declining hand-me-downs

[ladygrey]

I have a feeling that SIL will offer us some hand-me-down baby stuff tomorrow at Easter dinner. They live in a FILTHY rental house (mold and dirt everywhere) and have two cats that shed like crazy. The thought of accepting items from a place like this really grosses me out; even if things can be washed and cleaned, I'd rather not deal with it (even to turn around and donate everything to charity).

Plus, call me snobby, but I want new stuff for my first baby. We have two registries set up, and I know that friends and family are looking forward to giving gifts at my shower in May. We also already have a ton of clothes already purchased (my mom is ecstatic about her first grandchild, and I've been shopping a lot as well).

SIL is a rather difficult person, and I'm having a hard time thinking of a polite response without offending her (obviously, I would never mention the germ/dirt issue). Any ideas? 

[darnkatz]

Just tell her that you appreciate her offer but aren't in need of anything for the reasons you just specified - you have already bought a bunch of clothes and so has your mom.

[Deleted]

Just tell her you don't need anything.

I can understand not wanting clothes from this SIL, but I got DD's first year of clothes and hand-me-downs and it was awesome. They wear it for so little time.

[ECB]

Mar 30, 2013 13:15:12 GMT -5 darnkatz said:

Just tell her that you appreciate her offer but aren't in need of anything for the reasons you just specified - you have already bought a bunch of clothes and so has your mom.

yeah- this.  A genuinely nice "Oh, thank you so much!  That's so sweet of you to offer.  I have to be honest, though - we already have a good amount of stuff and I'm expecting quite a bit more.  I'm just afraid that if you give it to me, it's going to end up not being used.  I'd rather you find someone else to give it to who REALLY needs it.  Again- thank you!"

[daisybuchannan]

Thank you, but we have everything we need!

Again, like the rocker post, I don't get why people are so afraid to say these things!

[dragonfly08]

While I'm all about the hand me downs and think there's little a good wash can't cure, I see no reason to take the stuff if you don't want it. As pps have said, politely saying thank you but we have everything we need is more than sufficient and you shouldn't be afraid to say so!

[mollybrown]

I agree with a simple "Thanks, but we already have enough things." I've never heard of someone being offended that someone else didn't take their hand me downs. Most people would kill for free stuff, so she probably won't have any trouble finding another taker.

[cherry1111]

I'm bad and just accept the things then they stay in a bag in his closet. I know I should just say no thank you but I feel this is easier and we aren't hurting for the space yet.