Christmas bargain present ideas thread 2: the one with a baby chips?

[Reastie]

Hello all,

Hopefully the second message on the thread will contain a list of potentially useful links. I haven't checked through all of last years useful links so if I've missed any good ones please let me know and I'll amend.

I'll do my best to keep it updated with each new thread.

DD was watching some kind of Disney Christmas cartoon this morning so I'm feeling rather festive today :)

If you want to take actual photos the Kiddizoom is beyond rubbish IMO.

not a christmas bargain as such but start-rite have an excellent sale on shoes until midnight tomorrow. just got my dd two patent shoes for less than the price of her last pair (also from start-rite) and as a wee bonus got the cost of the postage back through TCB

we loved our kiddizoom... the pic qualities aren't up to photographer dh's standard right enough but it was a perfect first camera for dd (who now takes fantastic pics aged 8). Would wholeheartedly recommend for 2-6 yrs

chicaguapa are these the same? thanks for the tip - i have several boys to buy for...

ja9r Those are 3mm balls. I've always bought 5mm as they seem easier to manipulate. The photo shows the difference between the two. But other than that, they're the same.

There are lots of YouTube videos of how to make them into shapes. They are excellent addictive.

If you do get them, don't be tempted to play with them as you'll never get them back into a cube. I had to give DS his as a lump and apologise profusely for opening and playing with his present before I gave it to him.

wind Yes 22nd Sept (tomorrow) is TU Sainsbury 25% sale.

Forget who was looking, but Debenhams have Thomas Take and Play Dino Run half price at £17.50. Click and collect, or free delivery over £30.

Gerrard Those playmobil figures are always that price. They are normally a few pennies cheaper at Asda. I know this because DD loves them and I bought £25 worth of them at Smyth's this weekend so they were at least 20% off.

spaghetti Just wait, the Christmas books will still be there and they are always doing discount codes. Pretty much, one a week. I would wait until they have at least a 15% off code, but if you don't want to wait that long, they do 10% off regularly. I'll post the codes next time I get one in my e-mail.

GIFT10 for 10% off book people

Thank you for the Start-rite tip! DD can only wear Start-rite and with free returns it's worth ordering a couple of pairs in different sizes and seeing which fits best.

Also, I have managed to sell the Playmobil that I was trying to rid of to DD's school. I only asked what I paid for it so they've got a bargain as the Large School is selling for £140 now online, they're paying less than half that.

DD has decided that she wants the 'Little Live Pets' for Xmas. She wants the birds in particular. I know Argos have them so I may wait for their 3 for 2.

If anyone sees one, I'm looking for a really nice copy of The Night Before Christmas. DS will be 9 months, so First Christmas, and I'd love a little keepsake for us. One with lift the flaps, or really nice pictures he will enjoy.

The park promotions Pom pom scarves have arrived, I had ordered 3 oatmeal but they've sent 3 sage green instead as the oatmeal is out of stock. They are quite nice quality, not too fussed on the colour but ok as an extra gift for someone

I've never used aliexpress before, looks like some good things on there. Any tips? Anything I should be looking out for? Is the stuff all ok?

Groupon have emailed me offers for Christmassy duvets today - there are reindeers and penguins - the adult sort with nice pictures rather than cartoons.

Groupon have Christmassy duvets on offer, adult sort with pictures of reindeers or penguins.

fireflygirl take a look at Robert Sabuda's Night before Christmas. A little expensive but a beautiful keepsake

Firefly - we got this copy. I love the pictures.

www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Before-Christmas-Clement-Moore/dp/023075029X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442831562&sr=8-1&keywords=the+night+before+christmas

Hmm. The play set I wanted from Argos has gone up to £50 from £25, presumably in readiness for the 3 for 2.

timeou, last year I remember reading that there were concerns over some of the aliexpress stuff in that the products aren't safety tested to European standards (if even tested at all). The were concerns that some items could be flammable and plastic items could be carcinogenic. I'll have to try and find the article. Opinions on the thread were divided, some were willing to chance it, others not. When I read the article I'd already ordered Elsa and Anna dresses from them. They arrived and were beautiful (and very cheap!). As they were just for dd to keep in her dressing up box and wear around the house I did keep them (and they're still goong strong 9 months later). But I haven't ordered anything else. I'd be particularly wary of anything plastic coming from there. Although some people are fine with it and might think I'm scaremongering, so i guess you have to research and decide what you think. I don't think (though I could be wrong) that it's any different to ordering from eBay from China which I know a lot of people do.

time I've ordered a few times from there. Things can be a bit hit and miss. Like PP said, beware of anything that won't be safety tested, I've only ordered clothes or accessories from there so far and everything has been fine. Some of the pictures aren't exactly what arrives but not a big deal. I only order items from those that have lots of feedback, preferably feedback where somebody has attached a picture of the item they received as it helps me decide I'd start off small, you can get loads of children's clothes for less than a fiver.

I'd be wary of clothes with anything on them, I ordered a dress and it had things glued to it which fell off with me handling it, like little pearl things. It was for a one year old and ended up in the bin. I just wouldn't chance it personally but have seen some lovely things others have posted, mainly plushes. The plastic I've not seen much positive on x

Just had one of the playmobil dino's sets that I'd ordered delivered- really pleased with size of the set, much bigger than I was expecting. I've waited a few weeks but was worth the wait - still on amazon as an add-on item for £4.96 (have to spend £20) - well worth it as looks like it's worth it's RRP of £14.99.

www.amazon.co.uk/Playmobil-5235-Dinos-Dimetrodon-Dinosaurs/dp/B0077QSOPS/ref=sr_1_3?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1442838518&sr=1-3&keywords=playmobil+dinos

timeou with Aliexpress clothing, it tends to come up around two sizes smaller than the childs actual age (particularly dressing up dresses and pyjamas) so order big. The plush (soft) Frozen dolls quality were fine and I'd order other soft toys without hesitation.

Okay thanks, my kids are 15 and 12 so am looking for stocking fillers and novelty bit and pieces etc. I am looking for a tripod that'll hold an iPad but not sure I'll chance one from there.

Also, I bought for DD this morning a Dolce Gusto Melody coffee maker from Argos be down from £99 to £45. She loves her posh coffees so I'm hoping this will be a hit for Christmas.

timeou I ordered a lot of crafty bits and pieces from there and they have been absolutely great. Much cheaper and just as good a quality as stuff I get here.