Christmas 2020 summer bargains!

[PinkDaydreams]

New Christmas bargains thread!

Thanks for all the tonie box advice. I’m going to think on it and maybe see if they go in Black Friday sales. If I can get it cheaper I may be swayed.

Buy subscriptions.com have some good deals on magazine subscriptions, including 3 issues for £5. There is a good range of titles and interests. Countryfile is especially good value as it comes with a free gift - a Vango rucksack (in navy or black), which usually retails for £15+. Looks like you can delay the first issue to arrive nearer Christmas.

You will need to cancel your direct debit to get the best deal or it will renew for 6 further issues at a cost of £19.99.

Hope the link works ok, as I saw the original deal on Facebook: www.buysubscriptions.com/subscriptions?promo=SS20AWIN

Leapfrog leapstory gets a big thumbs up from grandaughter (4). She loves the lights on the darker nights, can easily work it and really enjoys listening to a story recorded by us.

@Mrsfussypants1 can I ask you what the story tellers voice is like please? Is it high pitched and annoying? I’m thinking I don’t want something that’s going to liven him up at bedtime!! Also, are there classic stories? Thank you! I’m leaning more toward the leap story as it’s half the price of the tonie box and comes with a lot more stories

If I remember the voice was ok, cheesy but relaxing. Grandaughter was 3 1/2 last Christmas and could work it no problem. Classic stories and a decent length. Downside is that it's hard plastic, it would've been nice to have a timer on it and if you want to hear for example gruffalo you have to record it yourself. I do like Toonies though but the add on price for stories was a put off. We'd probably buy a couple then never add to it. Grandaughter uses it during the day when she wants quite time and takes it into her teepee.

An idea for older kids, young adults and older adults even! Purchasing a online course! Recently purchased my friend a online midwifery course, she is undecided on whether it's for her as a career so gives a great insight into it! There's hundreds to choose from and often at amazingly discounted prices. The midwifery course was usually £299, I got it for just £24! www.reed.co.uk/courses/online

Thank you sorryiasked

@Tildero @PinkDaydreams Tonies was something we looked at for our son a year ago. In the end we bought a little Bluetooth speaker (meant for kids, think it’s a rabbit shape!) and now we use that to play stories on!! Much much cheaper and he loves it, he often has a story to go to sleep to (he’s 7!)
We use audible or borrow box. Borrow box is BRILLIANT, it’s free if you have a library account and you can borrow all sorts of audiobooks (he currently loves Harry Potter) For free and then play on the Bluetooth speaker :)

@pasinphoebe thank you so much! I’m daft, I’ve actually got a small Bluetooth speaker that I play his white noise through to help him sleep. I’ve also got the Libby app to borrow books so I’ll use that for audiobooks and also check out borrow box as you’ve suggested! Thank you!

Can anyone recommend or give advice regarding lottie dolls? Considering buying my dd that are 6 years old some but haven't seen them live or know any that has them. And I would have to buy them from the UK so would like some reviews first plz if any have

@Luxplus We have lots of Lottie dolls, as well as the play house and the stables. Dolls are lovely, great quality and the perfect size. The stables and playhouse are also fab quality (wooden). The only thing I would caution against is the horses, cheap plastic! We had our first Lottie at around 4 and they are still played with often now.

Hi everyone, it's great to be back (another name change). Never did get my highland hampers, got my refund though and it still puzzles me what the point was
Still, as long as we don't mention mooing cookie jars

Lottie dolls are have always been popular with my dds. They are 7 and 9 now and have had them out just today.

They are nicer than barbies imo because they are modelled on a normal body and don't have the giant boobs and feet that only wear high heels.

The clothes are cute and pretty easy to change. The most popular dolls for my two are the fossil collector and the autumn leaves dolls.

You can get outfits separate from the dolls - my dds like the astronaut costume and the surfer set.

Place marking to catch up. :)

I normally get my niece and nephew a keepsake gift each Christmas. In the past wooden advent calendar, personalised book, personalised tree ornament, Christmas reindeer ornament which holds chocolate in the tummy. Can’t remember what else.

Anyone any suggestions for this year? I’m having a complete blank.

They get so many toy and clothes I really want to avoid adding to the pile of clutter.

Oh they are 5 and 2 1/2 years.

Maybe a snow globe? You can get some amazing ones that are really expensive, but
sure you could get a nice one quite reasonably..?

Maybe this is the new Book People?

www.books4people.co.uk/collections/childrens-books-7-11

Don't know if I'm just lucky but I had another look at some bits I wanted from the argos clearance that weren't available anywhere near me last week and they are now available. On the off chance more stock has come in it may be worth you having another look to see if you had something in mind?

Thanks for the HEMA tip- just pretty much done ds3's sticking in one go, bar sweet treats and a clementine!

Can someone give me the Duplo link please so I can do what a PP suggested and pop it in my basket for when it next goes down in price?

My Rex London order arrived today and it’s fab as always. Got some plates and bowls for the new baby (coming on Friday!) so DD doesn’t think Father Christmas has forgotten him. Also stocked up on some birthday cards, place mats and coasters for them both and some temporary tattoos for her stocking.

Those of you talking about Tonies, I think DD (Just turned 3) and DS (soon to arrive) will be getting one of these to share for Christmas www.yotoplay.com/ I like the look of it more than the Tonie box and think it might last longer.

@runningpink

I normally get my niece and nephew a keepsake gift each Christmas. In the past wooden advent calendar, personalised book, personalised tree ornament, Christmas reindeer ornament which holds chocolate in the tummy. Can’t remember what else.

Anyone any suggestions for this year? I’m having a complete blank.

They get so many toy and clothes I really want to avoid adding to the pile of clutter.

Oh they are 5 and 2 1/2 years.

How about a Lanka Kade nativity set? I’ve coveted them for years so getting one this year for the children to share. Keepsake-y but also has play value.

@Mrsfussypants1 Do you know if the stories on the leapstory are read with a British accent or an American one? My daughter imitates accents and so I try to stick to as many British accents as possible on things otherwise she starts sounding American!

@Luxplus My daughters have one Lottie doll so far and they like her, they have only recently started to play with plastic dolls like Lottie or Barbie so she went unloved for a year or two but now is loved by both of them (aged 8 and 5). I plan to get them both one this year and the boy one (Finn?) for my son. They're a little bigger than Enchantimals.

Pandora's outlet currently has a load of Christmas charms that are cheap. I know its overpriced anyway, but they do make good stocking fillers for those who like the brand!

uk.pandora.net/en/outlet/

This cray z slimy creations kit is £5, same price as Argos which is OOS near me so been waiting for the drop on Amazon!
www.amazon.co.uk/Cra-Z-Slimy-28821-Creations-Slimy-Multi/dp/B074THSMN6/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Cray+z+slime+kit&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1596514659&sr=8-5

I'm after one of those Melissa and Doug giant giraffes- if anyone has a genius idea on how to get that cheaper? I'm keeping an eye out for a secondhand one but they're all too far away and no one will post!

@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings

I'm after one of those Melissa and Doug giant giraffes- if anyone has a genius idea on how to get that cheaper? I'm keeping an eye out for a secondhand one but they're all too far away and no one will post!

Not quite as cute but still rather nice www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0698466001.html