2019 Christmas bargains thread 1

[Reastie]

Jingle those bells because it’s time for thread 1!

The aim of this thread is to share ideas for Christmas bargains and present ideas and a little bit of Christmas chat etc. I’ll try my best to do a post with the most popular links, if there’s anything specific you’d like me to add or if something I’ve put up doesn’t work please let me know in bold . Thank you

As usual no affiliate links (I’m still not exactly sure what they are but consensus was not to have them) and if we have any sites to post personal sign up links we’ll do this on a separate thread so all can post their links, I’ll do this when —I get around to it— soon.

☃️❄️🎄🎁

@MooPointCowsOpinion, yay! You too!

🦌

AliExpress have a sale starting tomorrow and going on for a week

I’ve cut and pasted the tips from last year’s threads as a reminder

Sockeatingmonster’s top tips for using aliexpress

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! Bookmark

@Betsy86 glad you got one. The dc loved them last year.

@Looking4wards TK Maxx sometimes have brio stuff in.

Thanks @practicalmagick! I’ve just noticed it’s less than £8 on Amazon too!

Ooh ooh go groopie have the booty shaking llama for 16.99, I can't remember who wanted it.
Although I have no idea about postage so might be just the same as using amazon 🤷🏻‍♀️

Morning you lovely bargenous lot! Long time lurker. Looking for deals on wooden kitchens/mud kitchens (not quite sure which yet!) for my nearly 2yr old.

Also brand alley have some really good toy deals and so fab ted baker deals atm

I would love the Spode but can't justify it as I have the b&m festive set which is great for the price.

Joining thread rather late in the year to thank Barbara for the sack codes too. We have birthdays before Xmas so always pressure for bargains this time of year. Will post any bargains I spot along the way but you guys are far better plugged into codes etc than I am!

Does anyone else just not know what they want to buy people this year?! I dont even know where to start!

Sorry if this has already been posted, I haven't scrolled back this morning.

Me neither, I have a couple of birthdays to sort also so use this for inspiration!

@woodwaj
Dd1 wishes robot and programming stuff as well as books playmobil and a craft box. She's 5 years old.
Dd2 wishes playmobil, doll stuff, books, make up table. She has her birthday in November where she will be 3 years old.
Dh and me don't exchange gifts, but go on a minibreak every September instead.
Don't know with my parents, grandparents and great grand parents yet...

Me, me. Lots of lovely things and lots of pages open. Zero clue though

@woodwaj
Ds1(10) wants a Nintendo switch with pokemon shield, a real life pet dragon and a ty beenie baby that he lost a few years ago
Ds2(7) wants a Nintendo switch and some yu gi oh cards
Ds3(3) wants mash'ems and a green bag
Dd(15) has asked that we adopt her an animal from WWF

So yeah, small lists this year. I am only really hunting for a bargain on a switch.

@duckling84 love the adopt an animal gift that's really thoughtful

Not particularly Christmas-y but H&M are doing 15% off of their basic collection for new and existing members today

Lol bubbly surprise is £19.99 on Amazon.
www.amazon.co.uk/L-O-L-Surprise-Bubbly-Pink/dp/B07HRR6K4G/ref=asc_df_B07HRR6K4G/?hvlocphy=1007252&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310668768900&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-631670613507&hvrand=13065937023647217659

this year dds both want Harry potter Lego. dd1 would like various funko pops and dd2 lol dolls. tbh I've been collecting bits throughout the year (mostly) second hand so they are practically done. dd1 is v anti plastic so we will be doing useful stocking fillers no tat this year.

dh and I are buying slipknot tickets as our present to each other, although dd1 will be coming too (her first gig and birthday present!)

my mum has suggested we do a nice day out so will get her and partner token gifts. i want to get him an emma bridgewater mug he loves the one i got my mum. my sister is tricky but I'm sure if I ask she will give me an idea!

dh family are hard to buy for so will be keeping an eye out for bargains for them :)

Surely "I hereby declare myself the queen of pre-lit reindeer!" has to be the next thread title! Really made me laugh

Some amazon deals - perhaps for people you hate since they include a karaoke machine, slime and a terrifying baby doll!

Hello! Delurking - 20% off ASOS today with code BANKHOL - might be helpful for teens etc.

Entertainer have a lot in their sale section including Star Wars, Hot Wheels, Toy Story and so on.

A lot of stuff in the arts and crafts section seems to be 50% off, plenty of LOL, fingerling, play doh, "make your own" type kits.

There's also 20% off some LEGO stuff (though I find Smyths are still sometimes cheaper).

@Tigger83 I bought my three year old this John Lewis one from gumtree last year for £35. At the time it was retailing at £125 and it was definitely a bargain! I just had to buy the food, crockery and cutlery - you can get this fairly cheap.

I personally wouldn’t buy new kitchens and will sell it once he has stopped playing with it.

Maybe have a look locally to you and Facebook selling pages, especially around now if people are clearing out.

Smiggle early bird advent calendar offer