Thread 3 - Christmas bargain thread, no clever name just OMG last thread has 999 messages!

[aurorie11]

Hi all

Was about to post about a bargain and saw thread 2 is at 999, hoping to post a link to this as 1000, wish me luck!

Studio have loads of Christmas gift wrap reduced massively including 18 m rolls and gift tags etc.

Cute 'poo' bargain for 4 and up www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8054876.htm?cmpid=APP003

Build a bear have some teddies reduced today including this star wars one. Ds2 saw it last week in america and fell in love, he will be so happy to find santa has got it for him, and I'm much happier with the price (don't forget quidco for cashback too)

Sir scallywag and the deadly dragon poo is a well loved poo book in this house. It's £5.99 at the moment on Amazon and at the works, but you can get a set of three of the books (which were all quite popular with my pre school children) from the book people for £5.99

here I think they charge £2.99 for delivery unless you order £25 worth, but loads of nice sets on there.

@woodwaj I too have a bus lover. He is 3 and loved this book

wordery.com/wind-up-bus-fiona-watt-9781409565291?currency=GBP&gtrck=TUhWMW9zV1ZkQkt5cW5LV3FTaUlvSTI2VGxGV1JidExDYVZwRVNvdG1IWGtxM2ZxY0RqTjgyTEwvclRDckVzSjZvWktKK3JwU0dzUTIzcytaU3NMbHc9PQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7oaF7MWf3QIVrrvtCh1BoQ5AEAQYASABEgL1gfD_BwE

Also, I spotted this the other day (though the mums net crowd say that Wilkos Lego is crap- if he glues it down as you go it may be ok)

www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-blox-london-bus-medium-set/p/0438398

We also have every bus to in town. This is a form favourite
www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/construction-and-cars/road-rippers/road-rippers-london-motorised-bus/p/152912?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh6iCm8ef3QIVROJ3Ch0B6gS5EAQYASABEgIBO_D_BwE
As well as a bendy bus from Argos

I missed how old you said your son was so these may be too young.

Isn't it mad how kids obsess over buses!!

We have the road rippers bus and I'm tracking the Osborne on camel camel camel. Hoping for a price drop!!

Not just kids. I am 49. I love Cath Kidston Buses especially.

So this isn't a bargain but I thought it might be a good idea for the techy people in your lives!

It's a notepad that you can wipe clean . It has an app you can take pics of the pages and store them.

I watched the video on amazon

Rocketbook Everlast Smart Reusable Notebook/Journal - Letter A4 Size https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071Y3MSRK/ref=cmswwrcppapi_dszJBbKZC6QRY

Hello, any ideas for a 5yo please? She loves reading, but had lots of books, has loads of Lego, which she also loves. She’s got dolls and barbie stuff but she’s not too fussed at the mo. Loves crafts but seems to have a selection of half finished craft kits
I’m stumped. Not helped by the fact that she doesn’t really ask for anything
Thank you

@Millie2013 my nieces asked for something called beados at that age. It's crafty

This is them. I got them a shopkins version

Thank you, I’ll look them up!

Not really a present as such but advent calendar related!
We're doing my little boy an advent box, 24/25 books, starting with wintery and building up to Christmassy stories. Number them and he gets to read a new story every night. Then we're going to put the box in the loft until the next year so he gets the same stories each year. Time to start looking in charity shops for bargainous books to fill the box!

(Saw the idea somewhere on line but can't remember where so thought I'd share it here)

@Givealittlebit we have done this for the past two years. They argue to take the wrapping off but then won't listen to the story 😡

@GirlWithTheYellowHat

Wow I love it.

I also ordered a 66p make up case from this Aliexpress seller which I don’t expect to arrive for another 3-4 weeks.

I just wanted to recommend these Diamond Paintings again, I ordered some a few weeks ago when they had a 3 for 2 offer on and am currently doing my first one and I highly recommend them.

They still have a sale on and do custom designs as well which are on sale (although I haven’t used the custom option) they come from China but only took around two weeks to arrive. They may have other offers on at some point if you wanted to keep an eye out but if you wanted generic ones there are also some cheaper ones on amazon for just a few pounds each (just search diamond paintings, sorry can’t link as my account shows up).

I got Disney princess ones so I can frame them once completed for my dd’s bedroom which I couldn’t find on Amazon. Here’s my progress so far.

Actually, have we done Aliexpress this year? I’m thinking now is a good time to cut & paste my epic post from last year with a couple of updates...

I have used Aliexpress quite a bit over the last few years. My tips/observations are:

1. Check reviews
2. Be wary of plastic toys. There have been concerns about toxic plastics from China, and I have binned plastic figures for having very unpleasant smells. I no longer buy any 'low-end' plastic items (UPDATE: I wouldn’t buy squishiest either, for the same reason) and only ever from sellers with lots of positive reviews
3. Aliexpress refund/complaints procedure is actually way more straightforward than eBay, and stacked in the buyer's favour
4. Beware of mains operated electricals, many of which are supplied without fused plugs. Always message the seller first if in doubt, don't rely on the photos
5. I don't trust dress up clothes to be flame retardant, although I don't believe this is UK law anyway?
6. Clothes can come up very small. Quality can be variable (excellent to awful). Photos are often of similar items, so take them with a pinch of salt and check the reviews.
7. Actually, all photos on Aliexpress should be taken with a pinch of salt. Again, check reviews (where buyers often post photos of the actual item received)
8. I wouldn't trust toys to meet UK safety standards and wouldn't buy anything that could pose a risk (e.g. Paint might not be safe for children to gum, there could be sharp edges/choking hazards, etc)
9. Lego alternatives don't tend to stick together as well as genuine Lego. Minifigures are still excellent value, but the odd one might benefit from a few drops of superglue.

10. Barbie and other doll clothes can be excellent value, but check reviews for fabric quality and finish (UPDATE: Type “18 inch doll” for clothes that will fit American Girl/Our Generation/Designafriend dolls. Shoes are particularly excellent value. Wash dark clothing first as dyes can stain dolls’ limbs) 11. Stationery is generally excellent value, although paper quality can be lower than expected. Type 'kawaii' into stationery and be prepared to spend a fortune!

woodwaj Have you heard of Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus my DD is 6 and loves it, she was a bit unsure when I first read it, but once DH joined in and talked back to the book, she really fell in love with it.

woodwaj
My 6 year old DS has been obsessed with buses since he was 2 so I've had to get very creative over the years! Some ideas; wrote to local bus companies and they often send free toy buses or keyrings etc if you say how much he loves them; take photos of local buses and turn then into a picture/calendar; bus route maps and timetables (I usually put one of these in his stocking).
I've also painted a VERY basic bus station on a piece of plywood from b&q. I just painted about 15 bus 'bays ' and gave them all a letter through the alphabet and an In and Out. He will sit for hours just parking his buses and driving them in and out.
Hope this helps!

Thanks a million for the pound toy website tip I got loads of lovely stocking fillers, the kids will love them.

I really want to get DS the toy monkey from smyths but can’t find anything else to get to free postage. Any ideas?

If it helps he is 2, likes vehicles and CBeebies

I’ve added your aliexpress info to the next op list sock, thank you

Tinc advent calendar bargain use code PATIENCE25 for 25% off. Free delivery should be on orders over £30 but it is coming up free for this too. Makes it £21 delivered