Christmas bargain holding thread - we're over here, Reastie

[FireflyGirl]

Whoops - we seem to have filled the first thread!

Let's carry on here until we can sort a proper one.

Christmas rubber ducks ?
Who knew ??
I want some now !

Christmas rubber ducks ?
Who knew ??
I want some now !

Playmobil question from me. DS is 3 next week, we've previously bought him Playmobil 123 sets which he likes and still plays with. Is he too young for regular
Playmobil? Don't really want to get him more 123 stuff as I figure he'll grow out of it, nut not sure if the normal stuff is too fiddly?

(I am so looking forward to him getting into normal Playmobil, I want ALL the police stuff!)

girls hatley mermaid pjs cheap (for hatle) on amazon.

I love these threads, thanks to all for the offers!

Dd is 12 and has the following on her list:-

Hair crimpers
Exploding kittens board game (never seen it cheaper than £20)
Make up caddy/organiser for her dressing table
Make up brushes

If anyone knows of any good deals, I would be grateful!

@flapjackfairy haha! Yes, Christmas rubber ducks 🙈 I thought one may be fun in the Christmas Eve box for Christmas Eve bath!! Completely daft I know!

This thread has inspired me for DS's December birthday actually I might get him some Playmobil.
Would you recommend for a 3 year old?

flapjack or Melissa and Doug do a paint your own rubber duck
It's cheapest on TQ Toys (was a fiver compared to £9 on Amazon)

Can i join in? I've read through most of thread one, I'm never normally this organised but I'm loving it this year! I'd like to thank whoever recommended the Argos obi wan Kenobi lego, my parents are picking it up for me in the next week (I'm overseas) for my dd.

@tootsieglitterballs I got some xmas ducks last year in the card factory, of all places. Pack of three little ones. A Rudolph one a santa one and can't remember the other. We used it with the elf, they may have again this xmas 😊

Girlwithyellowhat 😂 How's yer head😆

Thanks to whoever mentioned about the Halfords play tent - couldn't get one online (Halfords must be wondering why the sudden interest 😄) but managed to reserve one instore for collection!

Thank You for all you advice.. Great to know to go for the mini micro. I think I am going to go for the playmobil. Maybe leave the scooters for now and wait until older.

Tesco have an operation game (think it is the hulk) very cheap at the moment.

Ooh i love that idea tootsie!
Totally nicking it !

My DC are now 7 & 5. In terms of what we got them when:

• micro scooter. DC1 had hers age 3; DC2 age 2.5. Just brilliant. DC1 took a few weeks to get the hang of it but used it loads, not just for pleasure but would scoot alongside the pushchair on the nursery run etc. DC2 picked it up immediately as he'd had a few goes on DC1's. They've always worn helmets but never knee pads etc.
• bike - DC1 age 3.5; DC2 age 3. Only ever buy second hand! Scarcely got any use. We're not a biking family & the children already had the hang of their scooters so we're faster on those & it required much less effort. DC2 learned to ride w/o stabilisers aged 5 and had grown so much we had to replace her first bike. DC2 also had a balance bike which had been a hand-me-down and he hated it and has never used it.
• trampoline - got a 10ft one when DC1 was 2.5. I think it's always been used every day we are at home. DC1 now finds the size a bit restrictive as she can't somersault on it but makes dens & things on it.
• duplo - the DC still play with it. They haven't had any new additions to their collections for a couple of years now but they still get it out on a regular basis despite having lots of Lego now too.
• playmobil - DC1 had her first set age 4 (anyone remember the bargainous playmobil school on this thread 4 years ago?) and loved it. We quickly added the swimming pool and some farm animals to her collection. We now have all sorts of other sets too and it is played with daily. DC2 was only 1.5yo when we first got it & has been fine but he rarely put stuff in his mouth. A 3yo should be fine but they may not appreciate all of the fiddly bits. Both of my two continued to have Happyland given to them until they were 3.5 & loved playing with those until they were 5.
• wooden train set - DC2 had this when he was 2.5 and we added various bits to it until last Xmas when he was 4.5 & DC1 was 7. This is the first holiday when they haven't got it out but I imagine they will before they go back to school. They have had hours of fun with it.
• marble run - got this when DC2 was 2. Lots & lots of fun. We got a fairly big Galt kit to start with & then added another Galt kit to it a year later.
• board games - for a 3yo, pop up pirate & then various orchard toys games are good.
• playdoh - the only present I have bought my two so far this year is a new play doh set. They continue to really enjoy it.
• dolls etc - DC1 had a new doll's pram when she was 3; we got DC2 a new doll when he was 3.5. These (along with the existing doll things we had) are still being played with.
• season tickets - one set of grandparents regularly pays for a season ticket to a local attraction. This has been had loads of use & means that there isn't yet more plastic cluttering up the house.

I think proper playmobil at 3 is fine. Some are way more fiddly than others so maybe have a look at box contents if possible before buying? Also some things definitely need an adult to put together for the first time, though once they're built they're easy enough for a 3 year old to play with. I took some of the really tiny pieces away when ds was just 3 and reintroduced them about 6 months later once I saw he could be trusted not to 'experiment'

@GirlWithTheYellowHat
Off to Tesco this morning so will report anything useful I see.

@WreckTangled thanks for the link to mermaid pjs, got two!

We had duplo for dc 1 (now 13yrs) 11 years ago. My youngest is 6 and we've only just put it away (for the grandkids ). I got a massive tub of bricks and then added a duplo house in and it has been played with loads and got longer then I ever imagined.

Also marble run has been a massive hit - only just put it away after 10 years of use too.

We have a TP igloo door 12 ft trampoline and the kids aged 6-13 all love it. I love the safety of the igloo door and no zip to worry about.

Ooh thanks for marble run tip...ive been considering that for ds who will be 4, but didn't know if it would have longevity. Is it a pain to keep out or do you dismantle and pack it easily?

Not sure if the marble run we have is official one but I find it v flimsy and quite hard for my 3yo to do on their own and I actually find it difficult myself to make a route that works

Fallen, brushes and caddies are good on Amazon but Home Bargains do them too.
Boots have offers on Real Techniques brushes at the moment but if she's not brand obsessed you can get some really pretty ones on Amazon.
Lasy years surprise success with my teens was this bag brabag for sleepovers. Look at different sellers as price and style vary.

Here you are! I've been on these threads a couple of years and love getting bargains. This year will be on a super budget as we are also planning our wedding!

I have 2 girls 9 and 5 at christmas. Have bought a few bits already but looking out for bargains. The eldest is not really playing with toys so looking for reading/arty/comic book related gifts. She loves guardians of the galaxy and minecraft. The youngest loves little figures, animals, unicorns and is totally obsessed with moana and paw patrol.

I'm looking for a disney store code as want to buy the mini moana animator case. DD2 has a few others and loves them.

My dds aren't particularly fussed by playmobil they prefer busy books (we have nearly every type some I imported from america!) For £5 each here they are well worth the money, I normally pair with the dvd for a substantial gift :)

Someone was after yokai watch - I bought the watch on tesco a couple of months ago for £4 - might be worth looking out or keeping an eye out or looking in their ebay outlet.

We had an elc marble run.

christmas rubber ducks