Bargain thread 1 - Christmas shopping on the hottest day of the year!

[Reastie]

Title inspired by the sweltering heat today but I’m still planing Christmas!!!

Thank you to chips for keeping the seat warm for me.

Just a reminder you can watch the thread by clicking on ‘watch this thread’ at the top of the first message. It’s much easier for everyone than so many place marking every time which can use up a fair chunk of each thread to scroll through

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Here’s Barbarara’s instructions from last year on doing clicky links:

Open double square brackets
No space
Paste link
Space
Name of link
No space
Close double square brackets

Like this
[[www.amazingbargains.com bargain ]] but with no space after/before the brackets.
If I do it again without the extra spaces only the word bargain will appear in blue

For more links etc see message 2

If any link doesn’t work or you want to add something please let me know by @ing me

Does anyone have these slushy cups (or know of cheaper for the same thing)? I think my girls would appreciate the novelty, if they work :)

We have them - they do work but they are a novelty and after a few goes now live somewhere in the Tupperware cupboard of despair. They’re quite good making margaritas too

Hmmm, I'm not sure how much else we could fit in the cupboard of doom it's bursting with assorted water bottles/beakers they don't use but can't bear to part with as it is.

Maybe I'll pass unless I see similar for a few quid rather than nearly a tenner each to sit in there!

blue banana have a good sale on - best for older kids & teens, especially those heading down the emo route!
Glow in the dark body paint, manic panic make up, hype back packs, starters pin badges, cups, net tutus etc.
Lots on BOGOF or BOGOHP

@Yeknom here is the cocktail subscription

I had it and loved it but they did forget to send it to me a few times, some kind of admin error with my account. They were apologetic and I would order through them again.

I was wondering if anyone knows the best time/place to buy Lego - I want to get the hog warts express for a Christmas pressie. I was wondering if Sainsbury’s includes it in the toy sale in November? Or any other suggestions?

@CakeandCoffeeQueen

It's been a couple of years since I bough but amazon often reduced the big lego sets around the time argos did 3 for 2. Put a price watch on it and hopefully it will drop at some point between now and Xmas!

Amazon , Lego.com and others have had good deals on Black Friday.

I wouldn't wait for Black Friday though if you see a good deal, amazon didn't run their prime day in July this year and are offering their no rush £1 reward as they are still exceptionally busy l

Our courier has said he's been busier than his usual Xmas week every single week since March

@CakeandCoffeeQueen, how many Nectar points have you got? It might be beneficial to wait until Double Up if you have a significant amount which you don't mind spending on it.

The Duplo is back to 10.99 on Amazon!

@lucysmam we had those. I really wouldn't bother they weren't great. A lot of hard work for something you can make in a blender

I used to work in blue banana, loved it at xmas time helping parents pick stuff out :) if you go in store theres normally add on offers at the till such as belts or other accessories for £1. Good opportunities for stocking fillers. if you're stuck I believe they still do gift cards. Great for band merchandise and pin up style dresses and accessories for teens/students etc. The staff are always friendly and helpful too so if you're not sure what your giftee may like, maybe they've just gotten into the alternative scene, or you're not familiar with the brands and styles, speak to the staff as they're always happy to help direct you and let you know what's popular for their age/style/interests etc x

EMP-online is also a great website not just for general alternative looks and clothing, but for band, gaming, tv/movie merch as well. They have a sale on as well atm, or at least they did a few days ago x

@treeeeemendous thanks, I'll pass & find something else!

I'm really confused by the Duplo. I keep looking but the price just stays the same.[£23.00] I've put a camel alert on too but I'm not getting any e-mails from them about it. Does anyone know if we all see different prices on Amazon at the same time or am I being extra thick? Thanks in advance to anyone that can explain this to me.

Only around £10 on nectar points, I’ve never understood how to double them up!

I hadn’t thought of Black Friday either

For whoever was asking about the cocktail man-groupon often have half price subscription for £3-4. Which might make it a bit cheaper?

@recklessgran I just have it in my basket constantly and each time I check it has gone up or down. I think the price must be changing hourly or something so maybe just luck?

cakeandcoffeequeen is the set on very? Could you use one of the new customer codes? Think they are usually £25 off £50 spend. Sometimes regular customers get them too, last year they sent me a £50 off a £100 spend so I got a big lego set and some lol dolls for christmas for half the rrp :)

@nocutsnobuttsnococonutsno I’ll have a look, did you have to pay on finance?

cakeandcoffeequeen i paid interest free over 3 months, but you could pay off once it arrived :)

Don't know if anyone has seen hype has a lucky dip again and if you download the app and use APP15 you get money off. I've just ordered the 2 random girls backpacks for £19.50 posted. I was tempted by the clothing boxes but dd1 is quite fussy with clothes (so am I!).

For people looking for Lego, keep an eye on brickset.com which tracks Amazon prices across Europe, it can be cheaper to buy from elsewhere. Germany often has good deals...

Woo hoo settling in for what must be my 7th or 8th year! Can anyone recommend a popcorn make please?

Thank you so much @whenasuitcasewontdo and @villamariavontrapp - I did wonder if it was the cocktail man when I was googling but then the trust pilot reviews weren't great...really reassuring to know that you've used it though and for the groupon tip off!! I think I'm going to go for it! x

@penguinbeaver - do you mean brand of premade popcorn? Joe and Sephs is always good...

Or maker - I have one from Argos that is at least 20 years old . Still going strong! Just plug it in and pour in kernels - no need for oil! I'd recommend one like this - no more burning pans!