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Thread 13 - I do not need a baby for Christmas! I do not need a baby for Christmas!

999 replies

Reastie · 11/11/2019 13:22

Thank you @Barbarara for the title!

Just a reminder you can watch the thread by clicking on ‘watch this thread’ at the top of the first message. It’s much easier for everyone than so many place marking every time which can use up a fair chunk of each thread to scroll through Thanks

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Here’s Barbarara’s instructions on doing clicks links:

Open double square brackets
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Close double square brackets

Like this
[[www.amazingbargains.com bargain ]] but with no space after/before the brackets.
If I do it again without the extra spaces only the word bargain will appear in blue

For more links etc see message 2

OP posts:
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Reastie · 11/11/2019 13:22

camel camel camel is a great page for price tracking amazon

Sockeatingmonster’s top tips for using aliexpress

  1. Check reviews
  2. Be wary of plastic toys. There have been concerns about toxic plastics from China, and I have binned plastic figures for having very unpleasant smells. I no longer buy any 'low-end' plastic items (UPDATE: I wouldn’t buy squishiest either, for the same reason) and only ever from sellers with lots of positive reviews
  3. Aliexpress refund/complaints procedure is actually way more straightforward than eBay, and stacked in the buyer's favour
  4. Beware of mains operated electricals, many of which are supplied without fused plugs. Always message the seller first if in doubt, don't rely on the photos
  5. I don't trust dress up clothes to be flame retardant, although I don't believe this is UK law anyway?
  6. Clothes can come up very small. Quality can be variable (excellent to awful). Photos are often of similar items, so take them with a pinch of salt and check the reviews.
  7. Actually, all photos on Aliexpress should be taken with a pinch of salt. Again, check reviews (where buyers often post photos of the actual item received)
  8. I wouldn't trust toys to meet UK safety standards and wouldn't buy anything that could pose a risk (e.g. Paint might not be safe for children to gum, there could be sharp edges/choking hazards, etc)
  9. Lego alternatives don't tend to stick together as well as genuine Lego. Minifigures are still excellent value, but the odd one might benefit from a few drops of superglue.

10. Barbie and other doll clothes can be excellent value, but check reviews for fabric quality and finish (UPDATE: Type “18 inch doll” for clothes that will fit American Girl/Our Generation/Designafriend dolls. Shoes are particularly excellent value. Wash dark clothing first as dyes can stain dolls’ limbs)
11. Stationery is generally excellent value, although paper quality can be lower than expected. Type 'kawaii' into stationery and be prepared to spend a fortune!

Also to add I’ve seen a fair few posts from fb this year from small businesses where aliexpress have posted photos of their products and photos without permission, so be wary and be warned the photo might not be exactly what you get.

Wibbletooth has a great gift idea:

Best received grandparent/great aunt etc stocking filler that I’ve done has been a personalised glasses cleaning cloth, with a photo of the grandkids on.

I did it on eBay - was much cheaper than many other places - and the quality was great. Cost them was about £2.50, there seem to be 2 or 3 on there that are about £3 now so guessing it was one of them - didn’t recognise either of the listings. At the time it was cheaper to go through the eBay page than their website. There were two sizes - seem to think it was worth the extra 30p or similar to get the slightly bigger cloth - not much of a difference but enough to make it feel a bit more substantial.

They were all in awe as had never come across photos being printed on fabric. Also meant they always had a photo of the grandkids with them at all times without needing to carry photos with them as they always had their glasses and this glasses case with them and alwaûs had a cleaning cloth in the glasses case anyway.

Think I teamed them with a mini cleaning spritz and mini glasses screwdriver to get 3 related stocking presents.
OP posts:
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recklessgran · 11/11/2019 13:49

Thanks for the new thread Reastie. 13 already!
I have 2 M&S codes left - might be able to get some more from a couple of friends. Will ask around.

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Dangerfloof · 11/11/2019 14:05
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thaegumathteth · 11/11/2019 14:06

B&M had these for £3 today. Similar thing is more expensive in aldi at the moment. They're quite big hence the pen for perspective.

They also had cool initial notebooks with sequin covers and a flashing initial on them.

Thread 13 - I do not need a baby for Christmas! I do not need a baby for Christmas!
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Dangerfloof · 11/11/2019 14:06

Sigh cropped too much of the photo
GINGER5 gets you £5 off when you spend £40

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wibdib · 11/11/2019 14:11

Thanks for the new thread Teastie and to everyone for posting their bargains, codes and ideas!

What thread does everyone reckon we will get up to by the end of Christmas Eve? I reckon 18. Or maybe 19...

(And I cross posted at the end of the last thread so here’s my post again:
@boo300 Don’t think I’ve seen any other mentions of micro fibre towels.

Depends whether you want it for luxurious home use or practical swimming/pe bag but decathlon do decent micro fibre towels. They have loads of different colours and sizes - most of them have a contrasting colour used to stitch and bind the hem and they have a built in elastic in that colour to hold together when it’s all folded up.

Means the are very neat and compact and great to throw in your kit bag and not take up lots of space or fall apart when you pull them out of the bag I have a couple in the car I keep to throw over the seats when I pick up ds and friends from rugby or footie practice to keep the seats clean then in the summer they get double duty as towels to throw on the beach or impromptu picnic blankets.)

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recklessgran · 11/11/2019 14:16

Sorry all - M&S codes now all gone.

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SlayingDragons · 11/11/2019 14:17

Checking in. Thanks again @Reastie

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Justonedayatatime11 · 11/11/2019 14:17

Checking in. Still lots of Sylvanian families discounted on Amazon

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princessbear80 · 11/11/2019 14:22

Think I might have been a couple of minutes too late reckless!

Congratulations bikini on your beautiful baby girl!

I’m getting very broody with all this thread baby talk. Might aim for my own thread baby in 2020 Smile.

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princessbear80 · 11/11/2019 14:22

And thanks reastie for keeping these going and to all the bargain hunters!

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Thegirlhasnoname · 11/11/2019 14:26

CHOC09 gets 9% off at Hotel Chocolat. Doesn’t seem like it works on the velvetiser though

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MsMiaWallace · 11/11/2019 14:40

Thanks for the new thread!
This is my first Christmas pregnant !
Hopefully my nausea has subsided by then to be able to indulge!

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Themazeoflife · 11/11/2019 14:44

Need to catch up with this thread and hide my own bank cards from myself Grin

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BeauticianNotMagician81 · 11/11/2019 14:44

@Reastie thank you for another thread.

I'm holding out for Black Friday deals on AirPods, Nerf guns, micro scooter sprite and the Nintendo Switch. I will be sad if they don't have good deals as I've missed out on a few good deals already.

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Theseptemberissues · 11/11/2019 14:47

20% off ASOS with code ourtype

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Bluewavescrashing · 11/11/2019 14:56

Thanks for the new Fred

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Justyou · 11/11/2019 14:58

Does Lego store ever have a sale or % off codes does anyone know??

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Bluewavescrashing · 11/11/2019 15:03

Lego store are doing a free reindeer if you spend over £35 I think.

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Ewock · 11/11/2019 15:07

Popping on quickly to say my colouring books that a pp posted about have just arrived. I'm very impressed. Lots of pages and seems to be good quality paper fantastic at pretty much £1 a book. I've added a picture of the deal.

Thread 13 - I do not need a baby for Christmas! I do not need a baby for Christmas!
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PinkJam · 11/11/2019 15:30

Thank you for the new thread Reastie Smile

@wibdib I’m going to be optimistic and guess 21 Smile

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Ewock · 11/11/2019 15:33

Sorry was doing school run hence quick post I meant to say thanks Reastie for these threads they are fantastic. I am nearly done just have my dh who is notoriously difficult to buy for and my mum. Not too much of a problem for my mum as we will be doing a trip to Biscester shopping village so will hopefully find something she likes there. I was in Aldi earlier and they have game crackers for £4.99 to be honest I wasn't that impressed the Twister one involves sticking coloured spots all over the place to play with so think we will give those a miss. They do have musical crackers and balloon animal crackers which looked fun. Also can recommend their 6 month matured xmas pud, my dh loves these!

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Ewock · 11/11/2019 15:35

Congratulations Bikini gorgeous girl Smile

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ToTheRegimentIWishIWasThere · 11/11/2019 15:44

Amazon Chilly style Bottle - Lightening Deal £7.96 I got one of these three years ago when my baby was born and it's still going strong! (I definitely want a baby for Christmas, maybe by next year! Grin )

Congratulations Bikini

Thread 13 - I do not need a baby for Christmas! I do not need a baby for Christmas!
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Grafittiqueen · 11/11/2019 15:51

Can someone advise me on fitbits for my DC please? am I best to wait until Black Friday? Thanks!

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