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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

Affiliate Advertising policy: Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, which means we earn commission on sales of some products when users click through a link from the site. Our editorial content is NOT influenced by affiliate partnerships. You may not post affiliate links without the prior permission of Mumsnet.

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
TickleMyTitsTilFriday · 16/12/2020 18:59

Just ordered this after dithering all day this popped up! SPROCKET
Lifeprint 2x3 Portable Photo and Video Printer for iOS and Android devices. Make Your Photos Come To Life w/Augmented Reality - White https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VFBD2KZ/ref=cmswwrcppapifabccdlCiIL2Fb7ADHB4T

sorryiasked · 16/12/2020 19:16

@runningpink always worth emailing the seller to ask if they have a buy it now price even if only on as an auction.

sortmylifeoutplease · 16/12/2020 19:17

@hoopdeloop

Grandparents have given my 2 DS money to buy presents. Looking for best prices people have seen for Mario Lego?
Asda about a month ago - about £37
runningpink · 16/12/2020 19:20

Thanks @sorryiasked all this info is super helpful.
Iv managed to find the same item on marketplace so I wont need to bid after all but I now know what to do in the future

Lolly12 · 16/12/2020 19:22

If anyone is still after an X Box some Argos stores have some X Box Ss in stock. Worth a try if anyone desperate as I know there were as hard to get as the x at one stage!

Sarahclacko · 16/12/2020 21:23

Thank you to all posters. Thought I was finished but now need some small gifts for 70 year old male - he’s quite trendy and 58 year old female who is also very trendy and out going budget £20-25 any ideas gratefully received

jingleballing · 16/12/2020 21:36

Update on arty dd: so the kindle offer looks great but delivering for feb-March now so that's out of the question for Christmas! Will keep it in mind for her birthday though.

Today I've bought her : a gorgeous white arctic fur duvet set from b&m as she's very much into cosy snuggly sensory things (I got her the weighted blanket from these threads by the way and she adores it so thanks to the posters who suggested them!). A hedwig soft toy key ring for her Harry Potter school backpack. Pack of Harry Potter socks on h&m access sale for members only.

The ideas for cake pop maker/candy floss maker gave me the idea of a waffle maker ! I think she'd love that. Back to Lakeland it is for my fifth order any spare codes anyone ? Grin

Also Can anyone throw light on the light boxes (Grin)? I have no idea what they're used for. I've looked them up on Amazon and tried understanding what it's about but still clueless so don't know if it's something she would actually use.

Also I feel very embarrassed and bloody panicked asking this as I thought it was just for dd1 but it turns out most - think 90% - of the presents I've bought are for dd3. She's got TONNES whilst dd1 and dd2 have lots of little things like chocolates/lip balms and socks and hardly anything else. What have I been doing??? so if anyone can please help, dd2 has just turned 8 on the first of this month (maybe I thought in my mind I'd been buying for her because she's just had her birthday) - she's already had an iPad for her birthday, David Walliams books, set of girl hero marvel dolls, slime stuff, gem sticker making kit. She has a shared present of a big play doh set with dd3.
She's recently got into writing , so I'm thinking the usborne book for writing a story. She's also getting into drawing because of dd1 so maybe some nicer art supplies than she already has??

But my mind is blank beyond this. So What has everyone bought for their 8 year old dds?? Please share as my mind is blank due to panic setting in!

Birdladybird · 16/12/2020 21:42

Does anyone have a matalan code please?

2lostsouls · 16/12/2020 21:49

@Daisy829 I definitely recommend online home shop for the weighted blanket.

TummyTurtle · 16/12/2020 21:56

@jingleballing a lightbox helps with tracing images - e.g you could print a photo of your pet onto paper, place it on of the lightbox and put a blank sheet over the top and trace the image below.
Does that make sense? Don't feel like I've explained it that well.

Embarrassingly I'm a professional artist and I don't have one - I just tape the papers up on my sunniest window. goes off to add a lightbox to my shopping list

jingleballing · 16/12/2020 22:13

@TummyTurtle ah ok so it's for Tracing! I'm going to sound really ignorant now but I didn't know artists traced things! ShockBlushI don't think dd does either ?! When I was little we all got really judgey about tracers and drawing it without tracing 😂

autumncountryleaves · 16/12/2020 22:14

@TummyTurtle I’m an illustrator - and do the same as you!

autumncountryleaves · 16/12/2020 22:17

@jingleballing how about something like this? (Sorry not sure how to do shortened links!) - I have a canvas roll for storing pencils etc and I love it, such a simple thing but I get great joy from it

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KLX1XPJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_ACO2FbDHM0YPC?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Chunkychipsohyeah · 16/12/2020 22:23

@jingleballing I have bought my DD of similar age books, clothes, headphones, lots of games recommended on here such as Skyjo and Exploding Kittens, plus hair accessories, soft toys and Sylvanians...hope that helps! She already has the Usborne writing book and picks it up frequently! Hope that helps x

Famousthehero · 16/12/2020 22:41

Bit left field @Sarahclacko but depending how spry they are, these folding chairs can be useful: they're light to carry and spring together as they're tied through with elastic cord. Handy since we're all meeting up outdoors etc at the moment, and they're good on beaches and other travels.
Definitely not good if their mobility is limited at all, as there's a knack to sitting on them without them tipping, and they're fairly low to the ground.
There are loads of versions of them available, all pretty similar as far as I can tell.

Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys
margaritasbythesea · 16/12/2020 22:48

jingleballing for dd2 what about one of those draw your own comic book books and Wizard of Once books?

Puffalicious · 16/12/2020 22:56

autumncountryleaves I bought one of those for DS13 last Christmas with good quality paper and black pens of different nib sizes (loves graphic drawing) and he's loved it, used it all year.

Jingleballing we're doing a Switch lite for DS8 this year but also books/ bit of Lego/ soft toy/ Blokus/ cheap chess board/ light up track for his cars/ an Oodie. Any of that appeal?

Givealittlebit · 16/12/2020 23:03

Ahh does anyone have a studentbeans code for Lisa angel? It's 10% off which would really help, given the fool of a husband has left it late and we have to pay extortionate delivery 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

LiverbirdNo1 · 16/12/2020 23:23

@Givealittlebit Just PM’d you a code

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 16/12/2020 23:33

@jingleballing my dds are similar age to yours! I have a just turned 12 year old. She collects funko minis of her favourite characters (they do harry potter too!). She is also into playing among us, so I've bought her some plain socks and stuffing to make plushes as seen on YouTube. Aswell as air dry clay, acrylic paints for trying to make models. Plus a paper mache mask to design her own slipknot mask (to go with her hoodie!) She has kukubird leggings (ladies), stranger things merchandise from primark and a churro maker. She has a kindle and never uses it, prefers books and going to the library. So maybe check her preferences before buying. Shes recently read the Darren Shan books and is just starting Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children. Shes asked fir the five nights at freddys boxset for Christmas.
My dd2 (8) is having lol omg dolls, lol clubhouse, cave club dolls, Hatchimals hatchiwow, various barbies, jellycat llama and build a bear llama and lots of little figures that she collects. Descendants dressing up costumes. She is my easy one to buy for she loves dolls and all things glitzy 😂

TummyTurtle · 16/12/2020 23:35

@autumncountryleaves you've made me feel much better, glad I'm not the only one!

@jingleballing for me it's the starting point of a drawing which I alter digitally. Tracing can help teach proportions, and it's great if you want to draw faces!

jingleballing · 17/12/2020 00:12

@nocutsnobuttsnococonuts your dds sound very cute and interesting! ❤️ a churro maker sounds delicious, I wouldn't mind one for myself 😋 my dd also loves books and collecting them and she also loves the library , I don't think a kindle will be as exciting for her for this reason. I'm off to google kukubird though!

I've ordered dd1 a waffle maker now ; thank you so much @Dreamingofwalden for the code 
I love this thread and the people on it and will really miss it !

Can someone help with another question: for dd2, I was thinking of getting her an instax camera but then realised it doesn't record videos and she's very much into recording, making videos of family life and such. Is there an alternative kids/tough camera , with high quality video that I could get her instead , anyone ?

margaritasbythesea · 17/12/2020 06:49

If I were buying a camera for ds 10 I think I would go for a normal compact digital camera. The one I have for myself isn't made any more but there are loads of look alikes at Argos from about £35. Mine is very simple to use. I suppose it depends how much you think she would drop it.

1122christy · 17/12/2020 06:56

@jingleballing that's a shame the kindle isn't available til next year now.

If u have a Costco near you and a membership I got my 8yr some stuff from there for her nov birthday - unicorn Crystal making kit, vending machine squeezeamals, unicorn academy book set and a Roald Dahl creative writing set. The writing set is split up over small books on Amazon but she loves the books. It breaks it all down how to write a story - making characters, plot etc.
She also loves art stuff so is getting cool see machine, sharpies, glitter volcano set (£5 B&M) she also got a led light for her side of the room and she got a rainbow.
What about polly pocket, mini brands, rainbocorn s stuff? She likes all that too.
Both my girls have also really go into roblox this year and smyths had some new roblox toys - adopt me set, piggy figures. My 10yr doesn't really play with toys but she will like them to display.

ShandlersWig · 17/12/2020 07:44

DS has announced he's staying at Uni over Xmas (lots of angst re spreading covid). I'd love to send a few of his maller pressies and a few other items in a kind of care package. Realise it's all a bit late in the day!

Any ideas for contents or posting tips?

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