https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 23:40:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682912 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:48:41 +0000 Corduroy 682912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the replies. Great ideas! I've been so worried about doing "the right" thing I've been missing opportunities to do something. My SIL better brace herself for some serious gratitude. She provided my whole maternity wardrobe, tons or nursing tops, and lots of baby gear. I dressed better while pregnant than ever before.</p> <p>@shopaholic - You're right, I didn't make a distinction between the stuff that is "borrowed" and "given." I have a mix of stuff. I am trying to be extra careful with the borrowed items. One friend told me some of the outfits she was lending me were near and dear to her heart and I insisted she hold on to those. I would hate to have a diaper accident all over a precious outfit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682814 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:38:53 +0000 maybebaby 682814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One set of friends gave us the motherload. Seriously. Infant car seat and base, snap and go, stroller for when he's older, boppy, brest friend, bottles, all the clothes we could ever want (they have two summer born boys and our baby boy is due late May), books, toys, maternity gear--we hardly needed anything! They were so happy to get all of the stuff out of their apartment and that it was going to friends rather than randos. But we felt like we needed to do something beyond a thank you card, so we had them over for an extravagant meal as a thank you (we all four are very into food). They said it was completely unnecessary but we insisted. I think people are so happy to help because they know how hard it can be to get all this stuff together--that combined with it is nice for them to purge some of the stuff out of their own lives. Glad you are getting so many great hand me downs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682726 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:47:19 +0000 shopaholic 682726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! And welcome to posting! :) That is so awesome and generous about all the hand me downs! We only got a couple of hand me down gear, and I think I even forgot to include those in my thank you notes, maybe? I think people generally just like knowing that it will get used and appreciated and that is enough. Sounds like you have made it well known how appreciative you are!<br /> Are you going to return things? I know you mentioned it's being "lent"? If that's the case, I'd just try to be extra careful with them and maybe give back a small GC to them or add some new pieces to it when you give it back? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682162 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:23:46 +0000 LuLu Mom 682162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do a thank you &amp; for my sister I am returning the ones back to her so she can sell the ones that aren't too worn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682154 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:20:33 +0000 looch 682154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel the same, a thank you is sufficient. I am usually the donater so I would love it if someone passed along something to another friend, like a carrier that didn't work for them, or a gently used boppy cover. I am really trying to get away from the idea that everything has to be new, especially with kid things and seeing how hard my son is on them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682147 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:17:46 +0000 heffalump 682147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all they expect from us is a thank you. I will try to pay it forward and will give the clothes and toys to someone else who needs them when LO (and any future LO's) grow out of them. I'll also try to do random acts of kindness towards people who have done nice things to me, like stop by with something sweet for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hand-me-down-appreciation#post-682135 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:10:29 +0000 Corduroy 682135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is my first post but I've been a long time lurker. I have a 5 week old baby girl. My friends, family, and coworkers with slightly older babies have been incredibly generous with lending out their baby clothes and gear. It seems like this hand-me-down arrangement will continue for a while especially within the family. I don't want my friends and family to feel taken advantage of. Of course I send thank yous and pictures (usually) but that doesn't take the financial burden off the family with the older child. </p> <p>How do you reciprocate in these situations? Have you discussed it with the hand-me-downers? </p>