Thread 26 - the one with the last minute panic buys

[YuleAreBeingUnREASTIEable]

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

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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

Thank you @Threeoleary I have used the code for bloom and wild

Does anyone have a code for Allbeauty at all?

Can anyone remember what box the hot chocolate shaker comes in? Is it obvious what it is? It’s being delivered when I’m at work and husband is at home and it’s a present for him.

@ElfAndSafetyInspector - I like a scented candle. By far the best I’ve found is by a company called Sunday London. The candles are amazing - even the smaller one wick really ‘throw’ their scent. I also think the scents are absolutely gorgeous. For me they are nicer than Neom ( although Neom are lovely candles!) and the scents much richer and deeper. I suppose the only difficulty would be choosing a scent. Somewhere:midnight of theirs is a lovely accessible scent and if they like more middle east fragrances then Riad is gorgeous.

I also think that very good shower gel is a great indulgent gift - something you use everyday but most people wouldn’t buy an expensive one of! I find if gifted I use it far more than bath oils say. Espa do some good shower gels. Or if they take baths then aromatherapy associates are also very good

Once again the lovelyness of you guys has helped me. @IggyAce gave me a matalan code. Thank you for all the kind offers.

@VictoriaClaire28 have a look at aevitas

@Avoca76 it’s in a plain brown box, which I think was in a plastic cover. I don’t remember it having any identifying branding, because DH would have commented.

If anyone near an IKEA, their winter fruit punch is divine and now £1.95 a bottle (usually £2.95). I love it and buy bottles and bottles every year. Super heated up, makes me feel all Xmassy (like this thread!)

@TwnklTwnklLittleStarfighter that’s great thank you!

@Clementine8 happy to help.
Good news my 2 parcels arrived just 1 more to go. Not Christmas related but very pleased with my Black Friday bargain swimsuit from Joules (£49.95 reduced to £11.01).

The Switch from Very finally arrived today - hooray! Think I'm just waiting on a couple of things now, only one through Royal Mail I think, and still a fair amount of time, so it should arrive. I think I'll avoid buying with Royal Mail delivery between now and Christmas though (if I find I need anything else - I'm not sure I do, but you never know!)

@ElfAndSafetyInspector I love Diptyque candles, and at the moment if you spend £100 you get a free gift of a mini candle and 3 decorations with the code FESTIVE20 they are quick to deliver and always come beautifully packaged.

Snapfish has 60% off photos calendars and other things I've used them in past years and they're good quality - think order by 17th for delivery before Xmas (tho the way things are
At the moment the earlier the better! I did have one year where they didn't arrive by 23rd and they printed them again and got them there on 24th

@HoHoHolyMackerel I'd recommend Bloom and Wild. I think there are referral codes which take £10 off.

Is there a link to the pillow please as I can’t find the correct one

Also I need inspiration please

We are playing bad Santa this year and I need to supply 5 gifts - under £3 each, suitable for anyone (child of 6, 35 year old mum and 65 year old grandad for instance) and not a waste of money.

Can be a nice thing or a weird thing to receive.

Have already got: loo roll, sweets, can of fizz, cat treats (we all have a cat).

Would welcome ideas!

And finally please can you lovely people advise on the best courier service - our planned Christmas trip to see family has just been cancelled and so I need to get their presents delivered

@slithytoveisascientist try parcelmonkey. They compare all the other sites.

@Trumpton, Rex London are doing some Nordic gift ideas.

www.rexlondon.com/nordic-christmas?ll=menutopnav

Thank you all so much for the tips and gift ideas. As my mum and mother in law are unable to get to the shops this year they've told me to order things for myself. I've got the aldi velvetiser, flower subscription. Molton brown set and weighted blanket , plus boxes of Hotel Chocolat for every one else.

@VictoriaClaire28 you can get loads from Amazon we got one last year for about £30.00

@slithytoveisascientist, if you're sending booze at all, it'll have to be Royal Mail. No other courier carries booze for domestic customers.

[quote ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]@slithytoveisascientist, if you're sending booze at all, it'll have to be Royal Mail. No other courier carries booze for domestic customers.[/quote]
I could be wrong but I think DPD deliver booze? They were in charge of all the M&S gin, not that that is a ringing endorsement!!!

[quote ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]@slithytoveisascientist, if you're sending booze at all, it'll have to be Royal Mail. No other courier carries booze for domestic customers.[/quote]
As a PP just said, DPD deliver too.
They were in charge of my John Lewis order that arrived extremely damaged, then in charge of my replacement order that they tried to deliver to the wrong house twice. Third attempt at delivery it arrived, damaged again.
The next replacement did arrive though - wouldn't usually have given them chance to mess it up again but needed the bottles as gifts for this week.

DHL deliver booze for companies but not individuals. DPD may be the same. Hermes also deliver items for companies that they don't for individuals.

I was roundly bollocked by DHL for sending booze, despite M&S having used them for the same item!