Best middle Lidl or Aldi special buy or random purchase

[Getoffthesofaplease]

Tonight I had my first salad spinning session of 2024 using the salad spinner I got maybe 8 years ago in one of Aldi or Lidl. Thereby proving to DH it is sometimes a haven of exciting and useful gems. Anyone had anything else good they still use?

Am not a journalist. Just bored and wondering what I could be missing out on

I bought a flat pack small sideboard in the middle of Lidl and still have it in daily use nearly 20 years later full stop fantastic bargain for 14 pounds 99

veg chopper
hand mixer
camping lanterns used indoors by children
duster on stick closing curtains
solar lights
book light
stair basket
lunch containers
2l water bottle
summer duvets
off the top of my head all from Aldi all get daily use

I'm more like "ooh I want one of those that she's got but I'll wait for the special buys"

Got lots of good things over the years but the best by far is my daughter's wooden dolls house and furniture from Lidl. She's had it 4.5 years and still loves it!

Packing cubes bought last week from Aldi - already proven useful for the kids camping trips, so I'm going back for more this week if I have time!

Also got skiwear from Lidl a few years ago which was brilliant quality. We are not regular skiiers so I didn't want to shell out for anything as it wouldn't be used frequently, and it was fab.

Grey fur-lined Ugg boot type things. A mere £7.99 and get worn every day for at least half the year when working from home.

Similarly, white Birkenstock type things. A mere £5.99 and get worn every day for the other half of the year when working at home.

Both bought donkey's years ago and still going very strong (or "the footwear that sadly refuses to die" if you listen to my DH)

I bought a kitchen tap for £49.99 at Aldi. Similar taps on Amazon and big name high street retailers were upwards of £450. My adult DD who is very materialistic and thinks she knows how much everything costs believes we paid the higher of the 2 figures. Quite happy for her to believe that. Taps still going strong after 10 years.

Aldi adjustable cast iron weights
Aldi collagen lip oil

Cycling shoes- like stiff- soled trainers (for cyclocross perhaps ?) Anyway, they lasted years.

Swim leggings for that extra bit of warmth, and protection against whatever lurks in the lake.

Espresso cups and a 10kg kettle bell. I love the randomness of the middle aisle.

BHA exfoliating liquid, hoping it comes back again. Sandwich maker. Hand blender. Electronic baking scales. Mr Men mugs.

Shelving for the garage and most work tools are still doing well

Dog harness

Beach shoes with a plastic sole

Not so good was a mini chopper which finally stopped after only 6mths form lidl and a scrubbing brush where all the bristles flattened within weeks from aldi- no, I couldn't find the receipts. Edit- I forgot a cast iron large dish which started chipping after a year.

A metal boot stand from Aldi. Sits at the front door with wellies and hill boots on it.

A heated airer, it's absolutely brilliant, again from Aldi.

Lacura lip kit. Wish they would bring it back.

A waxing kit/melter. Didn't work amazingly but could be user error and was still fun and a lot cheaper than going to a salon for a wax

A double standalone hammock

Oh my weigh scales are also Lidl. Forgot those

I misread that as middle class aisle. It's been a long day.

My fave purchase was wooden sun loungers about 6 years ago, I bloody love them.

My Lidl Singer overlocker and big cones of thread, both great for the price.
A lovely Aldi smoky eyeshadow 6-palette they never repeated 😕

Fake Crocs; unlined and the furry ones.