Christmas bargain thread 16 - cute Christmas rubber fuck

[Reastie]

wildflowers for that thread title

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

If I’ve missed anything good from any last threads onto the list please let me know.

Can I apologise for not fully updating from the last thread, pesky RL. Please let me know anything that should be added

Hiding presents IS stressful, Vino.
I find a drink (or 4) very helpful tho. Don't like to presume but based on your name, you may adopt a similar approach!?

Can anyone help please? I ordered a Nespresso threads and threads ago for DSIS and DBIL. My Mum's now said she'd like one-does anyone know if there are still any deals out there?
Thanks.

wildflowers I haven't booked one yet (DS is too short still) but a friend has and they were a huge hit. Hair raising for parents apparently but great, especially for car fanatics :)

Co-op electricals have them on offer but don't know much about them or what they cost normally.

here

Someone tell me I don't need to buy into playmobile for DS (18mths). He has Take n Play train sets (4 of them!) and Toot Toot Drivers and tonnes of little people (garage, pirate ship, Farm, zoo)...

I'm sure we don't need another set of people/imaginative play toys but his gift pile is much smaller than DDs and it's his birthday in February [twitching emoticon]

And also, DD has just started Rainbows, do I need to get the leaders gifts?!? I'm struggling to think of something for teachers and assistants that isn't expensive as DH totally disagrees with the idea of giving them gifts!!

Will DD be the only Rainbow to not take gifts for the leaders or the only one who does (arrrgghh!)

I give small things to Brown Owl and Akela but most parents don't. They are volunteers and don't get paid so it's a bit different to teachers.

Fwiw this year teachers are getting small gifts but in previous years I have sent thank you emails which are always replied to happily.

And one last question, if I have £10 to spend on a 1yr old should I get Duplo or Playmobil 123 or Happyland?

Thanks Waiting, DD is only in Yr1 so this is still a bit new to me. For teachers last year we made some birdfood fat balls and wrapped them up in nice packaging. I thought made by the child would be more appreciated than something I picked. So if I can think of another gift of that type that we can mass produce we could do Rainbow leaders too.

I agree with the volunteer thing actually, I would like to show them our appreciation as it's a lot to take on.

Lego minecraft is so dear...!

Elvish, I've just ordered the duplo train for my two year old - I think all the things you link too would be great actually, but the train looks more substantial?

D&G Light Blue Perfume 100ml at best rate according to camel camel

www.amazon.co.uk/Dolce-Gabbana-Light-Toilette-Spray/dp/B000XE7PV0/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1415707945&sr=1-1&keywords=Dolce+%26+Gabbana+Light+Blue+Eau+De+Toilette+Spray+100ml

I think I agree Iggi - thank you - Duplo can always be added to and used in different ways. It's for my friends PFB and his birthday is just after Christmas, so even if it's a bit advanced for him now it's a long time till the next set of gifts IYSWIM so she can put it away for later in the year. Decision made!

My idea for brownie leaders, etc are to buy the make your own christmas crackers out of poundland and fill with a scratch card, couple of lindor and mini hand cream or mini baileys

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the Thomas Take and Play sets. I have been looking at them for DS2 4 in December. I was just going to get him one big set but they all look incomplete on their own. Would I be better getting a few smaller sets?

Oh I like that idea Prizepudding. I was thinking about making something edible but I think people are (understandably) reluctant to eat stuff kids make

Please could some kind person link to the personalised flannels that quite a lot of people bought last year? The two I bought for the DSs are both filthy already so I may need some more! I seem to remember the price fluctuates quite a bit - what is a good price?

Notso, I am an expert on Take and Play!

There are a few sets but depending on how your DS likes to play it might be better to get one set and some track.

How do you feel about eBay? I have picked up a few good quality playsets which are no longer sold in shops.

You need to look out for the older style of track (Take along I think it was called) as the track pieces are not compatible.

We have Tidmouth sheds which has a little round track attached, that's great for DS as he's too little at the moment to do much more than push trains about. We also have the quarry set which DD (5yrs) loves and is more difficult to use as you need to attache the train to a magnet to get the crane to tow it up the hill. I have loads of track pieces, some from ebay as there are only 2 sets sold in shops (a set of track and a long flexible piece which is good to attach 2 sets together). If you look on eBay you will find older track with bridges etc. We also have a new (to us) Sodor Shipping company which was only £8.50 and is in good condition.

The good thing about Take and Play is that you can always add trains and it's easy to ask others to get them as gifts as they are in all the supermarkets etc.

I buy teachers and Brownie leaders gifts, but if I was choosing one set of people, I'd choose the Brownie leaders. They are volunteers and give up so much time for free. I really hope they feel appreciated. My dc love choosing small gifts. I love the cracker idea.

Waiting, most people I've noticed do tend to give small gifts to Rainbow/Brownie leader's.

Great info, thanks Elvish. DS2 has all DS1's old Brio and generic wooden trains at PIL's house, there is metres of track and he still gets frustrated when he runs out. For some reason he prefers to build in long lines rather than a track that attaches completely.
I will certainly look at ebay, just to clarify the old track not will fit with the new stuff ? So I need to get all old or all new.

Elvish, sorry that post about Brownies leaders was for you, not Waiting. Not compulsory to give a gift of cause. I just think it's a nice thing to do.

DirtyDancer thanks for the heads up on the Lego friends on Amazon- twitched and got dd the caravan. I think she's a bit old for it as she's 11 (will be 12 on Christmas Day) but it's on her list, and as I'm trying to think of Santa presents, Christmas presents from us and birthday present ideas for us and grand parents, I'm thrilled to get it at a good price! (Went through quidco too, so should get a few pence back as well )

The finger lights arrived a couple of days ago (from Hong Kong!), had given up on them as they took over a month. One doesn't work but the other 3 are great!

The twisty teaspoon is great, I'm making dd a hot chocolate package, I have chocolate on stick type things from Home Bargains, need to get snowman marshmallows and I'm on the look-out for a photo mug offer.

I ordered the zip earphones from Amazon, too, they arrived really quickly and look fab.

I keep getting exciting little packages covered in chinese writing- dh just looks bemused, yesterday just after the postman had handed over yet another one, a huge delivery van parked outside our house and dh just turned to me and said "oh good grief, what have you ordered now?!" (He's pleased with my purchases, really I keep telling myself)

Not a present as such but I've just booked this:

www.groupon.co.uk/deals/manchester/south-lakes-safari-zoo-1-1/48440472

It's a couple of hours drive for us but it's open all day and includes zoo admission plus we can have lunch there, Groupon gave me 15% off as well so cost £16 for a family of 4 and my youngest DS is free.

Tickets are £12 each on there website so seems good.