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!

I've been in two minds about doing a shop on Ali Express. In the end, the decision has been made for me as my Mac laptop will NOT (despite endless tries) allow the ali express website to open. I just get the grey page saying 'Safari cannot open this page'. I'm taking this as a hint!

Ha ha no problem! The gingerbread one is £12 from £15 and there was a Barbados one at £20 for 70cl instead of about £26 I think and two smaller bottles at £10 but I can't remember original prices of those. Maybe £12.

I'm hoping to buy DH a nice backpack for either Christmas or our anniversary in October. I've looked at Fjallraven and they are lovely but pricey; I've also seen nice ones from Ted Baker and Jack Wills. Can anyone advise on how to source from any of those at a good price or recommend any other brands I should look at?
Should I hold off buying it till Black Friday and hope for a good deal then?

Thanks so much for the sloth, dd1 is sloth obsessed so will be perfect. Just need to wait for the lemur to come down in price on Amazon for dd2. From smyths I also ordered jojo siwa dog for £2.99, jojo singing microphone for £5.99 and the hotel Transylvania figure set £12.99. They really need a setting on the website to only view things available for delivery.

Trying to weigh the pros and cons of going shopping for bargain M&S booze for gifts whilst heavily pregnant, and I think the mention of gingerbread rum broke the proverbial camels back. I know what I’m doing on my lunch break tomorrow! Thank you

@thatsnotmybookworm
Definitely reccomend a fjallraven. I have 2 and they are lovely quality. Amazon have got a few but just check reviews first to see if they are real as not a official stockist. Asos also stock them and they keep having random 20%/30% off everything.

Those who have bought wooden advent calendars... how big are the boxes? I don’t like to give chocolates as they tend to open them before school. What could I fit inside?

Morrison's have the big tubs of roses/celebrations/heroes etc on 2 for £8

Just popped into b&m and the Xmas things are coming out!!

Thanks @stripy29. Asos is a good tip; I'll keep an eye on that.

@Numberonecook my wooden advent calendar is pretty small, maybe 3cm square at most.
I’ve used it for small figurines and mini figures (bought pre-loved in bundles). It’s not easy to come up with much that fits in it apart from chocolate.

@mamabluestar

Mario Items
Primark often have good Mario bits in. My son came home with PJs, socks, pants, T-shirts, backpack, slippers, etc from there last week. There were bits in the men's and the boy's sections. Home bargains had Mario and Luigi fidget spinners ridiculously cheap (I think 49p). Aliexpress is also fab for Mario stuff. My son gets a Nintendo plush cuddly toy from there every birthday and xmas, they do some fab ones we've not seen in uk shops eg dry bones bowser. Also Nintendo cushion covers, fridge magnets, figures, etc.

Stolen from playpennies! Matalan codes!

Thanks @woodwaj - I've never heard of playpennies!

It's a good page. Sometimes they post similar to hot uk deals but one is sometimes quicker than the other.

Yourhandinmyhand thanks for the mario tip at primark, I need to stock up on more Harry Potter bits so will look out for mario whilst there. I also might get myself some friends bits as I spotted they sold that last time I went too.

@Numberonecook I've got some coloured counters which I put in the boxes and dc get to pick a "lucky dip" of the right colour from a sack.

M&S had a selection of their Christmas biscuit tins on offer for £5. They're usually priced between £8-£10 & they've got nice pictures on the front.

@thatsnotmybookworm urban outfitters have 20% off fjallarken (definitely not spelt right sorry!) And a good range available

@PipersOrange Thanks so much for that tip; I would never have thought of Urban Outfitters so that's much appreciated

There’s 50% off orders over £30 at snapfish with code SFUKAF1096

Not strictly a Christmas present bargain but a wee treat for Christmas lovers nonetheless. You are getting 6 issues of Good Housekeeping, including the Christmas issue for £9.99, with the GH Christmas Cookery Book as a free gift.

www.hearstmagazines.co.uk/good-housekeeping-magazine-subscription-jfs

Sorry, don't know how to do a short link

Two things to report according to playpennies

1. Matchmakers have just released a special Christmas gingerbread edition (!!!!) available to buy at Tesco from tomorrow

1. There is an L.O.L advent calendar!!! But it’s currently only available on Ebay (imported from the US with high shipping charges).

Harry Porte fans.. my local in store tk maxx has banks and key rings in the area next to the tills

There was lots of lovely stationery in Sainsbos today. Desk planners for 40p, notebooks 60p, pen and pencil case sets £1.50, fluffy swan notebooks £1.80. Great stocking fillers.

I'm keen to get a couple of the Tinc advent calendars for 2 sisters - but can anyone who has bought them before tell me if all the sets have the same gifts. It would be nice if they were randomly different, so they get different gift surprises each day. Thanks