Thread 17 - the one where we have a small bit of festive escapism

[Reastie]

With this lockdown stuff I can think of no better distraction than Christmas! Online present hunting will he even more important right now too.

please post any bargain info IN BOLD to make it easier to scroll through the thread.

To make things bold you:
Put a star each side of what you want to make bold like this but without the space between the star and the writing *

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

I’m trying to order the Elemis QVC box but it’s not accepting a referral code- does it have to be a first time order with that address??

Who'd have thought that M&S would've been this year's hamper scandal? They've handled this appallingly.

@InDreamland pm'd you

It sounds possible that there’s a whole stack of gin that’s been missed when DHL collected from M&S so hopefully it will still be collected and delivered when someone in the warehouse notices

Thanks for the jewellery link, got a few bits. I’m always so cross with myself when I don’t check TopCashback first even when it’s just pennies!

@MsMiaWallace I've replied. Thank you x

@Rosie2000 is it a new account? I think you can only use it on new accounts so you have to be a new customer.

For those struggling with the Amazon 15% discount on kids list I found this which helps! You need to input the code KWL15

@InDreamland

This Hotel Chocolat Christmas bundle on QVC might be worth a look. It's £29.98 for 5 Christmas stocking packs plus £4.95 p&p, worth it I think with a £10 off referral code.

Let me know if you need a referral link, I can PM you one.

Please could I be PM'd a referral code for this? I know I should ask on the referral thread but I can't find it

@InDreamland thanks I thought tat was the case

My rhubarb gin arrived yesterday but the due date for it all isn't until tomorrow so the lovely man on the m&s chat said I had to wait until the delivery date is missed then speak to them again
Would you recommend phoning rather than web chat?
Shame as I had two bottles of each and I got two rhubarb! I definitely wouldnt have paid £40 for it!.

@Rosie2000 just pop your referral code/link on the referral thread. I'm sure someone will use it then you can get £10 off that way

My bargainous Vitamasque £12 bundle arrived today and looks great. The only problem is I am sorely tempted to keep it. I nearly ordered 2 but restrained myself.

QVC have a great deal on Neom candles and if you use a referral code they are £33 so you get 3 for the price of 1

@chocolatepudandchocolatesauce

My rhubarb gin arrived yesterday but the due date for it all isn't until tomorrow so the lovely man on the m&s chat said I had to wait until the delivery date is missed then speak to them again Would you recommend phoning rather than web chat? Shame as I had two bottles of each and I got two rhubarb! I definitely wouldnt have paid £40 for it!.

It's not the due date that's the problem, it's the dispatch notice combined with the tracking from DHL saying they don't have it when it should've arrived today.

@Shieldingending I've PM'd you

@IToldYouIWasFreaky
I'm also doing s'mores kits, using chafing fuel- which works a treat. If you're on Instagram check out "get toasted NI" for ideas. I'm planning to use normal haribo chamallows but separate them and pop maybe 8 into a self seal bag from home bargains similar to in their photos.
Marshmallows are 89p in HB
Self seal bags I think 99p for 45
Milka biscuits £1.25 - includes 2 separate sealed bags of 6 biscuits
Bag of caramel nibbles - 89p in HB
For the token gifts I'm adding bamboo paddle skewers
For bigger gifts I'm adding personalised skewers from Etsy £4.50
Got cupcake boxes to put all in (also HB)
Will print out a wee "how to" card to add in - similar to those on the insta site

@IToldYouIWasFreaky
Have included pics of the s'more kits I mentioned, in case you're not on Instagram

I'm still gutted I missed out on the M&S gin offer. I added to basket intending on checking out a while later but by the time I came to it, they were all sold out.

It's strange though as it sounds like the issue is with 1 flavour of gin - you'd think if it was a consignment it would have been mixed. Unless they have the different flavours in different locations - which sounds unlikely... Something isn't adding up to me.

S’more kits look great!

I’m wondering if the Hotel Chocolat QVC deal would be good to hand in to Nursery and the staff can share them out amongst themselves?

I ordered rhubarb X1 and clementine X2 for the M and S gin hampers. I got all three, on the same delivery, no problems. So strange

@Restlessinthenorth

I ordered rhubarb X1 and clementine X2 for the M and S gin hampers. I got all three, on the same delivery, no problems. So strange

I feel diddled!

A little while back there was discussion of Christmas books and I’m sure I remember one that was letters written by an author, maybe to his daughters... could be completely off track! 😂
I’m looking for a Christmas book for a friend having a tough time at the moment, but who absolutely adores Christmas...suggestions welcome

Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit trio gift set £18 at English Heritage online shop. It's £35 on the Seedlip site and £32 on Amazon so very bargainous from English Heritage.

Also from English Heritage, slightly random, but they have some stamp collections reduced from £6.25 to £1.60. They can be used to send postcards internationally (worldwide) from the UK, but can't be used to send post to UK addresses. The info is on the product page. I found two different sets: Belsay Castle and Ashby de la Zouch Castle.

@Mumto3thatsme

A little while back there was discussion of Christmas books and I’m sure I remember one that was letters written by an author, maybe to his daughters... could be completely off track! 😂 I’m looking for a Christmas book for a friend having a tough time at the moment, but who absolutely adores Christmas...suggestions welcome

Is it letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien?