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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

i am so crap at choosing presents, plus im tight. Whats your secret?

19 replies

Donbean · 17/12/2006 13:26

No really, i can never choose a present for a child so they end up with clothes bought in the sale through the year.
My friends always buy my ds brilliant presents.
I am incapable of splashing out, never have been able to do this.

How do you make your present buying decisions?

OP posts:
gigglinggoblin · 17/12/2006 13:27

if its on sale, buy it. someone will like it at some point in the next year and it will look more expensive than it was because 6 months after you bought it no one will know it was reduced

knittingtinsel · 17/12/2006 13:30

but Next and Adams mark the labels with an indelible red ink mark to ensure no sale purchased returns are refunded at full price, so people would know it was a sale item.

Troutpout · 17/12/2006 13:31

i buy some stuff half price in the sales...usually in the summer in woolworths or somewhere. I usually make a saving but they sort of get more spent on them (had it been full price iykwim) so everyones happy. Come xmas it looks like a really good gift (in fact i saw some of the things i bought full price again last week).

gigglinggoblin · 17/12/2006 13:32

i didnt mean clothes. woolies have great toys on sale regularly throughout the year. loads of stuff reduced to half price, then mysteriously goes back up

Original poster
Donbean · 17/12/2006 13:34

So its kind of ok that i do this?
I feel so bad about it, but i have aprox 16 children to buy for through the year and at Christmas. Thats just close friends and family.

OP posts:
gigglinggoblin · 17/12/2006 13:38

of course its ok! they wont even know. play.com do lots of stuff half price without it being mentioned as a sale, got a remote control dalek reduced to £12.99 from £29.99 a few months ago, saved it for ds2s birthday and he was over the moon. no way he would have got it if i had to pay full price (is back up again now). def worth having a browse every now and then when you have time. most of the xmas stuff i have bought is sale stuff, i also have a box of presents ready for if they are invited to parties. saves dashing round the shops at the last minute

Troutpout · 17/12/2006 13:51

yes sorry...toys in woolies not clothes
giving all my tips away now...there will be none left in the summer now will there!

gigglinggoblin · 17/12/2006 13:54

clothes comment was about next/adams. i got the impressions donbean wanted toys as she said she usually ends up with clothes. im only giving away tips cos so few people on here live near me i should be safe!

Original poster
Donbean · 17/12/2006 13:56

Yes toys tips are good.
I think that im best going with a little list in my purse with names and ages and finding something in the sale to match the age.

My ds is 3 and im an old old lady mum so its all new to me this toy thing.
Need to open my eyes and look and learn LOL!

OP posts:
Original poster
Donbean · 17/12/2006 14:02

oooh just looked on that play.com and its dead good.
Any other good pressy type web sites for me??

OP posts:
mousiemousie · 17/12/2006 17:02

hawkins bazaar

suzycreamcheese · 17/12/2006 17:39

donbean try the thread about favourite internet shopping sites some well worth checking out and lots of posters so lots of tips..

ledodgychristmasjumper · 17/12/2006 17:45

Studio 24 is good too not much in stock at the moment though but what is, is mostly half price now.

Floatinginthemoonlitsky · 17/12/2006 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stockingsofdinosaurs · 17/12/2006 18:07

When your DS starts preschool/nursery/playgroup you'll probably start getting catalogues like the Book People and Yellow Moon. These are quite useful for buying bargains throughout the year and keeping a 'pressie box' for all occasions (eg buy bargain set of 4 books, give 1 per birthday, buy bargain set fo mini toys and put them in going home bags at your own parties.) Nobody needs to know you're not daft enough to pay full price in Waterstones like childless relatives do!

lunavix · 17/12/2006 18:52

I NEVER buy anything without comparing the price, unless I know I can return it. Eg - see learn around playground toy for dd, looked for aages and it went in argos sale for £35 but sold out. Have kept my eyes out, and found it today in makro for £40 inc VAT. Its £60 everywhere else but I allways shop around.

DimpledThighs · 17/12/2006 18:53

t k maxx if you have one nearby - everyones a winner!

Blondilocks · 17/12/2006 18:56

No one will know that you got something in the sale - well aside from the clothing mentioned that is marked with red pen etc. Also they still take the same amount of effort to go out & buy or to choose. I got several items this yr that were half price or in the 3 for 2.

gigglinggoblin · 17/12/2006 19:09

there is an incredible sale on theentertainer atm, someone else has just started a thread! have never used them before but this could be birthdays sorted

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