn't want it and doesn't care if we use it or throw it away.. It'd be nice to thank her properly but it's not necessary"..... </p> <p>I keep asking DH to find out more about her own kids so we can get them something new and age/interest appropriate, but he is just kind of whatever about all of it. He says he always says thank you and it would be awkward if I were to send a handwritten thank you card to work with him to deliver... </p> <p>Is there etiquette for this? </p> <p>If I "thank" her now with a gift/card/whatever, and she keeps giving us all this stuff, then what? Thank her again??</p> <p>In general, DH's workplace people are really generous and they give out freebies/gifts/hand me downs all the time.. I'm clueless as to how that is because my office is the total opposite! Never even a free lunch, here. </p>