Thread 19 - loling with our fingerlings

[Reastie]

A rubbish thread title but, well, it's 19 now!

20 days until Christmas, I'm imagining us all wrapping late at night like little festive elves readying ourselves for how excited everyone will be with their bargainous presents.

Any referral links to go on this separate thread please

@dozyold I bought these Calvin Klein socks from Debenhams, half price down to £12.50 for 3 nice pairs in a tin, there's also codes around for £5 off £25 spend and £10 off a £50 spend.

Also my dd picked my mum up a large tin of shortbread biscuits in store at m&s, cute 3D Christmas tree that spins on a motor down to £5

Thanks to everyone who contributed to these threads each year - they have been seriously helpful to me

Quick question about the spicery subscriptions - I've ordered one which has arrived in a colourful postage box...is this just outer packaging or the whole thing, as I don't know whether to open it up or wrap it as it is. Can someone who has opened it up let me know what it looks like inside please?

@dozyoldtwonk - TK Maxx in store in the place for socks

Other ideas -

B&M/ Home Bargains do Gardeners essentials in a jar for about £3 - outdoor twine, plant markers, snips etc

Same shops you’d get traditional PJs for around £15, toiletries gift sets and shaving sets for around £5, gin/rum/whisky sets for around a £5 (mini bottle, mixer and glass), various kits like a mini build your own solar powered vehicle (£3) or a boomerang stunt plane (£1), beer gift sets with three bottles for £6-7, nice Christmas coffee (Taylor’s), tins of biscuits or chocolates...

dragonmama could you get him one of the boxes or tubs of bricks with no specific design, and a base plate, and leave him to create whatever he wants?

And if he likes mini figs then just get a few mini bags or a separate set to add into his games.

Can also recommend the playmates that turn into storage bags for Lego. We just got one off Amazon that had reasonable reviews rather than one of the expensive ones but it's fine - and we then got a couple of the small ones to go inside in case they were building specific projects they wanted to keep separate.

I am almost done, but am stumbling on a few last bits!

DS (9)
Wireless bluetooth over the ear earphones. Budget -£20. (We bought him a Dot so this would be great to go with it)

DS (6)
Remote control toy. Budget £50. Not a car, unless its more than a car, IYKWIM! I was thinking a robot that listens to commands.
Art set. He is really into drawing at the moment so I want to get him a sort of art station. We don't have room for a desk but I really like the look of this:
www.amazon.co.uk/Artist-Studio-Wooden-Drawing-Station/dp/B00LV0YIZG?tag=mumsnetforum-21 but apart from at this ridiculous price I can't see it anywhere else to buy. Most other alternatives are quite babyish. Budget -£30

DH
I wanted to get him a soundbar for the tv, but at a budget price. Personally I don't want the house to sound like a cinema so no idea what the fuss is. There are so many specs that come with soundbars- can anyone help? Budget £50. (I did say 'budget price'!)
Alternatively, any other suggestions for DH? Loves his beer (done all those beer boxes and tasting days), football (if I get him a football tour he would take DS1 and then that makes me feel bad for DS2), doesn't need clothes. Bought him the Dot.

Thanks in advance!

@doistayordoigo. We had the Spicery subscription last year and the slim box it was posted in was the actual box. No inner separate box. I think them aim for minimal waste.

londonpia On phone so no links but...

Hobbycraft have a CBeebies first drawing desk which is similar and £10 (and on 3 for 2)

Search for the same on Amazon and it's £15 but there are several others that are listed in the 'other people looked at'

And when I googled Amazon CBeebies first art desk several other options from other stores came up including a more grown up first art set from Argos that was about £30.

Also check out kids drawing laptop tray and kids drawing laptop cushion on Amazon for other ideas - there was a nice bamboo laptop desk to use in bed or sitting down that could be flat or at an angle.

Also the works often has this sort of thing...

londonpia does it have to be remote controlled - what about a coding robot of some description? The Learning Resources Code & Go mouse probably too young, but would something like that work? Where you give it commands..

And Art Set - I remember around that age I was given a book with different grades of HB pencil, it taught how to draw perspective - things getting smaller into the distance, how to draw round objects so they look 3D etc. This was years ago...

Am heading to the shops today, I figure they will be quiet if everyone else stays away due to the snow!

Just saw Boots have a pretty pink handbag from Joules in store that contains about 5 bath products, reduced to £33.33. Would make a nice present. Tried searching on their website but couldn't see it there.

This:

www.boots.com/joules-wonderful-weekend-bag-10232371

bunbunny I did see the CBeebies one but I think that may be a bit too young for him, but I will give it a google and see the other option. The Works is a good shout too, thanks!

tiggersdontlikehoney A coding robot could work- I'll have a look at that, thank you!

Do you have an old phone or kindle he can use? There is a small sphero for £30 that looks good.

For anyone giving gin presents this year, I’ve just bought a set of these to split up and fill with a miniature gin and some chocolates as presents for colleagues.

www.wilko.com/glassware/ravenhead-gin-balloon-glasses-55cl-6pk/invt/0466283

argh! bunbunny those Asda Sherpa throws are too nice!! I'm twitching, save me..!

chillimice Don't look ar me - I have 2. And 4 of the costco sherpa fleeces which are cheaper and more luxurious but you need access to costco... Hang on a sec just realised they are on their website too so anyone can get them... Have linked to one but their are ither colours too. They also have lovely thick plush king size blankets... Also on their website...

www.costco.co.uk/view/p/super-plush-sherpa-throw-in-asphalt-grey-1152843A

@Spam88 my local b&m had a bottle and 2 glasses all in an ice bucket for £9.99, might be worth a look of you Have a few to get!

londonpia how about a meccano micronoid robot - they're £40-50 on Amazon but £20 in Smyths (sorry, can't link on phone)

Ds2 had one last year (he was 8) and it's very cute.

Quiet Rebellion (discreetly funky socks) are giving away a pair of Christmas socks (Wilson or Pollyanna styles) with every order using ‘Christmascheer’

Plus they’ve got discounts on some other styles

They are really nice socks

JoJo Maman Bebe has 15% off everything today. Code PRESENT

Adidas has sent an email this morning, if you've purchased from them this year
With a £20 off £50 Code

The matalan £5 throws are nice. Plus check your email for a 25% off in-store until tomorrow.

Are the wilko block Lego base plates any good. £6 for a big pack but not sure how they match up to the branded stuff

Amazon have a choice of free Lego set if you spend £60 on lego . Also the echo is back down to 34.99

@Llamacorn please could you share the Debenhams codes you mentioned? I’ve had a google but can’t seem to find them. Thank you!

Echo dot £34.99 on amazon again.

Oops sorry seen Agnes already posted that.