Christmas bargain thread 11 - I think my dog has got me pregnant

[Reastie]

Thanks for the quote spotty

As previously, if you shot a link in the OP links isn’t working/no longer in date, please let me know by posting in bold so I can easily see to update

I'm getting a bit sporadic in what makes it to the OP (I can't put everything on or it would take up the whole thread!) so if you think I've missed something good please let me know.

ecofreckle not sure I've ever been called a guru before

Haven't seen horses as 3d notebooks - have visions of it being a horses head and all a bit Godfather-y!

However, have had a poke around ebay in the uk and found these that are cute rather than realistic! Haven't had time to do an in-depth search so can't guarantee these are the cheapest (and haven't had time to look on ebay in the US where they may well be cheaper).

horse marker tabs £1.59
cute nordic pony post it notes £1.75
slightly strange horse post it notes 99p
bizarre horse desk calendar £4.50
horse border stamp £4.50

The only other things I've seen as 3d notebooks as well as the fruit & veg are fir trees, cupcakes, mushrooms, acorns, ice creams (think swirly 99s without the flake in!), 3d effect cube, pack of dollars, iphone, and box of kittens. Easiest way to look for all of them apart from the kittens is to google 3d notepad (or notes/memo/post it etc) and lots come up... need to add kittens or cats in if you want the kittens specifically!

Thanks Needto that had been winding me up for the last 5 minutes!!!!!!

Thanks everyone. There's some great ideas so far. I've ordered some pipe cleaners, googly eyes and some glue sticks online. I managed to get a pack of white and a pack of coloured card in pound land. So far so good!

Thanks for the Disney DVD thing. And the playmobil vet.

I'm embarrassed to admit I've never thought of using a cash back site I have seen the error of my ways though!

Random magazines too to make collages Izzy. All the kids I mind love cutting up various catalogues and sticking them.

neekoif you have any tesco vouchers, last year iPods were in the double up deal before Christmas. I had enough vouchers to get my DD the 64gb model without parting with a penny, it was down to this thread that I knew the double up deal had started and got in before they sold out - happy days. This year I'm hoping they might do double up on Nintendo DSs.

Izzy if you're looking for good cheap craft stuff, see if there is a scrap store near you.

We have one locally that charges a £10 annual fee for membership (often schools have membership and you might find someone on the PTA etc that will hold a school membership and be happy for you to go along with them) but they have loads of craft supplies really cheaply so you soon recoup the cost of the membership.

Additionally they get lots of stuff that businesses donate that they would otherwise throw away (off cuts from packaging, ends of reels of stuff that it's not worth their while using, etc etc) that provide lots of fab scraps that make for great craft projects, that would otherwise be thrown away - making it a win-win situation as the business doesn't have to pay to have it recycled and they get great free craft materials they can use for their workshops or to sell to raise money. eg our local one recently said they'd got a load of cardboard cones in from somebody that had been used in packaging of something to keep it safe - they've suggested they will make great bases to make Christmas trees from...

There's a directory of all the scrapstores (over 70 of them so a reasonable chance you might be near one!) here:
www.scrapstoresuk.org/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userslist&listid=4&Itemid=74

Just wanted to say thank you to all on this thread, love getting bargains but as someone who usually leaves Christmas til the last minute, I am nearly sorted. Need ideas for my 2 amazing aunts who helped raise me, they are 90 & 91 any ideas gratefully accepted

Zipzap you are my guru! Thank you for the lovely horsey links. I love the Sweden pony post its. Also your first link took me to something not horsey at all but what I absolutely love! It's mini post it markers with colourful fungi. Being an ecofreckle I love those. Serendipitous! And you are also a guru because you've just told everyone about scrapstores. Ecos like those too There's a brilliant one in Norfolk based in Reepham for any flatlands folk. Thanks again.

I don't say 'what I absolutely love' so no idea why I typed that

Izzy I'm probably repeating and I definitely second the scrap store suggestion - there's even one near me and that NEVER happens

Dd (and Ds but he's less interested) has:

Bottle tops
Fimo
Black paper
Crayons
Paints of various kinds
Oil pastels
Glues inc glitter glues
Tissue paper
Corrugated card of various colours
Normal card and paper
Little hole punches that pinch out snowflakes. / people / hearts
Badges to make inserts for
Jewels
String and ribbon pieces
A few special things like metal snowflake charms
Confetti
Tin foil
Self laminating sheets
Tracing paper
Felt pieces
Foam pieces
Lollipop sticks
Pens and pencils
Scissors which cut lots of different shapes
Chalks
Straws
Sponges
Paint scrapers
Stickers , so many stickers
Stencils
Tinsel stuff
Glitter

AllThatGlistens I was mooching on the Firefighters Charity shop and saw this Firefighters play suit If it's anything like the other FFC stuff it is great stuff. I've bought a lot from them at charity days. Not totally bargainous unfortunately.

Can I just ask those who give craft boxes - does the mess bother you?

My daughters would almost explode at the thought of 5 drawers filled with all those goodies listed below but god I would be forever clearing up!

outthere yes it bothers me BUT dd is only 4 and with her big brother we've had a lot of issues with his fine motor skills because of physical issues and also that he hated crafty stuff so....I'm reluctant to discourage her because I think she probably has the same hypermobility problems Ds has and also she just really really loves it. She's only allowed to do it in the dining room at her desk and has paper / scissors / glue sticks / pens etc at her disposal whenever but she has to ask for glitter / paints : more expensive stuff...

Considerablybiggerbuns. That's a great idea but we just spent our Tesco vouchers on the pleasure beach at Blackpool today. Will need to see what we have when the deal happens as might save us £30 or so. Thanks.

The mess doesn't bother me - but they are limited to one room!

We have 2 kits as well, one is dry stuff (paper, scissors, prit stick, pens, play doh etc) and they can get that out whenever they want. The other is wet things (pva glue, paint, rollers, clay etc) and they have to ask and I help them set up things from that kit. Because DS is only 2 I supervise wet craft with him involved!
I have to remind them to tidy up afterwards but they don't mind doing it.

I need better storage atm though! It's all in overflowing boxes, I see a trip to Ikea in my future...

306 that's a fantastic list! I've screenshot it to take with me when we go shopping!

I'm usually one for no mess fun but she's enjoyed school arts and crafts since starting that I thought I'd embrace it. I ordered an a3 cutting mat from amazon which I plan on her using to protect my table!

Can I just point out how fed up I am with making a cup of tea, sitting down to have a read of this thread and then having to drink cold tea because I've been distracted by everything everyone is posting! Shame on you all!

Doesn't have to be particularly bargainous but I don't suppose anyone knows how I can get my hands on lindor seat salt truffles?
DH loved them when he had them in the states but can't seem to find them over here, not even on the website. Would love to get him some for his stocking.
Amazon has them listed but out of stock

Thanks for the suggestions on what to get a 9 year old for a fiver

Cosy Village Cooking Play Food Set
Just £2.80 Delivered from amazon

Cupcake11 This could be a good substitute Lindor Special Collection Sea Salt Chocolate Truffles (1 x 300g, 24 Truffles)It's on Amazon uk

Someone was looking for non alcoholic baileyes coffee creamer the other day, not sure if helpful and not a bargain by any means, especially when shipping doubles the cost but you can get it on Amazon.com eg www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G0PFUTU/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1qid=1413325265&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70 handy if desperate maybe?

Also for the Disney DVD tip, really pleased that Aladdin and Bambi are on their way to us, and the £12.99 is already tracking

I'm also waiting on several womdee scarves, a huge delivery from the book people, a foxy/owl bag and two genuine minecraft tits

As anyone had issues over the personalised Coca Cola bottles being delivered? I ordered mine on 28 September and the confirmation email says delivery within 7-8 working days and that a despatch email will be sent, but I've not heard a peep.