So I’m going to the baby shower of a very close friend next month, and I’ve found the high chair that my friend registered for on ebay. The item is described as “like new” and “slightly used”, and its also near where I live so I could go and pick it up myself.
So … I was thinking of writing my friend and asking if she would like the used high chair as a shower present, then she could take it off her registry and replace it with another $50 item. I figure this way she gets another big-ticket item, and my money goes to a family instead of a retailer. My question is, would this be either tacky or unsafe? I think I’ve read somewhere that you should not buy a used car seat, would this also apply to high chairs? And if it is safe, would you find this horribly tacky? I remember her husband talking about how overpriced baby stuff is, and I remember them talking about picking up used stuff for a pregnant relative, but at the same time this is a shower and people seem to have certain expectations about shower presents.
I’ll also add that I have a small budget for my gift, since I’m also flying in for the shower. So this isn’t between a new chair and a used chair, its between a used chair and a new boxed baby toy.
Thoughts?