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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys

988 replies

YuleAreBeingUnREASTIEable · 11/12/2020 06:27

Thanks @GoblinDaughter for the title

It’s nearly December, Father Christmas is busy putting the final touches to his toys on the workshop and we are busy elves preparing for a somewhat different Christmas this year.

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 Thanks

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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 Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
30
17caterpillars1mouse · 13/12/2020 10:24

@Clementine8 happy land are lovely gifts. They have a barge in the entertainer atm that can be played with in the bath if wanted. The fairy range is also lovely

Theimpossiblegirl · 13/12/2020 10:25

Thank you so for the ideas for getting crumpets to Tipperary.
My phone doesn't seem to be letting me tag successfully today but I appreciate all of you.
The corner shop sites are amazing. If I don't go with them, the very kind offer of posting them from Ireland may be taken up. Any brand will do.

They haven't been to shops since March, are very isolated but thankfully some very kind friends and relatives doing their shopping and things for them, but Dunnes don't do crumpets. They are also rural enough to be able to go for little walks without seeing anyone, but I wish we could get over there. It's for them that I'll be getting the vaccine as soon as I'm eligible.

EverybodyKeepCool · 13/12/2020 10:43

@SparklingLime try Bothams of Whitby

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 13/12/2020 10:51

@whoknows my dd is 11 and she has got a couple of lego brickheadz, some air dry clay and a pile of socks/stuffing to make some among us plushies (watched a YouTube video on it!)

Dreamingofwalden · 13/12/2020 10:54

@Whalewithnosnail I have loads of bags left from last year too. It made Christmas Eve so much easier last year. I have a four year old and one year old twins so all shortcuts are much appreciated! Thank you!

dizzygirl1 · 13/12/2020 11:00

@ceeceebloomingdale thank you that would be perfect. I might need to go to shopping in a city next Saturday morning.

Dreamingofwalden · 13/12/2020 11:00

@Theimpossiblegirl Whereabouts in Tipperary? My Dad is from there and might have some ideas. Until the pandemic he used to go over lots.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 13/12/2020 11:01

@suneetime

Almost done but I need to buy a jigsaw mat that you roll up and store mid-puzzle. There are loads on Amazon but is there anything specific I should be looking for? Or are they all pretty much the same?
I’ve had the roll up one and the flat puzzle storage, much prefer the flat one as has space for the puzzle and inserts you can put the spare pieces on which is much better.
Dreamingofwalden · 13/12/2020 11:09

I’ve missed lots due to work and I thought I had finished.

Quick update on Cox & Cox train which I whinged about a missing piece on a previous thread. Emailing and phoning did not get me very far but as soon as I raised a dispute via PayPal I got a response and then a full refund. So, I recommend using PayPal for your bargains.

I thought I was finished but yesterday received £90 of vouchers to split between my three sons. The four year old is easy but I don’t know what to get for the one year old twins. I did have the Playmobil 123 house when it was bargainous at £26 but now it’s £54 again. I’m not sure. I was thinking more Duplo but can’t see anything v inspiring. Pretty please Christmas gurus do you have any ideas?

Dreamingofwalden · 13/12/2020 11:14

That should say Amazon vouchers!

YouWantToDoWhatInAPyrexDish · 13/12/2020 11:30

Thank you for the advice about Just Dance. I shall look into the app as that seems an easy way to play but the YouTube videos sounds great as it’s the dancing she likes - I don’t think she realises you can compete and score points or whatever. We can definitely get YouTube up on the tv!

IggyAce · 13/12/2020 11:30

Aldi weighted blankets will be in store 17th December can buy online from today. £29.99 in two weights 4.5kg or 7kg.

AmberRoseGold · 13/12/2020 11:43

@Friedbanana I just bought myself Christmas box (Sarcococca) from Thompson and Morgan. It flowers in the winter and smells AMAZING.

PinkDaydreams · 13/12/2020 11:46

@IggyAce

Aldi weighted blankets will be in store 17th December can buy online from today. £29.99 in two weights 4.5kg or 7kg.
Any recommendations please for a weighted blanket for a 3 year old? Looked on Aldi website but unfortunately sold out. Son has ASD and I'm wanting to try one to help with sleep. Thanks all!
Famousthehero · 13/12/2020 11:47

Anybody looking for gifts for 1-3yo I really rate Tickit Toys, they do lots of fun and good quality sensory stuff - attached pics of hand magnifier, sound match blocks, and bubble timers as an idea but there is loads to choose from and good filters by age, price, interest etc

www.tickit.co.uk/collections/0-19-99

Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys
Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys
Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys
17caterpillars1mouse · 13/12/2020 11:50

@dreamingofwalden if you can't find anything in duplo or Playmobil 123 have you considered brio or happy land. Would also say I think Melissa and doug toys are fantastic and well lived in this house (4 and nearly 2 year old)

Squ1ggle · 13/12/2020 11:53

Falling behind so sorry if it has been mentioned but Amazon have Alexa smart plugs for £9.99 with code SMARTPLUG Don't know if it is account specific but I've just bought one

Runforwine · 13/12/2020 12:02

Pinkdaydreams I know you asked about a weighted blanket but I hope this helps my son has non-verbal autism and is now 15. We had major problems with his sleep, he's better now not perfect but you take what you can get. I found for him having a pecs strip with a bedtime routine really helped, as part of the routine he has a projector star light with music , he now accept once this finishes he has to stay in bed. Also an over the bed canopy, so he feels secure. Hope you don't mind the advice but I know how hard be sleep deprived is!

Clementine8 · 13/12/2020 12:04

@RugsEverywhere and @17caterpillars1mouse thank you for the suggestions. I had a complete brain fog in my panic of having to find a new gift. I’m off to browse both.

Puffalicious · 13/12/2020 12:05

Famousthehero that website is wonderful- like Grimms but much more affordable. I'll be visiting for 2 x DNiece birthdays in Feb/ March. Thank you.

PinkDaydreams · 13/12/2020 12:06

@Runforwine

Pinkdaydreams I know you asked about a weighted blanket but I hope this helps my son has non-verbal autism and is now 15. We had major problems with his sleep, he's better now not perfect but you take what you can get. I found for him having a pecs strip with a bedtime routine really helped, as part of the routine he has a projector star light with music , he now accept once this finishes he has to stay in bed. Also an over the bed canopy, so he feels secure. Hope you don't mind the advice but I know how hard be sleep deprived is!
Thank you for your advice! I'm trying to get him out of the sleeping bag but he won't use a quilt, I've had it suggested to me that he may like the closeness of the sleeping bag which a quilt won't provide, so a weighted blanket could help
Puffalicious · 13/12/2020 12:32

lockdownlumpy for the 6 year old. Goes down a storm as a present for age 5-10. knockdown

Lockdownlumpy · 13/12/2020 12:58

@puffalicious thank you but they have jenga already and that looks the same thing just in colour.

Can't scroll to see who suggested things further up but thanks. The batsignal is cool, I don't think nephew is into batman but my boy would love it so might get for him.
Nephew has grown out of wooden railways, paw patrol etc. Into phase of lego, nerf guns and things like that. I'd go with a board game but they have so many already I'm not sure it would get a lot of use.

TheCrow · 13/12/2020 13:02

Asked about using my Waterstones points card with the 100% cashback offer, decided to go for it because if it didn't work I didn't lose out on anything. I've just checked and the cashback has tracked too so I got £10 of free items using my points and I'm getting £10 cashback too 👍 so thanks to the person who posted that!

Salamander91 · 13/12/2020 13:26

[quote Flackattack]@Salamander91 looks like lots of people are having trouble with Matalan - judging by the comments on social media!
I’m annoyed I ordered some bits (after it ignoring all the voucher codes!) and the one thing I wanted has now been refunded - no email and the rat has been dispatched. I’ve contacted and then looked on socials and it seems a right mess!!!
My friend ordered and got sent two, charged twice - returned one and still no refund. Bad times. You have to feel for those in customer service![/quote]
Their customer service has been shocking. I feel for the people who work there though. They're obviously swamped and doing what they can. Finally got a response on messenger this morning to say they can't resend the item so will refund instead.

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